For students who wish to attend vocational school after high school, here is a wealth of information about attending a vocational school.
What is a vocational school?
A vocational school, also know as a trade school, teaches students job-specific skills. Many schools offer a wide range of programs for students to study. Pennsylvania College of Technology offers over 100 different career fields from Architectural Technology to Robotics Automation.
What do I need to do to go to a vocational school?
To attend a vocational school after high school graduation, you need to fill out an application, submit a high school transcript and proof of graduation or GED, and take placement exams. If you are applying to a four-year program, you must also submit SAT or ACT scores. Check with each school to ensure that you are fulfilling the requirements for the program you wish you study.
Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Course Catalog provides details about the kinds of programs, degrees, and minors offered. Also, you will find details for any additional admission requirements for their programs.
Where do I live while I’m in school?
Students may have a variety of housing options depending on where a particular college is in relation to home. For those students who attend school near home, they may opt to continue living at home while in school. For students who live too far to commute daily, some schools offer on-campus housing during the academic year. Also, for schools with and without housing, off-campus housing is a popular option.
If you choose to live on campus, on-campus dining options are available for residents. Some colleges may require you to purchase a meal plan, which will give you access to their available dining options. Depending on the setting of your college, a nearby town may offer additional, off-campus dining choices.
Pennsylvania College of Technology offers on-campus housing on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you would like more information about living on campus, please visit Residence Life. If you would prefer to live off campus, Penn College has an Off-Campus Housing Office dedicated to finding apartments for students in the Williamsport and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania.
I have lots of interests, so what should I study?
Many schools offer counseling and career services to their students in an effort to help them make decisions about their potential career paths based on interests and other factors. Also, job shadowing in your area may help narrow down your interests. Once you’ve explored these resources, talk to your parents and school counselor about careers you are considering.
The Counseling, Career Disability Services Office of Pennsylvania College of Technology is dedicated to helping students match their career interests with their abilities.
What happens when I graduate?
Vocational schools may offer both four-year and two-year programs. Four-year programs will lead to a bachelor’s degree while two-year programs will lead to an associate’s degree. Admission requirements vary slightly depending on whether you choose a four-year program or a two-year program.
For example, if you choose to major in Technology Management at Penn College, you will be in a four-year program; when you graduate, you will have a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management. If you choose to major in a two-year Architectural Design program at Penn College, you will graduate with an associate’s degree in Architectural Design.
Many schools provide career services to their students in an effort to help them find jobs, and some schools have career fairs in which students can immediately connect with prospective employers.
Career Services at Pennsylvania College of Technology offers career fairs, interview tips, and other resources to aid students in finding employment.
How do I start a career?
If you are in high school or a recent vocational school graduate, starting a career may seem like a daunting task, but there are many on-line resources that could help you. CareerShip helps you to match your interests with careers you may enjoy. Also, job shadowing in your area will help to narrow down your choices before applying for employment.
How do I pay for vocational school?
Paying for school is simple if you have done your research and prepared well in advance of the first day of class. Your first resource may be to start an interest-bearing savings account. If you have a part-time job, try putting some of your paycheck into a savings account regularly.
529 college savings plans may be offered by your state. 529 plans allow investors to save money in an account in which the earnings will grow free from federal income tax and, when used to pay for higher education expenses, may be withdrawn federal income tax-free.
Other sources of financial aid vary from state to state and college to college: loans, grants, and scholarships are commonly used to pay for education. To qualify for these resources, you will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Though the FAFSA is not necessarily required to receive scholarships, it is recommended that you fill out the form regardless of eligibility.
Penn College has a Financial Aid Office that can help you through the financial aid process along with details about scholarships.
How can I get more information about Pennsylvania College of Technology? Can I visit?
Penn College has various videos and additional information for prospective students. In addition, Penn College offers regularly scheduled Open Houses for prospective student to visit campus and speak with staff and student ambassadors. In addition, if you cannot attend the Open Houses, you have the option of scheduling a campus tour using the online tour registration form.
