Parents’ Guide to College Preparation
Don’t start shopping for extra-long twin sheets just yet. Instead, try to prepare yourself for every possible scenario that could play out when envelopes begin to arrive. It’s then time to set out on the arduous road toward college selection and preparing for your child to leave the nest…but we’ll be with you every step of the way.
For college acceptance letters, size used to matter (big envelope meant yes, small envelope meant no) but with more and more schools announcing their admissions decisions online, the dimensions of envelope itself no longer telegraph its contents. Are you ready for the news?
After all decisions have been sent out but before orientation, many colleges hold events just for admitted students, where those accepted can come to campus to tour the grounds, sit in on lectures, meet current students and faculty and formulate their final decision on whether or not they will one day call this school their alma mater. Events are typically geared toward students so is it really Mom and Dad’s place to tag along?
Unless your child has been accepted via early decision , you two will have one last choice to make once all admissions decisions have come in: where they’ll be enrolling next fall or spring. What selection is best? That depends on numerous factors you’ll have to discuss in depth with your child before you mail in the deposit check.
If your child will be living on campus next year, they no doubt already have a countdown toward move-in day in place and so do you…except you’re wondering how you’re going to get everything you need to do done before that time! Campus living has changed drastically over the past 20 years and a suitcase full of clothing, textbooks and a few notepads will no longer suffice: Students today don’t just want more but need more to make their transition from living at home to living on campus as seamless as possible. Hope you factored that in to your financial plan!