Biz Tips: Competing for college by managing expectations
By Jennifer Hieber and Scott R. Reisinger
The children of the baby boomers are applying to colleges in numbers greater than ever before - a trend that will continue for the next few years. And the explosion of marketing by colleges and the use of information technology have exacerbated the difficulties. U.S. News and World Report doesn't help - what is "the best," after all? Today's college admission terrain is both shifting and even more competitive.
Considering this environment, preparing a student to apply to college is bound to cause even the most realistic and grounded parents, and experienced educators, anxiety and occasional panic. The complexity of the process often reveals the best and the worst aspects of a parent-child relationship. Applying to college has never been more stressful, more competitive or more unpredictable.
How are parents supposed to "Model the Way" for their college-bound high schoolers? We offer a few kernels of advice.
Start early, assess often
Balance autonomy with support and much-needed feedback and direction for your children. You are marketing an unfinished product - help lead them to that next stage of development. Don't micromanage; focus instead on a mutually beneficial partnership. Your high school counselor is an important resource throughout this process. Having a respectful, open and honest relationship with your son or daughter's college counselor can help everyone stay on track.
Know your child and know what others think of him/her: work for the best fit
Be realistic. What kind of student is she? Has she taken the most demanding curriculum at her school? You shouldn't be shocked by what you hear when you begin to meet to discuss the process or read recommendations. Knowing your child's strengths and areas of improvement will help you guide him toward a college that is an appropriate and exciting match. And be sure to emphasize your son or daughter's passions: focus on those extracurriculars, but remember that it's the quality and depth of those experiences, not the quantity that counts.
Information is power - research, be an informed consumer
Move beyond the rumor mill, the third or fourth-hand assessment of a college — do your due diligence. Parents need to know the tools and resources available to families to help with this process. The college admission landscape is vastly different from when baby boomers were applying. There are many more college options available, and the Ivy League dividend has diminished over the years. Don't let the dream of going to only the Ivy League deprive your student of even more appropriate options for the future.
Don't underestimate the importance of reading & writing
All colleges are looking for students who write well, and enjoy reading — even if they are stronger in areas outside the humanities. A strong vocabulary, being articulate, reading books and articles beyond what is required in school lays a strong foundation for college and beyond. Colleges see a student's history of enjoying and pursuing reading and writing as directly connected to their ability to demonstrate their talent for higher level thinking.
Consider this process beyond a financial investment
Don't obsess about test scores - more than likely your student already is. Colleges (some of the "best" in the country) are deciding to make SATs optional. Never before has there been such sincere dialogue about the actual predictive ability and inherent biases of these tests - yes, colleges still use them and will likely always do so. And yes, students need to prepare to take them, but they are not the whole story.
In sum, strike a balance between being a hovering helicopter and a UFO - this process is fluid and requires monitoring and course corrections and, unfortunately, there are no guarantees. Managing this ambiguity lays the foundation for surviving this process with relationships intact and futures bright.
Jennifer Hieber (left) is Director of College Counseling at Bancroft School. She holds her B.A. from Clark University and is former Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Simmons College.
Scott Reisinger (right) is Headmaster of Bancroft School. He holds in B.A. and M.A. from the University of Rochester, and his M. Phil. from Columbia University.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments