College Admissions - what is a parent to do?

kiya@evpl — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:35:00 GMT

It's late September. This year's juniors are getting ready to take the PSATs, and seniors are squeezing in one last SAT or ACT while starting college applications and essays. What is a parent to do? How do you help, but still let the kids take the lead in this College Admission process?

You could read all the books that give more than anyone needs to know about how to apply, where to apply, what to put on the essay... and share that information with your grateful teen.

Get Into College by Rachel Korn [well , that's pretty direct and simple]
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting in to Top Colleges by Marna Atkin [hmmm]
Making It into a Top College by Howard R. Greene
Fiske Countdown to College: 41 to-do lists and a plan for every year of high school by Edward Fiske [ really? 41 to-do lists?]
All the others

You could go online and meet other overwhelmed (and sometimes overwhelming!) parents on some of the online discussion boards. [note - be careful - some of these folks are REALLY intense]

You can make sure your kid knows about the free online test prep available through the library, and the free programs at the library offered by college counselors, university admissions and financial aid officers. And you can read some narrative non-fiction designed to let you look at the process.

Acceptance: a legendary guidance counselor helps seven kids find the right colleges - and find themselves by David Marcus
Fat Envelope Frenzy: one year, five promising students, and the pursuit of the Ivy League prize by Joie Jager-Hyman

Or you can read fiction about the Admissions process - and learn a little bit, in a more enjoyable way.

Admission, a novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Acceptance by Susan Coil
The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer
PS, a novel by Helen Schulman

Whatever you choose, I wish you, and your teen, good luck.

Books Blog : test prep

College Admissions - what is a parent to do?