Two
interesting things happened in response to my blog “When is the Right Time to
Start Planning for College”. In the
article I asserted that college planning begins in the 6th
grade. The same week it was published,
I sent out a direct mail piece to parents of students currently in grades
5-7.
The day after
the mail arrived in homes, a frazzled mother called me and informed me that she
thought she had received my mailing by mistake because her daughter is “only 10
years old” and “we are not even thinking about college”. I
could hear the stress in her voice as she asked to be removed from my mailing
list. As her daughter is just finishing
up 5th grade, I tried to explain that decisions made at the
beginning of the 6th grade have a direct impact on a students’
eligibility to take advanced courses in high school, which is a major factor in
college admissions. She said, “I really
can’t handle this right now, please just stop sending me mail”. So, I took her name and removed her from my
list.
On the same
day, a Middle School Guidance Counselor on Linked In commented that his parents
“whine” when he encourages them to begin
college planning early, but that he believes college planning actually begins
at birth.
As I pondered
these two responses it became clear that the college admissions process is
stressful and emotionally charged. While
parents want to put it off for as long as possible, educators understand the
distinct advantage afforded to kids whose parents plan for college right from
the start. This is especially true of kids who eventually
decide to apply to Ivy League or other highly-selective colleges.
Think about what
it means to raise college-bound kids.
Although my father was the first person in his family to go to college
(and my mother did not go at all); he decided that both my brother and I were
going to be college educated. In fact,
the only choice I had in the matter was WHERE I wanted to go to college (NOT if
I would go). Raising college-bound kids
requires this mind-set to create a “college culture” in the home. This, along with the following tips, will
ensure that both you and your child are ready for college when the time comes:
1.
Start
a college fund when your child is born
With the cost
of tuition and housing for 4 years of college approaching $200K, it is
important to start saving early. You
need to set aside $6-8K per year (or $500-650 per month) for 18 years in order
to accumulate this amount.
Understandably, not every young family can afford this, but even $100
per month (with interest) will go a long way towards covering the cost of
college. Encourage your children to
deposit a portion of any cash gifts they receive into their college fund. Encourage family and friends to make a
deposit rather than giving gifts of toys or clothing that will be long-gone by
the time kids reach college. Encourage
your kids to help raise money for college by mowing lawns, selling lemonade,
etc. Instill the value of investing in
the future.
2.
Develop
reading and math readiness
Read
with your child for 30 minutes every day through 5th grade. When they are young you will read to them,
but encourage them to read to you as soon as they are able. Help your child develop number sense and math
readiness through counting, measuring, card games, board games and identifying
shapes. Starting in 3rd
grade, ask your child to add up the grocery bill or calculate tips when dining
out.
3.
Talk
about college and careers in your home
Share stories from your college years with
your kids and encourage family and friends to do the same. Talk
about your career and create opportunities for career exploration through job
shadows, career days, interest inventories, etc. Ask
your kids which subjects and activities they like best and ask them to think
about WHY they prefer them. Encourage your kids to ask people they admire
what they do and where they studied.
4.
Take
advantage of teachable moments
I am sure you
take your child to the zoo, art galleries, museums, planetariums, etc. When raising college-bound kids, maximize
these activities by researching careers before you go. Find out about jobs at the zoo and explore qualifications
for those careers. Take the time to
read the educational information at each exhibit. Learn each animal’s genus and species, natural
habitat, diet, etc. If something you see
sparks an interest in your child, encourage them to learn more. Did you child fall in love with the African
Lion? This is a great opportunity to
guide them through research about the continent and culture.
5.
Incorporate
college visits into your family vacations
Going
to Disney World? Great, stop by
Everglades University or Florida Technical College in Orlando. Plan a family road trip to Boston, or
Washington DC or Philadelphia that includes tours of our nation’s oldest universities. The goal here is just to expose your child
to different sizes and types of colleges.
Don’t worry you don’t have to set up an admissions interview for your 4th
grader!
6.
Intervene
immediately if your child is struggling in school
Seek
extra help at the first sign of academic challenges. If your child is just not getting division,
get him or her extra help right away. If
he or she reading below grade level or underperforming on state assessments;
find a tutor and deal with issues as they arise. Waiting to see if things will improve is a
mistake. Address issues as they arise to
prevent the need for more intense intervention in the future. Maximize summer vacations to improve skills
and enrich learning.
7.
Talk
to a college counselor the summer before 6th grade
Yes, you
really do need to talk to a college counselor the summer between 5th
and 6th grade to identify opportunities to increase rigor in middle
school in order to lay the foundation for advanced coursework in high school. Middle
school students are not expected to know what career path they want to pursue
or which colleges they want to go to.
The goal of middle school is just to make sure that students get to high
school with all of their options open.
Selective College Acceptance Counseling provides individual
academic and extra-curricular guidance to students seeking entrance
to highly-selective universities beginning in the 6th grade. We
understand the current college admissions landscape and provide keen insight,
clear direction, moral support and strategic planning to students in Rochester,
NY. We offer a Summer Workshop for
Students Entering Grades 6-8:
Maximizing Middle School for College
Prep
Identify
opportunities to enhance academic rigor and distinction in middle school. Identify your learning style and key study
skills to ensure your success in every course.
You’ll create an individual roadmap to graduation including academic and
activity planning, career exploration, and personal development. Two
dates to choose from: July 8-11, 2013 or July 22-25, 2013
Workshop
registration includes a FREE review of transcripts, test scores and activities
and TWO HOURS of 1:1 in-home coaching ($250 Value). Lunch, workbook, and
materials are also included.
All sessions
will be held at St. John Fisher College Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
SAVE $50 when you register
by 06/08/2013 at http://www.getaccepted.org/online-registration
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