Strategies for Success:
Is your high school student considering college? As with many aspects of life, college planning is more complex than it used to be. Thinking ahead is the name of the game. Read on for tips to get started!
Think your student is not college-bound? Reconsider.
Some students may not show an interest in college, and certainly there are vocations that do not require a college degree. If college isn’t on your child's mind, find out why and if you determine college is not his path, support him in developing an alternate career plan.
Data gathered by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington indicate, "Americans with four-year college degrees made 98 percent more an hour on average in 2013 than people without a degree." (The New York Times, “Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Say.” David Leonhardt, May 27, 2014.)
Peninsula High School student Ian Collins advises, "Learn from the past, seize the present day, and fabricate the future you want."
Tip: Consider taking college-prep steps to keep your student's options open.
Where to begin?
The best way to learn about pre-college requirements is face-time with those in the know. Connect early with counselors, teachers, other parents and students on the college-bound track.
Students and their families have a lot to do to prepare. Key steps include:
Meet with counselors early and often
Financial planning
Explore careers
Community service and internships
Advanced Placement or Running Start?
Research colleges and programs; visit campuses
Apply for scholarships
Take the ACT and SAT, and plan for retakes (don't forget pre-tests)
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2 to 4 letters of recommendation for applications
College applications, essays
In the past, taking the SAT once was standard. Today, the trend is to take both the SAT and ACT. "Some kids do much better on one or the other," says Kathy Weymiller, Director of Community Outreach at Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor. "I tell kids to take the tests as often as they can tolerate, because typically kids’ scores improve each time they take the test. The service is really good about letting you mix and match, taking their best scores for each section."
Attention to deadlines is key. College applications are due sooner than you would expect, so stay in the loop. Prompt your student to find out about pre-tests and test dates, and double-check.
Recent high graduate Jonathan Sorenson suggests students take responsibility: "Make sure you contact colleges in your junior year to find out what the requirements and prerequisites are. Don't just go by what your high school counselors tell you." Sorenson's goal is a PhD in physics, so research extends through graduate programs. Tacoma Community College gave credit for his AP English score; he later learned that Western Washington University requires a higher score. He'll need to take English after all. Because of the physics requirements, his undergraduate degree will take five years; had he known specifics earlier, it might have been completed in less time.
Entrance requirements vary by school and by program, and can change year-to-year. Encourage your student to review the requirements and deadlines early on, and re-check the deadlines before applying to make sure important changes are not missed.
Tip: For an overview of what to do when, see www.petersons.com.
Start a Spreadsheet and Timeline
Some high schools offer workshops for students to build scholarship notebooks, which are then made available for review by community members who have scholarships to offer. It is a valuable tool. On the homefront, students and parents can craft a timeline to track tasks, milestones, and important deadlines. This is an opportunity for your student to practice organization and research skills. Review deadlines bi-weekly.
A spreadsheet can keep track of resources, colleges of interest, scholarship opportunities, test scores, volunteer time, community service, extracurricular activities, awards and honors. Keep a digital photo and physical file of awards, athletic letters, certificates, recommendations, and accolades to include in the scholarship notebook. When the time comes to submit applications, the information will be at the student's fingertips.
Tip: Students should schedule weekly appointments on a timeline to meet with contacts and explore resources, as well as schedule time to work on scholarship applications.
"How can I plan for college if I don't know what I want to be?"
Indeed! Students are pressured early on to determine what they "want to be." If your student does not know her life goal, don't fret. Many steps in preparing for college are the same, regardless of area of study.
Tip: TED Talks are a terrific, no-cost way to hear from interesting people in a wide range of careers. Visit www.ted.com.
Getting ahead with AP or Running Start
Advanced Placement (AP) courses allow students to earn college credits while in high school. The type and number of AP courses varies by school. These rigorous courses culminate in an exam, and students who achieve satisfactory scores can be granted college credit.
Running Start is an opportunity for juniors and seniors to attend community colleges, technical schools, and state universities, earning both high school and college credits. The program is tuition-free, but includes some fees, the cost of textbooks, and students must provide their own transportation. Students have the opportunity to achieve an associate's degree alongside their high school diploma. Registration takes place in spring of the preceding school year. Edmonds and Tacoma Community Colleges offer Running Start programs, as do another 30+ Washington schools. Students attend classes at the college, so consider maturity level when evaluating the program.
Tip: Running Start requires placement testing and advance application/registration.
Paying for it all
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is "the" tool used by colleges and universities in evaluating financial aid. Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to learn more. This form can be completed as early as spring of junior year, though will need to be updated with tax data the following spring. Pay attention to deadlines.
There is a seemingly endless array of scholarships for those who are willing to spend time seeking. A not-to-miss resource is www.thewashboard.org, a free online service that matches Washington students with a wide range of scholarships.
Weymiller says, "There are so many uniquely focused scholarships. My son put himself on a diet of one scholarship application per week during senior year. I recommend “How to Go to College Almost for Free” by Ben Kaplan, to start." Weymiller's motivated sons are recent high school grads; both won substantial scholarships, grants, and acceptances from top-tier institutions. They chose Westpoint and the University of Washington. "Don't be afraid to call the school's financial aid office and ask, 'is this the best you can do? Is there anything more you can add?' to make sure you're getting the maximum aid they can offer."
Finally, dream big. Private and top-rated schools often have sizeable endowments that can make it affordable for those who have what it takes to get accepted, so don't cross Stanford and Dartmouth off your list based on costs.
Final tip: Be present, take breaks together, and enjoy these exciting years with your growing student!
