College Planning Tips for High Schoolers

What can a college degree do for your child?  Well for starters, it can earn them an average of $2.1 million over their lifetime which is nearly twice as much as a high school graduate can expect to earn.  As students prepare for summer break, they should take the time between mall visits and pool parties to do some college research, it will great benefit them later on. This used to be a subject that came up only during the senior year but that has changed.

These days, students are starting much earlier at the advice of parents who see the advantages of planning early and avoiding procrastination.   This process keeps the student on track and focused as well. Having a bachelor’s degree is becoming a requirement for most well-paying jobs in today’s world. With more and more students applying to college (3.2 million+ in 2008!!) it is imperative to begin this process early to avoid any heartache.

Here are 5 tips for 10th and 11th grade students over the next few weeks before summer break arrives to consider:

1.  Meet with a guidance counselor, and sign up for college preparatory courses, but don’t bite off more than you can chew!
Colleges favor students who take more difficult courses. By not taking these, students may limit not only the colleges to which they are accepted, but also their ability to succeed in college.  They are labeled “college prep courses” for that reason.  It is important to do this starting in the 9th and 10th grade year.

2.  Start getting involved in extracurricular activities in your local community.
Extracurricular activities are a great way to develop talents and interests.  Colleges like to see that applicants have interests beyond their school work. Students should maintain a list of these activities, so they can include them in their college applications in 12th grade.

3.  Discuss colleges with other people.
Students should try to always talk with their family, teachers, and other adults about their desires to go to college and about which careers they are interested in. The more people students talk to, the more support they will have in reaching their goals.

4.  Visit, Visit, Visit!
There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the country. Students should take advantage of this by visiting schools to get a feel for each one before they apply if at all possible.  I compare this frequently to car shopping.  You wouldn’t purchase a car without test driving it would you?  You definitely look under the hood first right?   The same goes for college selection for your student, especially with the price-tag these days. Those who are ambitious should call the admission office in advance to schedule an appointment and/or college tour.

5.  Request College Catalogues.
After students have visited a few local colleges, they may be interested in what’s outside of Virginia. They should request catalogues from those institutions, over the phone, in writing or online. These catalogues explain what admissions departments look for, and help with early planning. Don’t let the price tag of colleges intimidate you. That’s where financial aid and student positioning come into play.