PREPARING FOR COLLEGE, WHEN STUDENTS NEED TO START THE PROCESS

One question that many anxious parents ask is when do you start the college process, and the answer is around the 9th grade. When you start in the 9th grade it allows a student the time to think through what they want to accomplish, look at colleges, and prepare.  Students must start the college preparation process no later than the start of or middle of the 11th grade.  It allows a consultant to help a family prepare for the financial aid process and to assist a student find not only the right schools, but tour the schools, and have time to think about the essays they will write, as well as their brag sheets and resumes. 

We sometimes see junior high touring college fairs, which is a good start to the process, but it is really too early for both the family and student to start tying down decisions to college admissions process.  There is no need to start molding a 13-year-old's love of computers into an activity that will help him get into Yale.  But it's not too early for junior high students to develop habits that will help them be successful once they get to high school.

Here are five suggestions for the parents of junior high school students to work on:  

1.  Help your student to become independent. 
Parents should raise a high school student to be responsible and accountable for their tasks.  Kids need their parents, but when Mom or Dad makes all the decisions, you raise a student that is too dependent on his parents and ultimately not well-prepared for college.  We’re not suggesting you need your 13-year-old to open and maintain a savings account or get a credit card, but you can have them get themselves up in the morning, organize their own school assignments, and maybe even assume some responsibilities for helping around the house. 

2.  Encourage kids to approach their teachers with questions or concerns.
If your junior high school student has questions or is struggling in a class, encourage them to on their own contact the teacher and to seek help.  Its very important that you encourage your student to approach his teacher himself  because the teacher will not only appreciate the student's ability to do so, but it will teach a student how to confront other issues down the road.  This is a good time for kids to start taking some responsibility for their own education.  They need to learn how to advocate for themselves, and how to seek help when they need it.

3.  Help kids to follow their passions.
Colleges love students who are passionate about what they do, whether that's doing scientific research or riding dirt bikes.  Teach your kids that interest is a good thing.  Don't assign value to the interest based on how you think it will translate into an admission to college someday.  Kids who have the capacity to enjoy something tend to seek out that enjoyment even when their interests change.  That's a good trait.  We don't care if your student likes making jewelry, walking dogs in the neighborhood or just playing basketball with his friends.  As long as it isn't covered by the criminal code, it's probably an interest you want to encourage.

4.  Help kids find a love of learning.
When you ask a successful college applicant what his or her favorite class, subject or teacher is, she's got an answer.  Grades are important, but they are not the only measure of a student's academic potential; nor are the test scores.  A sincere interest in learning goes a long way with teachers and with colleges.

If your student thrives on a math class and even joined the math club, share your student's excitement with them, and encourage them to pursue their she love for math.  SHARE in the enjoyment.  If your student is fascinated with , ask her how she might be able to learn more and decide together whether to buy some books, take a class, or maybe just do some bird-watching.  If your son raves about his history teacher, let him know how lucky he is and ask him to tell you more.  Don't tie academic enjoyment to grades alone.  Curious learners are always appealing to colleges, and that intellectual love of learning is something you can foster in your kids. 

5.  Relax.
Much of the information you hear about seemingly 'perfect kids' being rejected from college  and is usually exaggerated because no one is "perfect".  There are more than 4,000 colleges in this country and there is a school for every student. When the school is right, the money will follow.  Good kids who work hard, even if they aren't "A" students, still get into plenty of colleges.  So let your kids be kids.  They don't need to spend all their time maximizing strengths, fixing weaknesses and molding themselves into future college students.  Let them play and hang out with their friends and maybe even goof off a little. 

When your kid is 12, 13 or 14, you're not going to make a mistake that will keep your child out of college someday.  So relax, and encourage your kids to do the same.