College application can be a challenging situation for both you and your child. While they want admission to the best college, you want to support them in whichever way possible. No parent wants their child’s failure or disappointment, after all. And, being a parent, you can play a major role in the college application process of your child. Helping your child with college acceptance can save them a lot of hassle.
Amidst the tough competition, there are certain ways by which you can help your child with college acceptance. For that, you need to understand your involvement and role in the process. With their hard work and your support, soon, your child will be holding an acceptance letter in hand. Here are some areas where you can help:
#1 Make College List With Them
You can assist your child with their college list by jotting down a few colleges. Make sure to pick the colleges as per their major. Go through the college website deeply and note down all the relevant points on one paper. It’s best to highlight the crucial keywords with highlighters. Look for the location and cost of the colleges. You can also take help from your child’s online tutor if you’re looking for admission in a specific course.
We recommend jotting down at least ten colleges and dividing them as per their specialty. Create a list of which colleges are priorities and which ones are the alternatives (or second option). Keep your child’s dream college on the priority list.
#2 List the Deadlines
After finalising the colleges, Read the college guidelines thoroughly. Go through the application deadline for each college. As your child will be applying for multiple colleges, it’s best to make a deadline calendar. Simply take any calendar and circle the dates with the college initials.
Besides application deadlines, look for scholarship deadlines too. If they are eligible, scholarships can do wonders for your child’s career. Keep track of which deadlines are nearing and help your child prepare accordingly. Also, remind them about any upcoming important dates so they don’t miss out on anything.
#3 Motivate Them to Visit the Campus
After application, motivate your child to visit the campus and the admission counsellors. It’s always good to research and gain knowledge about a potential college. Ask them to take a tour of the campus and explore the faculty.
Most of the colleges are active on social media, and so are teens! You can encourage your child to follow the college department pages. It’s an outstanding way to get information about relevant domains. When a student stays connected to the college, it shows their interest and attentiveness. Also, your child will learn about the curriculums and activities of the college.
#4 Familiarise the Ideal Ways to Keep the Conversation Going
Students often call the colleges to schedule appointments for visits. Thus, you can teach your child how to interact with the administration precisely. This is something that’s going to benefit them in the long run. Here are some tips to follow:
- Teach your child how to introduce themselves. Ask them to be professional and polite. They should know how to greet the administration.
- Tell them to start interesting conversations. For example, asking interesting questions can initiate an amusing discussion. It also makes a good impression on the administration. Encourage them to keep some conversation topics ready!
- Ask them to never interfere when someone is speaking. They should always wait for the other person to stop before they talk. That way, the other person will feel more understood.
- Your child should be considerate of the words they are using. The language they use in normal life may not be suitable in front of the administration. Make a list of appropriate and inappropriate words for their knowledge.
#5 Prevent Them From Late Start
Try to encourage your child to an early start. The essay prompts for most of the colleges are the same. So, if they already have a hint, it’s not worth wasting time.
Also, once students enter into senior year, they have a lot on their plate. If your child starts then, the essay may finish in a hurry.
Starting early will result in a quick finish. This will give them enough time to proofread and correct any mistakes!
Most of the applications start after August 1, which means they have the entire summer to write their essay. Help them utilise their time and come up with an outstanding write-up. Teach them about necessary aspects of an essay like grammar, sentence fragments, and sentence construction.
We don’t recommend forcing your child by any means. Stay polite and motivating rather than forcing them to do tasks.
Keep note: Do not write essays for your child. Colleges can sense if it’s written by a student or parent. However, you can provide suggestions and help them with essay proofreading.
#6 Have Faith in Your Child
Do not doubt your child’s ability to complete their application process. They will soon be going to college. So, have faith in them. We understand how it’s tough for a parent to do so. They are your kids, after all! But, trust us! It’s like a never-ending loop. If you don’t trust them now, you won’t trust them ever. Soon they will be moving out and starting their own life. It will then become tough for both of you to handle things.
While you may guide them through the process, it’s best not to spoon-feed. Let them be the boss of their work. We understand how they have a lot of work to do. But, they will be fine! Instead of being doubtful, be their encouragement.
#7 Additional Tips
- Encourage your child to stay organised. Teach them basic organisation skills.
- Don’t fill their scholarship application forms.
- Help them prepare for their SATs and ACTs.
- Ask them to take assistance from senior high school tutors for better grades.
- Read their essays and give them honest feedback.
- Don’t compare them with other children.
- Do not hesitate to discuss finance and affordability.
Conclusion
So, that’s how you can prove to be helping your child with college acceptance. Meanwhile, keep reminding yourself that the ultimate decision is of your child. Try to comprehend their side of the story and appreciate their choices!