Why are there so many colleges with programs for deaf students? Many colleges now realize that deaf and hard of hearing students should have the chance to continue their education after high school and can earn college diplomas and degrees.

Do I need to go to a college that offers special services? This is a personal question that you need to answer with the advice of your parents, counselors or teachers. Some deaf and hard of hearing students have been able to succeed in regular college programs without the assistance of these services, such as interpreters, tutors, notetakers, and assistive listening technologies. You must decide what special services you need to succeed in your education and benefit from your educational program.

Do all colleges offer the same special services? No, they may be different at the various programs. For example, some colleges have instructors and counselors who communicate well in sign language; at other colleges, instructors do not sign.

What is a vocational college? This type of college prepares students for a particular vocation or job. Most of the programs require one, two or three years of training. Examples of the career programs are welding, mechanical trades, and data processing.

What is a technical college? This kind of college can be a two-, three- or four-year program. Some technical colleges offer only associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Other technical colleges offer bachelor's degrees. Students there prepare for a career or profession in a technical area.

What is a junior college or a community college? This kind of college is usually a two-year or three-year program. Students can be in a terminal program or a transfer program. Students in a terminal program will study and train for a job. When they complete the program, they will be ready to look for employment. Students in a transfer program usually go to a four-year college to finish the bachelor's degree. This will usually take two or three more years.

What is a liberal arts college? Students at liberal arts colleges take a variety of courses and get a general background which prepares them for jobs or professions in teaching, social work, computer programming, accounting, and the sciences. It also prepares students for graduate study. The variety of courses ranges from arts and English to science and math. The student usually completes some general courses first and then decides on a major.

Should I go to a college away from home? That depends on your choice of the best college for you. If the college you want is far away from your home, you will have to go away to college. A student who lives on campus is usually more involved in campus activities than a student who lives off campus. But it may be more expensive to "go away," because of room, board, and transportation costs.

How safe are college campuses? Most college campuses are safe. Colleges often have their own security or police staff. When there are crimes committed, the colleges must report the number of criminal incidents and arrests to the federal government each year. If you are concerned about campus safety, ask the college about their recent crime statistics.

Isn't college expensive? College is an investment in your future, and therefore costs money. College expenses include tuition, fees, books, plus room and board if you go away to college. Some community colleges and vocational-technical programs charge little or no tuition to residents of the area.

The College Financial Aid office can give you information about various student grant and loan programs such as Pell Grants and National Direct Student Loans. If the grant or loan is not enough money or you cannot get the grant, the state vocational rehabilitation agency may help you pay for college.

When should I apply to get into college? Different colleges may have different deadlines for applying for admission. You should check with the college you are interested in and see what they recommend. Usually, you should try to apply in the fall of your senior year in high school or about a year before you hope to attend the program.

Can I work and go to college at the same time? Many people do both-work part-time and study part-time. Some colleges do not allow full-time students to work. Sometimes students can get campus jobs. Some colleges have night classes for people who work during the day. You will have to ask the college you are interested in about working and studying at the same time.

What choice of degrees do I have? There are many kinds of degrees. Junior colleges and community colleges give associate of arts (A.A.) and associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degrees for completing a two-year or three-year program. Four-year colleges give baccalaureate (bachelor's) degrees: bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.). Advanced degrees, beyond the baccalaureate level, are given at some programs and include master's degrees (M.A. or M.S.) and doctoral degrees (Ph.D. or Ed.D.). Your choice of program will depend in part on the degree you want. The degree you need depends on your career goals, your personal goals, and your ability to complete the program.

How do I choose a major? You should explore your career interests and abilities before selecting a major. The rehabilitation agency can provide a vocational evaluation. The evaluation will help you know your interest and aptitude. Then you can choose a good area of study and you can succeed. The rehabilitation counselor can help you learn about jobs in your area of study.

How can vocational rehabilitation help? The Vocational Rehabilitation counselor will help you think about careers, then you can select a good college training program that will help you get a job. The counselor may also help you with assistive listening and communication devices. Sometimes the counselor can help you get special equipment that will help you in college and on the job. The counselor can help you find a job after you graduate.

If I go to college and find out I don't like it, is there anything I can do? Yes. But don't give up too quickly. College will be a new experience for you. Any college will have some things you will not like. You should try to adjust to these things. Give the college a chance before you decide to change. If you decide that you can never get the kind of education you want at that school, then you can transfer to another college.

What should I consider in selecting a college? First you must decide which college has the programs and services you need. You should consider the location. You should also consider if the college provides the support services you will need to be successful. Further, you need to consider the costs, and whether you can get financial aid if you need it. Some colleges do not have dorms; you should consider the living arrangements. Some colleges do not accept students outside the community or state. You may want to consider the type of accreditations that a program has. You might look at the number of degrees awarded to deaf students and the total number of deaf students in the program.

Review the list of questions in the "Choosing the Right Program" section. Answers to these questions may help you select the program that is right for you. Write and ask for catalogs. Study these catalogs. Review the schools’ website. Talk to people. Don't be afraid to ask any questions you might still have.