College Application Parent Page
The college application process is often as stressful for parents as students. The resources and advice on the Parents? Page are designed to help manage that stress. This isn?t meant as a substitute for contact: Please know parents are always welcome to call or visit The College Guidance Office.
The Application Process: Resources on The Laurel College Guidance Site
- College Search: A listing of some of the many resources providing personal assessments, college contact information and profiles, and search and match services.
- Testing: National test dates and links for on-line registration are provided for the SAT I, SAT Subject Tests and ACT.
- College Visits: Questions and strategies for parents accompanying their daughter on a college visit.
- FAQ re Applications: Some of the more common questions are answered here.
- Commonly Used Terms: Is your daughter considering applying Early Action or Early Decision? Do you know the difference? Before beginning the process, familiarize yourself with the vocabulary
The Application Process: General Advice
The college decision is the first adult decision a student will make. The student makes the ultimate decision and she must take control of the process. A challenge for parents is to let go, allow a student to be in charge and support her decision making.
Most students will be admitted to one of their preferred colleges, but some will not. Trust that your child can excel and flourish at many different colleges, including many excellent colleges that are not ?name brand.? Forget the sticker on the back of the car; focus on your daughter and her many successes throughout her life. Help her to understand that wherever she goes, she can continue her success.
Accept that an irreducible percentage of the process is random, accidental or just plain luck. Model and teach equanimity: external events over which we have no control do not determine value or self-worth. College acceptance is not the determinant of anything except college acceptance.
Ego, status, competition and insecurity drive emotions to the edge senior year. If at all possible, both before and after each conversation about college, compliment your daughter. Tell her you love her. Give her a hug. Let her know that, whatever the outcome, you believe in her. Celebrate and acknowledge the milestones of her last year at home. Realize you are facing great change, too.
