From Ambition to Admission: Your College Planning Guide

What time is it? It’s college planning time!

This can cause excitement and anxiety in a household. Add so many varied emotions to the mix, and some families just want to scream.

I promise it does not need to be tough, but it does take planning.

Regardless of where your family is in the college planning process, here are some general tips:

• Grade point average does matter! Some colleges/universities are paying closer attention to GPA than test scores.
• Use one email address for all college/university correspondence.
• Read everything you receive – carefully – sometimes, there are hidden messages (such as free application fees!).
• Keep a digital or paper file for all correspondence.
• Visit universities of interest during your junior year or the early stages of your senior year. If your family vacation takes you close to a college campus you’re considering, take the opportunity to arrange a campus tour.
• Have the “money talk.” Parents and students should have age-appropriate conversations about paying for tuition/room/board.
• Utilize reputable college planning sites such as ACT.org or SAT.org.
• Talk to people! Ask friends who have children in college or recently graduated, speak with professionals about their career/major choice, and talk to recent grads from your high school who are enrolled in a university.

Juniors and Seniors

Stay mindful of important dates and deadlines; often, there’s little room for leniency. Keep the general dates mentioned here in mind, but be sure to cross-check with the specific university websites for accuracy.

• Admission Application opens in August of senior year
• Financial Aid Application opens in December of 2023 for Fall 2024 enrollment. This is a change from the past, so always check websites or university calendars to be sure. The good news is the Federal Financial Aid Student Application has been simplified!
• Housing Applications generally open in late fall or January of senior year
• Scholarship deadlines could be as early as November 1st of senior year
• Once you are admitted – pay attention to every correspondence from the university – you will often receive a checklist for what is next
• Attend a campus open house – this is usually scheduled to showcase the entire campus, and you can often visit with specific academic departments or participate in campus activities – talk to current students
• Attend college day/night programs to visit with representatives from a wide range of educational institutions
• Take the ACT or SAT as a junior, then retest early in senior year
• Keep the communication open among family members to help with the process – let your student take the lead but be by their side taking notes – take a deep breath and jump in!

Freshmen and Sophomores

• Start conversations on what type of college/university you wish to attend – closer to home, far from home, two-year community college, or four-year university. Casual conversations are best at this stage, with “Mom” (or “Dad”) taking notes.
• Keep in touch with your school guidance counselor regarding high school curriculum – follow a college prep course schedule.
• These websites are excellent sources of comprehensive planning information. They cover not only the ACT or SAT tests but also delve into various aspects of college planning, careers, and overall readiness.
  • ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents.html
  • SAT: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/ (This site offers a “practice for 15 minutes daily” feature for test preparation).
• Set up a spreadsheet – Have columns for the name of the university, location, contact person/recruiter, cost, major, and anything you wish to track.
• Sign up on university websites “for more information” – this will get you on digital and print mailing lists; many universities also allow parents to sign up for specific parent information.

College planning can be a mix of excitement and anxiety for families.

It’s a process that requires careful preparation, open communication, and attention to detail. Whether you’re a freshman just beginning to explore your options or a junior or senior deep into the application process, staying organized and informed is key.

Keep an eye on important dates and deadlines, maintain open communication within your family, and embrace the journey with enthusiasm!