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Plan your gap

It's important to take time to reflect as you consider your interests and research your options during this step of the college deferral process. Familiarize yourself with our modular Gap Year, Semester, and Short-Term programs with the help of your expert Gap Year Consultant, who will work with you and your family one-on-one to determine the perfect program for you.

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Plan your gap It's important to take time to reflect as you consider your interests and research your options during this step of the college deferral process. Familiarize yourself with our modular Gap Year, Semester, and Short-Term programs with the help of your expert Gap Year Consultant, who will work with you and your family one-on-one to determine the perfect program for you.

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For the past 14 years, USA Gap Year Fairs has partnered with US high schools to educate, inspire, and empower students to look beyond the classroom and pursue opportunities for experiential learning. Taking a gap year might seem intimidating, but it's actually much easier than you think -- especially when you know there's a community of gap year experts and enthusiasts to help support you.

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There are Many Ways to be Successful

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What career is right for me? | ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Find what career is right for you with the ASVAB CEP career exploration & planning tools. Find career satisfaction & your dream job.

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My Future helps young adults plan their next steps by providing information on career goals, applying to the right college and military service opportunities.

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FIVE PATHS TO GREATNESS. ONE U.S. AIR FORCE.

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Welcome to the United States Air Force. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals.

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The Official Home Page of the United States Army

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The official website of the United States Marine Corps

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The Official Website for the Air National Guard

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The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is the largest and oldest source of officers for the Air Force. It is an elective college course that supports students who wish to become officers in the Air Force after graduation.

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Become a leader and serve your country, without sacrificing your college experience. In Army ROTC, a career is waiting for you after you graduate.

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RECEIVE FULL TUITION, BOOK STIPEND, AND MORE

The purpose of the Navy ROTC Program is to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy's unrestricted line, the Navy Nurse Corps and the Marine Corps. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program plays an important role in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.

Selected applicants for the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program are awarded scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process, and receive full tuition, books stipend, educational fees and other financial benefits OR Room and Board at many of the country's leading colleges and universities. Upon graduation, midshipmen are commissioned as officers in the unrestricted line Naval Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve.

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MISSION

The Navy ROTC Program was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, and loyalty, and with the core values of honor, courage and commitment in order to commission college graduates as naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval service, and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.

HISTORY

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (Navy ROTC) Program was established in 1926 to provide a broad base of citizens knowledgeable in the arts and sciences of Naval Warfare. The program provided an opportunity for young men to undertake careers in the naval profession. In the beginning, there were six Navy ROTC units located at the University of California at Berkeley, Georgia Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, University of Washington, and Harvard and Yale Universities. In June of 1930, 126 midshipmen graduated from college, and received commissions in the United States Navy. At least 3 of the graduates went on to obtain flag rank.

The Marine Corps entered the Navy ROTC Program in 1932, offering qualified Navy ROTC graduates commissions in the United States Marine Corps. In 1968, Prairie View A&M became the first Historically Black College (HBC) to host the program. In 1972, the Secretary of the Navy authorized 16 women to enroll in the program and attend school at one of four colleges. Women may now participate in the program while attending any Navy ROTC affiliated college or university. In 1990, the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program was expanded to include applicants pursuing a four-year degree in Nursing, leading to a commission in the Navy Nurse Corps.

The mission of the Navy ROTC Program today... is to develop young men and women morally, mentally, and physically, and to instill in them the highest ideals of honor, courage, and commitment. The program educates and trains young men and women for leadership positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps. Currently there are 63 Navy ROTC units/consortiums hosted at 77 schools throughout the United States. The Navy ROTC Program is available at over 160 colleges and universities that either host Navy ROTC units or have cross-town enrollment agreements with a host university. Selected applicants for the program are awarded scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process, and receive full tuition and other financial benefits at many of the country's leading colleges and universities.

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The Navy and Marine Corps team need leaders like you to help make the team successful, to build trust among teams, to work collaboratively and equitably, to be courageous and adjust plans and solutions based on learning, to be apply problem-solving skills and identify and remove barriers to progress.

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Cadets in College: Top Majors for ROTC Students

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Learn which undergraduate majors are best suited for ROTC students, discover how your major can be beneficial to a military career, and find information on ROTC college scholarships.

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Getting a ROTC Scholarship for College - Peterson’s Blog

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An ROTC scholarship is offered to officer candidates in return for the student’s promise to serve as an officer in the military. Learn more!

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Official homepage for the United States Air Force Academy

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We are a federal service academy that educates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.

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United States Military Academy West Point

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The undergraduate college of our country’s naval service.

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Help neighbors in need. CLICK HERE to Donate today. Give Now Find Help Who We Are The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is a nonprofit organization committed to ending hunger in 27 counties across central Pennsylvania. By working

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Volunteering your time is critical to the function of our communities. Volunteers serve on the Board of Directors, lead working committees that drive policy, staff campaign divisions, present information about the Lycoming County United Way to employee groups, determine how money raised is distributed, and assist with special events.

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GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED

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The YWCA Northcentral PA welcomes and invites you to explore ways to share your time and talent within our organization and programs. We appreciate and value your interest in supporting those we serve, and we look forward to developing relationships with individuals, businesses, and organizations to both educate and engage in our mission and service opportunities.

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Volunteers are a vital part of the Lycoming County SPCA. Without them, we would not be able to perform many of the functions at our shelter. Because of the sensitive nature of our work and the potential liability involved, the SPCA accepts volunteers ages 14 and over.

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SPECIAL NOTE: Volunteering for personal enrichment and performing court ordered community service are not the same. If you are required to perform community service and wish to do so at the SPCA, please contact the shelter and inquire about our community service program.

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Volunteers are a vital part of the Lycoming County SPCA. Without them, we would not be able to perform many of the functions at our shelter. Because of the sensitive nature of our work and the potential liability involved, the SPCA accepts volunteers ages 14 and over.

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The SAT supports success in school and can help you on your path to college. Access your My SAT Dashboard to register or send SAT scores.

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National test dates are for the United States, US territories, and Puerto Rico.

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ACT Registration Testing Dates | The ACT Test

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ACT registration information including testing dates for the ACT Test.

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The TOEFL tests prepare students for university study, immigration and more. Select the TOEFL test you'd like to learn more about or register.

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Test Prep Guide
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Payroll employment increases by 175,000 in April; unemployment rate changes little at 3.9%

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 175,000 in April, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.9 percent. Job gains occurred in health care, in social assistance, and in transportation and warehousing.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.

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Career planning for high schoolers

|

"I've always had a pretty clear idea of what I want to do," says Megan Lovely, a high school senior who hopes to become a director someday. She's already taking steps toward her career goal by interning with her school drama teacher, acting, and applying to colleges.

If you're still in high school, you may not be as sure of your vocation as Lovely is of hers. But, like Lovely, you can start thinking about-and planning for-your future before graduation.

"Start exploring what you want to do when you're a freshman," says Mark Danaher, a career counselor at Newington High School in Newington, Connecticut. "The high school years go very quickly."

Most people need some preparation before they're ready for the workforce, and planning should begin long before it's time to start a career. This could include taking technical courses during high school or, after graduating, attending a college or university to earn a certificate or a degree. Knowing what type of career preparation you need begins with thinking about what type of career you want.

This article helps high school students plan for careers. The first section talks about exploring your interests. The second section highlights the importance of internships, jobs, and other opportunities for getting experience. The third section describes some education or training options, both in high school and afterward. The fourth section offers some thoughts on pursuing your dream career. And the final section lists sources for more information.

Explore your interests

High school is a great time to start thinking about careers. "All your life you've been asked what you want to do when you grow up," says Steve Schneider, a school counselor at Sheboygan South High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. "In high school, you start to work towards making that happen."

Many high schoolers don't yet know what they want to do. And school counselors say that's perfectly fine. In fact, students are likely to change their minds multiple times, perhaps even after they enter the workforce. And some of tomorrow's careers might not exist today.

Settling on just one occupation in high school isn't necessary. But looking into the types of careers you might like can help set you up for success. "My feeling is that high school students don't have to know the exact career they want," says Danaher, "but they should know how to explore careers and put time into investigating them and learning about their skills and interests."

Learn about yourself

Understanding what you enjoy-and what you're good at-is the first step in exploring careers, say school counselors. "If you don't know what you want to do, the question is, 'What do you like to learn about?'" Schneider says. "If you really like science, what do you enjoy about it-the lab work, the research?"

Use the answers to those questions to identify careers that may have similar tasks. High school junior Kate Sours, for example, loves spending time with kids as a babysitter and enjoys helping people. So she focused on those two interests when she began considering potential careers.

It's important to think about what you like to do, say school counselors, because work will eventually be a big part of your life. "The whole purpose of thinking about careers is so that when you go to the workforce, you wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work," says Julie Hartline, a school counseling consultant at Cobb County public schools in Smyrna, Georgia.

Identify possible careers

Once you've thought about the subjects and activities you like best, the next step is to look for careers that put those interests to use. If you love sports, for example, you might consider a career as a gym teacher, recreational therapist, or coach. If you like math, a career as a cost estimator, accountant, or budget analyst might be a good fit.

But those aren't the only options for people interested in sports or math. There are hundreds of occupations, and most of them involve more than one skill area. School counselors, teachers, and parents can help point you in the direction of occupations that match your interests and skills. School counselors, for example, often have tools that they use to link interests and skills with careers. Free online resources, such as My Next Move, also help with career exploration.

Another approach to identifying potential career interests is to consider local employers and the types of jobs they have. There are many jobs in manufacturing and healthcare near the high school where Schneider works, for example, so he often talks to students about the range of career options in those fields-from occupations that require a 6-week course after high school to those that require a bachelor's or higher degree.

Exploring careers that combine working with children and helping people led Sours to nursing. She's now considering working in a hospital's neonatal intensive care unit or pediatrics department.

Sours notes the importance of broadening, rather than narrowing, possibilities when studying careers. "Keep an open mind," she says, "because with some work, you might think, 'Oh, that's a nasty job.' But when you start exploring it, you might discover, 'This is cool. I might want to do this.'"

Do your research

After identifying possible occupations, you'll want to learn more about them. Resources such as Career Outlook and the Occupational Outlook Handbook can help you get started. Other sources of information include career-day programs, mentoring, and opportunities offered through your school to learn more about the world of work.

Talking directly to workers can help you get information about what they do. If you don't know workers in occupations that interest you, ask people such as parents, friends, or teachers for their contacts. Some schools have business liaisons or coordinators who help put students in touch with employers-and school counselors can assist, too. These networking efforts might pay off later, even if opportunities aren't available now.

After you've found workers who are willing to help, talk to them on the phone, by email, or through online forums. Meet with them in person for informational interviews to learn more about what they do. Or ask if you can shadow them on the job to see what their daily work is like.

To find out if you'll really like an occupation, school counselors say firsthand experience is indispensable. Sours, for example, shadowed her aunt, who works in a hospital as a physical therapist. Sours liked the hospital environment so much that she attended a week-long nursing camp, where she got to see the many tasks that nurses do. "I had so much fun, and I learned so much," she says about both experiences.

Get experience

If job shadowing gives you a taste of what an occupation is like, imagine how helpful getting experience could be. Students can begin getting career-related experiences in high school through internships, employment, and other activities.

Taking part in different experiences is another step toward helping you to figure out what you like-and what you don't. These experiences may teach valuable job skills, such as the importance of arriving on time. (See box: Put forth your best you.)

But, say school counselors, students need to remember that school takes priority over other pursuits. "It's a good idea to get experience while you're a student," says Hartline, "but not at the expense of academic success." Danaher agrees. "School should be your full-time job," he says.

Internships

Completing an internship is an excellent way to get experience. Internships are temporary, supervised assignments designed to give students or recent graduates practical job training. Sometimes, internships or other experiential learning positions are built into educational programs, and students receive academic credit for completing them.

At Lovely's school, for example, students have the option to fulfill an internship for credit during their junior or senior year. Lovely interned during her junior year for her high school theater director. "She gave us opportunities to do everything from contacting local newspapers for ads to writing program notes to directing the middle school production," says Lovely. The experience gave Lovely a feel for a director's work-and helped to cement her career goals.

At other schools, students seek out internships on their own. Academic credit may not be awarded, but gaining hands-on experience can still be worthwhile. Check with your school counselor to see if opportunities exist at your school.

Jobs

Summer or part-time employment is another way to get experience. Paid jobs allow you to earn money, which can help you learn how to budget and save for future goals or expenses.

For some students, summer is a great time to explore careers through employment. As the chart shows, young people worked in a variety of industries in July 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The U.S. Department of Labor has rules about youth employment. These rules differ depending on your age, but they often limit the types of jobs and number of hours you can work. States may have additional restrictions.

Hartline advises that students who work during the school year start with a few hours and build from there, once they find it won't interfere with their studies. "For some students, work is a motivator. For others, it's a distractor," she says.

Regardless of when or where they work, school counselors say, students who pursue employment can learn from it. "I think there's no substitute for any type of work experience," says Michael Carter, director of college counseling at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia. "Without experience, it's hard for students to appreciate what type of career they'd like to have because it's all hypothetical."

Other activities

You can participate in other activities in high school that may spark a career interest. Examples include yearbook committee, science club, and debate team.

By joining groups that involve community service and leadership opportunities, such as student government or honor societies, you can hone work-related skills or interests. Attending a camp in a subject area that interests you, such as engineering or writing, can help you focus on academic skills that may lead to a career.

Some student organizations aim to promote career readiness. SkillsUSA, DECA, and the Future Business Leaders of America are just a few of the national-level groups that might have student chapters at your high school.

Volunteering allows you to serve your community and bolster your experience. Religious institutions, local nonprofits, and government agencies are among the many organizations that use volunteers to fill a variety of roles.

In addition to encouraging you to meet like-minded people and develop your interests, these activities also show future employers and postsecondary schools that you are motivated and engaged. And the more you shape your thoughts about a career, the better you'll know how to prepare for it.

Train for a career

Career preparation should start in high school, but it shouldn't end with graduation: Most occupations require some type of training or education after high school. On-the-job training, apprenticeships, certificates, non-degree awards, and various levels of college degrees are typically required for entry-level jobs.

Which type of training you need depends on the career you want to pursue. Your high school may offer opportunities for getting career training or college credits before you graduate. And after graduation, your training options expand even more. The closer you get to entering the workforce, the more you'll want to narrow your choices.

In high school

Getting a solid education is an important foundation for any career. Workers in many occupations use problem-solving, communication, research, and other skills that they first learned in high school. By doing well in classes and taking part in career-training or college-preparation programs, you demonstrate that you're ready to put these skills into action.

Plan and achieve. Make sure your high school course plan prepares you for entering the next phase of training or education in your desired career. To enter an electrician apprenticeship, for example, you may need a year of high school algebra. Your school counselor can help you plan your schedule to ensure that you take the required classes.

Employers and postsecondary schools often look to your high school record to gauge how you might perform on the job or in an educational program. And finishing high school shows that you can set goals and follow through. "Starting freshman year, do the absolute best you can in your classes," says Laura Inscoe, dean of counseling and student services at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. "Start strong and stay strong."

But school counselors also say not to worry too much if your grades aren't as good as you'd like. "School studies open doors if you do well, but they don't shut doors if you don't," says Danaher. "You might just take a different path."

Career programs. Your high school may offer options for exploring careers while earning credit toward graduation. Some of these options also allow you to earn industry certifications, licensure, or college credit.

In her high school, for example, Sours attends a career academy for health and medical sciences. She is learning about healthcare careers and will have a chance to apply some of her skills and knowledge as she continues in the program. By graduation, she'll have earned both certifications and credits toward an applied nursing degree program at the local community college.

Career academies and other types of technical education are available in many schools to provide hands-on career training. Classes in fields such as business and finance, culinary arts, and information technology are designed to prepare you for work or postsecondary school.

College prep. If you know your goal is college, school counselors usually recommend taking the most rigorous academic classes your school offers-and those that you can successfully handle. Doing so helps bolster both your college application credentials and your readiness for college-level study.

Some college-prep programs, such as Advanced Placement and dual enrollment, may help you get a head start on earning a postsecondary degree. Taking classes in these programs may allow you to waive some college course requirements, either by achieving a high score on exams or by completing a course for both high school and college credit.

Admission to college is not based on coursework alone, however. Not all high schools offer advanced academics programs, and not all students take them. You may still have more options than you think, depending on your career goals.

After high school

About two-thirds of high school graduates from the class of 2013 enrolled in college that fall, according to BLS: 42 percent in baccalaureate (4-year) colleges and 24 percent in 2-year schools. Of the remaining one-third of 2013 graduates, who opted not to go to college, 74 percent entered the labor force.

College-bound high school graduates may not know it, but BLS data show that wages are usually higher, and unemployment rates lower, for people who continue their education after high school.

Associate's and bachelor's degree programs range from accounting to zoology. But job training and vocational school programs may offer the type of career preparation you need for the occupation that interests you.

Job training. If you get a job or enter the military directly out of high school, you'll receive training specific to the job. Some employers may even pay for you to get related credentials, such as industry certification.

The type and length of on-the-job training you get depends on the occupation. For example, community health workers typically need 1 month or less of experience on the job and informal training, in addition to a high school diploma, to become competent in the occupation.

Apprenticeships are a form of job training in which a sponsor, such as an employer, pays a trainee to learn and work in a particular occupation. Some jobs in the military include apprenticeship training, but others involve different types of hands-on learning.

Vocational school. Also known as trade or technical schools, vocational schools have programs designed to give you hands-on training in a specific field. Many of these programs lead to non-degree credentials, such as a certificate or diploma. Occupations that you can prepare for at these types of schools include automotive mechanic and emergency medical technician (EMT).

Some vocational schools specialize in a certain occupation or career field, such as truck driving, culinary arts, or cosmetology. Others provide a diverse range of programs, such as medical assisting and precision production.

Earning a certificate allows you to prepare for a career in a relatively short amount of time: Nearly all certificate programs take fewer than 2 years to complete. For example, you may earn a nursing assistant certificate in less than 1 year.

Associate's degree. Associate's degrees, which may qualify you for occupations such as dental hygienist and funeral services manager, are available through public community colleges and other 2-year schools. But some 4-year schools also offer associate degrees that complement or lead into their bachelor's degree programs.

Associate's degrees are available in a variety of subject areas, but most degrees awarded in the past decade have been broadly focused. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the most popular fields of study for associate's degree recipients between 2001-02 and 2011-12 were liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities.

Earning an associate's degree and then transferring to a bachelor's degree program might make sense if you're unsure of what you want to study. It also allows you to save money on tuition, because community colleges are usually less expensive than baccalaureate colleges and universities.

Bachelor's degree. If you plan to get a bachelor's degree, your school counselor can help you with the application processes for colleges and financial aid. But you should also have a plan for why you're pursuing a degree.

A good initial step is to think about what you might like to major in. If you've been considering your career interests throughout high school, declaring a major won't be difficult. "Your initial undergraduate program should be an outgrowth of your academic strengths in high school," says Carter.

Still not sure what you want to study? Look at some studies. For example, job opportunities and starting salaries vary by college major. (See table.) Data may be helpful in narrowing your choices, but they shouldn't be the sole determinant of your future. "Don't let your decision be based on money alone," says Hartline. "Find something you're going to love to do."

Major category

2014 average starting salary

Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers, September 2014 Salary survey

To keep your options open as you choose a major, school counselors suggest entering a liberal arts program. Take classes in a broad range of subjects to help you figure out what you like best-and where that might lead in your future.

Be flexible-and follow your dream

Everyone's career path is different, and there is no "right" way to start a career. For example, if you want to postpone your studies to discover your passion, you might decide to take a " gap year " after high school. A gap year gives you a chance to pursue meaningful volunteer, work, or travel experiences. But school counselors recommend that you have a plan to ensure that your time off is productive.

Whatever career path you choose, says Schneider, remember that you can change your mind at any time. "There's always the flexibility to shift course," he says. "A career is not a life sentence. If at some point you realize, 'I don't want to do this,' back up and ask yourself the same questions again: 'What am I good at? What do I like to do?'"

And have the confidence to work toward your ideal career, school counselors say, even if it seems out of reach. "Put a plan together and go for it," says Danaher, "even if everyone else says you're crazy, or you'll never make it. You may not make the NBA, but you might find a way to work within it doing work you really enjoy."

For more information

Visit your public or school library for books and other resources about careers. The BLS K-12 site has a career exploration page that can help you match your interests with selected occupations. For detailed occupational profiles, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Your state's labor market information office may have additional career tools and data specific to your area.

Other government career resources include

My Next Move, which helps you identify careers by keyword, industry, or interests and training.

YouthRules!, which provides information about federal and state employment rules to young workers and their parents, employers, and educators.

Career One Stop, which has resources related to jobseeking and career exploration.

StudentAid.gov, which can help you to prepare for-and fund-a college education.

Put forth your best you

It may seem early, but even in high school you can start to develop habits that are sure to be appreciated by future employers. "As a student, there are things you can do to get yourself college and work ready," says career counselor Mark Danaher. For example, he says, students can develop good habits by getting to class on time, taking responsibility for their school work, and emailing a teacher if they're going to be absent or late.

Also, students need to remember to dress and behave appropriately whenever they might be in contact with a potential employer. "You act one way with your friends and another on the jobsite," says school counseling consultant Julie Hartline. "Mind your demeanor."

This awareness extends to online forums, too. "There are a tremendous amount of positives to social media in terms of networking," says director of college counseling Michael Carter. "But you have to be really careful."

Employers and college admissions officers often check out applicants online and on social media sites. "They're looking into your background and want to see who you're going to be because you may represent a business or institution someday," says Carter. "Make sure that what you put out there for the world to see is how you want to be seen. Social media is a great tool, but you have to use it responsibly."

Elka Torpey is an economist in the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, BLS. She can be reached at torpey.elka@bls.gov.

Suggested citation:

Elka Torpey, "Career planning for high schoolers," Career Outlook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2015.

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Career planning for high schoolers : Career Outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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It's never too soon to start thinking about your future.

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As a high school student, developing a resume is a great way to start preparing for the working world. Resumes can be used for job applications, to secure internships and even to help complete college applications. Your high school resume will likely be focused on relevant coursework, extracurricular activities like volunteering or clubs and any job experience you do have.

Here are some tips to help you compose a high school resume that stands out to potential future employers and sets the foundation for a successful career.
Related Article: How to Write a Resume Employers Will Notice
How to write a high school resume

Include a career objective

A career objective is a one or two sentence statement stating your career goals and summarizing how your talents and skills align with the needs of the employer. While job seekers of any age and career level can benefit from including an objective statement, it's especially important for a high school student. This is largely because your work history may not reflect your future goals.

Adding a career objective to your resume will give employers a clear idea of why you're applying for the role and how their decision to hire you could be beneficial.

Examples of high school student resume career objectives

"I am a motivated team player and aspiring graphic designer seeking an opportunity to work in a sign shop where I can apply my skills and further develop my artistic abilities."

"I am an aspiring leader, with more than three years of experience in childcare, seeking a position as a summer camp counselor. I'm excited to share my talents while expanding my leadership skills as part of a valued community institution."

Highlight any experience

From babysitting to mowing lawns, volunteer work to extracurricular activities (such as clubs or sports), you should include all previous experiences that illustrate your a work ethic and your ability to participate in team-based activities. Be sure to highlight any leadership experience, special achievements or awards you earned within those roles.

While the positions you've held might not specifically relate to the job you're applying for, highlight relevant responsibilities or transferrable skills you can take with you into the new role. Take time to review the job description and look for specific keywords or requirements that align with your skills and talents.

For example, if you're applying for a role as a barista and the job description says they want someone with good customer service and organizational skills, your work experience may look something like this:
American Cancer Society Relay for Life
Student Volunteer, 2016 - Present

Manage registration table, including greeting and checking in participants

Hand out water and snacks to participants at check-in points

Attend, contribute to and occasionally lead after-school planning meetings

Spearhead efforts to recruit and train new student volunteers

Provide a detailed education section

As a high school student, education and exploration of your interests (like sports or academic clubs) has likely been your primary focus. While you may not have a long list of job experiences, your participation in school, both in and out of the classroom, will provide potential employers insight into the value you'll bring as an employee. This includes both academic achievements and participation in activities that prove you to be a balanced, well-rounded person.

If you've achieved an impressive grade point average or completed challenging coursework, listing this information can illustrate your dedication and ability to overcome obstacles. Additionally, be sure to include your extracurricular activities. This shows employers that you're able to balance multiple responsibilities. Finally, be sure to list any completed coursework related to the job.

For example, if you're applying for an internship at a newspaper, your education section may look something like this:
Susan B. Anthony High School
Graduation Date: May 2019
GPA: 3.7
Relevant coursework: Introduction to Journalism, Yearbook, Creative Writing, Photography
Clubs: School newspaper, Art club, International club, Future business leaders of America
Related Article: How to List Education on a Resume

List awards and achievements

Employers are looking for candidates who have a history of making an impact. Sharing your awards and achievements-academic or otherwise-proves you can make positive contributions and will help you stand out above other candidates.

Here are a few examples of awards or achievements you can include on a high school resume:

Member of the National Honors Society

Elected student body president for the 2016/2017 school year

Awarded school newspaper best feature article of the year

Helped yearbook staff increase ad sales 30% year over year

Share hard and soft skills

Employers prefer to hire employees who have a combination of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are abilities that are specific to the job, while soft skills are attributes that can be applied in any position. In most cases, hard skills are learned and based on experience while soft skills are rooted in your personality and are often not easily taught.

For example, if you're applying for an internship as a graphic designer, your hard skills might include:

And your soft skills might include:

Active listening

Verbal communication

Accepting constructive criticism

Customer service

Problem-solving

Related Article: Interview Question: "What is Your Greatest Strength?"

High School Resume Example

Below is an example of a high school resume to reference as you're drafting your own. You can also view our full list of resume samples for more inspiration.

Contact
Tomas Domingo
(555) 111-2233
tdiego@email.com

I am a motivated, aspiring finance and accounting professional seeking an opportunity to learn alongside industry leaders in the tech space where I can apply my skills and further develop my passion for mathematics.

Education
River Tech High School
Graduation Date: May 2019
GPA: 3.8
Relevant coursework: Intro to Business Studies, Calculus 1 & 2, Advanced Geometry

Experience & Activities
Finance & Accounting Internship
Crane & Jenkins, Fall 2018

Performed systems analysis, testing and documentation for existing processes

Organized process to decrease time spent reviewing by 10%

Project team selected as winner for most innovative at program-end

Mathletes Team Captain, 2017-2018

Lead weekly team meetings and developed practice events to prepare for the annual Winter Math Competition

Team won nine of 10 competitions during tenure as team captain

Increased spring sign-ups through recruitment events by 15%

Cashier
Thompson's Grocery, 2015-2017

Strategically plan ahead according to high traffic times of day

Handle register during high pressure

Conduct all transactions involving gift cards, refunds, and store credit

Awards & Achievements
Intro to Business Certification
Member of the Key Club 2016, 2017, 2018
Academic Honor Roll 2014-Present

Skills & Abilities
Quickbooks
G Suite
Active listening
Accepting constructive criticism
Problem-solving

As a high school student, you have the ability to develop an impressive resume filled with relevant coursework, volunteer work, skills and abilities and other experiences that make you a great fit for a job. By highlighting your greatest strengths, skills, abilities and future aspirations, you'll have a lasting impression on employers.

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As a high school student, developing a resume is a great way to start preparing for the working world. Resumes can be used for job applications, to secure internships and even to help complete college applications. Your high school resume will likely be focused on relevant coursework, extracurricular activities like volunteering or clubs and any job experience you do have.

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Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses administer numerous non-invasive, in-office cosmetic treatments, such as anti-aging injectables and fillers, microdermabrasion, acne treatments, chemical peels, laser treatments, and more. This type of nurse also preps patients on what to expect with cosmetic procedures as well as the aftercare involved. Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses don't typically work in hospitals, but rather in private offices or clinics as well as medical spas.

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Ambulatory care nurses provide high quality nursing care in an outpatient setting. This type of nurse may work in a clinic, medical office, university health center, government institution or other healthcare settings where patients are not required to stay overnight. They perform a variety of tasks including assessing symptoms, providing care for injury or illness, taking vital signs, and any number of general nursing duties for patients.

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Camp nurses provide care to campers and staff in both residential and day camps. They often work solo or independently, so camp nurses must have excellent clinical and managerial skills. Camp nurses complete pre-camp health assessments, and treat everything from colds to bug bites to allergies. RNs with a background in pediatrics, emergency care, or trauma are best suited for this role, as providing care to children with both urgent and non-urgent medical needs is a large part of the job.

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Cardiac Catheterization Lab nurses are highly qualified nurses who meet the challenges of their patient load and procedures in order to help save lives. They assist in specialized cardiac and vascular procedures like angiograms, stent placements, and heart monitoring, while informing patients and families of lifestyle, exercise and dietary changes that could prolong or improve patient outcomes. Most cath lab nurses work in hospitals and outpatient clinics and see regular patients as well as emergency cases.

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Nurse case managers work with patients and their medical teams to develop, coordinate and implement comprehensive medical care plans over the course of an illness. An especially rewarding field of nursing that allows RNs to develop long-term relationships with their patients, case management nurses coordinate doctors' appointments and surgeries, educate patients and their caregivers on their treatment options and have the opportunity to work in a variety of healthcare settings, ranging from hospitals and clinics to hospice facilities and nursing homes.

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Charge nurses supervise the staff nurses in hospital wards and busy medical facilities. They provide staff guidance, set schedules, maintain supplies, and oversee patient education and care. Charge nurses also treat patients themselves, and often take control when a medical emergency is presented. A mix of clinical and supervisory leadership skills are needed to excel in this role.

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Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) are high-level nursing executives who serve as administrative leaders within healthcare systems. They coordinate and oversee activities within the nursing department while facilitating operations and the patient care experience. This highly managerial role requires extensive nursing experience as well as an advanced nursing degree such as an MSN or DNP, often alongside an MHA or MBA degree.

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Correctional nurses are a highly valued part of the corrections team. A demanding role, corrections nurses are the front-line response for patient/offender healthcare needs. With extensive training that spans triage and medical/surgical, as well as a holistic approach to treating the patient - but within the firm boundaries of the penal system, the correctional nurse is concerned for patient health as well as the overall safety and security of themselves, their fellow corrections employees, inmates and the general community.

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Cardiovascular operating room nurses work as part of the surgical services and operating room teams that treat open-heart (cardiovascular) patients. A specialized field within operating room nursing, CVOR nurses assist with patient care before, during and following surgical procedures, ensuring sterile conditions in the operating room and providing critical quality control to ensure patient safety during surgical procedures.

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Dermatology nurses provide care and treatment for patients with a variety of skin conditions and diseases such as psoriasis, skin cancer and acne. In addition to assisting with skin examinations, dermatology nurses also perform many cosmetic dermatology treatments such as chemical peels. In response to the increase in skin cancer in the United States, many dermatology nurses focus on early detection, treatment and patient education on how to prevent skin cancer. A wide and varied field, there is a wealth of career opportunities for dermatology nurses.

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Experts on developmental disabilities and delays, Developmental Nurses work with patients and their facilities to understand a patients' immediate and lifelong abilities, physical, cognitive, social and emotional traits that are associated with developmental disabilities and other special needs and assistive devices that may need to be accommodated for. Many Developmental Disability nurses are fierce advocates of patient rights and the Americans With Disabilities Act.

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Nursing Directors, also known as Directors of Nursing (DON), are RNs who assume responsibility in an administrative capacity combing years of clinical nursing experience, education, and managerial skills to develop organizational structure and standards of care. They coordinate and oversee nursing staff, review budgets, and manage the nursing department/program. This is a very high-level nursing position that requires extensive education and experience.

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Domestic violence nurses combine compassionate healthcare and forensic techniques to care for domestic abuse victims. These nurses examine domestic violence patients for physical, mental, and emotional wounds, and work with doctors and law enforcement officers to report injuries. Domestic violence nurses must be patient, empathetic, and observant, as many patients may be too traumatized to speak about their experiences readily. They must also keep meticulous records and collect evidence for use in court, and they may even be called to testify in domestic abuse cases.

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ER or 'Emergency Room' nurses are efficient, effective and calm. Their prescences and skills are both general - as the Emergency Room admits all kinds of patients with all kinds of trauma - and highly specialized to assess, triage and care for those who have been a victim of a sudden accident or illness. With a varied intake, which depends on the day and sometimes on the hour, the ER nurse is responsible for continuously prioritizing the needs of the patients in the emergency ward in order to ensure everyone remains stable as doctors move to treat, admit, or refer to ancillary care. A leader with a strong ethical sense and calm demeanor, ER nurses have equal parts strong stomach, efficient pace, and assertive personality.

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Enterostomy therapy nurses, often referred to as ET or stoma nurses, treat patients before, during, and after enterostomy procedures. Once a patient has an ostomy, ET nurses monitor the ostomy site and teach a patient and their family how to properly care for the ostomy to prevent infection and other complications. They also assist in cleaning and changing ostomy appliances and are a valuable resource in identifying problems, recommending supplies, and suggesting care techniques.

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Fertility or reproductive nurses treat and educate patients and couples on all areas involving fertility (i.e. fertility treatments, issues with conception, egg donation and IVF, and more). They can work in reproductive centers assisting physicians with fertility treatments and procedures, or they may focus on counseling and education. They may also assist researchers with the latest scientific advancements in reproductive technology.

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Flight nurses, also referred to as transport nurses, provide critical care to patients en route to a hospital or medical facility on board an aircraft, such as a helicopter or rescue flight. They assess patients, administer first aid, perform resuscitation or ventilation procedures, and monitor vital signs to keep patients stable until arrival. They also assist in getting patients into and out of the aircraft and ensure that they are secured safely once onboard. Upon arrival at the hospital, flight nurses update the onsite medical staff to ensure a smooth hand-off.

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Forensic nurses are specially trained to care for victims of trauma and abuse. In addition to treating these patients, they work alongside law enforcement to collect evidence, photograph injuries, and even testify in court if necessary. They can work in hospitals, usually in trauma or ER wards, or assist coroners and medical examiners.

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Gastroenterology (gastrointestinal, or GI) nurses treat patients with illnesses or disorders of the GI tract. This includes acid reflux, Crohn's disease, and cancers of the stomach, liver, pancreas, and more. Typical duties of a GI nurse include assisting with procedures like endoscopies, medication management, dietary education, and administration of conscious sedation.

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Genetics nurses care for patients who are at risk for, or are affected by, diseases or conditions with a genetic component. Working in a variety of healthcare settings from specialty genetics clinics and reproductive centers to hospitals and research institutions, genetics nurses assess and analyze a patient's risk factors for genetic diseases and provide compassionate care and education to patients and their caregivers.

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Geriatric nurses work with elderly patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and more. They help this demographic with things like maintaining functional mobility, medication management, bedside nursing and more.

Learn more about how to become a Geriatric Nurse >>>

Health Policy Nurses are trained RNs who specialize in healthcare policy to review and influence laws, regulations, and more. This type of RN generally holds an MSN degree in a related field, such as the MSN in Healthcare Policy. The health policy nurse must have strong leadership and research skills, and have an interest in both medicine and law.

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Healthcare administrators play a high-level managerial role in healthcare organizations and facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, private practices, and more. They may manage personnel, develop budgets, oversee payroll, recruit and train, and/or work with electronic health records and health information. A background in nursing or clinical practice is helpful, though not required, for this position.

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Healthcare managers handle the business side of health organizations, overseeing budgets, policies, facilities management, and more. This leadership position involves a great deal of interpersonal communication and administrative acumen. Healthcare manager positions can range from junior to high-level executive. A background in nursing or clinical practice is helpful, though not mandatory, for this role.

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A holistic or complementary health nurse focuses on treating the patient as a whole rather than merely treating individual symptoms. This certified RN takes a mind-body-spirit approach to the practice of professional nursing and may use techniques such as massage, acupuncture, or Eastern healing methods alongside traditional treatments.

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Home health nursing staff are responsible for caring for patients in their homes, performing various tasks if patients and/or their families are unable to care for themselves. This specialty is available to RNs, LVNs/LPNs, and nurse assistants. Tasks may include medication administration, taking vitals, wound care, assisting with mobility, and more.

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Hospice nurses care for patients who are at the end of their lives. This includes making them as comfortable as possible, managing their symptoms, maintaining their hygiene, and administering medications. They also provide important communication and support to family and other caregivers. Hospice nurses typically work in hospitals, private homes, nursing homes, or hospice centers.

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Intensive care nurses, sometimes called 'Critical Care' nurses or simply ICU nurses are a highly specialized and trained subsection of the nursing profession. With a low patient to nurse ratio, the ICU nurse is responsible for the individual tasks and subtasks that are involved in caring for a patient in order to stabilize their condition. Frequently, intensive care nurses work with patients out of surgery, post-trauma, during complicated phases of disease, and those who are transitioning to end of life care measures. ICU nurses can choose to specialize by patient population or by affliction.

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Infection control nurses specialize in preventing the spread of infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria. They work diligently to prevent and control infectious outbreaks in hospitals and other healthcare settings. They develop plans, educate and train staff, and implement infection control practices in order to bring the rate of infections down within a particular facility and prevent outbreaks. They may also act as leaders and coordinators if any outbreaks occur.

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Infusion nurses specialize in administering medications and fluids via an intravenous (IV) line, central line, or venous access port. They insert these lines and assist with things like chemotherapy administration, blood transfusions, nutrition replacement/vitamin infusions, fluid/electrolyte infusions, and more.

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The Labor and Delivery (L&D) RN ensures the safety of both mother and baby during the childbirth process. They work with the interdisciplinary team to bring life safely into the world. The L&D nurse must think and act quickly while constantly assessing for emergencies and initiating appropriate interventions. This RN may assist with caesarean sections, initiate and monitor fetal heart rates, monitor and assist with epidurals, induce labor, and ultimately work to find the safest and most effective ways to healthy childbirth.

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Legal nurse consultants are highly educated RNs who work as experts on cases involving medical issues. They can work in law offices, government agencies, hospitals, and insurance companies. Their duties may include reviewing and summarizing medical records, serving as expert witnesses, investigating patient claims, auditing medical bills, and more.

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Long-term care nurses provide care for patients requiring extended care, including the elderly, patients with disabilities and those with chronic illnesses. In addition to administering medication, conducting vital sign checks and performing therapeutic treatments, long-term care nurses assist their patients in daily activities such as feeding, dressing and bathing, as well as provide emotional support and education for patients and their loved ones.

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Managed care nurses evaluate the healthcare needs of patients and use specialized knowledge of the managed care system to connect them to quality, cost-effective healthcare providers. Often working with the elderly and low income individuals who rely on government funded healthcare assistance programs like Medicare and Medicaid, managed care nurses counsel patients on the importance of preventative healthcare and ensure patients receive the consistent care they need while keeping costs low for patients and insurance companies.

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As the single largest population of nurses, Medical-Surgical nurses work mostly in caring for adult patients who have an acute condition or illness, or who are recovering from surgery. While Med-Surg nursing used to be viewed as an entry-level position for nurses looking to gain experience after graduation and licensure, perspective has shifted somewhat in that to be competent and effective requires mastery of so many different specialties that med-surg has become something of a specialty in itself.

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Military nurses are RNs who serve in a branch of the military and are specially trained to provide medical care to patients in military clinics or hospitals, or in makeshift medical facilities near combat zones. They may care for soldiers or other military personnel, veterans, or service members' families. Military nurses are required to make at least a three-year commitment to serve their country, but in return can receive benefits such as housing stipends, student loan repayment, and pensions.

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Missionary nurses work in underdeveloped and developing regions of the world, caring for patients who otherwise would not have access to modern medicine and basic healthcare. Often working with churches, non-profit organizations and humanitarian groups, missionary nurses treat common illnesses and injuries, administer vaccinations and medicines and educate patients about proper hygiene and how to prevent disease and infection, as well as share their spiritual beliefs with local communities.

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Nephrology nurses care for patients who have, or are at risk for, kidney problems including Chronic Kidney Disease, kidney transplants, and other diseases and issues. Nephrology nurses may perform dialysis, monitor patients, provide prevention information and education, help manage symptoms, and more. They typically work in hospitals, clinics, dialysis centers, and physicians' offices.

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Neuroscience nurses treat patients with nervous system diseases or disorders, such as epilepsy, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and more. They help perform physical assessments and neurological exams, and assist with things like mobility, physical rehabilitation, and other tasks to help patients get back to activities of daily living. They also provide resources to patients and families and track the healing process.

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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses, also known as NICU nurses, care for newborn infants who have a variety of medical ailments, including premature congenital disabilities, cardiac malformations, dangerous infections, and more. Aside from treating these newborns, they also train and educate families on how to care for the infant and communicate with them regarding the infant's treatment and progress. They primarily work in the NICU department of hospitals, although they can occasionally work in other settings.

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Nurse administrators are high-level nurses who oversee staff in hospitals or other medical environments. They set policies and procedures, hire and train new nurses, and develop and maintain department budgets. This role usually reports to the hospital CEO and is office-based rather than patient-facing.

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A nurse advocate works on behalf of patients to maintain quality of care and protect patients' rights. They help patients and families navigate the healthcare system and act as a liaison between patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. They play a big role in educating patients on healthcare decisions, resources, and insurance benefits and assist with any disputes a patient may have with their care.

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A nurse attorney is trained as both a registered nurse and an attorney. This means that both a nursing degree and law degree are required. Nurse attorneys may work in either legal or medical settings doing things like reviewing medical records for insurance companies, working with risk management departments in hospitals to ensure that healthcare policies are followed, or lobbying for healthcare organizations.

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A nurse care coordinator is a nurse who specializes in organizing patient care and treatments by incorporating all members in the care team. They usually focus on patients with specific diagnoses such as diabetes, asthma, heart failure, etc. Nurse care coordinators are, in a sense, patient representatives, developing care plans to involve the entire interdisciplinary team.

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Nurse entrepreneurs use their professional nursing experience and business savvy to launch and run their own business ventures within the healthcare field. Requiring strong business skills, creativity and a lot of hard work, becoming a nurse entrepreneur offers nurses a unique opportunity to take control of their careers, set their own schedule and follow their passions in the nursing field.

Learn more about how to become a Nurse Entrepreneur >>>

Nurse executives are highly educated RNs who also usually hold an advanced business degree. They manage and oversee the nursing staff in medical facilities, design and manage patient care, shape healthcare policies, create healthcare budgets, and more. Experience in both nursing and business is necessary to succeed in the role. They work in places such as hospitals, healthcare organizations, nursing schools, and other facilities.

Learn more about how to become a Nurse Executive >>>

Nurse health coaches help patients and clients meet goals with individual health needs including general wellness and chronic disease management. Often employed in healthcare organizations, insurance companies, or independently, nurse health coaches help meet the demand for attentive healthcare and compassionate nursing.

Learn more about how to become a Nurse Health Coach >>>

Nurse managers are responsible for supervising a nursing unit in a hospital or clinic. That includes direction of nursing staff, oversight of patient care and some management or budget decisions. In other words, instead of spending their day screening patients and checking vitals, they are establishing work schedules, coordinating meetings and making personnel decisions.

Learn more about how to become a Nurse Manager >>>

Nurse writers utilize their knowledge and skillset to inform and educate others. They can communicate clinical and healthcare information through writing. The job relies on comprehensive training and expertise and requires that nurse writers inform a broad audience. Nurse writers may assist with medical documents, articles and blogs, manuscripts, brochures, and more.

Learn more about how to become a Nurse Writer >>>

Obstetrics (OB) nurses care for female patients before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth. They assist an OB/GYN doctor with prenatal checkups, ultrasounds, screenings, and can also help with the childbirthing process. In addition to this, they also assist with other women's health issues such as birth control information, cancer screenings, and infertility. They most often work in OB/GYN physician offices, maternity wards in hospitals, or in birthing centers, though they can work in areas such as urgent care as well.

Learn more about how to become an Obstetrics (OB) Nurse >>>

Occupational health nurses help prevent and investigate workplace ailments and injuries. They promote safe and healthy workplaces, and look into instances of on-the-job injuries or unsafe procedures to protect a company and ensure worker health. They may help establish safety and security protocols for companies, tend to and document workplace injuries and illnesses, and/or perform drug and alcohol testing, amongst other tasks.

Learn more about how to become an Occupational Health Nurse >>>

Oncology nursing care is sometimes referred to as Hematology/Oncology or 'Heme/Onc' nursing. These nurses specialize in caring for individuals who have been diagnosed with a bloodborne cancer (like leukemia) or a solid cancer (like a tumor). Oncology nurses are the first line of communication, care and education that patients learn to lean on as they undergo a scary and often challenging path to remission. Working with both adult and pediatric populations, the Oncology nurse helps patients and families track results and studies, inform about next steps, and manage symptoms throughout treatment.

Learn more about how to become an Oncology Nurse >>>

In every aspect of pre-surgery, intra-surgery and post-surgery, there's an OR nurse to help navigate the process; assisting the surgical team, providing care for the patient, and educating the patient's family. The OR nurse promotes the health and welfare of the patient under a variety of conditions. With the promotion of a supportive, care-focused and positive environment, the OR nurse is a valuable addition to many hospitals, doctor's offices and clinics.

Learn more about how to become an Operating Room Nurse >>>

Ophthalmic nurses specialize in treating patients with various eye diseases and injuries. Working directly with ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses assist with eye exams, perform vision tests and administer medications, as well as educate patients on how to care for their eye disease or injury at home. They may also assist with various surgical procedures and care for patients prior to and following surgery.

Learn more about how to become an Ophthalmic Nurse >>>

Organ procurement coordinators are registered nurses who oversee and assist in the process of organ transplant surgeries. They help prepare the deceased body for transplant, help to match a donor to a recipient, and coordinate with doctors and surgeons regarding transportation of the organ. Most coordinators are RNs who have a surgical background and complete the Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator examination.

Learn more about how to become an Organ Procurement Coordinator >>>

Orthopaedic nurses deal with musculoskeletal issues including broken or fractured bones, arthritis, joint replacements, and more. They monitor patients before, during, and after orthopaedic surgeries and assist in casting and wound dressing. Orthopaedic nurses also help patients get on a pain management schedule and help administer pain medications. Most orthopaedic nurses are RNs with a BSN who have passed the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification exam.

Learn more about how to become an Orthopaedic Nurse >>>

Otorhinolaryngology nurses specialize in treating patients with various diseases and injuries of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck. Also known as ENT nurses, otorhinolaryngology nurses assist with patient exams, collect samples, administer medications and record symptoms and medical histories. They may also assist with various surgical procedures and care for patients prior to and following surgery.

Learn more about how to become an Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Nurse >>>

Pain management nurses are RNs who help to provide pain relief to patients experiencing chronic pain due to illness or injury. They employ a wide variety of techniques in order to achieve this, including medications, stress relief techniques, exercise/diet changes, and more. They must constantly assess and reassess patients to make sure they are comfortable and cared for without doing harm to them by over-medicating, etc. Pain management nurses may work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, sports medicine centers, and other places where patients may be seeking pain relief.

Learn more about how to become a Pain Management Nurse >>>

Palliative care nurses provide compassionate nursing care to patients with chronic or terminal illnesses. They help patients with pain and symptom management to ensure that they carry out their final days in comfort. These nurses work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private homes, or wherever a patient requires this type of care. They also often provide emotional support to the patient and their friends/family.

Learn more about how to become a Palliative Care Nurse >>>

Parish nurses, also known as faith community nurses, are RNs who serve a parish or other faith community, integrating faith and healing to promote health and wellness. Aside from the necessary medical training, parish nurses must also have a strong foundation in and knowledge of their particular faith. Parish nurses may be responsible for tasks such as providing spiritual support to patients, mentoring volunteers or other members of their parish, educating patients on the importance of faith in relation to health and wellness, and starting up support groups. They can work in churches, hospitals, social services agencies, and more.

Learn more about how to become a Parish Nurse >>>

Pediatric endocrinology nurses treat children with endocrine disorders, such as juvenile diabetes, pituitary problems, and adrenal diseases. They work alongside pediatricians to test and monitor children with these disorders, and educate patients and parents on treatments and prevention methods, which may include lifestyle changes. Pediatric endocrinology nurses typically work in hospitals and pediatricians' or physicians' offices.

Learn more about how to become a Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse >>>

Perianesthesia nurses prep patients for surgery, but their main duty is to care for patients coming off of anesthesia or sedation following a surgical procedure. They help to orient the patient, check vitals including blood pressure and respiration rate, and make sure the patient isn't suffering from any side effects or adverse reactions from the anesthesia. These nurses most commonly work in hospitals, in Post-Anesthesia Care Units (PACUs).

Learn more about how to become a Perianesthesia Nurse >>>

Perinatal nurses care for women before, during, and after pregnancy, and help both mother and baby for the first few weeks of the newborn's life. They educate patients and families on things like childbirth options, umbilical cord care, and more. Additionally, they screen and assess patients for high-risk pregnancies and perform a multitude of routine pregnancy tests. They may work alongside a physician or nurse midwife during labor as well.

Learn more about how to become a Perinatal Nurse >>>

Plastic surgery nurses care for patients undergoing cosmetic or aesthetic procedures. This includes things like breast augmentation, face/neck lifts, liposuction, reconstructions after trauma, and more. These nurses screen patients for surgery and care for them before, during, and after the procedure. RNs in this field must be supportive and non-judgmental as many plastic surgeries deal with enhancing body self-image.

Learn more about how to become a Plastic Surgery Nurse >>>

Postpartum nurses provide physical and emotional care for mothers and newborn babies following a delivery. They work in hospitals and birthing centers and often work alongside lactation consultants and labor and delivery nurses to ensure that a new mother recovers from the birth properly and is educated on caring for an infant. They also provide important pain management and postpartum monitoring for the new mother.

Learn more about how to become a Postpartum Nurse >>>

Psychiatric nurses care for patients who suffer from mental health illnesses as well as those struggling with addiction and substance abuse problems. They assess and monitor patients, work with an interdisciplinary team including psychiatrists and social workers, and help administer medications. Psychiatric nurses work in hospitals, medical offices, mental health facilities, schools, correctional facilities, and in community settings where mental healthcare is needed.

Learn more about how to become a Psychiatric Nurse >>>

Public health nurses serve a community, promoting health and wellness and providing medical services. A large part of their job is working with underserved and underprivileged populations, providing education and resources. Public health nurses can work in local government, such as county or city health departments, or private public-health agencies.

Learn more about how to become a Public Health Nurse >>>

Radiology nurses care for patients who must undergo diagnostic imaging procedures (such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs), or for those undergoing radiation therapy for certain illnesses, including cancer. These nurses educate the patients on the need for the procedure, prepare the patients on the day of the procedure, operate the machines, administer any contrast dyes, and monitor the patient after the procedure. They typically work in hospitals, diagnostic imaging facilities, or outpatient care facilities.

Learn more about how to become a Radiology Nurse >>>

Rehabilitation nurses assist patients with disabilities, injuries, or chronic illnesses with any personal limitations that may have arisen because of them. Their primary goal is to help patients regain independence and functionality to the best of their ability. They can work in outpatient or inpatient settings and may work with patients on an on-going basis.

Learn more about how to become a Rehabilitation Nurse >>>

Research nurses design and implement scientific studies within the healthcare field, analyze data and report their findings to other nurses, doctors and medical researchers with the ultimate goal of improving healthcare services and patient outcomes. A challenging career path that requires an advanced nursing education and specialized training in research methodology, nurse researchers make discoveries that have the potential to save lives and change the healthcare industry.

Learn more about how to become a Research Nurse >>>

Respiratory nurses, also referred to as pulmonary care nurses, treat patients with a variety of respiratory illnesses, including asthma, emphysema, lung cancer, bronchitis, and more. They help develop treatment plans for their patients, which sometimes includes the use of mechanical devices to help aid breathing. Aside from caring for these patients, they also provide education on things like smoking cessation and healthy habits.

Learn more about how to become a Respiratory Nurse >>>

Rheumatology nurses care for patients with a variety of rheumatic diseases that affect the joints and muscles, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and more. These nurses help patients with pain relief and symptom management. Many patients with rheumatic diseases require on-going care and can form long-lasting relationships with rheumatology nurses.

Learn more about how to become a Rheumatology Nurse >>>

School nurses attend to the physical and mental health of children on a school campus. They treat and assess illnesses and injuries, and alert parents and emergency services when a health issue is severe. School nurses provide health education to students and work with teachers, parents, and administrators to promote health in the school system. They work in a variety of educational institutions and may travel between schools in a district.

Learn more about how to become a School Nurse >>>

Substance abuse nurses care for patients addicted to drugs, alcohol and other substances. Trained in mental health care in addition to general nursing, substance abuse nurses provide pain management services, education and emotional support for patients and their families who are struggling with addiction. A nursing position that requires a high level of compassion, substance abuse nurses have the opportunity to provide a lifeline for patients in crisis.

Learn more about how to become a Substance Abuse Nurse >>>

Telemetry nurses care for patients with heart problems who have moved out of the ICU. They specialize in monitoring the readings of electrocardiogram, or EKG, machines and alerting the doctor to any dangerous changes. They also monitor other vital signs including blood pressure and breathing patterns and may assist the doctor with diagnoses, treatments, or procedures. Telemetry nurses also educate patients on cardiac health and may recommend lifestyle or diet changes to promote a healthy heart.

Learn more about how to become a Telemetry Nurse >>>

Telephone triage nurses, also known as telehealth nurses and TTNs, provide care to patients over the phone or via video chat. They are crucial healthcare resources for those who may live far away from a medical facility or need help and advice after-hours. Telephone triage nurses help to assess the patient's medical issue and refer them to the proper line of care, whether that's home care, a physician's or specialist's office, or the emergency room.

Learn more about how to become a Telephone Triage Nurse >>>

Transcultural nurses help treat foreign patients with a primary focus on care that is culturally sensitive and inclusive. They communicate with these patients and act as a bridge between the patient's culture and healthcare practices. Transcultural nurses must be highly familiar with a variety of cultures and their corresponding values in order to deliver compassionate medical care.

Learn more about how to become a Transcultural Nurse >>>

Transplant nurses care for patients who are in need of organ or tissue transplant surgeries, as well as living donors who have volunteered to donate tissues or organs. They prepare patients for surgery, assist surgeons during harvest and donation procedures and provide patient education and crucial post-operative care, including monitoring for complications such as infection or organ rejection.

Learn more about how to become a Transplant Nurse >>>

Trauma nurses specialize in caring for patients with acute injuries or illnesses, including accidents, assaults, gunshot or stab wounds, and more. They typically work in emergency environments and are charged with stabilizing patients. They also document a patient's care and may work with any law enforcement officers involved.

Learn more about how to become a Trauma Nurse >>>

Travel nurses are RNs from various clinical backgrounds who work for independent staffing agencies. They are assigned to different care areas on a temporary basis to fill in short-term employment gaps. This type of nurse may work domestically or internationally, filling in where the need arises. They perform standard registered nursing tasks, but may need to adapt to certain challenges such as language differences or particular local illness/disease outbreaks.

Learn more about how to become a Travel Nurse >>>

Wound care (WOC) nurses treat patients with ostomies and serious wounds. This includes wound debridement, cleaning, and bandaging, amongst other things. Wound care nurses also help doctors assess whether further treatment such as antibiotics or surgery is necessary. This type of nurse also helps care for bedridden patients who have bedsores, people suffering from complications of diabetes, and may work in a hospital, nursing home, or other long-term care setting.

Learn more about how to become a Wound Care Nurse >>>

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Types of Nursing Careers & Specialties || RegisteredNursing.org

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Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses administer numerous non-invasive, in-office cosmetic treatments, such as anti-aging injectables and fillers, microdermabrasion, acne treatments, chemical peels, laser treatments, and more. This type of nurse also preps patients on what to expect with cosmetic procedures as well as the aftercare involved.

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Detailed descriptions of the world-of-work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, developers, researchers, and more. Individuals can find, search, or browse across 900+ occupations based on their goals and needs. Comprehensive reports include occupation requirements, worker characteristics, and available training, education, and job opportunities.

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PA CareerLink - Welcome To PA CareerLink

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Search thousands of Job opportunities and events in Pennsylvania, and explore a variety of career resources to help you find your next job.

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What is Common App?

Each year, more than 1 million students apply to more than 1,000 Common App member colleges worldwide through our online college application platform. Learn more about applying through our first-year application by following our step-by-step guide below.

Create a Common App account

Filling out your application takes time.

And if you have to keep interrupting your progress to find information, like a certificate for a continuing education course or the address of your last internship, it can take even longer. Get a head start by collecting this information before you begin.

A list of your activities, work, and family responsibilities

You can share your interests and who you are outside of the classroom in the activities section. You can share information about things like work, hobbies, clubs, and community engagement. And don't forget, family responsibilities can be important to share as well. This is the place to show colleges what makes you unique!

Creating a Common App account is easy and should only take a few minutes.

You can create a Common App account even if you don't plan on applying for another few months or another few years. You can answer questions in the Common App tab and build a college list at any time.

Create your account and choose your student type

If you haven't yet attended college, select "first-year student"

If you have college credits from dual enrollment high school courses, you should still select "first-year student"

If you have already attended 1 or more colleges after graduating high school, select "transfer student". We also have a separate transfer student guide to help you out.

Create new login credentials. Colleges may need to get in touch with you during the application process, so be mindful of which email address you choose. Sometimes your high school address may filter out these emails, so consider using a personal email address. When choosing an email address, be sure to use one that:

You check regularly

Does not use inappropriate language

You will have access to after you graduate from high school

Complete your registration information

We will need some basic information about you like your name, home address, phone number, and date of birth.

Be sure to use your legal name as it appears on official school documents and standardized tests. This will make sure colleges can match documents to the correct person.

At the end, you will adjust your communication preferences and accept the Common App privacy policy.

Select "create account" and you're done!

Account rollover

Once you've created your account and explored the colleges that accept the Common App, you're ready to start adding colleges.

The College Search tab is where you will search for and add the colleges you want to apply to. If you have a school in mind you can search by name. If you want to keep exploring, you can use the more filters button. Some filters include:

State or country

Distance from a zip code

Enrollment term

Application deadline

Application fees*

Writing requirements

Standardized testing policy

Recommendation requirement

Adding a college is easy! You may add a college using the add button in the search results list. You can also select a college and add them using the "Add to My Colleges" button from their info screen.

Once you've added colleges, you can see them on your Dashboard and in your My Colleges tab. Keep in mind you may only add up to 20 colleges. You may adjust your list of colleges at any time. Once you've submitted, you will not be able to remove those schools from your My Colleges list.
* While some colleges may charge an application fee, others have no fee to apply. And, many will offer fee waivers under certain circumstances, including financial need, veteran status, and more.

Fee Waiver

A request to the college to remove the application fee. Using either the Common App fee waiver, which your counselor must confirm, or a college-specific fee waiver, you will not be required to pay the fee to submit your application.

Coed

Coed is a term used to describe a college or university that offers the integrated education of male and female students in same environment.

All colleges need things like official school forms. Many colleges will also ask for letters of recommendation.

Counselors, teachers, and recommenders will submit these kinds of forms on your behalf. Here are the types of recommenders you can invite in the Common App.

Every college gets to choose their own recommendation requirements. You can find more details on each college's "College Information" page.

If you're planning to apply this school year, you can start inviting recommenders. If you don't plan on applying until next school year or later, skip this step for now.

How to invite and assign recommenders:

1. From the My Colleges tab select a college and open their "Recommenders and FERPA" section.

2. If you have not done so already, you will need to complete the FERPA Release Authorization.

3. Invite recommenders using the invite button from each section. You may also use the "Invite Recommenders" button at the top.

4. Select the type of invitation you would like to send. For each invitation you will need information like their name and email address.

5. After you add a recommender, you can view their info using the Manage Recommenders button.

6. Note that teachers, parents, and other recommenders will not receive an email invitation until you assign them to a college. To assign these recommenders, go to their section within this screen. Select their name from the dropdown and use the assign button.

7. If your high school uses Naviance or another partner software, you will not invite your counselor or teachers here. There will be instructional text on this page explaining what to do next. You will still add other recommenders and advisors using the steps above.

In general, each college has their own recommendation requirements. For example, one college may need two teacher recommendations. Some colleges may not want any teacher recommendations. Colleges can also determine what kinds of other recommenders they want. Some may allow for any recommender type, whereas others only allow an employer recommendation.

It's important to stay organized as you work on your applications.

Each college needs you to complete common questions and add counselor. Beyond that their applications vary. Each college can determine their unique requirements for:

Deadlines

Application Fees

Personal Essay

Courses & Grades

Test Policy

Portfolio

Writing Supplements

Recommendations

Here are some places where you can find each college's specific requirements:

Explore Colleges

Each college's Explore Colleges profile provides lots of information about the college. You can find details on application information, campus culture, scheduling visits, and more.

Requirements Grid

The requirements grid is a comprehensive PDF that lists all the colleges that use the Common App and their requirements. You can also find the grid within the application.

Writing Requirements by College

We maintain a list of all Common App colleges and their essay prompts. This resource will help as you begin planning your essays. For more help on planning essays, check out our essay planning worksheet.

Account rollover

You can save answers to Common App tab questions year over year. So you can get started on things like your personal essay or the activities section at any time.

Responses to questions in your My Colleges do not stay year over year. Only get started on things like college-specific questions, writing supplements, or portfolios if you intend to apply this school year. For more info, check out ouraccount rollover FAQ .

Sometimes writings essays can feel like the biggest part of your application. With a little bit of planning, organizing, and drafting, we can help you make this task more manageable.

As you work on your applications you can find essays or short answer questions in three sections:

College-specific questions

Many colleges include short answer questions or essay prompts within this section. You can find specific information about each college's individual writing prompts here.

Counselor tip

Submission is a three-step process:
1) Reviewing your application.
2) Paying the application fee (if applicable).
3) Submitting your application.

Get ready to begin your journey

Walk through the application with us before you apply.

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application guide for first-year students

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Application guide for first-year students

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College application guide for first-time students applying to college with Common App.

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Top College Scholarships for High School & College Students 2023

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Find the best college scholarships for high school and college students, Black & African American, Hispanic & Latinos, Women, First Generation, Texas, California, Easy, No Essay, Nursing, STEM, and Merit scholarships

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Federal Student Aid is the largest provider of financial aid for college in the U.S. Understand aid, apply for aid, and manage your student loans today.

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Fastweb offers students an easy and secure way to find and apply for scholarships. Quickly browse thousands of scholarships by a variety of themes, college major, trade school program, or interest, unique situations and more.

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Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid

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Comprehensive source of student financial aid, student loan and loan forgiveness program information, with advice and tools for students, parents and educators.

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Scholarships for College: Find and Apply Online for Free | Going Merry

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Get matched with college scholarships instantly and apply online with a common app for students and tools for counselors and providers.

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How Much Will College Cost – BigFuture | College Board

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Understanding the true price tag of the various schools on your list is an important part of the decision-making process. We have many resources to help you figure out what those costs truly are and to find ways to get help paying for them.

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How Student Loans Work: Applying, Borrowing, and Repayment

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How Student Loans Work: Applying, Borrowing, and Repayment

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Wondering how student loans work? Learn how to apply for them, how much money you should borrow, and the details surrounding paying them back.

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How to Decide What College to Attend - BigFuture | College Board

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Some students want to find the perfect college. In reality, there’s no such thing. However, many colleges will give you a great education and wonderful experiences.

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Free College Essay Resources for Students

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Free College Essay Resources for Students

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"I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you for creating such a wonderful scholarship program. Without Matchlighters and my amazing counselor, I would have never been able to complete and compose such great essays that help me get admitted to Harvard, UPenn, Duke, JHU, Rice, and UCLA! I still cannot believe what happened this past month and all of that incredible news would not have been a reality without the Matchlighters program. I want to personally thank you for putting the effort in organizing this program and helping me match up with my counselor."

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Dive into our updated collection of free, step-by-step guides to deciding your college essay structure, how to start your essay, what college essay topic to pick, how to write a personal statement or supplemental essay, and so much more.

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Most applications will open August 1 for students applying for fall 2023 enrollment.

College deadlines most often fall between November and February.

Early admission means submitting your application sooner, usually by November.

Applying regular decision gives you more time to work on application essays and take exams.

Most college applications - including the Common Application and the Coalition for College - will open August 1, 2022, for those who plan to start college in fall 2023. That said, you may complete the general application components at any time before this date.

While most schools require similar application components, different admission options allow you to submit your application by different deadlines. The four basic options are early action, early decision, regular decision, and rolling admission.

Regardless of when you apply, you'll likely need to submit a personal essay, 1-3 recommendation letters, official transcripts, and, if required, SAT or ACT scores.

College Application Deadlines for Fall 2023

The following table summarizes the most common college application deadlines for the four main admissions windows.

Application Deadline

Admission Decision

Early Action

November 2022

December 2022

Early Decision

November 2022

December 2022

Regular Decision

January/February 2023

March/April 2023

Rolling Admission

Varies

Usually within 4-6 weeks

Early Action Deadlines

Many schools offer early action deadlines, which entail applying early and receiving an early admission decision.

The most common early action deadlines are in early to mid-November. In general, you can expect to receive an admission decision in December.

Early action is a great option for those who want an early admission decision without having to commit to a school. Unlike early decision (see below), early action doesn't require you to commit to attending the school should you get admitted.

This admission option also doesn't require a response until the national May 1 deadline, giving you ample time to compare college offers.

One potential outcome of applying early action is deferment, or when your application gets pushed to the regular decision applicant pool. If this happens to you, reach out to the school and focus on strengthening your application for regular decision admittance.

Early Decision Deadlines

Similar to early action, early decision means applying to a college and getting an admission decision around mid-December. Some colleges offer two early decision deadlines (usually called Early Decision I and II).

Unlike early action, early decision comes with a binding agreement to enroll. In other words, if you get in, you must pay a nonrefundable deposit and immediately withdraw all of your other college applications. This is why students applying early decision should be completely set on attending a particular school.

One caveat of early decision is that you're entering an agreement without seeing your financial aid offer. For those depending on financial aid to cover most or all of their tuition, this could pose serious concerns.

Some schools may help you explore additional aid options, but adjustments aren't guaranteed.

Regular Decision Deadlines

Most students apply to college under regular decision. These deadlines commonly fall in January or February. Typically, you'll hear back from prospective schools in March or April and must follow up with your decision about whether to enroll by May 1.

As one of the widest application windows, regular decision ensures students have ample time to gather materials, prepare their essays, and take any required exams. These deadlines also give you additional time to carefully consider your college options.

The downside of waiting until the final application window means that if you get rejected, you'll have to wait until the following academic term or year to reapply. Alternatively, you could get waitlisted, which means you may or may not get accepted depending on whether any spots open up.

Rolling Admission Deadlines

Rather than maintaining set deadlines, colleges with rolling admission evaluate applications as they come in. These schools usually offer several application windows a year. In general, they'll accept and review applications until all spots in the upcoming class are filled.

Most rolling-admission colleges open up admissions around September 1. This window can last all the way through spring, depending on how many spots remain, though some schools may adhere to the May 1 deadline.

Many schools use a rolling admission policy to evaluate transfer applicants as well. Transfer students should begin the application process well ahead of their prospective school's posted application deadline. Each school maintains its own application window and transfer credit policies, so be sure you carefully read over these requirements before applying.

College Application Deadlines for 50 Popular Schools

Check out the table below to find the 2022-23 application deadlines for 50 popular colleges.

When to Apply for College in the Fall

Applying to college entails a considerable amount of planning. If you're in high school, try to request recommendation letters and take the SAT or ACT in 11th grade. This is especially important if you're planning to apply early action or early decision.

Early admission works best for students who are prepared to apply early their senior year. Often resulting in an admission decision by mid-December, these options give you plenty of time to relax and enjoy your final semester of high school.

Additionally, students who apply early may enjoy higher acceptance rates than regular decision applicants.

To meet an early deadline, begin the application process in the summer. Focus your efforts on writing your admissions essay, gathering letters of recommendation, and taking (or retaking) the SAT or ACT.

Still, most applicants opt for the regular decision window. For those who need additional time to compare schools or work on application materials, regular decision will likely be your best option. Be sure to request letters of recommendation by September, as teachers tend to get busy in late fall due to midterms and other recommendation requests.

Remember that no student is the same. If you don't feel your application is ready to submit by an earlier deadline, hold off until the regular decision deadline. Regardless of which deadline you choose, make sure you feel confident when you submit your application.

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College Application Deadlines for Fall 2023 | BestColleges

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Most applications will open August 1 for students applying for fall 2023 enrollment. College deadlines most often fall between November and February. Early admission means submitting your application sooner, usually by November.

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College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools

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College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools

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College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools

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College Board is a non-profit organization that clears a path for all students to own their future through the AP Program, SAT Suite, BigFuture, and more.

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Find the college that's the best fit for you! The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard has the most reliable data on college costs,graduation, and post-college earnings.

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College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics

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College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to help students, parents, high school counselors, and others get information about over 7,000 postsecondary institutions in the United States - such as programs offered, retention and graduation rates, prices, aid available, degrees awarded, campus safety, and accreditation.

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Online Education, Colleges & K12 Education Guide

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Online Education, Colleges & K12 Education Guide

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Welcome to EducationCorner.com.

Whether you're a high school student looking for the best college to attend, a teacher looking for new lesson ideas, a professional seeking career training programs, or a mom searching for the best homeschooling resources for your children, we're confident that EducationCorner.com will be helpful to you.

Popular Topics & Education Articles

About the Authors

Becton Loveless. I believe a good education is one of the greatest blessings you can provide your children. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University in 1998 and earned my MBA from the Marriott School of Management in 2002. I have been a long time contributor to EducationCorner.com.

Alicia Betz is a writer and high school English teacher; she has been teaching since 2012. She earned her Bachelor's in Education from Penn State University and her Master's in Education from Michigan State University. She focused her studies on educational literacy, online teaching, and communications. When she's not teaching or writing, you can find her spending time with her husband, daughter, and German Shepherd.

Read more about us!

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Education Corner - Education That Matters

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Online guide to higher education, distance learning, k12 education, early childhood education, special education and teaching resources.

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So far I've just been accepted, I love all the technology that the school uses and all the extra help they give to their students.The one thing I didn't like was how long it took for them to get let you know if you were accepted (meaning that you had to either quit your job before hand hoping you'd get in or quit within 2 days).

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National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

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For the Fall 2023 admission cycle, NACAC member four-year colleges reported that the most important factors in admission decisions were grades in high school courses and strength of the high school curriculum.
(NACAC Membership Required)

PERCENTAGE OF COLLEGES ATTRIBUTING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF IMPORTANCE TO FACTORS IN ADMISSION DECISIONS: FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN , FALL 2023

N

Considerable Importance

Moderate Importance

Limited Importance

No Importance

Do the top factors in admission decisions vary by type of college?

Across all four-year colleges surveyed, high school grades and strength of high school curriculum are uniformly rated as the most important factors. However, some differences were found between public and private colleges in the level of importance given to the following factors:

high school GPA in college prep courses

strength of curriculum

class rank

positive character attributes

the essay or writing sample

the interview

work

extracurricular activities

counselor and teacher recommendations

student's interest in attending the institution.

How has the importance of admission factors changed over time?

The Fall 2023 survey represents NACAC's first data collection since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent wide-spread adoption of test-optional or test-free admission policies. As expected, the importance of test scores has substantially declined, while grades and strength of curriculum have remained of top importance.

PERCENTAGE OF COLLEGES ATTRIBUTING "CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE" TO FACTORS IN ADMISSION DECISIONS: FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN , FALL 2012 TO FALL 2023

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For the Fall 2023 admission cycle, NACAC member four-year colleges reported that the most important factors in admission decisions were grades in high school courses and strength of the high school curriculum. Access the dashboards and tools (NACAC Membership Required) PERCENTAGE OF COLLEGES ATTRIBUTING

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Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)

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Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)

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HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the African American community as well as the entire nation. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: "...any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation." HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. These institutions train young people who go on to serve domestically and internationally in the professions as entrepreneurs and in the public and private sectors.

Fast Facts (Source: National Center for Education Statistics)

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White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the African American community as well as the entire nation.

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Finding a major can be tough.

That's why we created the College Major Assessment. In 15-minutes, the program will recommend your best-fit majors that match your academic achievement, aptitude, unique interests, and preferences.

"I was undecided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. After completing the assessment, I was able to find my list of majors to talk with my advisor. We were able to sign up for classes, found a student group to join, and discussed what I needed to do to graduate in 4 years."

KYLE TURNER
Student '20

The College Major Assessment recommends your top ten best-fit majors. Finding your major will help select the right college and complete your degree on time. Start now to find your major. This program is free for students.

Start Now

National Science Foundation backed program that recommends your custom majors in ranked order. Helping your prospective and current students create a plan on campus and work with faculty and staff to improve retention and graduation rates.

Learn More

Online tool for high school counselors, principals, and teachers to help students find a major, college, and career. Create a free high school account for the student assessment and be able to access their results.

Sign Up Now

Minutes to complete the assessment

For Students

What should you major in? Complete the free 15-minute assessment and find your best-fit list of majors, careers, and college matches.

If you are undecided or not sure if your current major is the right fit, complete the assessment to explore all your opportunities. More than 80% of college students change their major at least once in college. MyMajors can help give clarity to your uncertainities.

Find Your Major

National Science Foundation

awarded MyMajors two SBIR grants
to improve college completion and student advising.

For Colleges & Universities

Colleges face three major problems: recruiting best-fit students, retaining them, and graduating them on time. Using web-based assessment technology and artificial intelligence, MyMajors matches students to their best-fit majors at your college. The result is that students engaging in the right majors on your campus enroll, persist, and graduate in four-years at up to 22% higher rates than the national average.

We are not a traditional assessment.
The customized program leverages an algorithm, backed by the NSF, to match students to your specific majors. Students can learn about your unique programs, career outcomes, and connect with resources on campus. Faculty and staff can be notified as students complete the program and alerted with key data to help students persist on campus.

MyMajors can make an immediate impact in admissions, orientation, first-year advising, changing majors, career services, and retention and graduation initiatives.

Try a sample assessment:

Private Label Traditional 4-year Program

Community College Program

How we help Colleges

Proactive Strategies from Partner Colleges and Universities

MyMajors assists colleges and universities from small to large, public to private, community colleges, religious colleges, and HBCU and HACU institutions. Custom programs are set up based on each institutions programs, philosophy, and process.

Helping Students Find an Academic Home

Program that supports retention and graduation initiatives.

Nationally, only 39% of students receive a degree in four years.*

Students with the right academic plan will select the right college and complete their degree on time. A study conducted through the National Student Clearinghouse found that MyMajors students had a 13.8% higher retention rate than the national average. Students completed their degree in four years at an 11.3% higher rate. Hispanic(11.6% higher) and African American (20.9% higher) students both had higher four year graduation rates than the national average.
*NCES

Download White Paper

For High Schools

School Counselors and Administrators can create an account and help students find a major, college, and career. We create a subdomain for your high school to access the program, and you can view their results to have better college and career advising sessions. Utilize the majors assessment in a school-wide "Major Day" to help students proactively explore their options before they apply to colleges.

Sign Up for High School Account

"MyMajors introduces new options which encourages the student to explore new areas that they may never have considered or even knew existed. Students find MyMajors easy to use and highly accurate and their academic advisors rely on the results to guide their students through the most important decision they will make in college."

Dr. Kathleen Shea Smith The University of Oklahoma

"I love the option of being able to access the results myself in order to have more effective conversations with my students."

Dr. Connie litzsinger Holt High School

"It was developed after years of compiling data on what it takes to succeed in different fields of study. A student's responses to questions regarding personal interests, temperaments, value systems and academic history are matched to those majors where they are most likely to find success and satisfaction."

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What Should I Major in? Create your college and career plan

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Finding a major can be tough. That's why we created the College Major Assessment. In 15-minutes, the program will recommend your best-fit majors that match your academic achievement, aptitude, unique interests, and preferences. "I was undecided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

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We are excited to return to in-person college fairs!Please find details on our Fall 2024 Regional Fairs here.Registration is coming soon!

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Our Student Aid Guide provides a complete overview of the financial aid process for Pennsylvania’s students. Inside, you’ll find info about most of the state’s financial aid programs and services, as well as links to nationwide resources. All our advice is designed with students and families in mind. We hope you find it helpful as you navigate paying for college!

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College may seem expensive. But the truth is that most students pay less than their college's sticker price, or published price, thanks to financial aid. So instead of looking at the published price, concentrate on your net price - the real price you'll pay for a college.

What Is Net Price?

Your net price is a college's cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it's based on your personal circumstances and the college's financial aid policies.

What Is a College Net Price Calculator?

A college net price calculator is a free online tool that gives you a personalized estimate of net price.

Check out net price calculators for hundreds of colleges.

Why Are Net Price Calculators Important?

By providing personalized estimates, net price calculators offer a more informed way of deciding which colleges you can afford. Knowing your net price:

Gives you the best idea of what you'll pay for a particular college

Makes comparing colleges easier

Widens your choice of colleges so you can focus on fit instead of price

How Do Net Price Calculators Work?

A college's net price calculator asks you questions about your family's finances and may also ask you questions about your GPA, test scores, activities, and other things that may qualify you for financial aid. It uses your answers to figure out how much money in grants and scholarships the college is likely to award you. It then subtracts that number from the full cost of attendance to estimate how much the college might really cost you.

Many net price calculators also provide information about other kinds of financial aid you might be offered. These include loans and work-study jobs.

Tips

As you use net price calculators:

Answer each question as accurately as possible. The more accurate your numbers, the more accurate the result.

Remember that these are estimates. The actual price you pay may be higher or lower than the college's net price calculator estimate.

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The truth is that most students pay less than their college's sticker price, or published price, thanks to financial aid. Instead of looking at the published price, concentrate on your net price - the real price you'll pay for a college.

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Scholarships are listed and due dates are updated as they come available. Most awards indicate a website. If no website is listed, applications will be available in the Counseling office as they come in. This list is comprised of national, state, and local scholarships.

* Please note that organizations reserve the right to change the application deadline and the scholarship in general without prior notice to WAHS. If you have any questions, please contact the Counseling office!

How to Find College Scholarships & Tips for Funding Higher-Education:
https://word.tips/college-scholarship-tips/
October

AES, American Engineering Society - Our belief is that achieving a high grade point average should not be the only criteria for determining who deserves to be helped. For that reason we are offering a scholarship that will be awarded on the basis of character, as determined by an evaluation of the essays that are submitted. Deadline October 8, 2024

http://aesengineers.com/scholarships

Pennsylvania American Legion Scholarships- Applicants can review the website. Some scholarships will also be sent to the Counseling office. For children/grandchildren of PA Legion members.
https://pa-legion.com/?s=scholarships

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship - Deadline: November 14, 2024- Available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities. For more information and to access the application, visit https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/how-to-apply/

December

Advancing Women in Transportation - The Central PA Chapter of the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) offers scholarships that are open to female student currently residing in PA and attending high school or college in PA. Transportation careers can include: Planners / Engineers / Economists / Scientists / GIS Mappers / Accounting / CADD Specialists / Managers / Public Relations / Construction / Geologists / Air Traffic Controllers / Public Policy / Finance / Wildlife Specialists / Historians / Architects / Surveyors / Archaeologists / Ecologists / and more... Deadline December 2024.
https://www.wtsinternational.org/chapters/central-pennsylvania/scholarships
Equitable Excellence Scholarship - Deadline: December 2024. Available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities. For more information and to access the application, visit:
https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/equitableexcellence/
January

The Lycoming Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution - Deadline: Jan. 2025 - The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is pleased to offer over 26 different scholarships for graduating high school seniors, and college, graduate and medical students through our online application portal for the upcoming academic year. The portal will reopen for the coming academic year, 2024, from November 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm (Hawaii Time).

https://www.dar.org/national-society/scholarships/general-info
The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship - Deadline January 9, 2025 To be eligible for a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship, an applicant must: Be a graduating, minority high school senior, be a United States citizen, present evidence of financial need, demonstrate a record of academic excellence, demonstrate leadership potential and a dedication to community service, plan to attend an accredited and approved 4-year college within the United States or affiliated with a United States-based college or university, have not accrued more than 25% of credits needed to graduate from college.
https://jackierobinson.org/apply/
U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917. First place 10,000. JFK Profile In Courage Essay Contest - Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a Deadline January, 2025 https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/getting-started

Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference 2024-2025 Scholarship- Deadline January 2025. To an athlete who has earned at least one varsity letter in a PIAA recognized sport. Must be a senior with at least a 3.0 GPA (83-86 NGA). Must have a verified post-secondary education entrance placement score SAT, ACT, or other. Applications should be available from Sean McCann, WAHS Athletic director

February

The WAHS Common Scholarship This application encompasses a list of local scholarships available for WAHS students. Applications will be available in February and due in March 2025.

PAMS Annual Julie Sullivan Memorial Scholarship To a college-bound graduating senior who has used HME Medical Equipment in the past. Applications in the Counseling office.

Edward W. Claudius Memorial Scholarship - To a graduating senior from a Lycoming County high school who will be attending PSU - any campus- not Penn College - for a four-year degree program. Applicants must submit an application and essay to the Counseling office. Deadline February, 2025

March

First Commonwealth Bank - Deadline March 2025 To a graduating senior with a 3.00 GPA or better. Essay required detailing how the student puts their community first by being engaged in community support activities and how they put their academics first by excelling in education. Applications are available in the Counseling office.

Hugh Carcella United Steelworkers - District 10 - Deadline March 2025 Applications in the Counseling office. To a son/daughter of a member of the United Steelworkers District 10, in good standing with the local union or to a son/daughter of a disabled or old age or retiree and affiliated with the local union and who was in good standing with the United Steelworkers at the time of their retirement or death.

The Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball Scholarship - Completed applications should be returned to the Little League Headquarters A graduating senior from a Lycoming County High School who is in good standing and academically in the top twenty-five percent of his or her class as determined by class rank. A good citizen who exemplifies effort, determination, and persistence in attempting to reach a goal. Applications available in the Counseling office. Deadline March 2025.

The Kay Ertel Scholarship Application - Deadline March 2025. The applicant must be a female high school senior, in a public school in Lycoming County, who is interested in public service and is pursuing an undergraduate degree. Applications must be completed and all required information sent to Janice Shireman in Jersey Shore, PA. Applications will be available in the Counseling office.

Williamsport Music Club/Budd Memorial Scholarship - $1500 scholarship available to a Lycoming County high school senior who is planning to continue an education in music. Applications will be available in the Counseling Office.

Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA Scholarship Program for students who have epilepsy/seizure disorder - Te EAWCP will award nine scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have a epilepsy/seizure disorder and are going on to a post-secondary school. Applications will be available in the Counseling office.

Lycoming County Chapter of Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees Scholarship - Deadline to be turned into the Guidance office by March 2025. The senior applicant must be enrolled or intends to be enrolled as a full-time student majoring in education in a 4-year accredited college/university. The applicant must not be receiving a full scholarship from any other source. Applications are available in the Counseling office.

John Sharp Memorial Scholarship Horizon Federal Credit Union Scholarship - Must be an active account holder in good standing of the Horizon Federal Credit Union. Be a 2022 graduate with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and be accepted as a full-time student at a college or university. Essay required. Applications forms are available in the Counseling office and on the website: http://www.horizonfcu.org. Deadline March 2025

Gladys Tozier Memorial Scholarship Award - To a Lycoming County senior who has been accepted to a four-year degree college. Applications available in the Counseling office, or download an application from Schoology. Deadline March 2025

Pennsylvania Head Start Association - Are you a former Head Start student? You may be eligible to apply for the Jeff Koppel Memorial Head Start Scholarship Award. This merit-based scholarship is offered to a graduating high school senior (Class of 2025). Should be a former Head Start student accepted (or pending acceptance) to institution of higher learning (College or Trade school). Academic and Personal Achievement, leadership, and extracurricular activities. Due March 2025.
https://www.paheadstart.org/apply-for-the-jeff-koppel-scholarship

April

Mary Ann Fox Scholarship This scholarship is for a college-bound senior who resides in Clinton and/or Lycoming County. Be in good academic standing and have good character. Demonstrate financial need. Be planning to attend full-time one of the following: Lock Haven University, Bucknell University, Lycoming College, Penn College or Penn State. Deadline April, 2025. Apply online:

https://www.csascholars.org/foxm/

There is a list of scholarships that are available to any Lycoming County public high school student and then there are five scholarships that are offered specifically to WAHS students. First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania: Deadline (strictly adhered to) April 1st.

https://www.fcfpartnership.org/grants-scholarships/scholarships/application-process/

Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association (PenSPRA) has announced that it will present two one-year scholarships. PenSPRA, founded in 1967, is one of the largest state chapters of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and is the recipient of more than eight Blue Ribbon Awards

A scholarship will be awarded to two (2) qualified Pennsylvania public high school seniors who plan to pursue a career in a communications field (i.e., journalism, English, public relations, advertising, graphic arts, etc.). The candidates should have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA and already been accepted at or applied to a two- or four-year college, vocational-technical school or other institution of higher learning.
Completed applications for the scholarship must be submitted by Friday, April 2025. The recipients will be announced the first week of May 2025.

https://penspra.com/student-scholarship

American Legion Post 1 Scholarship - To two students of moral character with need, a good academic record, and who have demonstrated public service to the school and/or community. Applications will be available in the Counseling office and Schoology. Due April 2025.

Must have a parent who has been killed or seriously injured as a result of a work related accident that meets the criteria of the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act and that has resulted in demonstrated financial need. http://www.kidschanceofpa.org/

PALCO Federal Credit Union Members Helping Members Two scholarships of $1,000 each to two applicants that exemplify the credit union philosophy through their academic achievements, volunteerism, community service and leadership. Applications available in the Counseling office. Deadline April 2025

Dean Stroop Memorial Scholarship Award - Available to any graduating senior in Lycoming County actively involved in dance, music, and/or theatre. The scholarship amount is 1,500. The winner receives $1,000 and two runners up receive $250.00. Return to Alison Stroup 304 Shady Road Montoursville, PA 17754. Application is available in the Counseling office and to print from www.youcandoitdancefitness.com

Loyalsock Creek Mens Club Scholarship - LCMC Scholarships provide financial assistance to high school seniors who are enrolled in a public or accredited private school in Lycoming County, PA Has attained a 2.0 cumulative GPA based on a 4.o scale from grades 9, 10, 11 and are planning to continue their education beyond high school in an accredited institution of higher education or a technical school. Applications are currently available in the Counseling office. Essay required. Deadline April 2025
http://tabermuseum.org/
Lycoming County Historical Essay Application information is available in the Counseling office. Deadline April 2025

May

The Applicants will exemplify strong leadership skills in the home, school, and community. An essay is required. Applications available in the Counseling office and through Schoology. Abram L. Howard Scholarship- Deadline May 2025

The P.D. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship - Seniors must demonstrate leadership potential and academic promise in their pursuit of higher education Minimum GPA of 2.5 (75). Essay required. Applications will be made available in the Counseling office and through Schoology. Due May, 2025

June

BigSun Scholarship - Annual scholarship for deserving student athletes. The student must be a high school senior or be attending a post secondary institute. http://www.bigsunathletics.com/

NY Penn League Charitable Foundation - http://milb.com/

July
http://pa-legion.com/programs/student-programs/ http://www.blackstudents.com/
The following websites offer multiple scholarship opportunities:
http://www.fastweb.com/ http://tfec.org/
Link to business scholarships- https://www.discoverbusiness.us/resources/business-degree-scholarships/
http://studentscholarships.org/
http://www.pmyf.org/ Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation

http://www.uncf.org/ United Negro College Fund

WAHS Common Scholarship
The WAHS Common Scholarship Application for this school year will be available in February 2025.

The WAHS Common Scholarship Application includes a list of local scholarships administered by the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation through the WAHS guidance office. Please read each scholarship and check the ones that you wish to be considered for (and that you meet the specific qualifications). Students are also encouraged to apply via the WAHS Common Application for the WAHS LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS. These are scholarships only available to WAHS seniors and are of amounts greater than $500. Applications and scholarship criteria are available in the Counseling Office in February of each year. Applications will also be made available through our website and Schoology. Recipients are announced at graduation ceremonies.

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Scholarships are listed and due dates are updated as they come available. Most awards indicate a website. If no website is listed, applications will be available in the Counseling office as they come in. This list is comprised of national, state, and local scholarships.

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All transcript requests should be sent through Parchment. Parchment enables high school transcripts to be sent to post-secondary educational institutions electronically. Parchment can also be used to request your transcript be sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse and the CommonApp.

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The post-secondary guide was created as a reference tool to be used by students, parents and guardians to help navigate the way to post-secondary education, employment or enlistment in the military. This guide includes a calendar for junior and senior year as well as information about the SAT vs. ACT, military academies, financial aid and college selection. As you read through the guide, be sure to make notes in the guide and meet with your school counselor as needed.

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High School Student Intern | Pennsylvania Department of Transportation — Overview: • The pay rate is $16.17/hour, maximum of 28 hours per week and maximum of 37.5 hours per week during breaks and vacations. (Recommended 3 hours per day but no minimum is required.) Location: Lycoming County Maintenance Building in Montoursville, PA (716 Jordan Ave.). If interested high school juniors and seniors may contact Carolyn Kilburn at ckilburn@pa.gov for more information.

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National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

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Useful College Admission Terms - National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

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Articulation Agreement
Formal arrangements between two or more colleges and universities that specify how courses, a general education plan, and/or major requirements transfer from one institution of higher education to another. Articulation agreements are crucial for transfer students who need to u…