What Parents Should Ask High School Counselors
Tips for helping high school students get ready for college
How do I pay for all this?
It's a three-step process: Work on the type of school first, apply to those that are [academically] appropriate second, and then look at money. Money should be the last concern, because upfront, families simply won't know the bottom line cost, and it's worth it to your student to find that out. That is a time to talk frankly about finances and the limits of parents' resources. It's not fair for a parent to say, "We're not going to apply there, because we can't afford it" when they haven't filled out FAFSA[the federal financial aid form], haven't researched scholarships online, or used working websites to see what is available out there. A combination of those things can whittle down the cost, and this is a lifelong investment.
Karen Walbridge is the interim director of college advising for the Hill School, a college preparatory and boarding school 45 miles outside Philadelphia. While kids come to the Hill from around the world, many are aspiring local students from nearby districts. Walbridge is a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling and mother of two college grads.
When should we start visiting schools?
We recommend that students begin visiting no earlier than their junior year. Colleges frankly aren't prepared to accommodate students who are earlier than their junior years. Their presentations are geared for juniors who are beginning to look at schools. In the spring of junior year, we advise students to do a blast of schools to get a sense for the type of school they're looking for. It's a matter of calling up the admissions office—far in advance—especially for summer visits. Go to the website to arrange a tour, and remember to write thank-you notes or follow-up questions.
What forms do I need to have ready for my student to start the financial aid process?
That's a piece that parents really have to fill out. You can't file FAFSA until after January 1 of the student's senior year, so it varies. I try to tell the parents to be as upfront with the children as possible. Everyone should be aware of what they can afford. As for forms, in most cases you will need your tax information.
How involved should parents be?
Stay in the background, support [the student], but don't do the work for them. It is a time of angst for the child and for the parent. It's important to keep in touch with the college advising or guidance office. This is a process your child needs to do on his or her own, and making calls to colleges for these visits is part of that process. Colleges document who is making the phone calls and watch how many times you're calling, parents. It's beginning stages of letting-go.
Should I tell schools about my child's learning disability?
Yes—you can disclose it to a school during the application process and ask what types of resources are available. The other question is, should the student disclose it in his or her essay? I think it's a good thing for both the student and the school, especially so that the school feels prepared to deal with that student when he or she gets to campus. Additionally, the student might have learned something unique from the situation.
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