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College Enrollment Numbers are Dropping, What Other Options are Available?



First Sergeant Maylum, WHS JROTC



Over the past three years, college enrollment numbers have fallen by almost 9.4% nationwide. While college can be a great choice, for many students, it’s not the only option.


Many recent high school graduates have opted for alternative post-secondary paths like taking gap years, apprenticeships, and enlisting in the armed forces. Accessibility, cost, distance, and mental health effects of the pandemic have caused students to explore alternative post-secondary paths.


2022 Watauga High School graduate Morgan Healy decided to take a gap semester after college. When she was ready to start college at UNC Charlotte, she experienced issues with the housing department.


“The housing department had made a mistake with the number of applications they took in which resulted in a lot of unknowns about how my school year would look,” said Healy. “I decided then that I’d wait to start college, as the conditions I’d be going to school under weren’t great.”


For 2022 Watauga High School graduate Taylor Futrelle, taking a break before college was necessary for her mental health.


“I always thought I wanted to go to college immediately after I graduated,” said Futrelle. “When it came time to do so, I was so drained from school that I needed some type of break.”


Besides taking breaks before going to college, high school graduates can enlist in the armed forces or go through ROTC programs. Watauga High School’s JROTC program has seen an increase in the number of seniors who have chosen to enlist in the armed forces after they have graduated.


“We've seen a little bit of an increase in people going into the military after finishing up the JROTC program,” said LTC Wes Young, the head of the JROTC program. “Last year, we had ten seniors and five of them ended up enlisting, fifty percent is a pretty big chunk.”


Enlisting in the armed forces provides high school graduates with a variety of resources including health care coverage, housing, and a guaranteed income among other benefits.


“The military does offer quite a few things that young people are looking for, like stability,” said LTC Young. “[The base salary] may be modest, but at the top end, there is $50,000 worth of annual costs you don't have to worry about, like healthcare and housing.”


Enlisting in the armed forces can help high school graduates complete college.


“I started going to college regularly while I was on active duty and it was paid for, which was neat,” said First Sergeant Mike Maylum. “I enjoyed the financial stability, the leadership, and the opportunity for college.”


Another alternative post-secondary path available to students is attending a trade school. Generally, trade schools cost less, have a faster graduation timeline, and provide real-world experience in comparison to traditional college settings.


“These schools will usually have rolling admissions, giving you more time to work on this process, and as long as you are eligible, you can usually be accepted to enroll without having to write any essays or compete with other applicants,” said Watauga High School College and Career Advisor Josephine James. “Applying to trade schools is similar to applying to universities in terms of navigating financial aid and FAFSA, proving your residence through RDS to get in-state tuition, etc, but it is usually a much more condensed process.”


While alternative post-secondary paths are gaining traction, attending college can open many doors for high school graduates looking for more opportunities to learn.


“[College] makes you believe in yourself,” said 2021 Watauga High School graduate Fayla Martin. “You don’t always end up doing what you thought you would, but that doesn’t mean you [should] give up.”


For Watauga High School students looking at college as their post-secondary path, there are a variety of services the high school offers, including FAFSA and services within the GEAR UP Program. Students who have a 3.5 GPA and higher are guaranteed admission into Appalachian State University through GEAR UP.


“Our program and partnership between GEAR UP and App State guarantee admission into Appalachian State if the student applies by the deadline and has a GPA of 3.5 or higher,” said James. “Aside from the formal education you receive in college, you will also be given those extra years as a buffer to full-sending into the adult world, with more time to learn more about yourself, try out new hobbies and interests, travel in study abroad programs, meet new people, and make new connections!”




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