The college admission process begins earlier and earlier and sometimes seems to go on forever. When those highly anticipated acceptance letters begin to arrive, the process enters a new phase. The ball is now in your student’s court to make a decision. What is your role as a parent at this stage? In this episode Vicki and Lynn unpack some of the emotions and practical steps you and your student can take as your student looks for the school with the best ”fit,” perhaps moves to their second choice of school, or copes with being on a Waitlist. As your student makes this final decision, everyone’s roles begin to shift.
The college admission process is stressful – and decision time, when the ball is back in your student’s courts – may, in some ways, be the most stressful time of all. Because there is so much to think about at this time, we decided to share this episode again. Remember, you’re not alone!
In this episode, Lynn and Vicki talk about the decision that students face once those college admission letters arrive. There’s a lot going on at this time for both students and their parents. It’s not always easy as a parent to watch your student wrestle with what for many students is a difficult decision.
As we discussed students who might not feel they are ready right now to make the transition to college, we mentioned our earlier episode about taking a Gap Year or doing a Post-grad year of high school. If you or your student think this might make sense, be sure to listen to episode #011 – Should You Student Take a Gap Year Before College?
Vicki mentioned a book in this episode about making the most of your experiences in college, however she named the author incorrectly. The book is It’s the Student Not the College by Kristin M. White. The book by the author she mentioned, Kat Clowes, is also a great one about using college experiences fully. That title is Put College to Work. A third book that looks at the college experience in this way is Making the Most of College by Richard Light. We recommend all three books for both parents and students.
If you’d like to follow up on some of the topics we discussed in this episode, here are some articles that may help.
The College Decision: Why Your High School Senior May Be Stuck
The College Decision: Taking Action – Making the Leap
It’s Time to Love Your Second Choice College
Should My Student Participate in an Overnight Admission Visit?
Has Your Student Found the College with the Best Fit?
Why Your Student Should Attend Accepted or Admitted Student Day
Admission Waitlist: Helping Your Student Cope with Limbo
Your Student is Going to College! What Do You Do Now?
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