A student's senior year of high school can be daunting. Poised on the threshold of young adulthood, seniors feel the tug-of-war between the independence of college and the safety of childhood. Parents can help kids smoothly make the transition to college by making preparations during the high school years. During the college selection process, adults can assist students in finding a good fit. As college students navigate into the real world, parents again can be there with psychological, financial and physical support.
Preparing for College
Step 1
Select college preparatory, honors or Advanced Placement classes with your high school child each year, considering her abilities, strengths and weaknesses. Colleges seek applicants who took courses that challenged them appropriately without overwhelming them.
Step 2
Encourage your child to get involved in meaningful extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities or part-time jobs. Even though these activities are often done outside the classroom, they "send a signal that he would be an asset to a college community," the College Board website notes.
Step 3
Register your child to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or the American College Testing (ACT) in the spring of her junior year, and again in the fall of senior year if necessary to improve scores. Many schools and private firms offer preparatory classes with test-taking strategies.
Step 4
Develop a relationship with a teacher that knows your child and can write a personal recommendation. Many colleges require a letter of recommendation from a teacher in a core subject such as English, math or science.
Choosing a College
Step 1
Gather information about colleges of interest in an accordion-style folder. Your child will likely be bombarded with mail, email and texts from colleges, so discard any that are not on the radar. Talk to friends, colleagues and college parents to hear their points of view.
Step 2
Create a "wish list" with your college-bound child. List ideal student body size, distance from home, climate, scholarship programs, possible majors, difficulty of acceptance and tuition costs.
Step 3
Meet with the high-school counselor to assess your child's high-school transcript, extracurricular activities and admissions chances. Ask for resources, key dates and general advice on choosing and applying to colleges. Seek advice on need-based and merit-based financial aid.
Step 4
Visit colleges of interest and attend presentations or "college roadshows" in your area. Take tours, ask questions and sign up for additional programs helping your child distinguish among schools. If a school is too far away to visit, consider requesting an interview with an alumni in your area.
Step 5
Apply to five or fewer colleges. One should be a "safety" school, two can be "moderate," and two can be the most challenging "reach" schools. Help your child by marking application deadlines on a large calendar, and gather information on essays, teacher recommendations and other components of the applications. Allow your child to fill out the applications, acting as a safety net of support.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't rule out a college because its tuition seems overwhelming. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, to determine your family's expected contribution. Many colleges will provide financial aid to meet the balance.
Things You'll Need
- Computer
- College guidebook
- Accordion-style folder
- Calendar
