College Planning
Plan Your Path After High School
Once you have an idea of where you want your future to take you, the next step is finding the education or training that can help you get there. College planning is about preparing academically, exploring your options, finding programs that fit your goals and budget, applying, and preparing for success after enrollment.
Your path may include a community college, four-year college or university, career or technical program, apprenticeship, or other postsecondary training. The right choice is the one that connects your career goals with the education, experience, and financial investment needed to achieve them.
Career Planning at Every Stage
| Life Stage | What to Focus On |
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| 👧Elementary | Build strong learning habits, encourage curiosity, and begin understanding how education connects to future opportunities. |
| 🎒Middle School | Prepare for high school, explore education and training options, and begin developing academic and career goals. |
| 🎓High School |
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| 🎓College Students |
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| 👨👩👧Parents & Guardians | Support academic preparation, exploration, financial planning, decision-making, and successful transitions throughout the journey |
College Planning Roadmap
Planning for life after high school involves many decisions, but you don't have to make them all at once. Follow these five steps to prepare, explore your options, make informed decisions, and stay on track for success.
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Prepare
Build Your Foundation
Your plans after high school begin with the choices you make today. Strong academic preparation, good learning habits, and meaningful experiences can help you keep your options open and prepare for the education or training your career goals require.
Review your academic plan regularly and look for opportunities to challenge yourself, explore your interests, and build skills both inside and outside the classroom.
Academic Planning
A thoughtful academic plan helps you meet graduation requirements while preparing for your future goals. Consider recommended courses, your four-year plan, grades, college credit opportunities, and any admission requirements for programs you're considering.
Get Involved
Activities, volunteering, leadership, work, and other experiences can help you develop skills, explore interests, and prepare for applications, scholarships, and future opportunities.
Explore
Find the Right Education & Training Option
Once you understand the education or training your career goals require, start exploring where you can get it. Look beyond the name of a school or program and consider academic fit, career preparation, cost, location, learning environment, and the opportunities available to you.
This is also where I would intentionally broaden the current Explore Colleges concept.
Explore Your Options
Education and training after high school can take many forms, including:
- Apprenticeship and career training
- Certificate and diploma programs
- Community colleges and two-year programs
- Four-year colleges and universities
- Specialized and professional programs
Explore Education & Training Options →
That becomes the destination we've been talking about from your Career Planning pathway pages.
Find Your Fit
Choosing a school or program isn't about finding the "best" option—it's about finding the option that best fits you.
Consider:
Academic Fit
Does the program offer the education and training you need?
Financial Fit
Can you reasonably afford the program?
Personal Fit
Does the location, size, environment, support, and experience fit what you're looking for?
Experience Your Options
College fairs, campus visits, virtual tours, and conversations with admissions representatives can help you learn what a website or brochure can't tell you.
Apply
Turn Your Plans Into Action
Once you've narrowed your options, it's time to apply. Admission requirements, deadlines, and application processes vary by institution and program, so understanding what each option requires will help you stay organized and avoid missing important steps.
Prepare Your Applications
Before applying, review each school's or program's:
- Application requirements
- Admission criteria
- Required documents
- Essay requirements
- Testing policies
- Application fees
- Deadlines
Explore the Application Process →
Understand Admission Deadlines
Early action, early decision, priority deadlines, rolling admission, and regular decision can all affect when—and sometimes how—you apply.
Understand Admission Deadlines →
Pay
Know the Cost Before You Commit
Finding a program that fits academically and personally is only part of the decision. It also needs to fit financially.
Compare the actual cost you'll be responsible for, not simply the published tuition or sticker price. Consider financial aid, scholarships, grants, savings, family resources, work, and responsible borrowing as you build your plan.
Understand College Costs
Research tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation, and other expenses. Use net price information and financial aid estimates to understand what different options may actually cost your family.
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete required financial aid applications, search for scholarships and grants, and understand the different types of aid available.
Compare Your Options
Once financial aid offers arrive, compare the full cost of each option and determine what you would need to pay or borrow.
Compare Financial Aid Offers →
Succeed
Prepare for Life After Enrollment
Getting accepted isn't the end of the planning process. Preparing for the transition and developing strong academic, financial, and personal habits can help you make the most of your education.
Academic Success
Learn how to manage your time, use campus resources, communicate with instructors, and develop study habits that support your goals.
Explore College Academic Success →
Life on Campus
College brings new responsibilities and opportunities. Learn about health and wellness, campus safety, extracurricular activities, working while in college, housing, and other aspects of college life.
Keep Planning for Your Future
Continue exploring careers, building professional skills, gaining experience, managing your finances, and preparing for graduation throughout college.
Explore College Student Resources →
College Planning Resources
Get Personalized Help
Meet with an ICAN advisor to explore career assessment results, career pathways, education options, and next steps.
Explore Colleges & Programs
Use college search tools, campus visits, fairs, and other resources to research your options.
Explore College Planning Resources →
Attend an Event
Participate in college and career fairs, webinars, and other ICAN events designed to help you make informed decisions.
Keep Planning
Use ICAN planning tools and checklists to stay on track as your goals evolve.
