May 1 is quickly approaching, which is typically known as the deadline for high school seniors to make their decisions about what four-year college or university they will be attending in the fall. As lives continue to be altered by the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty looms around when and how things will return to “normal”, many 2020 graduates have begun to rethink their post-secondary education plans. According to a recent article published by Inside Higher Ed, a poll revealed that “One out of six students who had planned to attend a four-year college full-time before the coronavirus struck no longer plan to do so” and “Of those students, 40 percent already made a deposit” (insidehighered.com).
Some reasons for this drop may include fear of health and safety, uncertainty about college campuses reopening in the fall, deciding to take a year off or not attend college at all.
If you are a high school senior rethinking your future college plans, have you considered pursuing a skilled trade at a college like Rosedale Technical College? Here are 3 reasons to consider:
1. Small class sizes provide a safe learning environment.
In an effort to provide our students with a quality education, we believe small class sizes offer an effective learning environment. Prior to the pandemic, we use a 14:1 student to instructor ratio when scheduling classes. We continue to discuss ways for further enhancing the safety in our labs and classrooms once we are able to safely reopen. Currently, we are participating in the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign to raise funds to help purchase added PPE equipment for our students, such as face masks and gloves, to wear on campus.
2. A year off could translate into a degree.
Did you know that Rosedale Tech’s associate in specialized technology degree programs can be completed in just 16 months and our diploma and certificate programs can be completed in as little as 10 weeks? Our programs are taught year-round and with rolling admissions, students can start when it works best for their schedule. The sooner you begin your education journey, the sooner you can be on your way to a meaningful, essential career.
3. Low Debt, High Employment Opportunities.
Investing in post-secondary education should lead individuals to a meaningful and life sustaining career. One thing we encourage prospective students to look into is the debt to ratio of an intended career path. Our goal at Rosedale Tech is to get students trained and out into the workforce. We are proud to work with over 1,800 regional employers who are eager to hire our grads. Oftentimes students have secured full-time employment prior to graduation. Our financial aid team helps develop customized financial plans for students to make the cost of education more affordable. We offer several grant opportunities and can connect students with a number of scholarships to help lessen the cost of school. Financial aid is also available to those who qualify.
Do you think pursuing a career at Rosedale Tech is in your future? Contact us today to schedule a conversation with a member of our team and see a virtual tour of our campus. We can’t wait to hear from you!