Somewhere around the sophomore year of high school, the idea of college ceases to be off in the distant future. It's time to pay attention to the tests, the grades, the stress, the money and, for many, the prep classes. Rather than stand like a deer in headlights, savvy students and parents can make the most of the last couple of years before Lily or Max get dropped off at the dorm by understanding how the system works and learning to use it wisely.
As most students know, the way to find the right answer to any question is to eliminate the wrong ones. Here is a start on what to avoid:
The seven deadly sins of the college admissions process...
- Don't assume that admission to Harvard (or Stanford or UC Berkeley) is the only goal worth pursuing
- Don't forget to pay attention to the high school classes required to qualify for college admission.
- Don't assume that your kids will go along with your game plan.
- Don't go overboard on college counseling (but don't miss out on it entirely).
- Don't forget to help your child keep on top of the college admissions tests.
- Don't forget to pay close attention to the financial picture.
- Don't miss out by not learning about a variety of colleges.
Peggy Spear is the editor of Bay Area Parent magazine, and the mother of three children, ages 16, 14 and 10.
Featured books:
Colleges that Change Lives by Loren Pope
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Harvard Schmarvard: Getting Beyond the Ivy League to the College that is Best for You by Jay Mathews
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What Colleges Don't Tell You (and Other Parents Don't Want You to Know) by Elizabeth Wissner-Gross
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The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price by Lynn O'Shaughnessy
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