During the first year of high school, start your child’s college preparation. Why? The high school grades determine where he or she will attend, so focus on excelling academically. In addition, get your child mentally prepared by purchasing a binder, or use an electronic option to keep all college documents in an accessible location. Before you know it, the senior year will arrive, and this prior hard work will be appreciated.
If you haven’t already, take your son or daughter on a college road trip to find schools that best fit him or her. Many students think they want to attend a certain school, but they have no real experience with the institution. For instance, a conversation with a young man and an older lady took place at a local snow cone shop recently. “What grade are you in?” she asked as he made her snow cone.
He replied, “I am a sophomore.”
She then inquired, “Do you know what college you want to attend?”
“I want to go to Oregon State in Washington, D.C.,”
he answered.
The woman remarked, “Oh, OK,” and abruptly ended the conversation with the young man. He had obviously never been to Oregon or Oregon State before. Sadly, he didn’t even appear to understand that Oregon State couldn’t be in Washington, D.C.
It is crucial for students to discover if a school is a good fit before applying, getting accepted and then realizing the college isn’t suitable. It is advisable to do your homework prior to scheduling a campus visit. Research the schools of choice online. Then, plan a tour while school is in session. Evaluate the campus environment, and talk with students to receive more insight. Investigate the academic programs, and see if you may attend a class to witness class size, teaching styles and the academic atmosphere. Check the student residence halls and dining facilities. Identify career planning services for undergraduates. Investigate transportation options. Find out how students use their out-of-classroom time. Become aware of student activities (clubs, organizations, intramurals, etc.) After the visit, brainstorm reasons for selecting a school, and rank them according to your criteria. Create a list of things that are very important, somewhat important and unimportant. Have your student rate their top three schools according to their needs.
Next, a student should begin registering for college standardized tests during their freshman year to practice. However, since the pandemic, some schools no longer require these tests, but this could still be a determining factor for highly competitive schools. Make sure your student learns the requirements for their top schools and works toward that GPA, those testing scores and attempts to stand out among the crowd. Universities are looking for people who add to their school’s community, which includes extracurricular activities. This entails volunteer work, sports, clubs and more. As your student journeys through their high school years, build a high school résumé. This lists all their school activities with brief descriptions. Look online for examples.
Create an ApplyTexas account during the summer of their senior year, and if your child desires to attend an out-of-state institution, use the Common App to submit the application. The writing prompts for ApplyTexas often don’t change. Write the essays in advance, so you will be prepared for the busy times ahead. Of course, revisit the documents to edit, revise and proofread the essays to make any necessary updates. Because the senior year can be a really difficult time, the hard work over the years will begin to make sense.
Finally, research scholarships and grants early. It’s easier to get local scholarships and grants than national ones. Begin with the scholarships that are offered to students in your ISD. Many organizations offer specifically to particular high schools, so look for scholarships given to individuals at your school or in the DFW area. As you try to identify more savings, fill out your FASFA form on October 1st when it opens during your senior year. Try to avoid having college debt when paying for college. The cost — including books, supplies, room and board, etc. — is about $100,000 for a Texas public university. Attending an out-of-state school or private school increases the price. Parents and students shouldn’t wait until senior year to consider these things, because it can be overwhelming.
Source:
1. http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/apps/collegecosts.cfm?Type=1&Level=1.
Written by Sandra Walters
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