The Franklin Class of 2024 has just under a school year left before starting the next chapter of their lives. As a group of young people and future leaders, there are endless options and opportunities for seniors to look forward to. According to a survey conducted via instagram, 89% of over 100 polled Franklin upperclassmen reported that they are planning on attending either a four or two year college. On the other hand, the other 11% are considering different post high school paths, such as taking a gap year, going straight into the workforce, trades school, or anything else they aspire to pursue! Every senior is spending their time looking at the options they have for their future, each choice having its own perks and drawbacks. Hopefully this article will give anyone wary of going into their senior year some insight as to what it could look like for you, and also give you some ideas based on what current seniors are planning to do!
A four year college or university is a decidedly popular option for high school graduates looking to further their education and passions in higher level institutions. Franklin provides a plethora of resources for students exploring these options, most notably the College and Career Center which has consolidated everything you need to prepare for college applications and help throughout the admissions process. The University of Oregon (UO) is a relatively close state school in Eugene, Oregon. The close proximity leads a significant percentage of Franklin graduates to enroll at UO each year. Darby Winter, a senior here at Franklin, aspires to do just that. For Winter, a four year university education is what he wants to do to further his skills in sports photography. He is currently a freelance photographer working with Ducks Digest (Sports Illustrated) to capture Duck athletics.
Winter is a UO legacy, with most of his closest family members having attended the University themselves. While at the school, Winter plans on joining the Business program to broaden his knowledge and future career pathways. This is just one example of how a four year university can set an individual up with a degree plus potential job experience or internship opportunities coming out of that institution. While this can be a great opportunity, it’s important to evaluate for yourself if college is the right choice for you.
The drawbacks to a two or four year college are significant as well, a foremost concern being the cost. As university prices skyrocket each year, while the financial aid package offerings often remain stagnant, families are left to fend for themselves to make up the difference. This factor weighs heavily in students’ decision to pursue other paths such as community college, trade school, or a gap year, which are more affordable options and could allow graduates to jump directly into their field of interest or passion.
KD Nine, a Franklin junior who’s graduating early, will be entering a two year pre-professional ballet program with Pacific Northwest Ballet. “I’m not planning on going to a four year college because it makes the ballet path nearly impossible,” Nine explains. “While I do eventually want a degree in something, it’s not important for me to have one now.” Nine plans on taking community college courses periodically to chip away at a degree in the future, but she’s excited to concentrate the majority of her time and energy into her dancing.
Franklin senior Manne Canseco-Sanchez is also exploring options before going directly to college, considering taking a gap year before applying to Portland State University to get a psychology degree. Canseco-Sanchez aims to join the workforce in food and customer service to make money towards a four year college, and she’s looking forward to utilizing a potential gap year to foster growth and be more independent. Canseco-Sanchez explains the benefits of taking a year for yourself between high school and college, saying, “I want to be close to home and also not be in too much debt [after graduating college]!”
The options are truly limitless for Franklin Class of 2023. Life after high school is sure to be jam packed with learning— often through trial and error, managing independence, social changes, and, most importantly, exploring yourself and what you love. Portland Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, as well as many others all offer both in-person and online courses to gain more depth on subjects you may be interested in, without a full tuition price. Additionally, applications to four year institutions far and wide are open to anyone interested and eligible.
While these institutions can broaden your lens of knowledge academically, socially, and physically, don’t forget about all the other options out there! Gap years can give individuals the space to travel, to do independent study, or to work! To add, joining the workforce or starting trade school can sometimes be the best way to kickstart your career and earn an income all while garnering information that will help you in your field of expertise. There is no limit as to what our seniors can and will do going forward. Keep all the options in mind while looking into what you may do in the future, and remember, your path is unique to you.