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[P60]Parents Of College Students

by Dr. Stephen Jones, Dr.

The process of getting ready to send a son/daughter to college can present many confusing choices. This is especially true if you are sending your first child to college. There are over 3000 colleges to choose from. Each college has its own unique offering of courses and activities. In addition to all of the mailings that are sent to home there are hundreds of college websites that offer information. Starting your college search in the 9th or 10th grade gives your student an opportunity to tour different types of colleges.

Each high school student should talk to college students and faculty to get a better picture of the level of community on their campus. Some students and parents look at the name of a college to determine where they will pursue an undergraduate degree. A student can go after the big name but maybe the college does not really have the major that they want. Some colleges are located in an urban city while others are located in a suburban or rural city. Not only must you look at the size of the college you should also look at how far it is from home.

Many parents and students get consumed with discussions about the cost of college. The price of college can range from $20,000 - $50,000 for public or private college education. Colleges are trying to move into the 21st century in terms of technological resources for students who are enrolled. For example, maintaining a wireless internet campus requires staff. The staff is hired to manage the college's hardware and software. Students can use their laptops to complete class assignments and to send e-mails to their professors. Even if you have a family income over $100,000 you should complete the federal financial aid form. There are certain academic scholarships and student loans that require the completion of the federal aid form.

Choosing a college should be a students own decision. The college that their friend selects may not be for them. They are making an investment in themselves that could affect their career options. It is best to choose a college that fits their personal and professional goals. Your student can take a career test at their high school to get a clearer picture of a career that may interest them. These career tests are easy to complete and they provide a lot of useful information. Your son/daughter can sit down with their high school counselor and talk about a variety of careers. They should research the career and the types of jobs that completing a certain college degree will offer.

I If you are sending the first person in your family to college recognize that you are not alone. Attend a college night at your son/daughter's high school or attend a college fair in your city. You will get to meet admissions officers who are more than happy to answer your questions. Make the senior year a time of joy rather than anguish. Meet with your college counselor early during the school year and you will develop an effective college search plan. Despite the initial challenges you will help your student to choose their college dream. Dr. Stephen Jones is author of the “Seven Secrets of How to Study.

In fact, it's better to keep them out of the building altogether. Parents can only hurt; they never help.

Don't Let This Happen to You

We know a brilliant kid who was rejected by a top Ivy League college solely because his mother insisted on being present during his interview. Every time the admissions officer would ask a question, the mother would start yapping.

The college was worried that the student wouldn't be able to survive his freshman year if they didn't admit his mother as well. He ended up at another Ivy League college where he did brilliantly, by the way.

What the admissions officer didn't realize was that the student had figured out that the best way to deal with his pushy mom was to let her do what she wanted and not pay any attention.

He wasn't dependent on her; she was dependent on him. But that didn't come across.

Admissions officers don't like having your mom or dad in the room with you any better than you do. Most will tell parents to sit in the waiting room. But you don't even want this problem to come up.

You won't look good if your first contact with an admissions officer involves the admissions officer telling your parents to get lost. If your parents are adamant about wanting to accompany you to your interview itself, don't sign up for an interview.

Be Yourself at Your Best

Don't try to pretend to be someone you're not during the interview. Simply be you!!!

Admissions officers will see right through your act. But, no matter your personality, to have any chance of being admitted, always use your best manners: be polite, be respectful, be alert, be clean, and be friendly.

Remember something that we've told you over and over again, the key to getting admitted and being happy at college is matchmaking. You want to be yourself so that the person interviewing you can tell if you would be a good fit at the school.

At the same time the admissions officer should hopefully present the college in a true light so you can tell whether it is a place where you'd be happy. Think of this as a time for you to interview the school just as much as they are interviewing you, so come prepared to ask them questions too.

Remember, you'll be there for the next four years!!! Some of you five, six, seven, ok well hopefully not!!!

Save the Best College for the Last Interview

If you have interviews at more than one college, you'll get better as you go along. Try to arrange your schedule so that your first interviews are at the schools you care about least or at any rate the schools you are most likely to get into.

You can even schedule interviews at colleges in which you have no interest at all, just for the practice. This way, by the time you get to your top-choice college, you'll be much more comfortable with the whole interview process.

So save your top choice colleges for your last interviews.

Article Source : Pg. 47

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Both Dr. Stephen Jones & Webmarket Reports are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Dr. Stephen Jones has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mobile Phone Reviews, Education and Internet Marketing. Dr. Stephen Jones is an outstanding educator who has spent twenty five years helping students to get into college. His workshops include leadership,study skills, time management, college preparation etc. He is the author of the Seven Secrets of How to Stu. Dr. Stephen Jones's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.

Webmarket Reports has sinced written about articles on various topics from Legal Matters, Direct Marketing and SEO Articles. is the nation's leading expert on how to. Webmarket Reports's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.