High School Students - Where Do I Start?

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Information for High School Students
Where Do I Start?

Step #1 - Career Plan

First you have to make an informed decision on what you want to do for a living. Here are a couple hints before you get started...

1.	Be careful with this one and take your time. You'll probably be spending as much time at your future job someday as you do right now in school - make it something that you enjoy!
2.	Don't be that careful!! While it's important to research your options, keep in mind that you have to start somewhere. Don't paralyze yourself into making no decision at all, or worse yet; letting someone else make the decision for you.

Need search and rescue? Check out our career planning site for some great career awareness and assessment tools!

Step # 2 - Choose A Program

Sweet!! You've got the first step conquered.
Now take a peek-preview at what MSTC has to offer. You can start by zoning in on a particular division like Agribusiness, Business, Service & Health or Technical & Industrial. Or if you're the type that's afraid of missing something go the the Program Offerings page.

Step # 3 - Get Ahead in High School!

Now listen up... This is important stuff!
You can get a head start while still in high school! Many of our programs have entrance requirements that look at your ability in math, reading, and writing.

Is that you sweating? .... Relax and towel off. You have a couple options here. First, take what you can in high school to help prepare yourself. Besides the basic academic requirements, there are other high school courses that can gain advanced standing for you. In English, please? Advanced Standing is college credit for high school courses. Sweet!

Secondly, check out the Youth Options Program - It's way cool! If it works out, you could be earning college credit while still a junior or senior in high school!

Lastly - of course we can help!... Glad you asked! Our Academic Support Center is waiting with open arms! Well.... OK, maybe a friendly smile. The ASC is free and has hours that will fit even a high school student's schedule.

Step # 4 - Admissions

Congratulations you've made it halfway!
Bow - Excessive Clapping - Second Bow.
Yeah, yeah, yeah... wipe off the grin and plant yourself; we're not done yet. Here comes the admissions process. If you have completed your junior year you can go ahead and fill out an application. Unlike on an application to a four-year institution, you must choose a program; You cannot declare yourself "undecided".

A technical college education starts you out in specific program courses right away. For example, (The Criminal Justice System) if you've chosen the Corrections Science program, or (Operating Procedures) if you've chosen the Surgical Technician Program. I hate to pressure you, bu-u-u-u-t, technical education is HOT!!! Programs fill fast; so don't wait for your best friend to do it first.

Step # 5 - Money

What!!! You didn't win the Powerball Jackpot like you planned???
Again, we've got it covered. College can get expensive, but there are always ways to do this even if you haven't saved your allowance since you were 5 years old. You've probably heard of Financial Aid. FA ..... as we sometimes call it, is money from the state and federal government to help pay for college expenses. You can find out what's in it for you by filling out a FAFSA. Your guidance counselor has them and so do we. Oh yeah, you don't submit one of these applications until the 2nd semester of your senior year. Don't forget about scholarships!!! Your chances are probably better than you think -- way better than the Powerball Jackpot plan you had!! Many of our students also take advantage of payment plans, working part-time and tax incentives. So don't give up, you can do it!!

Step # 6 - Visit Us!

I've saved the best for last!! Come Visit Us! Of course you don't have to wait until all those other steps are done. Come anytime, and bring a friend if you want!!! Check out our labs and shops. Have a soda in the Cougar Cafe'. Or join us at one of the special events we hold on campus each year. You'll fit right in - I promise!!!!!