College Admission Process: Guide for Parents, and Books for Parents of College-Bound Students (continued)

What are the first steps?

1. Planning for college can start as early as middle school.
2. Talk with your child’s guidance counselor or teacher about your child’s options after high school.
3. Keep and use this guide to be sure that your child is taking the right courses.
4. Encourage your child to study and take competitive courses.
5. Be involved in school activities. Go to parents’ nights and conferences and meet with your child’s teachers.
6. Be sure your child is taking the most diffi cult courses he or she canhandle so that college and career choices are open.
7. Encourage your child to participate in school, community and church activities.

What should my child do?

1.  Planning for college can start as early as middle school.2. Your child needs a fi rm foundation in rigorous, high level math and English courses.3. Your child should take advantage of courses offered in science, social studies, foreign languages and performing arts.4. Your child must learn good study habits.5. Your child should consider what he or she wants to do after high school and discuss options with the school counselor or teachers.

What can I as a parent do?

1. Believe in your child’s abilities.2. Take an interest in what your child is studying and his other homework.3. Help your child remain focused on school.4. Visit the school and schedule conferences.5. The courses your child takes and the grades he or she now receives have a lot to do with what your child can do after high school.6. Work with your child on the development of his or her schedule of courses.7. Create a quiet place for your child to study.8. Start early when researching fi nancial aid.

How do I find out what courses my child should take?

Talk with the counselor or teacher at the school. He or she can show you what classes best prepare your child for the future. Principals may also help. Use the chart on the opposite panel as a guide to be sure that your child takes the recommended courses. You are encouraged to work with your child’s guidance counselor in the development of his or herschedule. Research the admission requirements of the colleges your student is preparing for because requirements can vary from institution to institution. Most colleges require some form of standardizing testing.  Discuss with the counselor test dates, prep courses and so on.

HIGH SCHOOL COURSE PLANNER

Courtesy: Adventures in Education at www.aie.org. The table above will make your student's high school course planning easier and better organized. If your student needs help determining requirements or fi nding out what courses are available, have him or her speak to his or her guidance counselor.