Taking the right courses early in high school increases opportunities:

• A health care worker needs math and science courses in high school to prepare for college biology, chemistry, and anatomy classes needed for licensing exams.
• To teach in an elementary school you must pass exams on teaching and general education that require proficiency in communication and math skills.
• The computer business student will take courses in accounting, economics, finance, statistics, math, and computer science or information science to get a degree.

Planning the road to college must start early.  The earlier you start, the better prepared you will be to go to college.

• Take the right courses, including four years of math in high school. Start by completing algebra in the 8th grade if you can.
• Set up a good study area.
• Get organized for school.
• Consider goals for college and life.
• Look at possible careers and determine what type of college to attend and what classes to take.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities while in high school.
• Talk with college students and graduates about college.
• Discuss your college goals with your school counselor.
• Start saving for college now.
• Start investigating scholarships and financial aid options.

South Dakota Public Institutions offer a great variety of scheduling options to fit your lifestyle. Evening, weekend, and online classes are available. You can also consider enrolling part-time. The colleges know students must balance their personal lives and academics. If you shortchange yourself by not going to college, you will likely earn less money as an adult.

South Dakota Public Institutions will accept credits earned from another college. Check with the new college and verify if your credits will be accepted.

Many students incorrectly are convinced paying for college is beyond their reach. Nearly all students are eligible for some financial aid to pay for college. Loans, grants, tuition reimbursement, work-study, and scholarships can all make your college goals happen.

The "net cost of college" is often confused with the college's cost of attendance.  The college's cost of attendance (you can find this using the college's cost calculator) is a sum of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other expenses. Your net cost of college may be significantly less than the college's cost of attendance because net cost is the price after subtracting grants, scholarships, and other tuition discounts. Always look at the net cost rather then the college's published cost attenance when making your decisions.

A major does not need to be declared before you start college. Many students enter college without choosing a major. If you are undecided, take the first year to try a range of classes. Thinking about what you enjoy and careers that interest you should help narrow down your list of potential majors. Use the College Programs That Fit guide to help match your interests with a South Dakota Public Institution program.

South Dakota Public Universities decide whom to accept based on many factors. While your high school grade point average (GPA) and test scores are important, colleges look beyond academics. They consider your work and athletic accomplishments, your community activities, your application essay, and your recommendation letters. Or, a college might like you for a specific reason – like being an amazing floutist or a remarkable leader. Instead of dwelling entirely on your GPA and test scores, demonstrate to the South Dakota Public Universities that you are really ambitious, sincere and ready to jump into your college education.