I’ve always been opinionated. Sometimes it’s gotten me into trouble, but it’s never stopped me from voicing my opinions on college topics. I’ve written posts voicing my opinions about Greek life and about forcing your child to go to college if he/she isn’t interested. It seems in the college business, everyone has an opinion. And here are just a few of the debates that have parents spinning:

Should you pay for test prep?

There’s nothing wrong with paid test prep. But if your child isn’t interested and doesn’t pay attention, it’s a waste of money. Before you invest some of your hard earned money, do some research. Would individual tutoring be a better fit for your student? Is a big class environment the best buy, especially since all teachers are not created equal? Look at the online tutoring programs and read recommendations on each. Don’t believe the claims that they can give your student a perfect score on the SAT/ACT or that they will raise their scores 500-700 points.

Are Ivy League colleges a good investment?

I don’t have anything against Ivy League colleges. But don’t fool yourself into thinking that just because a college has a famous name or high tuition that your student will get a better education there. Your student can get a good education at any number of colleges that might be a better fit for them. Since these colleges are very selective and the competition is fierce, unless your student is a top candidate, don’t waste your time.

Should you allow your student to take on student loan debt?

Nobody wants their student to incur student loan debt. But for some families, it’s a reality they can’t avoid. Before you sign on the dotted line, however, investigate repayment options and the pay for the degree your student is pursuing. It just doesn’t make sense to borrow $100,000 for college and not be able to repay it. A little bit of student loan debt isn’t bad–it gives them an investment in their education and they will take it seriously. Aside from that, there are all kinds of creative ways to avoid taking on too much student loan debt.

Should you do scholarship searches?

I’m a big proponent of scholarship searching. You don’t have to spend hours at a time, but allocate some time each day to do the searches. And when I talk about searching, I’m not just advocating online search engines like Zinch. Don’t forget to search locally for scholarships with the least amount of applicants which increases your chances to win.

What about for profit colleges?

Two words: buyer beware. For profit colleges lure students in by promising financing. This is always in the form of student loans. Look for accreditation and read the student recommendations before signing up for classes.

Is college a business or an institution of learning?

College is first and foremost a business–more than an institution of higher learning. If that’s the case, you need to be a wise consumer. Colleges are marketing their business to parents and students. It’s your right, as a consumer, to ask questions and search for bargains. Don’t be intimidated by colleges. It’s a huge consumer purchase that you should take as seriously as you did buying your home.

Should you let your student take a gap year?

I’m not against gap years for students. But set some guidelines before you agree. Put together a plan to use the year wisely, whether by traveling and working, internships, apprenticeships, and working to save money. Don’t let your student become a couch potato and accomplish little or nothing during the year.

Should you hire a college counselor?

College counselors can be a useful investment for parents. However, do some comparison shopping and ask for a list of past clients or testimonials. Not every parent can afford a counselor, however. Fortunately there are alternatives to personalized counseling online by reading blogs, books, and attending Twitter chats.

If you have any other questions, please comment here and I’ll be happy to answer them for you.