Areas of College Prep (& When to Focus on Them)

This a rough guideline for the main focuses for college preparation, readiness, and the application process. Each of these areas will be discussed in great detail in the coming weeks and months. As always, suggestions, comments, questions, and concerns are appreciated. That said, here we go:

Homework and Study Skills: (7th – 9th Grade)

A thorough understanding of the value of at-home reading and study skill development is critical to any student’s success, especially the college bound student. Understanding this area gives both parents and students the tools they need to identify different learning styles, develop and instill efficient and effective study habits or routines, and enhance academic skills including reading, writing, mathematics, as well as general study principals that will apply both to school and a future career.

It is essential that parents are provided with key strategies to assist with homework and become more effectively involved with their children’s education and academic development. Students need to learn that there are practical solutions to common problems and a wealth of suggestions depending on each student’s individual methods and styles (or personalities and interests) are out there.


High School, The Plan: (9th – 10th Grade)

Maximizing the student’s high school experience is a critical first step toward success in college admissions and readiness. Counselors, teachers, and parents should be available for and able to provide a complete guide to planning an appropriate academic program, standardized test calendar and preparation materials, extracurricular agenda and list of summer activities. Many of the resources are becoming increasingly available online and through organizations such as the Bing Foundation. Parents should also make an effort to ensure that they receive an overview of the college admissions process. Many parents now have either been out of school so long that they cannot remember what to do and when, or as I increasing find more common, parents never went to college. There should be a focus on including a detailed timeline and a comprehensive introduction to the specific components of an application.

Paying for College: (11th – 12th Grade)

According to some parents, including my own father, financial planning by both the student and the parents is invaluable to the family of any college-bound student. Financial aid options should be explained in-depth by someone with recent knowledge, preferably a financial aid specialist (many school districts have them now) or by a specialize college or career counselor. They should cover such topics as scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs as well as how to find, qualify, and apply for each. Remember that when it comes to money timing is always of the essence! Be aware of the deadlines, file your FAFSA as soon as possible, and whatever you do, never wait until 12th grade to look for funding... Families should be introduced to options they may have otherwise overlooked and gain a thorough understanding of how to effectively negotiate with financial aid offices, that’s right, I said negotiate. We’ll get to that later.

Selecting the Right College: (11th Grade)

Every student is different. Each individual has distinct desires and interests, skills and challenges. It is vital that the aspiring college student understand that every single college is different. There are 5000 colleges in the United States alone. Don’t even ask how many possible majors there are, you would believe me if I told you. What does this mean, there are options… and now there are ways to match each student with their interest, major, ideal school size, cost, preference for public or private, rural or urban, etc. Check out College Navigator (developed by the US Department of Education).

You should establish key criteria to identify colleges that are a strong fit for each student’s interests and qualifications. Parents and students can now access parameters that allow them to examine the student’s high school record, activities, and “extras” like a professional and objectively determine the strengths he or she may have within a given pool of potential applicants.

Preparing College Applications: (12th Grade)


Obviously, this is not something that is relegated only to seniors. But that is the label that it receives and here is why. Each college aspiring student (and parent) should make a strong, exerted effort to stay on top of all the deadlines, continue in relevant (and not fluff) classes (see the last post), routinely update their timeline, look for last minute options, apply for early decision, take the SAT/ACT, and manage everything else teenagers do as they near completion of their secondary school career. I advise all students and their families to make and follow a thorough, detailed, and practical guide to the 12th grade year and producing a successful college application. After gaining a thorough understanding of how an applicant’s file is ultimately reviewed, parents and students must carefully and thoughtfully complete their applications.

Always remember that there are essential strategies for crafting an engaging essay and developing a unique personal theme that will help them stand out from the crowd. Resources such as these should not be ignored. Essays should be edited and re-written, letters of recommendation should be found, and all the applications filed, paid, and sent to the correct place. Follow that guide. Follow the timeline. Don’t make a mistake if you can avoid it.