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Helping students get an early start on the college search is one way to keep it stress-free. Many students would rather wait until junior or senior year before getting started on this. However, parents can discuss this with their children as early as freshman year so they know their options for schools, majors, and financial support early on. Students can use this knowledge for the rest of their time in high school to prep themselves for their chosen schools.
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The application process involves a lot of paperwork, like brochures, forms, and essays. Helping students organize their applications and collect the requirements is also very useful. However, parents should resist doing the organizing themselves and just offer suggestions. Students will benefit more from learning how to do it than from having it done for them.
Families should also let students take control of the application process and offer guidance while keeping in mind that the children should be mostly involved in the application. After all, students will have to learn to be independent in college, and hovering over them won't do them any favors.
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Finally, families should be truly supportive. While it may be exciting to have another family member wear the same school colors, family members should respect students’ choices on which schools to apply. Keeping students from being discouraged if they aren’t admitted into their chosen school is also something the family can do, especially since there are so many great schools all over.
The truth is that the family's role in the college application process is to encourage and guide students. The real work will have to come from the applicants, but having someone rooting for them at the sidelines will definitely do wonders.
After years of experience as a Student Affairs professional at Columbia University, David Charlow now offers his expertise in college admissions to students and their families. Follow this Twitter page to read more tips on preparing for college applications.
