Countdown to College
February 1st, 2010 by Jane Schneider
If your teenager is just starting her high school career, it’s easy to think of college as off on the distant horizon. But as your child plays varsity sports and takes more rigorous coursework, she’s preparing the record colleges will look at to determine what type of student she is and whether she’s a fit for their academic community.
To find out how parents and their teens should prepare for the college admissions process, we surfed the Internet and spoke with local experts. College advisor Mimi Grossman with St. Mary’s Episcopal School and Cassandra Webster, executive director of the Memphis Challenge, a college prep program aimed at assisting bright minority students for higher education, weighed in. Here’s their advice.
Ask Questions
“Many parents have a lack of information about the college process,” says Susan Chopley with IMPACT, a college counseling initiative. “It’s very intimidating because parents don’t know what it takes to apply, or don’t know what the college is looking for.” It’s vital that parents speak with high school guidance counselors or officials at the college admissions office to have their questions answered.” The students with more initiative will get the attention, so encourage your teen to be assertive.
Stay On Track
Simply put, grades matter. “It takes four years to build a GPA, so don’t blow it off during freshman year,” advises Grossman. Colleges base admissions on a student’s coursework, grades, and extracurricular activities. Test scores (ACT, SAT) also count, but they are just one piece of the application puzzle.
Follow Your Passion
Rather than having a host of activities your teen has dabbled in, try nurturing one or two activities that he or she excels at. Try not to build your teen’s resume.
Experts agree, parents must step back and let their kids choose what their interests are. Says Grossman, “I like to stress that colleges prefer quality [activities] over quantity.”
Parents should keep in mind that colleges try to build a diverse, well-rounded student body, which means finding students who have leadership qualities, athletic abilities, artistic aptitude, and so forth.
Keep College Material Organized
As information from colleges begins to roll in, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Webster recommends sorting material into three boxes. Schools that are definitely out get tossed. Those you want to look at more closely go into the Yes box, schools that you need to learn about go into the Maybe category. Encourage your teen to look through the pamphlets.
The checklist to consider when examining schools: Degree majors, location, size, geographic opportunities, cost, and the school’s cultural diversity.
Use Summer Breaks Wisely
By the time teenagers are old enough to work, they frequently want — or need — to hold down a summer job. But in addition to working, have them take enrichment programs or do volunteer work in the community. Don’t think you have to send them to an expensive program far from home, either. There are many opportunities locally.
Tour College Campuses
If you’re taking a family vacation, consider visiting schools along the way. Contact the admissions office ahead of time, so you can take advantage of student-led tours. Get a glimpse of small colleges as well as larger universities.
“Visit college campuses so your teen can see what works for her. It must be a fit for the student, not the parent, since they’ll be living there” notes Webster.
Stay Vigilant
Watch out for the senior slump! Webster says these telltale signs might indicate senioritis: problems with time management (misses appointments, turns work in late), makes careless mistakes, is tired and unfocused.
To help your child, Webster recommends asking open-ended questions and keeping the lines of communication open. It’s important your student stays focused and not allow grades to slip as he completes his final year.
Buyer Beware
There are lots of scholarships out there, but buyer beware. Counselors have horror stories about companies that prey on unsuspecting families by offering to do a scholarship search for academics or athletics. Some even send their material by certified mail. They often want to charge for information your teen can get for free off of the web or from his guidance counselor. Bottom line? Never pay money to receive money! Report any suspicious activities to the state consumer affairs office.
College Prep Websites
College Access Center • collegeaccesscenter.org
Based in Chattanooga, this nonprofit is aimed at helping first-generation college students. The site is easy to navigate and clearly written.
Scholarships.com • scholarships.com
Great resource for learning about scholarships application process, where to find scholarship money, etc.
Tennessee Student Assistance Corp. • state.tn.us/tsac Comprehensive state-run website aimed at helping parents learn about applying for federal and state financial aid. Good links to other sites, too.