5 People to Talk With About Attending College

If you want to help your high school student get admitted to the college of their choice, both of you should become familiar with 5 people who can contribute and make a difference. You probably already know one place you should start.

Guidance Counselor

You child should seek advice from the high school guidance counselor on what courses to take to best prepare for college, and the counselor should also encourage your student to sign up for the entrance exams that are necessary to enter college.

Counselors generally offer advice on what schools are a good fit for the individual student's desired degree, too; unfortunately, many counselors are overwhelmed because of their workloads. You may find it necessary to do most of the legwork yourself.

Notable References

Most colleges expect and/or require references from those who know a student personally and can substantiate their character and scholarly accomplishments. These letters are also usually needed for scholarship applications.

It is not possible to have too many reference letters. These should come from coaches, teachers, employers, school club advisors, and members of higher education when possible. Your child should start asking for letters long before it is necessary to apply to college.

Admissions Counselors

Every college has one, and it is their job and goal to make everything as clear as possible so your child has the best chance at admission. It may not always be possible to speak directly with the head of the department, but most schools have capable individuals to help answer questions.

Counselor for Financial Aid

There are important deadlines you must meet to be accepted for financial aid. These come much earlier than you might think. Every college has a financial aid department that explains what is needed and when. There is no penalty for applying early, and that gives you a much better chance of receiving earmarked funds.

Academic Advisor

Your student doesn't stop needing help after being accepted to college. Getting advice from the advisor at that level is very important to be sure that the right courses are taken for the degree that is pursued.

Every student is generally expected to meet with their assigned advisor before being allowed to attend class. Once assigned an advisor, typically this same person remains your student's guide throughout attendance, and their assistance can be of great benefit in many regards.

Someone representing each of these positions will be of valuable assistance to both you and your college student at this very important time in their life. It is essential to take advantage of every available resource.