What can I do after GED?

After earning your GED, you can pursue higher education (community college, university), vocational training (trade school), get a better job or promotion, or gain certifications, with options including immediate digital access to your diploma and transcripts for applications. The best next step depends on your career goals, but community colleges and career centers offer great resources to help you decide on paths like a certificate, associate's degree, or specific job training.

What is the next step after getting a GED?

As a GED holder, you can apply to community colleges, technical schools, and universities to earn a college degree or pursue vocational training. Many colleges and universities even have specific programs designed for GED holders that provide additional support and resources to help you succeed.

What should I do after my GED?

The GED certificate typically offers similar opportunities as a high school diploma. GED diploma-holders can apply to college, including community colleges and four-year universities, or other training programs. Other GED diploma-holders choose to immediately enter the workforce.

What happens after you pass GED?

After you take and successfully pass the test, the State of California will send you a certificate showing you have the same knowledge as a high school graduate (note: you must be 18+ years old to receive this certificate).

What is the downside of a GED?

Disadvantages of a GED include potential employer/college bias, fewer networking/extracurriculars, lower earning potential, and the need for high self-motivation for self-study, as it lacks the structured social and academic development of a traditional high school diploma, potentially leading to gaps in knowledge or opportunities compared to diploma holders. Some employers and colleges still view it less favorably, and certain fields have restrictions, with some studies showing worse long-term outcomes than high school graduates. 

4 things you can do after passing the GED

Can you still get any job with a GED?

Since more employers require either a high school diploma or equivalency, like the GED, you'll find opportunities in every field. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 73% of all jobs require a diploma or GED at a bare minimum. This means your chances for employment go up when you get your GED.

Does GED count as a degree?

No, a GED (General Educational Development) is not a degree; it's a High School Equivalency credential, a certificate earned by passing four tests that demonstrate knowledge equivalent to a high school diploma, serving as an alternative for those who didn't finish traditional high school. While most employers and colleges view it as equivalent to a diploma, it's a different path to showing you've met secondary education standards, opening doors to jobs, trade schools, and further college education. 

Does Harvard accept GED?

Yes, Harvard accepts applicants with a GED, as they consider it equivalent to a high school diploma, but admission remains highly competitive, requiring exceptional academic preparation, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and unique accomplishments to stand out, not just the GED itself. 

Which diploma is best after?

Top Diploma Courses After 12th

• Diploma in Human Resources Management. ...
• Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership. ...
• Diploma in Digital Marketing. ...
• Diploma in Financial Management. ...
• Diploma in Business Administration. ...
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• Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

What is my GPA if I got a GED?

To convert your GED to a GPA, divide your total score by the number of sections on the test you took. Most students are tested on five sections of the GED. For example, if your total score was 2300 and you took five sections, your average GED score would be 460 (2300/5 = 460).

Can I say I graduated with a GED?

Yes, you can say you "graduated" with a GED, as it's an official High School Equivalency (HSE) credential, but it's best to be specific and list it as "General Educational Development (GED) Certificate" or "High School Equivalency Diploma" on resumes and applications, as it's legally recognized as equivalent to a high school diploma by most employers and colleges. 

How many years to finish GED?

The GED exam requires 7.5 hours to complete, and test-takers typically need 3-6 months of consistent study to prepare adequately, with a 60-day wait period after the third failure for retakes.

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree in roles like Dental/Medical Assistant (with short training), skilled trades (Electrician, HVAC), Delivery Driver (UPS, FedEx), specialized sales, Real Estate Agent, and some tech roles like AI Trainer or Medical Coder, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or a strong work ethic for entry, with remote options available in customer service or data entry if you have strong computer skills, notes www.nysmda.com, Tallo, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/3000-A-Month-Jobs-No-Degree. 

Can you make it in life with a GED?

Better Job Opportunities

Without it, your options are often limited to positions that may not provide long-term growth or financial stability. However, by earning your GED or HSED, you can qualify for a wider range of job opportunities in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, customer service, and administration.

How to make $100,000 a year with no degree?

You can earn $100k a year without a degree by pursuing skilled trades (electrician, plumber), tech roles (software developer, cybersecurity), sales (tech, insurance), or specialized positions like air traffic controller or elevator mechanic, focusing on certifications, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and building practical experience to qualify for high-paying, in-demand roles. 

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Can a 2.5 GPA go to Harvard?

It's extremely unlikely, but theoretically possible, to get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA, as they use holistic admissions, but it would require extraordinary achievements (like founding a major company, Nobel Prize, extreme athletic recruitment, or immense donations) or documented hardship to explain the low grades, as most admitted students have GPAs near 4.0. While a handful of students with GPAs in the 2.0-2.9 range are admitted, these are rare exceptions, often balanced by exceptional test scores or other unique factors, with many examples showing that even strong extracurriculars don't guarantee admission with low grades. 

What GPA is needed for Yale?

Yale doesn't have a strict minimum GPA, but successful applicants typically have nearly perfect weighted GPAs (around 4.0 or higher) with very rigorous coursework (AP/IB), as they are evaluated holistically; most admitted students graduate in the top 10% of their high school class, though exceptional extracurriculars or personal stories can sometimes compensate for a slightly lower GPA, alongside strong SAT/ACT scores.
 

What is the downside of getting a GED?

However, there are some downsides to a GED. It carries a stigma of not being as robust as a high school degree and may appear as a “red flag” to potential employers. While GEDs are valuable and can help you start a new career or prepare you for college programs, they aren't always treated like a degree.

Can I go to a 4 year college with a GED?

The short answer is yes: most degree and certificate programs accept applicants who have their GED. However, besides having a GED, you'll also need to meet the college and degree program's other application requirements.

Do jobs know if you have a GED?

All states hold records of GED diplomas and everyone who earned a GED there. These records are accessible for GED holders themselves but also for other individuals and organizations who have their consent. For instance, when you apply for a job, you will most likely need to submit your secondary education details.

Does Amazon accept GED?

Usually, to qualify for a job with Amazon, you'll need to hold a high school diploma or GED®. If you don't, Best GED Classes helps you learn if online studying is right for you through our free GED online classes and GED practice tests. If so, get your GED fast with Onsego's full, accredited GED prep program.

What jobs can you get with a GED at 17?

What Jobs Can You Get With a GED?

• Food Preparation and Service. ...
• Legal Professions. ...
• Community and Social Service Careers. ...
• Personal Care and Service and Healthcare. ...
• Office and Administrative Support. ...
• Sales. ...
• Protective Services. ...
• Building and Grounds Cleaning.

What does a GED get you?

This certification is an alternative to the U.S. high school diploma, as is HiSET. Passing the GED test gives those who do not complete high school, or who do not meet requirements for high school diploma, the opportunity to earn a Certificate of High School Equivalency or similarly titled credential.