Tips for Parents

Be proactive.
Your college counselor is highly knowledgeable about the admissions process. She will guide your family through the process. However, she will not earn your child’s college acceptance. Just as teachers do not “give” grades because students earn their own marks, a student's admission decisions will be a reflection of their ability to research reasonable college options and commit 100 percent to the application process.

Seek reliable sources!
Eliminate from your language, “I heard that…,” “People say…,” “Colleges never…,” Seek reliable sources to answer questions and confirm or dispel rumors. Contact the College Counseling Office, specific colleges and universities of interest, and other reliable sources. Much of the anxiety that families experience in this process results directly from listening to or contributing to a rumor mill that is frequently inaccurate.

Don’t compare your son or daughter to anyone else who previously pursued the admission process.
As you know, your son or daughter is unique. It is virtually impossible to compare your child to someone else for any reasonable projection of what will result with their applications. Even when you think you know the whole scenario surrounding another student’s acceptance, deferral, or denial, you only know a fraction of the actual picture. Instead of expending energy on comparisons, focus on your child. Your time, energy, and love will translate into more successful results.

Start early, but not too early!
In the first two years of high school, students should be acclimating to academics, pursuing extra-curricular activities of interest, and seeking meaningful summer activities. Visit colleges during family trips early in the high school career. However, the formal college research process begins in the junior year. Encourage your child to start early and dedicate time on a weekly basis to researching and visiting colleges.

Define your measure of success for the college admission process.
While some parents consider their child to be successful if he or she is admitted to a highly competitive institution, others believe that their child will be successful if he or she is happy with their college acceptances and are confident that they found a great college match.

Participate in the research process.
Most people would not purchase a car based on photographs and limited text. Assist your child in researching college opportunities not only through guidebooks and the Web, but also with concentrated campus visits. Encourage your child to sit in on classes for a day, stay overnight on campus, and talk to as many students as possible. Even if a campus visit is not possible, it is easy to pick up the phone, call the Admission Office or academic departments of interest, and speak with faculty members and students. You may do the same to cover more ground.

Be forthright about limitations for your child’s college right from the start.
Is the college’s cost an issue for your family? Discuss financial realities in advance of the application process, not after admission letters are in hand.

Keep an open mind for yourself and for your child.
Because you are unaware of a college’s name does not mean that it isn’t a great fit for your child. Most families initiating the college search process for the first time have a limited view of what colleges exist. They can often list only a few dozen names of universities. It is only natural for you to encounter many colleges unknown to you. By focusing on only recognizable names, you will surely miss out on a wealth of great colleges for your child.

Can a student be admitted to a “Reach College?” Absolutely!
Does it mean he or she should attend? Not necessarily! Unfortunately, our society is beholden to brands and ratings. Because a student is admitted to a highly ranked university does not mean he or she should attend. For some, a “reach college” may provide a more challenging atmosphere than what the student seeks. For others, a “reach college” may not provide the best fit and atmosphere for happiness. Remember that there are many successful people in this world who graduated from lesser-known colleges.

Steer your son or daughter away from “First Choice” colleges.
There is no one perfect college for each student. By limiting themselves to a first choice school, students tend to reduce their college research process thereby failing to identify other wonderful options. Students also tend to compare all other colleges to their first choice school. That inevitably results in disappointment because nowhere else can measure up.

Be assured that your child will have many college options.
This message cannot be repeated too often. There are approximately 2,500 four-year colleges and universities in this country, only a few hundred of which are considered “highly competitive.” All Pusch Ridge Christian Academy students will have dozens of wonderful choices if they can identify the optimal college environment for them.

 

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