5 Ways Junior Parents Can Help With College Planning

5 Ways Junior Parents Can Help With College Planning It’s tough. Your kidâ€"the one who still looks a lot like that middle schooler they were three years agoâ€"is going to be applying to college soon. If you’re wondering how in the world the two of you will make it to move-in day, you’re not alone! The transition to college can be rocky and stressful for everyone, and it’s often during their child’s junior year of high school that parents start to feel overwhelmed. Maybe you can’t help feeling stressed whenever you think about your kid going to college, but what youcan do is start preparing. Following is a checklist of five of the most important parts of the process right now. We hope it helps you orient yourself whenever you’re struggling over all the details. Narrow Down the List Junior year is the time for your child to start thinking seriously about where they want to go. If your kid is like most, this will likely both excite them and send them into a slump of anxiety and fear. The excitement is great, but as for that anxiety and fear Some of those bad feelings may come from not knowing what to expect.For many juniors, college is still a completely foreign idea. They might not be sure where to look or even what they’re looking for. With thousands of colleges out there, it’s no wonder why. Have you spoken to your child about any financial, geographical, or logistical restrictions that your family has? If not, now is definitely the time. Be honest and realistic with your child about what their options are. High schoolers are smart (just think of you when you were their age!), and trying to cover up truths with “maybes” won’t help themâ€"it probably won’t even work. Fine-tuning the list can be a stressful part of the process, but it’s a rewarding one. If you or your child aren’t sure where to start, we have some suggestions onhow to narrow the college search. Youll all be better off once you know what your options are. Register for Standardized Tests Standardized tests are Class A Bummers. Nobody really likes them, but they still play an important role in many college applications. The two most common standardized tests are the SAT and the ACT. Your child’s high school counselor is a good resource if you and your child aren’t sure which test they should take. Your child can register forthe ACT or the SAT online.And once it’s time for your child to take the test, we’ve got some tips onhow they can triumph. Schedule School Visits Now comes the fun part! Visiting a college is a great way to become familiar with both that school and the basic idea of college. But college visits won’t happen unless you make them happen. Luckily, the scheduling part is fairly easy; your child can sign up for most visits online or by calling the college’s admissions office. Starting college visits now will give you more time to see all the places your child is interested in. It will also give you a chance to ask any questions you have about the application process. Start Thinking About Cost Thinking about how expensive college is isnt fun, but it’s vital if you want your child to make it through school successfully.Lets cut straight to the chase: Whos going to pay for your child’s college expenses? How? When? Most students use some kind of financial aid to make college costs more manageable. Think about your family’s situation and consider your options. If you’re not sure what those options are, check out ourguide to paying for college. Organize Application Dates Deadlines This step will be easier if your childs college list is mostly worked out, but if you’re running short on time, let’s tackle it right now!Putting the biggest deadlines for each college on a single cheat sheet or small calendar is a good way of keeping track of what’s ahead without becoming too overwhelmed. For now, important dates include: Early application filing period for each schoolRegular application filing period for each schoolYour child’s standardized test datesYour childs scheduled school visit datesFinancial aid deadlines And if Illinois is on your list (what a great school!), we’ve put together a calendar with some of these important dates. Feel free to print it out and personalize it for your family! Like we said, the transition to college is not easy, but keeping an eye on what’s ahead and being honest with your child will hopefully make it a little less “not easy,” if that makes sense. And if you ever get overwhelmed, remind yourself that everything will work out in the end. college college prep resources parents planning Illinois Admissions We're here for you as you prepare for college. Whether you're looking for guidance on the college search process or have questions about Illinois, we hope our blogs will help!