Yesterday was National College Decision Day. It’s the day your student made the final college decision and locked in their future. Now it’s time to move forward.
Your student can start by completing these tasks before transitioning to college.
1. Send in your deposit and apply for college housing
First things first—by now you should have sent in your deposit to your final college choice and applied for dorm housing. The national decision deadline is May 1st and there are no exceptions or do-overs. If you are even one day late, you may forfeit your place in their freshman class.
2. If you have chosen to defer, complete the necessary paperwork
If you have already decided to defer, contact the college and make sure that is an option. Most colleges will allow students to defer their admission for a year if they ask. But you must ask. Be sure to ask if you need to sign an agreement or make a deposit to hold your spot for next year.
3. If you are taking a gap year, finalize plans.
Gap years are becoming more popular among students and many colleges are even encouraging them. Take time to plan your gap year and have a clear purpose in mind. Whether you choose to travel abroad, stay home and work, or explore careers, it’s a good idea to finalize those plans before graduation.
4. Attend “Accepted Students Day” and register for orientation.
If at all possible, attend the college’s accepted student day. Colleges encourage students to attend to familiarize themselves with the college, meet other students, and use this event to make their final decision. Later, after you have accepted an offer of admission, you should try to attend college orientation. Don’t forget to register for this important event.
5. Consider a summer college program.
Many colleges offer summer pre-college or community service programs. Investigate the college you will be attending and ask if there are any programs in your area of interest or your intended major. Colleges like Brown University offer a wide variety of programs from academics to adventure.
Before you head to the college fairs, and go through the emotional rigmarole of enrolling your children into college, you’ve got to prepare them for numerous changes in life. While homeschooling is becoming a more popular approach, there can be concerns that children aren’t prepared for college in this manner purely because they have been educated at home. Can a child get a better education at home to prepare them for college? Let’s answer the question.
Does Homeschooling Hinder Their Socializing?
From an outsider perspective, a child that is educated at home by themselves can seem ill-equipped to deal with what college throws at them. But in fact, while being homeschooled means they’re not engaging with people on a regular basis, it means that they can interact with other people with more vigor. In fact, many children are better socialized through homeschooling than those that go through the standard education system. It could also be because homeschooled children are less bound by time in class, so they have the opportunity to go out and engage with the world.
Are Homeschooled Children “Less Academic?”
There are two strands of thought to this. Because many homeschooled children choose their education they naturally have more of a passion for the subject, and when they apply to college, this authenticity shines through their application making them more of an asset to a specific college. But on the other hand, there are plenty of educational organizations, like cyber charter schools, that provide a structured education that children can follow. Because a child chooses their own education through homeschooling, or can follow a set routine provided by these cyber schools, it makes them more skilled regardless of the avenue they go down. It’s not a question of them being “less academic” but more about having the time out of school to add more strings to their bow, making them very attractive to college admission officers.
They Will Savor College
There are many kids that get into college and treat it like a vacation. But for those who have been educated at home, and have had to seek out their own passions in life, they will make more of college life. The opportunities that present themselves can be a logical extension of what they’ve already done. But in fact, as college provides more of an opportunity, from numerous extracurricular activities to social functions and more valued friendships, the child that’s been homeschooled won’t take this for granted in comparison to many others. It’s not just the fact that they will turn up for lectures and knuckle down, but they’ll find all aspects of college rewarding.
If anything, it would appear that home education is the way forward. There was a study that followed students between 2004 and 2009 at a doctoral university, and those that were homeschooled outperformed their peers and graduated at a higher grade. Even from an academic perspective, it appears that homeschooling isn’t the act of the parents wanting to bring their child out of formal education. In fact, it could give them a leg up in life!
If you’ve thought about homeschooling and wonder if it’s right for you, this infographic should help you weigh the pros and cons.
Choosing a college to go to can be difficult. If you make the wrong choice then this may have an impact on your education for the next few years of your life, but with a bit of research you can be sure to make the right decision.
Accreditation
It doesn’t matter what type of college you are looking to attend because you need to choose one that is accredited. There are various types of accreditation, and some of them include licenses and certificates too. It also helps to do some research as it will help you to understand where your chosen college excels. Quite often, the college will list any credentials they have on their site, so take note of them and then work out what each accreditation stands for. This way you can find out exactly what the college can offer you, and you can also get some valuable insight into how they work as well.
Reviews
One of the best ways for you to understand the quality of a school is to look up rankings and ratings. There are plenty of sites that have all of the information you need, and a lot of them are based on student experiences. You can find out more about a school’s culture, the faculties that are available and even the social life that people have on campus. Remember that going to college isn’t just about the educational facilities, it’s about the student experience too. If a college doesn’t show good reviews for a specific time period, that doesn’t mean that they haven’t turned things around since. Jerry Jellig for example, works with educational institutions to help them do this.
Academic Support
College can sometimes be a challenge, so it helps to know that you have some degree of academic support outside the classroom. Look up to see if your chosen college offers remedial courses in core subjects, and also find out if you have to pay for this.
Social
Do you like to meet up with new people? Or would you prefer more of a close-knit community? Either way, the environment of a school is very important. There is a high chance that you are going to be staying there for years, and you may even be living on or near campus too. A few years is a long time to be living in a community that does not suit your personality. Take the time to find out how many people attend your university, how far away you are from the social and entertainment facilities, and also see if there are any smaller areas around the college that you would rather stay at.
Extracurricular
Sports are often emphasised at college and this is great. If you’re not the sporting kind however then it helps to see if there are any other activities that you could take part in. Sometimes you need to unwind at the end of a long day, so if there are any particular extracurricular activities that you would like to take part in, or if there are any clubs that you would enjoy then take note when making your decision.
You can talk to experts and read all the articles online, but nothing compares to listening to other parents and their experiences with college admissions.
Knowing there are other parents struggling with the same questions, problems and unexpected outcomes can help you feel less alone. But where do you find that information? There are two excellent Facebook groups to help: Paying for College 101 and Grown and Flown. With thousands of parents posting and commenting daily, you can ask any questions (even specific ones) and someone will most likely have the answer.
Parents have asked about testing, financial aid, homesickness, the college admissions process and much more. There are plenty of other parents available to offer their advice and non-judgmental help. According to a survey by Paying for College 101, “the most common words participants used to describe the admissions experience were “stressful,” “exhausting,” and “overwhelming.” Most parents can certainly relate to those feelings.
Other results of the survey include:
Most of the families responding (68%) were going through the college admissions process for the first time
27% of students applied to 10 or more colleges
39% applied to 1 to 5 schools
34% applied to 6 to 9 schools
42% of students were waitlisted
17% of these students being waitlisted at 2 or more schools
89% of responders received some form of financial aid. Of those receiving financial aid, 57% received only merit scholarships, 6% received financial aid based on need, and 37% received a combination of merit and need-based aid
66% of responders were either OK, Satisfied or Very Satisfied with their financial aid offer
62% of responders chose not to appeal their financial aid award
The middle of April is here and students who have been accepted to college are weighing their options and finalizing their choice on or before college decision day. Since this is a life decision and a difficult choice for you and your student, these five tips can help you make that final college choice.
Revisit every college on the list
You can’t know if a college is a good fit without visiting it. Even if you’ve already visited before you were offered admission, revisiting brings a new perspective. Can you see yourself there? Do you fit in with the student body? Does it feel like your new home for the next four years? Revisit with these questions in mind. If you didn’t visit before you apply, this visit is crucial. Never choose a college sight unseen!
Take a hard look at the financial awards
For many students, it comes down to “showing the money”. Compare financial aid awards side by side and use them to weigh your decision. If a college offers admission but doesn’t back it up with financial aid, you should consider a college who did. Why? Because offering aid is a sign of how badly the college wants you to attend.
Determine what your deal-breakers are
Every student has those deal-breakers: Greek life, a specific major, a dorm amenity, location, alumni network and others. A college that doesn’t have that one item on the list, might not be the college for you.
Connect with current students and alumni again
If your student is still unsure, it might help to connect with current students and/or alumni. This group can provide an honest assessment of the college and campus life. Your student can ask questions of each group and will most likely receive an honest answer (one that isn’t on the tour or in the college brochure).
Listen, discuss and decide
Once you and your student have compared colleges, revisited campuses and looked at financial aid, it’s time to listen and discuss. Talk through the decision-making process and voice any concerns either of you might have. Remember–listening is key. Don’t force a college on your student if he’s “just not feeling it.” There’s usually a reason.
The May 1st deadline does put pressure on students to make a decision, especially if there is more than one college that is in the running. You can always use the old trick–flip a coin for heads or tails and whichever your student hopes it lands on that’s the college to choose!
Many families are unrealistic about covering the cost of an expensive college education. Many students admitted that paying for the education at a more expensive university would put a financial burden on their families, but they were still willing to risk it based on their perceived value of that education.
“When three generations of a family collaborate to tackle college costs and fail, the results can be catastrophic. Credit profiles are destroyed, homes and retirements are put at risk, and families land in bankruptcy court. Even then, in most cases higher-education loans, which average more than $30,000 per bachelor’s degree recipient, can only be deferred in bankruptcy, not discharged.
What you’re seeing now in the student-loan area is not only the debtor, but the family of the debtor,” said Manhattan bankruptcy lawyer Dave Shaev. “Mom and Dad are usually the co-signers, and sometimes Grandma or Grandpa are having to dive into retirement funds and home equities to try to bail out a daughter or son with student loans, because the jobs they are getting do not allow them to keep up on the payments.”
Being realistic about student debt and earning potential after graduation is an important part of your college decision. Here are some tips to help make that decision:
Research the jobs that
involve your intended major. Don’t limit
yourself to the obvious. You might find a career path that you had not even
considered.
2. Investigate the
earning potential of the career
These figures can be
easily obtained through the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected earnings
charts. Be realistic. You won’t be paid at the top of the scale right after
graduation. Use the lowest percentage for your figures as a conservative
estimate.
3. Learn about loan repayment
If you are borrowing
money to attend college, don’t just assume you will make enough money to pay
back those loans. Research repayment amounts (and monthly payments) to
determine how much of your salary will go towards student
loans.
4. Consider that life is more than dollar signs
If you are making five figures and employed at a job you detest, the money won’t soothe your misery. Being financially secure is everyone’s goal, but sometimes working at a job you love is worth its weight in gold. A career as a teacher can be as rewarding as being a doctor. You know yourself better than anyone else—pursue your passion.
5. The highest priced
education is not always the best
A high-priced higher
education is not always worth the dividend it pays. Investigate the cost of
tuition and weigh that against your future earning potential. It is wise to
consider community college, investigate trade schools, evaluate state college
cost versus that of private universities, and even consider online accredited
learning.
That degree from a
so-called prestigious university might look
great on your wall; but is it worth cost? Be a wise consumer and don’t go into
debt on the promise of a five-figure salary. Study the statistics, put some
thought into the process, and make an informed decision.
Nothing says spring like
those annual spring college fairs. If you have ever attended one or look
forward to attending one this spring, you know they can be a bit overwhelming.
Faced with the daunting task of connecting with admissions representatives from
numerous colleges, parents and students need a plan. Approaching a college fair
without a plan will leave you frustrated and disappointed at the end of the
event.
College fairs, when
approached properly, can help you in the beginning stages of the college search
process. More importantly, however, they facilitate those all-important
contacts with college admissions officers. Those connections can be used in the
future when visiting campuses, connecting with the colleges via telephone or
email, and even as a “cheer leader” when you college application is submitted for
consideration of admission.
Spring college fairs
are important tools in your arsenal of preparation during the college
admissions process.
If you approach these fairs with the proper planning, you can use the
information you gather and the contacts you make to your benefit.
Preparation prevents
panic
As with any
college-related task, preparation is key; and the college fair is no exception.
Here are just a few tips to consider as a part of your preparation:
Do
some research about the colleges who will be in attendance. Educate yourself regarding the
basic information: campus size, majors offered, location, etc. This will help
you make a good impression and appear knowledgeable when talking to the
representatives. It will also help you when preparing a list of questions to
ask.
Decide
what you will wear: first
impressions are important. Don’t show up in tattered jeans, a dirty
t-shirt, and flip flops. Treat the connections you make with the college
representatives as a preliminary interview.
Set
up a college email account:
firstname_lastname@gmail.com. Use this email address for all your
college-related connections. Doing this will convey a positive impression and
help you keep your emails separate and organized.
Make
self-stick labels
that contain your legal name, mailing address, email address, year of
graduation, and intended area of study. This will speed up the process of
filling out inquiry cards, allowing you more time to talk to the college
representative.
Map out a strategy
When you arrive at the fair,
take a look at the physical map of the location and where each college is
located. Take a few minutes to map out a strategy and decide which colleges you
will have conversations with the representatives in attendance. One Florida admissions
officer compared a spring college fair to a buffet: there will be more there
than you can take in, but not everything is to your taste. As with a buffet, it
is best to scope out your choices before you start adding to your plate or
gathering your information. Don’t waste time with the colleges that don’t
interest you. You’re on a mission—stay focused.
Take notes and gather
business cards
Bring a notebook to the
fair and take some notes as you speak with the college representatives. After
your conversations, ask for a business card. This will be your first contact
with the college and an important one. Turn the card over and make some quick
notes after you leave about the person you spoke with. This will serve as a
reminder when you make a follow-up contact after the college fair.
Ask questions
This is your chance to
ask some questions and conduct your own mini-interview of the colleges. Don’t
waste your time asking questions that can be found on the college websites.
College admissions representatives learn just as much about you from your
questions as they do having a conversation. If you did your homework and
prepared, you should have some specific questions in mind. Use this time to
gather information and learn things about the college you might not find on
their website.
Attend information
sessions
If the spring college
fair is offering information sessions, make plans to attend some of them. Many
fairs have sessions on the search process, applications, financial aid and
other issues run by experts in the field. These sessions are a great place to
ask general questions about the college admission process.
Follow up
After the fair, spend
some time organizing your information and going over your notes. Grab those
business cards you collected, along with the notes you made, and send an email
to the college representative letting them know how much you enjoyed speaking
with them. This will serve to cement your meeting in their mind and provide an
opportunity for further connections.
Find a fair near you
Speak with your high
school guidance counselor about local
college fairs, or find a fair near you sponsored by the National Association
for College Admissions Counseling. If there aren’t any fairs in your area, you
can attend an online fair sponsored by College Week Live.
Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the last week or so, you’re probably aware of the college cheating scandal now known as #VarsityBlues. Some over-anxious parents found it necessary to pay what they call “bribes” to get their students into what they call “prestigious colleges”. My only question: when will this end?
When will parents stop worrying about WHERE their student goes to college versus WHY they go to college? It’s just as bad to dictate your student’s college choice as it is to assure they get in to the college of your choice.
This is nothing new. Parents have been “paying” for their students to go to brand name colleges for years. They donate huge amounts to colleges to secure a spot for their student. They pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to elite coaching companies to assure admission to an Ivy League university.
The Tiger Mom approach
Years ago, there was quite an uproar among parents regarding a Wall Street Journal piece, “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” by Amy Chua, a professor at Yale University. In an excerpt from Chua’s new book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, Chua writes about her quest to assure her children attend an Ivy League college:
Here are some things my daughters, Sophia and Louisa, were never allowed to do:
attend a sleepover
have a playdate
be in a school play
complain about not being in a school play
watch TV or play computer games
choose their own extracurricular activities
get any grade less than an A
not be the No. 1 student in every subject except gym and drama
play any instrument other than the piano or violin
not play the piano or violin.
Does that sound a bit harsh? It does to most parents. Although Ms. Chua
does have a point when it comes to parenting without excuse, there are varying
opinions concerning Ms. Chua’s attitude over the way Western parents do not
take a strict approach in pushing their kids toward the “best”
colleges.
What are the
“best” colleges?
Many parents and educators will tell you they are the Ivies. Others will say they are the ones with the most selective admissions process. Many parents today will insist to paid college counselors that their student can only apply to these schools. It’s not about the fit, but it’s about bragging rights and prestige. Can I brag about my student on Facebook, to other parents and to my colleagues. You don’t believe? Just ask those people who do this for a living–I’ve heard this time and time again.
Are these selective colleges best for your student?
Many parents, college admissions counselors, and educators believe they do. They see these colleges as necessities in providing students with a good job after graduation, opening doors because of the alumni network, and the value of a college name when you venture out into the world.
Why pay for your student to attend a selective college?
You shouldn’t. If you feel the need to seek college counseling help, it should be from someone who has your student’s best interest at heart–not yours! One of my colleagues is so convinced of this, he placed this statement on his website:
“If you prefer personal coaching, I do NOT work with families whose only purpose is to get their child into an Ivy League school, or one that reflects the parent’s need to validate themselves through their children.”Https://www.studentbrandstrategy.com/about
What are the “best” colleges?
In my opinion, the “best” colleges are the ones that will give your student a good education at an affordable price: and one that your student chooses as a good fit for them. There are networking opportunities at every college AND the connections your child makes while in college can be made at any university. As in life, college is what you make of it. If your child takes advantage of the education, the networking opportunities, and works at internships during college, graduation will yield job opportunities. Not every family can afford an Ivy League education. Not every student (in spite of Amy Chua’s beliefs) wants or needs to go there.
If you have to rely on a college name to get ahead in life then I fear
you are missing the entire point of education.
San Diego Union Tribune https://www.gocomics.com/stevebreen/2019/03/13
Here are additional articles that might add to the discussion and help us zero in on the real problem in college admissions:
When your student starts the college search process it’s easy to become overwhelmed and focus completely on the task at hand. First there are the visits, then you compare colleges, then you begin working on the applications that include the essay, and finally completing the FAFSA to qualify for financial aid. With all these tasks at hand, and a focus on academics and test scores, it’s not surprising that many forget to evaluate themselves for other important skill sets. Without these skills, all your preparation and hard work to get accepted will leave you ill-prepared for college life. Is your student prepared for college?
Financial skills
When your student heads off to college there will be many financial decisions they need to make, beginning with how much student loan debt they are willing to incur. Use loan repayment calculators to determine the amount of re-payments after graduation and use these figures to make wise decisions about loans. They will also need to know how to budget their money in regards to other college costs such as books, living expenses and entertainment. Add to that the knowledge of credit card rates and how easily it is to fall into debt using them for simple things such as pizza. Many students graduate from college with over $10,000 in credit card debt.
Social skills
If your student is headed off to college to hook up with the party scene, they are in for a rude awakening when their first semester grades are released. Many students forget that partying affects their study time and class attendance. If they are exhausted from partying the night before, they are less likely to get up for that early class. Recognize that while making friends and enjoying the social scene are necessary for their overall satisfaction of the college experience, they should not forget the reason they came to college: to get an education. Discuss with them how to balance their social life with their academic life before they leave in the fall.
Academic skills
College is not like high school. Professors expect that your student do their assignments and they don’t check up on you if you don’t. Coming to college with refined study and organization skills will help your student adjust to the rigorous course requirements of a college degree program. Managing their time is also important as it relates to class assignments, studying for tests and preparing term papers.
Mental skills
College life produces a whole new set of mental and emotional problems. Many students face homesickness early and should recognize that those feelings are normal. They should go to college with the skills needed to cope with stress and the feeling of loneliness that often occurs. Recognize that all these factors contribute to their overall mental health and know beforehand where they can find help if they need it.
Problem solving
skills
College is no different than life—obstacles occur on a daily basis and you will need the skills to deal with those obstacles. Your student will be confronted with conflict and should know how to resolve that conflict, either by themselves or with a mediator (such as an RA or student advisor). They will face situations that require them to advocate and they should be comfortable doing this before they head off to college and become completely independent.
So much time is spent preparing for the actual college choice and application that very little time and effort goes into prepping for these valuable life skills. They may be prepared for the academic rigors of college, but neglecting to prepare for all the other aspects of college life might affect your success and ultimate degree completion. It’s your role as a parent to make sure they have these skills before they leave for college.
Keep these questions in mind as you plan your next college visits and
take the time to schedule an appointment with the school’s office of financial
aid.
1. What are your
financial aid deadlines?
In addition to deadlines for the standard financial aid applications: the
Free Application
for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) and PROFILE, the financial aid application
service of the College Board, colleges may also have their own deadlines and
forms. Be sure to ask if the school’s financial aid forms are different for
need-based and merit-based aid when the deadlines are. Note many schools have
declared March 1 as their priority filing date for financial aid. Be sure to
confirm each school’s priority filing dates.
2. What is your Cost of Attendance (COA) for the current year?
There are precisely six components to a college student’s complete
budget:
Tuition
Fees
Room and Board
College Textbooks and Supplies
Personal expenses
Transportation
Many proposed budgets only include Direct Costs (which are the first three items listed) and typically what you will pay directly to the bursar’s office. However, the U. S. Department of Education requires that colleges fully inform you as to all of the above costs, so find out specifically what those amounts are to establish a complete budget for college expenses.
3. How much of an increase in the COA do you project for next year?
When you ask this question, be sure to request the specifics related to
each cost component. Tuition and Room and Board increases are independent of
each other. For example, one school may expect an increase of 5 percent in
tuition and fees, but a 10 percent increase in Room and Board. This information
will help with budgeting but also gives the financial aid officer the
impression that you are an informed parent.
4. Are you able to meet 100 percent of financial need?
If they say “No,” find out why, and get details. Is the policy
based on “first come, first served?” What’s the average percentage of
need the school can meet? What percentage is in the form of grants and how much
is in the form of loans? Is there a dollar amount left
as a gap (unmet need) for everyone? Do they include Parent Loans (PLUS) in the aid package?
(Note: They shouldn’t do this…those loans are to be used for your EFC-Expected Family Contribution, not for meeting
the financial need of the student.)
5. Do you offer Merit Scholarships, and how do you treat private scholarships awarded to the student?
If a Merit Scholarship is being awarded, it normally goes into the
financial aid package first, reducing the amount of need-based aid. Find out if
a merit award reduces the self-help in the package, or if it replaces other
need-based grants. A true Merit Scholarship can go beyond the “need”
level, which means that it can lower your EFC.
