Post-Grad Plans

What Is a Trade School?

A trade school is an alternative to college. Trade schools are focused on a particular job or trade and teach students practical real world skills relating to that trade. Many people choose trade school because it commonly offers hands-on experience and useful skills. Jobs offered by trade schools are often valuable and have large job markets. Trade schools are also often more economical than traditional colleges and can be completed quicker than a typical 4 year degree. Examples of trades taught at trade schools include:

• Welding

• HVAC/R (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Repair.)

• Electrical

• Health and Medical

• Cosmetology

• Culinary

Education Requirements

The level of education required to get into a trade school differs depending on what trade you are going into. Most trades schools require at least a high school level of education, either by having a high school diploma or a GED. However, even without a complete high school level education it is still possible to get into several trade schools either by taking assessment tests or through various programs designed to support people who would benefit from receiving a secondary education.

Application

Applying to a trade school is a lot like applying to a college. Once you found a school you want to apply to it, will have several forms with information you will have to fill out. You can always feel free to ask us for support during your application process!

Admissions Test

To apply for some trade schools you will have to take an admissions test. The purpose of an admissions test is to prove that you have the knowledge required to start learning about the chosen trade. This varies based on school and program; it is best to look for this information directly from the specific school you are interested in.

Occupation skills

For more advanced trades your school may require occupational prerequisites such as apprenticeships or classes that you will have to take before applying. Similar to other admission requirements, this is information is available directly from the school you are interested in.

Types of college

After high school, a student has the option to continue their education by going to a college. In the U.S., there are many different types of colleges and understanding the different options is important.

College vs. University

In the U.S., the terms college and university are often used interchangeably. While in other countries there is a distinct difference between the two, in the U.S. it holds less meaning. In general, you will find that universities are larger than colleges and provide more options for major programs. In contrast, colleges will be smaller and may only focus on a few particular fields of education. For the remainder of this page, the term college will be used to refer to both universities and colleges. The information below applies to both equally.

Public vs. Private

One question to consider when choosing a college is whether it is a public or private school. Public schools are funded in part by the government through grants and are only partly funded through tuition. This leads to public colleges generally having lower tuition costs. Private colleges are fully funded through student tuition and private donations. This tends to lead to high tuition costs. Some of the most prestigious schools such as Yale and Harvard are private colleges and, in general, private colleges have a reputation for being more prestigious than public colleges. However, private school is not automatically better than public school nor does it automatically mean a difference in quality of education. In addition to the already-lower tuition costs, public schools also typically have in-state tuition discounts, as well. Private schools do not have the same incentives for in-state students, but there may be scholarships available to you at a private school. All in all, this is just one aspect to consider when choosing a school.

Community

Some colleges are what's known as "community colleges." Community colleges specialize in providing students with a 2 year education where they will receive a Associates degree at the end. After graduating from a community college, a student can choose to transfer to a full 4 year college to complete the rest of their degree--or not. The benefit of a community college is that the tuition prices will be a lot lower then if you wanted to go to a larger 4 year university. If cost is a main concern, community college might be the right choice. One issue that may arise is transferring credits. Some 4 year schools may not accept credits from community college or transfer students, so it is important to work this out prior to choosing community college. Finally, community colleges tend to have a distinct culture from 4 year universities that many students prefer. For example, they tend to be understanding and flexible of non-traditional or working students. Additionally, they tend to have great advising services and on-campus engagement opportunities. Lastly, they tend to have a much smaller student body size than most 4 year universities, which can be a great match for students who thrive at a smaller school.

Liberal arts

Some colleges will offer what's called a "liberal arts" program. Rather than focusing on math or other sciences, liberal arts students have a wide range of classes to choose from. Focusing on natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities, liberal arts degrees give students the ability to take a variety of classes and learn about many things--rather than sticking to one major focus. Liberal arts degrees also offer a wide range of options for careers after college. Rather than being limited to a specific field, liberal arts majors have the ability to enter many different job markets.

Rather than attend trade school or college, some students prefer to begin working in their career immediately after high school graduation. This is a completely valid option that has many possible benefits. We urge students in this position to find a mentor as soon as possible--reach out to us if you need ideas for how to find one! A mentor can help guide you on the right path towards starting off in your desired career field.