Parents:

As your son/daughter works through the college application process, it is difficult at times to balance the right amount of parental involvement with your teen’s independence. Some of you may be discovering that you have to take a more active role in the process. Others of you are discovering that you need to grant your son/daughter more freedom.

I am encouraging all of you to familiarize yourself with the college application process so that you can assist your teen in making decisions. Then, trust your instincts. If you believe that your son/daughter genuinely needs your encouragement (or nagging ), play a more significant role. On the other hand, if you see your teen is motivated and has been doing college research/applications on his/her own, give your teen more freedom.

As the College Guidance Counselor, I would be happy to assist your son/daughter with the college application process. Please encourage your teen to make regular appointments with me for college guidance.

Seniors:

1. Attend college fairs.
2. Start a planning calendar to keep track of important deadlines such as SAT/ACT test dates, campus visits and interviews, application deadlines, etc.
3. If your first SAT/ACT scores were low, take the tests again.
4. Make college visits. If you haven’t had an interview with the admissions office, request one.
5. Work on your essays for college applications.
6. Remember to keep concentrating on your GPA.

Important Dates:
 October 4: SAT
 October 25: ACT
 November 1: SAT

Juniors:

1. Check out websites and books for information on colleges. Request catalogs.
2. Be sure to be present on October 15 when the PSAT is given at CLHS. A high score will qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship. Review the blue PSAT pamphlet that you received. Take the practice test included in the pamphlet.
3. Concentrate on your GPA.
4. Attend college fairs.

Sophomores:

1. Sign up for the PSAT in the office. This one’s practice…the real one is junior year. (Pick up a PSAT pamphlet from Mrs. Faust in order to prepare for the exam.)
2. Focus on your GPA.
3. Attend college fairs.
   

Parents:

For most of us, applying to college was a pretty straightforward process. We probably applied to one or two colleges and based our choice on location, degrees offered, cost, and how difficult it was to be admitted. For the most part, the whole process was fairly stress-free.

Fast forward to 2008: the story is very different. Most seniors are encouraged to apply to four to seven schools and the competition into selective colleges can be intense. However, we must still remind our teens that the college selection process should be about “fit”—finding colleges that are a good “fit” for them. Unfortunately, assessing “fit” takes time and effort. Help your teen base his/her choices on their own needs and aspirations and which colleges can best meet them.

As the College Guidance Counselor, I would be happy to help your son/daughter navigate the college application process. Please encourage your teen to make regular appointments with me for college guidance.

Seniors:

1. Attend college fairs.
2. Start a planning calendar to keep track of important deadlines such as SAT/ACT test dates, campus visits and interviews, application deadlines, etc.
3. If your first SAT/ACT scores were low, take the tests again.
4. Make college visits. If you haven’t had an interview with the admissions office, request one.
5. Work on your essays for college applications.

Important Dates:

• October 4: SAT (register online [collegeboard.com] by September 9)
• October 25: ACT (register online [actstudent.org] by September 19)
• November 1: SAT (register online [collegeboard.com] by September 26)

Juniors:

1. Check out websites and books for information on colleges. Request catalogs.
2. Be sure to be present on October 15 when the PSAT (a preliminary SAT) is given at CLHS. A high score will qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship.

Sophomores:

1. Sign up for the PSAT (a preliminary SAT) in the office. This one’s practice…the real one is junior year.
2. Focus on your GPA. Take the most challenging classes you can handle.