By Alex Weiner
10. Acknowledge your child’s stress as well as your own. The college admissions process is a very busy time, but millions of people have gotten through it. So will you.
9. Make a calendar. Post on the fridge or other prominent place. Write in important application deadlines, due dates for financial aid forms, dates for SAT-I and SAT Subject Tests, etc.
8. Forget “what looks good” to colleges. It only looks good to the colleges if it looks good to the student.
7. Create a filing system. Keep all college material organized; each individual college should have its own folder. Have your child work with you to file info correctly.
6. Don’t call the Admissions office on your child’s behalf. It’s perfectly acceptable for your kids to seek answers to their questions, but he or she should contact the colleges themselves.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice.
The college admissions process can be very confusing, especially when you haven’t experienced it previously. Talk to friends whose kids are in college, visit your child’s high school counselor–or call Collegewise, 914 285-8495.
4. Have honest discussions with your child. The process of applying and selecting a college raises sensitive issues ranging from your desire to help your child attain personal happiness to financial concerns. Share opinions but also listen carefully to what your child has to say.
3. Plan college visits. Before your child ultimately selects a college to attend, it’s vital to visit potential colleges to get a feeling for the campus and the student body.
2. Forget resume stuffing. Students are better served spending time doing what they enjoy.
1. Remember: you’re not going to college, your child is. Kids need to take charge! Your role: listen, be supportive, and help in appropriate ways.
Alex Weiner is owner and head counselor at Collegewise, a college admissions counseling company founded over a decade ago. Today, with offices in White Plains, NY, Irvine, CA, Chatham, NJ, and Seattle, WA, Collegewise is the nation’s largest college counseling company, helping hundreds of students find, apply to, and attend the right colleges every year. For more information, contact alexw@collegewise.com or call 914 285-8495, or visit collegewise.com
