Parents’ role in the college application process
As a parent, guiding your child through the college application process can feel daunting. However, with support and involvement at the right times, you can help ease their path to higher education.
One of the most important things you can do is help your teen research college options that are the best fit for their interests, skills, and financial situation. Have conversations to identify 2-3 reach schools, a few target schools where they have a good chance of admission and 1-2 safety schools where acceptance is very likely. Exploring college programs, location, cost, and other factors together help them make realistic choices.
Once your teen has selected potential colleges, the application process begins. Parents play a key role by overseeing deadlines, assembling documents, and proofreading essays. Work with your child to gather transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation and essays in advance of deadlines to avoid last-minute stress. Carefully proofread applications for errors before submission. Communicating regularly with your teen keeps the process on track.
Financial planning should also start early. Find out costs like tuition, fees, room/board and determine need-based financial aid eligibility using the FAFSA and any college scholarship applications. Discuss potential college savings or loans with your child to set realistic expense expectations. With involvement and support throughout, parents can smooth out the college admissions journey.
College admission advice to parents
When it’s time to apply, encourage your student while avoiding undue pressure. Focus on their interests and strengths rather than rankings or parental expectations. Offer reassurance about alternate plans if the top choices don’t work out. Students pick up on parental stress, so project calm confidence in their abilities.
Once applications are in, avoid contacting colleges directly unless truly necessary. Let the process run its course without interference. If rejected, acknowledge your teen’s disappointment and help them see it as one small setback, not a failure. Have a “plan B” safety school in place to bolster their confidence.
After acceptance, guide discussions about finances but avoid making final decisions alone. Include your child to respect their input on choosing the best affordable option. Request official financial aid paperwork yourself if needed, being mindful of deadlines. Communicate regularly with other family helping with costs.
With care, understanding and patience, parents can ease many anxieties around college admissions. Focus on supporting your teen’s journey toward independence rather than living vicariously through attained rankings or choices. With the right guidance and boundaries, they will fly on their own.
How to help your child get into college
While colleges make their own admission choices, parents can provide opportunities helping applicants stand out. Encourage activities like volunteer work, hobbies, summer jobs or internships. These develop skills and experiences beyond academics. Involvement shows initiative and character valued by admissions staff.
Supervise extracurricular commitments to ensure balancing effort across areas. Too much focus in one area comes across as insufficiently well-rounded. Enjoy activities together when possible for quality relationships supporting well-being.
Register for required standardized tests like the SAT or ACT early and provide a quiet testing environment at home. Discuss time management strategies and study techniques. Retaking exams can boost scores alongside maintaining academics.
Review and proofread multiple essay drafts to catch errors while respecting the student’s own voice. Practicing interviews together builds confidence. Share excitement in accomplishments to encourage taking healthy risks.
Collect strong letters of recommendation by alerting references ahead of time with resumes and deadline reminders. Constantly reinforce confidence in skills and potential for success at the next level. With guidance and opportunities, students maximize their chances for college admission.
Causes of anxiety among college students
The college transition brings numerous adjustments fueling student stress and anxiety. Academic workload increases substantially with new styles of learning. Students face greater independence managing time without constant supervision or structure.
Financial pressures also weigh heavily. Debt concerns arise from college prices compounded by uncertainty over future careers and earnings. Campus size intimidates some used to high school intimacy. Making new friends and dating add social dimensions alongside course stress.
Homesickness spikes naturally as teens leave familiar environments for the first time. Independence comes with new responsibilities like meals, chores and self-care. Rigorous course schedules leave less downtime for processing emotions. Perfectionist tendencies emerge demanding high achievement.
Constant comparisons on social media trigger insecurity over academic, social or career accomplishments. Fear of failure despite dedication feels all-consuming. Over-committing spreads limited resources too thin, hurting performance. Without outlets, strain grows until erupting emotionally or physically.
Anxiety often signals need for adjustment rather than personal flaw. With time and support, most students adapt successfully to collegiate demands and independence. Open communication alleviates concerns by acknowledging normal challenges.
5 FAQs about parenting college students
1. Why do college applications ask for parents’ education?
Colleges consider family background as one factor among many in holistic reviews. Parental education provides context for students’ access to resources and educational opportunity beyond individual achievement or finances alone. This diversity metric helps schools admit qualified applicants across varied circumstances.
2. Should parents contact college admissions?
Generally it’s best if students directly interface with colleges. Contacting admissions on minor issues risks coming across as meddlesome or unable to let go. Major concerns like medical issues or family emergencies warrant a letter from the parent. Otherwise, trust the process and maintain realistic expectations of the outcomes.
3. How do you raise a college student?
Set clear boundaries and remain available through the transition for advice, emotional support or problem-solving. Respect their growing independence while reinforcing values of responsibility, self-care and integrity. Communicate honestly without criticism, compromise or hovering. Offer guidance when sought while allowing mistakes without overreaction. Express pride in their efforts openly.
4. How do I stop worrying about my son in college?
Anxiety stems naturally from letting go but focus on preparation over fear. Discuss concerns openly and agree on check-in routines. Empower students to handle daily stresses themselves with problem-solving advice. Visit campus to appreciate the fit and resources available. Trust that maturity emerges through balanced risks and responsibilities of independent living. Staying updated alleviates worst-case scenarios.
5. How do you motivate a lazy college student?
Nagging counterproductively breeds resentment. Instead, listen to root causes without judgment, then ask clarifying questions on goals and values. Break large tasks into small, achievable steps together. Offer accountability through check-ins, not control over decisions. Suggest campus support services for issues beyond laziness, like executive function, focus, or mental health. Lead by positive examples of managing time well yourself. Praise responsible efforts, treating mistakes gently as learning opportunities.
The college years mark an important transition fueling both excitement and anxiety. With open communication, guidance tailored to maturity levels, and trust in capabilities nurtured from an early age, parents can empower students’ success in navigating this transition toward independence.