If you ask high school sophomres if they plan on going to college after graduation, the chances are they will say yes.
How many of these students actually complete four years of college? Fifty percent? Forty percent? Statistics show the average is more around 22 percent.
The United States Department of Education followed a total of 13,481 college-bound sophomores for six years to determine how many enrolled and completed four years of higher education. The research indicates less than one-quarter of these students completed four years of college while 26 percent put off going to college altogether.
Another 40 percent either dropped out or attended a two-year program. Four percent mixed full and part-time schedules and eight percent took some time off in college.
Mr. Thomas Sullivan, Handy counselor, said 75 percent of the school’s sophomores usually plan on going to college or some kind of after-school training.
“By the time they are seniors, it drops from 75 percent to 60 percent and maybe even down to 50 percent,” Sullivan said.
The most common reason why students don’t want to go college is because of the expense. It costs a large sum of money to attend college and Sullivan says students should have a better understanding of funding before their senior year. Financial aid is available but many students don’t bother to apply for it.
“There are 258 students in the senior class and about 200 of them don’t know they can go to the skill center free for two years after graduation,” Sullivan said. “In game courses at the skill center, you can get certificates that can be enough to get a good job.”
Students should keep employers in mind when taking classes. Co-op and skill center may look good on a future resume, Sullivan said.