GEAR UP

• 2-Year & 4-Year Degree Programs: Most community colleges offer certificates or associate degrees, which typically take two years to complete for full-time students. Students can then pursue a bachelor's degree, which usually requires four years. 
• Apprenticeships & On-The-Job Training Programs: Most technical colleges offer certificates, and some award associate degrees. After graduation, you can pursue an apprenticeship or enroll in a 2-year college program that leads to one.
• Gap Year: A “gap year” is a break between high school graduation and further education, often spent volunteering, working, or traveling.
• Military or National Service: Both the Military and AmeriCorps offer a chance to serve and offer help paying for higher education. 
• Undecided: Explore your interests, skills, and possible pathways. 
• Workforce and Career Exploration: People who go straight into the workplace usually do not have formal credentials beyond a high school diploma. Consider your current needs and interests and understand the difference between a job and a career. 

After high school, different paths lead to different types of credentials.  You may need one (or several) of these credentials depending on your career interests and goals.

• Certificate
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's or Baccalaureate Degree
• Graduate Degree
• Doctoral and Professional Degree

Explore different types of credentials.

Campus Visits

A campus visit is your opportunity to get a firsthand view of a college. A college catalog, brochure, or website can only show you so much. To get a feel for the college, you must walk around the campus, sit in on a class, and visit the dorms. Find out what support programs are offered and talk to faculty, financial aid and admissions office, and other students. You can see the atmosphere and see if it is a good fit.

Job Shadowing

Job shadowing is a great way to gain insight into a particular career or industry by observing a professional in that field as they do their daily work. To job shadow, you typically need to find someone willing to let you observe them at work for a period, ranging from a few hours to a full day. 

• Prepare for Pathway. Before graduating, students need to complete a High School and Beyond Plan outlining their interests, classes, and future goals. This plan helps identify the required courses for their post-high school path.

• Prepare for Exams. Students planning to attend a four-year college may need to take the SAT or the ACT. Other standardized tests are available for those planning to enlist in the military or attend a two-year or technical college.

Applying is one of the first steps on a student's path after high school. Different pathways have different application processes. Learn more.

After applying for admission to your post-high school options, file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). Learn more and find resources.

• Navigating Life After High School: Life after high school graduation is a particularly exciting and pivotal time. It’s a period of transition and new beginnings, marked by both challenges and opportunities. The first year of college is a time of transition for everyone.

• GEAR UP Graduate Services: Graduates from the Washington State GEAR UP program may be eligible to receive career and college support for one year after high school graduation! Learn if you will qualify and what services you may be eligible to receive.