Helping Your Teen Decide What to Do After High School

Helping to prepare your teen for life after high school is one of the most important tasks you'll have as a parent. Although it can be difficult to imagine your baby as an adult, with the right approach, helping your teen make the transition into adulthood can also be rewarding.

Going to college, getting a job, or taking time off are the common choices your teen will likely face. Here's how you can help your adult-to-be make the decision that's right for him or her.

College or Technical School

Although you may remember starting your own college search in the fall of your senior year, many teens these days need to get started earlier because of the extensive research involved and the deadlines for early admissions programs to more competitive programs. In fact, many students begin as early as the fall of their junior year.

A good preparation for your teen is to sit down and start writing - this is great practice for the application process. Teens should list their goals as well as their accomplishments, even if they haven't yet decided on a field of study. Ask your teen to write down a list of:

• academic and personal strengths and weaknesses
• extracurricular activities
• awards
• grade point average (GPA)
• class rank
• SAT, ACT, or AP scores

Next, your teen needs to think about and list the qualities he or she is looking for in a college. Does your child want to go away to school, stay close to home, or take online courses, for example?

Armed with the preliminary information your teen has gathered, it's time to begin the research. Guidebooks, the Internet, and counselors at school are particularly helpful resources. As your child chooses potential schools, you and your teen should start to make campus visits, during which time he or she can talk with students attending the college.

Experts suggest narrowing the choices to a diverse mix of about six to 10 schools where the odds range from low to high of your teen gaining admission. Applications should be filled out completely and neatly, including the essay, which your teen should revise until confident that it's his or her best work. Many schools offer help in these areas. There are also individuals you can hire if your child's school doesn't have the resources to help.

And don't cross college off the list because you're afraid the tuition will be too steep. There are many ways to receive financial help. You can ask the following about scholarships and other programs that may help:

• the school counselor
• the colleges' financial-aid offices
• your employer; ask about any programs that they may offer

Federal aid programs are also available.

Job Options

If college isn't an option or your teen needs extra time to earn money for tuition, going directly to the work force offers many choices and benefits, such as health insurance and tuition reimbursement programs.

Entering the military can be an excellent choice for a teen who feels uncertain about his or her future. Discipline, earning money, saving for college, learning a trade - all of this is often possible in the armed forces. Veterans are also entitled to many benefits both while in the service and after.