PARENT & FAMILY RESOURCES

The college search and admission process is a life-changing event for your scholar, and often for the whole family. Here are some do’s and don’ts for parents and families entering the world of college admissions.

• DO Learn About the Process - Whether or not you attended college, invest some time in reading up about today’s college admission process. Plan on attending college fairs and any informational meetings offered at FAC.

• DON’T Believe That There is Only One Right College - Choosing the “right” or “best” college implies that there is a single, magical campus that will meet a scholars’ needs completely. The better question for your student to ask would be: “Is this college a good match for me and my needs?”  

• DO Remind Your Child of Deadlines and Offer Help When Needed 

• DO Discuss Restrictions Up Front - If there are financial or geographical restrictions that limit the range of colleges your student can consider, discuss them at the beginning of the college search.  

• DO Be Your Child’s Cheerleader  - The college admission process may cause your scholar to feel uncertain about the decisions he/she must make, fearful of rejection from colleges, or anxious about meeting deadlines for both college applications and schoolwork. Over the course of the search process, your student may change his/her mind (more than once) about career aspirations, academic goals, or what he/she wants in a college. All of this is normal. Parents can help their college-bound student by offering plenty of encouragement, a listening ear and gentle guidance.