Ready for college? Preparing for college and why it really matters:
It’s already the end of January, and some of the resolutions made on January 1st have begun to fade. Sticking to resolutions can be hard, especially if you aren’t sure where to start. Whether your student is a freshman or a senior, the New Year is a great time to starting preparing for college.
Are you and your family prepared for college? Reflect truthfully on these important questions for your college journey:
- Does your student know what colleges he or she is looking for?
- Does your student know how long it takes for each application to be read?
- Does your student know when he or she should start the application process?
- Does your student know what GPA he or she needs to get into the college of his or her dreams?
- Does your student know what is better–Honors, AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment?
- Does your student know which standardized test is the best for him or her–SAT or ACT?
- Does your student know when to take each test and how to test prep?
- Does your student know what a fee waiver is?
- Does your student know how many community service hours he or she needs?
- Does your student know that not all service hours are created equal?
- Does your student know that Leadership is important to his or her college acceptance?
- Does your student know how many colleges to apply to and how to decide which schools are a good match?
- Does your student know that an entrance essay has the potential to be a deal breaker?
- Does your student know if a campus tour or a college interview is important for his or her particular schools?
Ready for College? The reality is: if your student cannot answer YES to all these questions, then your student is NOT College Ready.
One of the first things I learned about college applications: this process is nothing like it used to be. Gone are the days that you could pay your way into a college. Gone are the days that you took one standardized test–just one time–and submitted one score. Gone are the days that you could attend community college while figuring out your major, get your AA in two years, and transfer to a university to finish your degree in a total of four years. Gone are the days when you could pre-register for classes and get the classes you wanted. Gone are the days that you could work and pay for your own college education. Long gone are the days when you could get into a college based on your GPA alone. Gone, too, are the days when you could get a full ride scholarship for your sport.
Ready for College? Remember, that applying to college is competitive.
It’s a process that should be taken seriously. The time your student puts into the college application process will be worth the effort. Do not assume anything as you proceed to educate yourself on what your student’s options are. What you do not know in this process will cost you and your student.
Your future is important, so what you do NOW is critical.
Looking to save yourself a lot of time and frustration?
Contact College Ready for a free 30-minute consultation to see if your student can get a FREE or reduced college education, CLICK HERE.
