Submitted by Robin on Sep 05, 2014
Going through the college search process with any of your children or even for yourself is enough to make you go crazy! But don’t worry; I’ve acquired some great tips to keep the process seamless and enjoyable.
- Purchase the newest edition of The College Handbook by The College Board. This powerful paperback will give you ideas of every accredited college in the United States.
- Utilize the college counselor at your kid’s high school or hire an outside college counselor to guide you through all the steps of how to apply to college. Parents…this IS a good idea in order to maintain a civil relationship with your child during this very stressful time.
- Get to know the schools you or your child may be living at or living near for the next four years. Visit colleges you may be interested in, take the campus tours, join in on the informational sessions, sit in on a classroom discussion, and attend a sporting event.
- Book hotels that will be fun, fashionable and close to the college you’ll be visiting so you’ll be able to get a feel for the area.
- Make sure to create a day-by-day itinerary keeping in mind the timing of the tours and the amount of time it takes to travel to each college. The application Waze is a great way to do this on your phone. Time management is key in these instances especially if you are touring more than one college in one given day.
- If possible, schedule an interview with a member of the Admissions staff on the day of your college tour. Remember to send a handwritten thank you note to the person who interviewed you.
- Make dinner reservations at some hip and trendy restaurants in the town or city of the college you’re visiting. This makes the somewhat stressful experience fun for everyone!
- Remember to breathe. Enjoy these special times with your kids (even though they are super stressed!). The empty nest is right around the corner. Wah!
I can help you create a fun-filled itinerary by choosing restaurants and hotels that are cool and hip near any given college. Plus, I know a great College Concierge with more detailed information about colleges across the country. Just Ask!
Happy searching!
