Nuts and Bolts of Preparing for College

by Shirley M.R. Minster, M.S.Ed.

Each year parents and their high school children talk about college: where to go, what course of study to major in, and the cost of tuition. Choosing a college is a daunting task, but these tips may help in the search.

Step 1 Find Answers to Questions

When trying to decide on a college, get some demographic questions answered first.
• Do you want to live in the country, a suburban area, or in a bustling city?
• Do you want to attend a large, medium, or small college?
• Do you want to attend a public or private college?
• Do you want to live in a cold, warm, moderate, or hot climate?
• Do you want to live in the United States or a foreign country?
• Do you want to attend a co-ed college or not?
• Do you want to live at home, close to home, or a distance away?
• Do you want to live on campus?
You’ll notice that I start with general questions before moving into the more sensitive issues (living at home vs. living away from home). This gives your teen a chance to step back and examine issues before tackling family issues.

Next, tackle the major issue of academics.
• What do you want to do when you graduate from college? In what do you want a degree?
• How many years do you want to attend college to get that degree?
• Do you want to or will you need to continue on to get a higher degree?
• Do you know an adult who is working in the field in which you are interested who has gone to a particular college?

Other topics to discuss with your teen have to do with other equally important questions.
• Do you want to be on a sports team in college?
• Do you intend to work while in school?
• Do you want to attend a college that has a particular religious view?
• Is there a club on campus you want to attend?
• Do you want to attend the college a family member attended?

Step 2 : Search for Colleges that Fit

The second step in choosing a college is to start searching for colleges that mesh with student answers to the above questions. Peterson’s Guide to Colleges (www.petersons.com) is one source for students and parents. It includes quick links as well as much information. Two other sites are
The College Board (www.collegeboard.com) and American College Testing (www.act.org). These sites have college and scholarship search pages as well as prep materials for the SAT and the ACT. Finally, FastWeb (www.fastweb.com) has a free scholarship search for both undergraduate and graduate schools.
Step 3: Visit Colleges and Observe

Visiting a college campus is imperative when answers have been found to the above questions and initial searches have been conducted online. Call ahead to schedule a tour of the campus and to talk with the admissions folks. Take a copy of your transcript with you when you visit the campus because it may be possible to complete an application and leave it the same day.

When you get to the campus, observations are important. First of all, consider the actual campus. Is it well laid out and clean? Are there places to sit and talk with classmates? Are the buildings in good condition or in need of repair? Are the classrooms clean and is there proper equipment for the courses? Are there parking lots on campus or will you have to take a shuttle bus between campuses? Are the dorms rooms overcrowded? Are they quiet or noisy? Are they co-ed or same-sex dorms?

How are the students behaving? Are they talkative, quiet, respectful, or rambunctious? Do they greet you in a friendly manner? Are they approachable? What is your first impression? As you know, first impressions can be very wrong, but recognize that they can also be very right.

Discuss your particular field of study with both admissions staff and students. Try to find out how many students are in that major. It would be great if you can talk with a professor about this course or if you can sit in on a class. Ask if there are clubs for that major (e.g., Robotics Club, International Cuisine Club, Debating Club). If there is an organization on campus in your interest area, see if you can attend a meeting.

It’s also important to ask what study programs are available so that if you need help, you can access help in a timely manner. If you are told there is a place on campus to get help, then by all means visit that place. See if the rooms look inviting and if the staff appears friendly. Also visit the library and observe its staff and students. Does the library have enough help in the form of staff as well as equipment for student work?

Step 4: Step Back and Reflect

Choosing a college to attend is not a quick decision. It takes hard work, much thinking, and many considerations. Talk not only to other students, but also to parents, relatives, and adults who are working in your particular field of interest. Weigh the options, carefully fill out your applications materials, and follow the calendar deadlines set up by your colleges of choice. Finally, use wisdom in deciding which college to attend.

About the author:

Shirley M.R. Minster is founder and director of Home Education & Family Services and Royal Academy. Working with families all over the world, Shirley and her very experienced staff provide homeschooling families with custom-designed programs for each child and the necessary support and assistance each family needs to succeed. For more information visit the website: http://www.homeeducator.com