For Parents

What to Do When:

Junior Year

When and only when your teen brings up the subject of college, listen and consider her choices first before you offer suggestions.
Your child will be taking several tests in the spring of this year. Be supportive and remind her that she can always retake the college admissions tests if necessary.
If your student expresses interest in a college or university, suggest they take a look at the school’s web site and then send an e-mail to the admissions office asking for additional information. They will appreciate the confidence you have placed in them.
Try to schedule college visits in the spring of the junior year or fall of the senior year – schools are on campus and your child and you will get a better picture of the schools you visit. If this is inconvenient for your family, visit in the summer.

Senior Year

Do your best to be patient and to be realistic as your child decides on a final list of schools for application. This can be a very stressful time
Be supportive as applications are completed
Private schools will notify your child by April 1st – probably by e-mail. This will be a time of euphoria or dejection; either way, this calls for skilled parenting

The Role of the Independent Counselor

To listen to and help students and parents navigate the increasingly complex college search process
To encourage each student to tell their unique story
To help students clarify and define their academic and social preferences
To offer a possible list of schools that will be a good fit in light of these academic and social preferences
To teach the student how to research colleges and universities
To offer resources including, summer programs, scholarships, the college search, and financial aid.
To act as a resource in the application process
To help reduce the stress of the college selection and application process
To help students and parents manage the waitlist if necessary

Past students have had been admitted to some of the following schools:

American

American University in Rome

Amherst

Appalachian State

Auburn

Babson

Bard

Baylor

Boston College

Boston University

Brandeis