Part VI - Enrichment and Exploration

     Once someone has a career interest in mind, one of the best ways to explore/develop that interest is enrollment in a pre-college program.  When you Google "pre-college programs", you get over NINE MILLION results.  "Pre-college programs in health careers" results in over eight million and even narrowing the search to "free pre-college programs" yields over six million. (I found quite a few that were not "free".) This can seem daunting and students should seek help from their guidance counselors.  You can also check your state's Department of Education website.  If you are interested in a specific college, you can look for pre-college programs at that school.  I would recommend perusing Peterson's Summer Programs for Kids and Teenagers.   Once you find a program that interests you, check out the website for information and application updates.
     I helped many of my middle and high school students find summer and school year programs which they found very helpful and motivational.  Here are just a few about which I have first hand knowledge.  I will blog about others that are available when we get to the high school segments.

• New Jersey Institute of Technology - Newark, NJ  The Center for Pre-College Programs offers a wide range of summer programs in science, math, engineering and technology.  The courses are designed for students who are entering fifth grade to those entering twelfth.  Program fees range from $350 to $700.  The district for which I worked provided scholarships for a number of qualified students.  My students, and also my nephew, got a lot out of these programs.  (Having an aunt who's a guidance counselor can really ruin your summer plans!)  More information can be found at:  www.njit.edu/precollege/
• Fashion Institute of Technology - New York, NY  The School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers classes for middle and high school students.  This Fall they're offering courses in marketing, design, sewing and many other areas.  My daughter and my niece attended different Saturday Live classes and really enjoyed them.  I enjoyed bringing them into the city, chatting over bagels and then wandering around on my own while they were in class.  (FIT has a very interesting museum and the flower district in spring and Macy's flower show are cool as well!)  Neither girl went into fashion, nor did they decide to go to college in Manhattan, but process of elimination is also a learning technique.  FIT also has a Sunday Live program.  One course currently costs $391 for out of state residents and meets for 11 weeks.  The workshop classes are less expensive.  http://www.fitnyc.edu/
• New Jersey Performing Arts Center - Newark, NJ  NJPAC offers programs for students ages 11-18 who are interested in music, dance and theater.  Information can be found at http://www.njpac.org/  At the home page go to "Education" and then "Arts Training".  Programs for the 2010-2011 school year are full but auditions will be held in Spring 2011 for the following year.
• Douglass Residential College - New Brunswick, NJ  This is the women's college of the Rutgers University system.  The Douglass Science Institute is a four year summer residential program to which young women who are entering ninth grade and are interested in math, science and engineering may apply. www.rci.rutgers.edu/~dougproj/DPPreCollege.html

     These are just a few of the over NINE MILLION possibilities.  The experience can be invaluable.

CLARIFICATION :  I realize that some information I gave on accessing the BLS "What Do You Like?' site may be confusing.  It's such a good site, especially for younger students, I want to be sure you can find it!!!  Either go to http://www.college.gov/, click "Why Go?" on the home page and then click "Find Your Passion"  and go to "What Do You Like?" on the next page OR go to http://www.bls.gov/, scroll down on the home page and click "Career Information for Kids".

NOTE TO HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS:  The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered on Wednesday, October 13 and Saturday, October 16.  You cannot register online.  You must see your counselor to take this test which is a must if you're even thinking about college!  If you take it, you will also have free access to the College Board's My Road program which is a good planning tool I previously blogged about.

SENIORS!  LATE REGISTRATION FOR THE OCTOBER 9 SAT IS SEPTEMBER 24
You can register online at http://sat.collegeboard.com/