Class of 2026 Junior Academy | Explore My Options

JUNIOR ACADEMY

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JUNIOR REQUIREMENTS

attend 1 Junior Academy

attend 1 Think Like a Senior

2 hours of Community Service by April 1, 2025

1 college fair OR visit 4 college campuses by Dec. 1, 2025

LOOK FORWARD TO...

meeting with your 1:1 Crosby Scholars Advisor!

Scholars have the option of being assigned a Crosby Scholars advisor or choosing a student-selected advisor such as a parent or other adult. Discuss the pros and cons of each type of advisor with your parents before you submit your Advisor Form.

STAFF ADVISOR assigned to you by Crosby gives you another adult on your support team! experienced Advisor

STUDENT-SELECTED ADVISOR can be a parent other trusted adult gets Crosby expert advice must agree to time commitment (full year)

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS only open to Crosby Scholars

ALSO, LOOK FORWARD TO...

HELP with ESSAY WRITING

FREE CAMPUS VISITS

HELP with FINANCIAL AID

OPTIONS

DEFINE DEGREES DEFINE COLLEGES

DEFINE NEXT STEPS

OPTIONS

DEFINE DEGREES

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CERTIFICATE / LICENSE

"Certificates show that a person has completed a course of study. Licenses are required to practice in some occupations, including teaching and cosmetology.

Schools issue certificates, states or other governments issue licenses, and professional or industry organizations usually issue certifications.

Certifications often involve assessments and documentation of experience and show that workers have attained competency in an occupation."

Source: Bureau of Labor and Statistics

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AssociateDegree

ASSOCIATE

All associate degree programs require that students successfully complete about 60 college credits (approx. 20 courses). This can usually be accomplished in about 2 years and are typically earned at a Community College or technical school.

There are 2 types of Associate Degrees: Occupationally focused degrees often an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Transfer degrees

earned in academic programs such as Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.)

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BachelorofArts UniversityName

BACHELOR

A Bachelor's degree refers to the degree awarded by a college or university for the completion of four years of undergraduate study. There are many types of bachelor's degrees, such as:

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.)

A Bachelor's degree student will also choose a MAJOR to focus on within their degree. For instance, you could earn a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in History or a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Economics. Same degree but different majors.

HIGH SCHOOL

DIPLOMA

CAREER

Here are some common paths to pursue your career goals!

CAREER

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CAREER

HIGH SCHOOL

DIPLOMA

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

TRANSFER TO 4-YR

COMMUNITY

COLLEGE CLASSES

CAREER

GRADUATE STUDIES

4-YR

COLLEGE

Here are some common paths to pursue your career goals!

CAREER

MY OPTIONS Does it really

MATTER?

CFNC gives 8 reasons why you should go to college!

Earn more money

Break out of your shell

Gain new skills

Find your direction

Live a healthier and happier life

Expand your career options

See the world Get involved

WHY COLLEGE?

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MY OPTIONS

MATTER? EXPLORE

Does it really

"The economic advantage of getting a college degree remains at just about an all-time high when compared with the average earnings of Americans with only a high-school diploma."

-New York Times, "Let's Stop Pretending College Degrees Don't Matter" (8/21/23)

OPTIONS

REALITY CHECK EXPLORE

STRETCH BREAK

DEFINE COLLEGES

EXPLORE MY OPTIONS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Community colleges offer two-year programs leading to the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree. These colleges also have technical and vocational programs with close links to secondary/high schools, community groups, and employers in the local community.

no housing is provided; all students are commuters community colleges can be large with multiple campuses or small and in a rural setting NC has 58 community college main campuses earning college credit at a community college is usually less expensive (and therefore lowers the overall cost of a bachelor’s degree) more flexible admissions process many community college students also work parttime or full-time jobs so the class schedule is often more flexible

Source: Education USA and CFNC

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LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE

"Liberal arts colleges are four-year undergraduate institutions that focus on the liberal arts and sciences. The liberal arts doesn’t refer to a political affiliation, as commonly misperceived. “Liberal” in this usage [means] a broad education in the Arts and Sciences which therefore greatly expands knowledge and thus frees the mind to think in more expansive capacities.

And, when we say a “broad” education, we don’t mean “in general,” or potentially wishy-washy or unfocused. It’s anything but."

The traditional study of liberal arts encompasses the collective broad studies of:

Source: College Essay

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Universities are larger institutions that offer a wider variety of academic majors and degree options. These schools provide bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Most universities contain several smaller colleges, such as colleges of education, engineering, or health sciences. These colleges can prepare you for a wide range of careers or for graduate study. (Source: Big Future)

Every heard of a “flagship university”?

This generally describes the first public institution founded in that state (and the one that may receive the most funding from that state government.)

Source: College Raptor