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Preparing for College

With the right education and training, you're one step closer to your dream career.

COLLEGE EXPLORATION

Education and training can open doors to a wider range of job opportunities. College can provide invaluable experiences, allow you to gain important, life-long connections, and help you prepare for your future career.

It provides an opportunity for in-depth learning in a specific field of study and equips individuals with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary for careers of interest.

South Dakota College Exploration

OUR DAKOTA DREAMS

Our Dakota Dreams is your one-stop shop for pursuing education after high school in South Dakota. From students and parents to educators, Our Dakota Dreams can help get you on the right path with a hub of resources supported by advice and information from seasoned professionals and partners.

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Learn about Dual Credit
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Xello

COLLEGE PLANNING TOOLS

Applying to a post-secondary school is overwhelming. In Xello, using the College Planning tool, students research the schools and majors they’re interested in, build a plan, and then track the action items, deadlines, application progress, and admissions decisions for each institution using the College applications tracker. To stay well-informed, students check out the Knowledge hub where expertly curated articles and media help guide students through the overwhelming process of applying to college. 
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  • Explore Profiles
  • Investigate Majors
  • Track Progress
  • Use Knowledge Hub

Explore College Profiles

Explore over 3,500 school profiles to help make an informed decision about which college to attend.

Learn about costs, available programs, campus housing, local weather and use the interactive campus map. 

College Majors

Explore over 1400 major profiles.

Each profile gives you information about the major, such as a description, typical courses, related careers, and schools that offer that major.

Track Application Progress

In Xello, students use the college planning tool to create a tracker that provides them with a checklist for each college application. The checklist allows students to create, monitor, and mark as complete the various tasks they need for each of their college applications.

College Knowledge Hub

To stay well-informed, students check out the Knowledge Hub where expertly curated articles and media help guide students through the overwhelming process of applying to college. These topics include using financial aid such as FAFSA, grants, and scholarships to help pay for tuition and other college expenses.
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Study for the ACT with Methodize

Methodize offers a self-paced ACT preparation course that provides student in grades 9 to 12 with a comprehensive overview of the most effective strategies and the most relevant content for raising their ACT scores.
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Our Dakota Dreams

PAYING FOR COLLEGE

Paying for college isn’t just an investment in your future - it’s an investment in yourself. When you think of all the things you’ll purchase throughout your life, few have the ability to shape your future and open new doors like a college degree. Visit Our Dakota Dreams to learn about the cost of college and financial aid opportunities. 
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SD SCHOLARSHIP BULLETIN BOARD

Search scholarship opportunities on the Statewide Scholarship Bulletin Board, which includes scholarships that are managed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and state colleges as well as scholarship opportunities from outside organizations.
Scholarship Bulletin Board