Why I Believe Everyone Should Follow a College Prep Curriculum

Just this weekend, a friend texted me asking for advice about their daughter. She’s a sophomore and has started talking about going to community college first before transferring to a university. He wanted to know if there was anything they should be concerned about or think through if that’s the path she’s considering.

Here’s exactly what I texted him.

Why does she want to go that route?

Is it about money?

Does she think it will be easier?

Does she not want to go away?

Is she worried about being rejected from a college?

Is she anxious about the SAT or ACT?

Overall, my answer was no, it’s not a bad option. In many cases, depending on the school she ultimately wants to attend, there are direct admit pathways for students who earn an AA degree. Colleges will often look only at the community college GPA, and test scores may not be required. The key is to research the direct admit agreements ahead of time.

The main downside is usually scholarships. Students who transfer are not considered first time in college students, which often means fewer scholarship opportunities compared to incoming freshmen.

What I encouraged most was this. Don’t rush the decision now. Sophomore year is early. I would much rather see her stay on a college prep path through high school and then decide senior year. Kids change a lot between sophomore and senior year. I wouldn’t want her to choose an easier route now, change her mind later, and then realize it’s too late because she didn’t take the right courses.

I’ll be honest. Earlier in my teaching career, I hated seeing capable students choose community college because I was always pushing four year universities. Over time, I learned and grew. Community college can absolutely be the right choice. So can the military, the workforce, entrepreneurship, or technical school.

What I will not recommend is closing doors early just because college is not the plan right now.

Minds change. Think back to high school. Were you the same person as a freshman and a senior? Most of us weren’t. My goal has always been this. I want students to be able to choose what they want as seniors, not be forced into the only option left because of the courses they did or didn’t take, or the grades they earned earlier on.

That’s why I recommend a college prep curriculum. Not because everyone needs to go to college, but because it keeps options open.

Here’s what that looks like in real life.

If a student chooses community college, strong coursework and a solid GPA can open the door to high value scholarships, sometimes even full coverage for two years. Combined with FAFSA, some students can actually be paid to attend. With an AA, transferring to many universities is straightforward. The key is making sure they understand major prerequisites so they can move directly into their program after transfer.

If a student chooses the military, a college prep background supports ROTC opportunities and makes future college options much easier if plans change later.

If a student plans to play sports in college, academic strength matters more than most families realize. Fewer than one percent of high school athletes receive full athletic scholarships. Many programs rely on academic scholarships to build competitive financial packages, especially at the Division II and III levels.

If a student plans to go straight into the workforce or become an entrepreneur, a strong academic background still matters. If they hit a ceiling later or decide they want to return to school, they will apply using their high school transcript. Keeping that transcript strong keeps doors open.

If a student chooses technical school, that can be an excellent option. It still costs money, and strong students often qualify for scholarships. And again, if plans change, options remain available.

Following a college prep curriculum does not mean all AP classes or reaching the highest level of everything. What it does mean is this:

• Take core academic classes every year.

• Complete at least two years of a foreign language.

• Get involved in school.

• Increase rigor gradually.

• Take the SAT or ACT just in case.

  
  

If your child is talking about community college right now, this is the perfect time to ask questions. Not to convince them, but to understand the why. Those conversations often uncover fears, assumptions, or misconceptions that are important to address.

Freshman and sophomore years are for keeping options open. Senior year is for choosing.

That’s why I believe everyone should follow a college prep curriculum, even if college isn’t the plan today.

What other questions can I answer for you?

Action to take:

Have a low pressure conversation with your child about what they think they want right now and why. Listen more than talk. The goal is not to convince them, but to understand what’s driving their thinking so you can help them keep doors open.

Based on the conversation, you can then pull up your child’s current course schedule and their school’s graduation and college prep requirements. Ask yourself one simple question: does this path keep options open if they change their mind later? If you’re unsure, that’s your signal to ask the school counselor for clarity now, not later.