As the parent of a college-aged child, you have probably heard about, if not already experienced, the stress of today’s “high-stakes” college search environment. And you might be (quite understandably) concerned about how to best help your son or daughter navigate the process successfully. Requirements, expectations, and interactions have changed a great deal since you were a student, and the combination of understanding how important the college admission process is, while not quite knowing how to help your child achieve their goals, can make watching your child apply for school stressful!
If you are feeling nervous about how to support your child as he or she begins the college search, you may want to consider working with an independent educational consultant (IEC). Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I have the time to devote to helping my child search for a school?
- Do I have experience with current college admission processes?
- Can I handle the additional pressure of a college search?
- Do I agree with my son or daughter’s college choices?
- Have I visited the schools in which my child is interested?
- Am I sure that this school is the right fit, and that my child will finish in four years?
- Do my child’s college choices fit within our family’s budget?
If you answer “No” to two or more of these questions, then working with an IEC may benefit your child.
Searching for the right college takes time and care. Family obligations, work requirements, and caring for older relatives can sometimes make it impossible to supply your child with the kind of support they need. An IEC can streamline the search process, allowing you and your child to focus your energy and save time.
Navigating the admission process at every school can be truly headache inducing, but an IEC can answer questions and help your child avoid common mistakes.
Whether you are ready to admit it or not, your child is an individual. He or she may not agree with the list of schools you like, and you may not agree with their favorites. Rather than arguing, an IEC can examine both your child’s criteria and your own, and make suggestions that will help you both to move forward.
Your IEC will most likely be familiar with the campus and the culture at each school. They can provide you and your child with an “insider” perspective, allowing you to make an educated choice, even if you are unable to visit a school personally. If money is a concern, they can also guide you toward institutions that will not only be a fit for your child—but also a fit within your budget.
Applying to college should not feel like an insurmountable obstacle. An independent educational consultant can supply third-party support for helping your child move into the future successfully.
