So…You’re Thinking About College?
If you have a high school junior or senior in your home, the conversations about college can be constant. From visits to applications to essays to financial aid to transitioning friendships and support systems, it can feel overwhelming and endless. The stress and worry can be that much higher for families of students who learn differently. At BES, we work with a lot of families going through this transition and can help get your student on the right track to becoming a thriving, independent young adult.
Here are some frequently asked questions and concerns that we see throughout our work with families navigating this journey.
What is the Goal of the College Search?
The ultimate goal is for the student to thrive and succeed in college to become a capable, resilient, and independent young adult. It can be easy to get distracted from this goal by flashy campuses, elite sports teams, and the marketing machine of higher education. In the end, prestige does not matter; there are so many wonderful colleges that can help set students on a pathway to success. We recommend the book Colleges that Change Lives as a great place to learn why the right fit is so important in shaping your child’s future. We share their philosophy in our work.
Am I Ready for College?
When we think about college readiness, especially for students who learn differently, we often over-focus on academics. We often forget to consider the social-emotional and independent living aspects of this transition. We like to think of social-emotional skills, independent living skills, and academic skills as three legs on a stool. You need all three of these for stability; if one of them isn’t in place, the whole system collapses.
If you have a student in middle school or high school, now is the time to start building these essential life skills while they are living at home. Ask yourself, is my child capable of setting their alarm and getting themselves up on their own or do they need assistance? Is my child responsible for household chores and doing their laundry? Can they create a budget and manage their finances? Do they know what medications they are taking, what these medications do, and can they refill and take them without parent assistance? Are they able to cook basic meals without assistance?
How do I begin my research?
There are many ways to begin the college research process. We recommend that students and parents sit together as a family and define their priorities. Discuss big-picture ideas like class size, tuition, distance from home, and level of academic support. This way, as you visit schools and talk to representatives, students and parents are operating from a similar set of priorities.
Once you have your priorities established, it is time to begin information gathering. Your child’s high school may offer seminars and open house nights that allow your student to talk with admissions counselors from different colleges and universities. Most college search processes involve looking through different college websites and search engines to narrow the search list. I also recommend that parents and students look through social media to see what students who attend that school are saying (both positive and negative).
When and Who Should I Ask for Teacher Recommendations?
Teachers do not get extra pay or time to write college recommendation letters. As a former teacher and current school leader, I can tell you from first-hand experience that there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Often, high school teachers write recommendation letters on their own time or planning days.
Do not wait until the last minute to ask teachers for recommendation letters. In fact, you should plan to ask two teachers before Spring Break. The earlier you start, the more likely that your teacher will be able to write your letter for you. Some teachers have gone to a system of having students write their own letters of recommendation that the teacher reviews and signs. This shifts the impetus from the teacher to the student and can be a powerful opportunity for reflection.
When Should I Visit Colleges?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to college visits, however, students generally start visiting schools in their junior year of high school. We recommend visiting colleges not only on their “open house days” when you can see the campus at its best, but also during a typical school week to see how things normally operate. Have your child sit in on a class that sounds interesting to them to see if academically it is going to be a good fit and a supportive environment. College visits are really important for finding the right fit. Visiting allows the student to show interest in that school, which for many colleges, is an important factor in Admissions decisions.
How do I gauge whether or not a school will provide the accommodations and services that my child needs?
The most important part of your college visit is the trip to the Office of Accessibility Services.
Visiting Accessibility Services and talking to the learning specialists and students there will give you a good sense of whether or not this school is going to be a supportive learning environment for your child. Accessibility Services does not share any of your information, including that you visited, with Admissions. In fact, colleges are not allowed to deny admission to a student due to any disabilities. Once a student has decided to attend the school, but before putting down a deposit, you will need to set up a meeting with Accessibility Services to confirm that the specific accommodations and services needed by your child are available at the school. Without this proactive step, many students wait until they are struggling to seek out the support they need. Colleges provide a wide range of support services, and not all colleges offer the same level of support. You want to make sure that your child is attending a college where they can grow, learn, and thrive.
What do College Consultants do?
At BES, our consultants guide your family through the entire college planning cycle, including research, applications and essays, financial aid, and final decisions. It can be overwhelming to do this on your own. Rather than spending hours sifting through different websites and databases, we do a lot of this work for you. We have many years of experience a helping students through the process. We are passionate not just about helping your student find the college of their choice, but finding a place where they will thrive, succeed, and graduate, becoming an independent young adult ready to enter the workforce.
Remember, picking the wrong college can be a costly decision. Investing in a college counselor can help you make the right decisions to set your child on a pathway toward long-term success.