Parents

Choosing a College

The more informed you are about college choices, the better prepared you'll be to discuss them with your student. While your child will make the search and the decision, you will be coach and supporter. For full information on selecting a college, visit What Kind of College.

 

How you can help the most

  • Help your child make a list of what's most important in a college. Encourage changing the list as seems appropriate.
  • Make time to discuss college choices. Bring up pros and cons of colleges your child might not have considered. Encourage an open mind.
  • Help track deadlines. In the junior and senior years, you can help your child keep up with test dates and registration; financial aid deadlines; college admission and housing deadlines; and scholarship deadlines. Try a large visible calendar to keep track for the family.
  • Help your child fill out financial aid information. Students will need family financial records for this.
  • Take your child on college visits. Start with the colleges in our community, which offer a wealth of options. Some school absences may be excused for college visits - have your child ask about it.
  • Help your child handle stress. This is a difficult time for students. Watch for signs of too much stress and don't put on extra pressure. Suggest coping skills such as exercise or relaxation.

 

What to do on a college visit

Plan your college visits well in advance. You'll need to find a time when your child can be out of school, when you can miss work and the school is open! Parents usually go with their child on these visits.

  • Ahead of time, research the college and make a list of questions with your student.
  • If possible, have your student schedule a meeting with an admissions officer, financial aid advisor, and/or instructor in his or her field of interest.
  • Take a tour, and take notes so you don't forget what you saw. A camera will help too.
  • Have your child attend a class.
  • Read the student newspaper and look at bulletin boards.
  • Eat in the dining hall.
  • Talk to students about what they like and don't like about the college.
  • Look into student housing, the student center, the school bookstore, and local shops.
  • Take time after the visit to talk it over with your child.