Precollegiate Information

COLLEGE PLANNING begins in middle school and continues through high school. Taking courses required by colleges and universities enables high school graduates to enter the college of their choice and earn a degree in a timely manner. NOT PLANNING may increase the time and money which must be spent acquiring a certificate or college degree but it does not mean reaching your goals are impossible. It is in your best interest to start early and set your educational goals.

Why plan for college?

College not only helps to prepare for a career, it can also aid you in learning more about yourself and the world in which you live. You are, after all, a citizen of the world. You will experience new things both inside and outside of the classroom.

Since most careers in the twenty-first century will require post-secondary education, ALL students should assume that they will need training beyond high school. With technology changing so rapidly, planners don't even know the names of the jobs that will be available five to ten years from today. However, education after high school does allow a student these options:

  • Preparation for a career of choice
  • Adequate living salaries
  • Self-knowledge
  • Quality of life
  • Satisfaction

Post-secondary education

There are over 30 post-secondary educational institutions in Colorado. These consist of four types of institutions.

  1. VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS offer three to nine month, hands-on, certificate programs which are entry-level job preparation. Programs are generally non-transferable.
  2. TWO-YEAR COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGES offer certificate and associate degrees as well as transfer programs. There are 15 such colleges in Colorado.
  3. TRANSFER PROGRAMS are offered by community colleges to transfer college credit (usually the first two years of college work) to a four-year college or university. In addition to Associate of Arts or Sciences degrees, community colleges now offer "CORE CURRICULUM" consisting of 59 general education courses that are guaranteed to be accepted by four-year colleges. Some community colleges also offer guaranteed transfer programs with sister universities which ensure that the first two years of a program are transferable to a four-year institution.
  4. FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES or UNIVERSITIES offer bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees. The undergraduate college degree is the bachelor's degree, and a student attending school full-time requires four to five years to complete this degree. However, many students continue their education beyond a bachelor's degree and work toward a master's or doctoral degree. Colorado has 18 four-year colleges and universities; 15 of them have on-campus housing.

COLORADO COUNCIL ON HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE RELATIONS
Handbook Order
c/o Bill Hathaway-Clark
P.O. Box 173362, Campus Box 16
Denver, CO 80217-3362
(303) 556-3993
[email protected]
www.coloradocouncil.org

What is a pre-college program, and how do I apply?

There are several pre-college (or college preparatory) programs offered by institutions and community agencies throughout Colorado. They are designed to help students succeed in high school and plan for education after high school. Many programs are free of charge to the student and family. They range from relatively simple efforts to make information more accessible to more extensive programs providing services for more than one year. Some programs provide high school or college credit for participating students. Some pre-college programs are listed in this directory. Most programs involve some or all of the following services:

  • Information on and assistance in gaining admission to college
  • Financial aid information and application
  • Help in securing employment
  • Career advising
  • Academic advising
  • Information on mentorships
  • Summer academic enhancement programs
  • Academic year skills building
  • On-going academic tutoring and counseling
  • Assistance in making the adjustment to college
  • Hands-on learning opportunities about specific careers

    If you would like to find out more about the pre-college programs, contact a CESDA member with the institution you are interested in.

CESDA • Colorado Educational Services & Development Association
P.O. Box 40214 • Denver, CO 80204
Email Address: