Roadmap to College Success
By Barbara Britt
This article is a must read for Parents of Seniors getting ready for their students’ last year in high school. This time will slip by you and if you have left the planning and preparation to the last minute. There is still time to save yourself and your student, but you must start NOW!
In the months of June, July, and August steps need to be taken so that your senior is not missing important dates and timelines, registrations, scholarship, grant opportunities, ACT & SAT dates, and early admission applications.
Once the senior year starts you, and your student will be juggling your time, money, and effort between the mad rush of senior priorities, work, and the entire life changing events of planning for the next phase of your students’ lives.
Having a family night and really talking about your students’ strengths, passions, and interest are necessary for choosing a college they can be successful. Also, developing a plan of action and staging college visits are a must. A time block should be set aside just to work on the family’s realities. What can you afford, should you utilize in-state money before even considering going out of state, should I already be applying for scholarships, can my student still apply for grants and scholarships once they are in college, have you done a compare and contrast analysis of at least six colleges, what are the dates for early acceptance into your college of choice? These questions are a good starting phase for you to utilize during the summer.
Another thing to consider before the first day of your student’s senior year should be: Are they on line to graduate on time? Sometimes a small oversight can cause a lot of stress, especially going into the second semester of their senior year. Is your student up to date for community service requirements for Bright Futures? If they have not taken an active leadership role in a club or activity now is the time to take a stand. This will help in applying for scholarships, college acceptance, and filling out your resume. Last item that is a must, look for an internship. Internships serve so many purposes. They help to determine if they are really interested in that field. They also serve the purpose of networking in that field. It’s not always what you know that gets you in the door, it’s who you know that gets you there, and what you know that keeps you there.
This article will give you a starting point, but if you want a partner in taking care of these questions please go to Roadmap to College Success. www.roadmaptocollegesuccess.com, [email protected] or call Joe Nelson – Financial Professional – 850-837-9018 or Barbara Britt -Student Advisor – 850-621-7709.
