Postsecondary Paths

Last night, several parents and students came together for the annual College Night program. As a group, we learned from Mrs. Karen Felton, the Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Maryland College Park. After leaving this event, I reflected on the diverse post-secondary paths taken by Cardin students over the last three years.

Although nearly 100% of Cardin graduates are bound for four-year colleges, I think it is important to recognize that there are several ways of getting there. Some students may begin at a community college. Contrary to previous public opinion, the community college option is actually an academically rigorous path where students can pursue various courses of study and cultivate their passions. Furthermore, this path is often a less expensive option than traditional residential four-year colleges. Sometimes, beginning this way can help financially prime a student for later academic endeavours.

A second popular post-secondary option for Cardin students and other students around the world is a gap year. A gap year is a year between high school and college where the student typically defers enrollment to college to travel, intern, work, etc. Cardin students who have pursued this option have done so through gap years in Israel such as Young Judaea and Israeli yeshiva study programs. This year, The Cardin School will be hosting a MASA Gap Year in Israel Fair on November 3 from 5-7pm. This event will be open to the surrounding community and will feature representatives from numerous gap year programs and Israel/Jewish studies college programs. For more information on gap years in Israel, visit www.masaisrael.org.

No matter how the student gets there, post-secondary education is becoming a hot topic in our society. I have started a college counseling blog that comments on contemporary issues in college counseling. Every child is unique and there is no single path toward future success. For some students traveling in Israel for a year will help them mature and prepare them for rigorous academic studies in college, while other students may just dive right into a campus experience. No matter their path, I am confident that Cardin students will succeed and thrive.

Hallie Schein
Director of College Counseling