• On average, 2.7 Million students graduate high school each year.  
• Approximately 62% (2 million) go to college right away
• The average acceptance rate across all colleges is approximately 73%
• Nationally, the average retention rate (fresh- soph) is 75.6%
• The 6-year graduation rate is 64%

This is a very personal question - and, you'll hear this a few times - there is no right or wrong answer.  But you're here, so we are assuming you are considering attending a 2 or 4-year college or university. 

Aside from expanding your knowledgebase, circle of friends/network, life skills, etc. - You're less likely to find yourself unemployed, and your median earnings are nearly double what you can make without a degree (yes, there are exceptions to this). 

You're probably wondering, "Wait...Why would I start thinking about college or careers now?  I have two or three more years of high school." 

There are plenty of reasons, but work through these potential questions to look for YOUR reasons: 

• What do I want to study in college?
• What classes in high school will help me?
• Do I have to join 10 activities?  
• How are colleges different? What do I want in a college?
• Do I want a four year degree or a two year and what is the difference?
• Do my grades really count now?
• 2 yr. vs. 4 yr.? 
• Public vs. Private?
• What if I have a learning difference? 
• What if I'm really more into hands-on/kinesthetic learning?  
• What if I'm a good athlete and I might want to play in college? 

We will cover these topics and more in the next lesson.