WHS juniors take a look at Idaho college offerings

Joined by 24 high school juniors from Midvale and Cambridge, Weiser High School’s class of 2025 got a closer look at nine of Idaho’s higher learning institutions during a Higher Education Tour event in the Tom Falash Gymnasium at WHS on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 6.

 Weiser High School’s College and Career Advisor Miri Rodriguez told the Signal American the tour is an event planned by the Idaho Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

 “The annual event is planned for the entire state of Idaho, with stops at certain schools,” Rodriguez said.  “Schools either opt to have a college fair or sessions and Weiser High School opted for the college fair format, with all of the junior students being in attendance.”

 Rodriguez said the event has been an annual February event for more than 10 years.

 Colleges and universities represented in last week’s tour included Brigham Young University – Idaho, Northwest Nazarene University, College of Western Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College, College of Idaho, University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Boise State University, and North Idaho College. 

 “At Weiser High School, our goal is to help our students explore the opportunities available to them throughout their high school career,” Rodriguez said. “As juniors, most students have a rough idea about their educational or career goals. Some are either set on attending a university, trade school, or joining the workforce. 

 “Whichever path they choose, we celebrate with them,” she added. 

 A Next Steps Idaho brochure made available to the students attending the tour lists pertinent information about each of Idaho’s 11 in-state colleges and universities surrounding admissions requirements, certificates and degrees available, and admission and scholarship application deadlines, among others. 

 Annual tuitions and fees for the 2023-24 school year show a range from a low of $3,360 per year to $38,570, along with a range of from $4,676 to $14,224 for a full year cost of on-campus housing and meals. Both the College of Western Idaho and the College of Eastern Idaho come in on the low end of tuition costs, with neither institution offering on campus housing.