Tips for Your High School Senior
Autumn leaves and football mean that college application season is in FULL SWING. Our goal at College Parents is to support families navigating this season by providing clear, no-nonsense senior year guideposts. Now is the time for students to refine their application lists, explore in-state options, and understand the costs.
WHAT’S YOUR STUDENT’S “COLLEGE LIST” LOOK LIKE?
There are a lot of “rules of thumb” about the “College List”… 8-10 schools, have a “safety and reach” school, and more. Our view is a little different. We suggest you focus on programs, classroom experience, and cost instead of just acceptance rate. But whether your student is in the process of expanding their list or refining their list, here are some pointers to help guide conversations and decisions.
1. Talk about cost and budget. Last week’s newsletter, we included some guidance on this topic. Every school in the US includes a Net Price Calculator on their website, and students and families should use them early and often.
2. Remind your student that admission decisions do not determine their value. Some students may apply to 1-2 “lottery schools,” which accept few applicants (College Scorecard can provide GPA and test score data), so many qualified candidates may not be accepted.
3. Review the list with your student and ask questions that help identify the common threads, such as
What do you like about each of these schools?
What are the similarities between the colleges you have listed?
What drawbacks can you identify at these schools?
Look at the Net Price Calculator - are these schools all realistic?
4. Include their “List” in the Common App AND included detailed information on the tracker they are using (if they don’t have one yet, download our CPA tracker template).
CHECK OUT YOUR BACKYARD:
IN-STATE SCHOOLS
Often, these are the most affordable options for families AND they offer great educational opportunities. Every state is different - private and public, application deadlines, merit aid and Promise programs. As your student looks at in-state schools, here are some tips to point them in the right direction:
Take advantage of admission day events and tours. Encourage your student to consider a variety of options. Many students think they know a lot about their in-state schools, but their information can be anecdotal and incomplete.
Understand need-based aid AND merit aid and how they work at your in-state schools. If you have questions about these programs after exploring school websites, contact a financial aid officer at one of the schools, they’re there for your questions.
Include in-state deadlines on their college application tracker. If they don’t have one yet, download our CPA tracker template.
A quick side note… if you’re a big fan of one of your in-state schools (like we are), maybe dial down the in-state rivalry energy for a while if your student is searching.
TIP OF THE WEEK
No one can accurately predict college admissions decisions. Parents might want to consider banishing the use of the term “dream school.” Instead, remind students that exciting opportunities for learning, growth, and friendship exist at a lot of different places.
