Famous GED Achievers

ABC News anchor Peter Jennings. Actor and comedian Chris Rock. Sanjaya Malaker, the popular singer from American Idol. Judge Greg Mathis. What do these people have in common, besides being famous and respected? None of them finished high school, and they all earned their GED.

Judge Mathis grew up in the housing projects in Detroit. He was involved in gangs. He spent time in jail. How did he pull himself out? After learning that his mother had cancer, Mathis decided it was time to change the course of his life. He was offered probation, if he entered a GED program. He didn't just stop at a GED, though. He went on to college and law school, and he became the youngest superior court judge ever to serve in Michigan. Did he stop there? No, he went on to have his own television court show.

With a GED, opportunities for job advancement or for new careers can open up. Many promising careers, like nursing, law enforcement, and hair stylish, require a high school degree or GED as a first step to career training. The armed forces also require a GED or high school diploma. High school graduates and GED earners make an average of $385,000 more in their lifetime than people without a GED or high school diploma, and going on to higher education or career training means even more earning potential. The GED is most lucrative when it's a gateway to higher education at trade schools, community colleges, or universities. The average income for college graduates is $44,000, more than double the income of people who haven't graduated high school, and 97% of colleges accept GED graduates.

Another highly respected GED graduate, ABC News anchor Peter Jennings, was an active sponsor of scholarships for GED recipients. When speaking at a GED scholarship ceremony in 2003, he said: "You are now so much more prepared to go off in search of America. ... You have indelibly today taken a huge and magnificent step forward." Are you ready to take that step forward and find the land of opportunity?

Earning a GED is not difficult. Most people can prepare in a few short months with online GED study programs. The GED exams cover the bare essentials from high school, the things that are most valuable for success in today's job market. You don't need to memorize a lot of facts and dates. The GED focuses on critical thinking skills: analyzing, making inferences, and applying concepts to new situations. With a little practice, you can quickly improve these valuable skills and earn a GED.