Summertime: College Planning Time

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SummerGrad_BHigh school graduates prepare to leave the nest

Congratulations to the newest crop of high school graduates. It seems like just yesterday they were timidly entering high school corridors, wondering how they would find their classes, make friends, and face their academic challenges. Now they have taken their last high school exam, walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, and started thinking about what the next four years will be like.

In many ways, the anxieties and adjustments are very similar. There are college campuses to navigate, in urban or rural settings, and sometimes long distances to cover between buildings on a tight timetable. Whether the student has been away from home for extended periods of time or not, living on a college campus is a very different experience.

Sharing a double (or sometimes a triple) with a non-family member involves compromise, patience and understanding. Students may have selected roommates or been assigned them by the school, but even the most compatible pair can have an “off” day. If actual deeper problems exist, resident advisors can get involved and sometimes rooming assignments can be switched.

More importantly for families, this is a time when students will be testing out independence—selecting friends, clubs and classes without the watchful eye of parents. From the parents’ perspective, it is hard to resist giving input on course selection and challenging to not be the morning wake-up call to ensure classes are attended. Parents should be clear about family values, academic expectations and financial budgeting, and make sure their children know they are available if problems arise.

Be warned: problems DO arise. Even the most “well adjusted” and “social” children don’t get bids to join their chosen fraternities/sororities, assignments and classes are missed or are more challenging than expected, and underage drinking and drug use can sometimes result in hospitalization or have legal ramifications. In addition, mental health issues arise or become more pronounced for students on a college campus—as do numerous other health and wellness issues—and not all institutions provide the same services.

If the family and college student prepare for all these changes, the next four years (longer, in some situations) will pass by in the blink of an eye, and the next thing they know they will be hearing “Pomp & Circumstance” being played again.

SummerGrads_ARising High School Seniors Begin the Application Process

Although it feels like classes and exams just ended, for students who completed junior year now is the time to ease into the college application process. This year, students will have several different application platforms via which they can apply. The Common Application (www.commonapp.org) is utilized by more than 300 schools, including some that just signed on this year. New this year, students can create their Common Application account prior to August 1st, but only the main Common Application section questions can be completed at this time. The application put forth by the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success (www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org) will be utilized by approximately 50 schools, with only 3 schools using this as their exclusive application.

For both the Common Application and the Coalition Application, the essay topics have been released. For some students, working on these essays over the summer will reduce the stress typically felt when beginning the applications in September. Various questions can be answered, and activities resumes can be completed during this quieter time as well. As the colleges begin to release their supplemental questions during August and September, students are better prepared to complete applications in time for priority submission dates, therefore putting themselves in consideration for merit awards and honors programs.

For students who may not know yet where they want to apply, families can use summertime to plan college visits. These can be specific college trips or can be included as part of family vacation. The campus won’t have the quantity of students or the same activities taking place as those when school is in session, but high school students are still able to attend an official information session and take a campus tour, and in some instances participate in on-campus interviews. Families can also begin to plan visits for the fall once school is back in session. Information about scheduling tours and visits are typically found on the admissions page of the college website.

Rising Juniors Can Be Looking Ahead

Students who have completed sophomore year should be off enjoying their summer! But this is a good time to do some self-reflection and think about strengths and interests.

Standardized tests—widely criticized, and not universally required—are frankly still important at this stage. Families should consider how to best prepare the student for these exams and many students begin such preparation in August or September. Students can start thinking about potential careers or majors and should attend college fairs beginning in the fall. This allows students to start to fashion a potential list of schools meeting their needs and desires, possibly planning visits during school breaks junior year.

While “school’s out for summer,” college planning doesn’t take a vacation.

Andrea Goldman of The Family College Experience, LLC, is an associate member of IECA and a member of NYSACAC and the Nassau Counselors’ Association. Visit www.familycollegeexperience.com for more information.

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