AnB Education College Consulting 04/09

For high school seniors who are admitted to multiple colleges, deciding which one to attend often requires additional research and deliberation. But teens only have a few weeks to make up their minds – National College Decision Day is May 1 for many colleges and universities.
Here are 10 tips from U.S.News which parents can help their teenager think through the college decision.

1. Be supportive. Choosing a college is an exciting but also stressful process for many teens. Parents should try to be understanding during this time, instead of adding more stress by pressuring their child to choose a particular school – for instance, their alma mater – experts say.

2. Don't compare your child to others. This may be easier said than done, but parents shouldn't compare their teen's college acceptances, or rejections, with those of their friends' children. Doing so just adds more stress to the college decision process.

3. Compare financial offers.To inform students and parents of the net cost, or amount due after subtracting scholarships and grants, schools will send accepted students a financial aid award letter. This document details the loans, grants, scholarships and work-study options being offered by a college. Parents and teens can compare award letters from different schools to see where they can get the best deal.

4.Discuss affordability- in details. After reviewing financial aid award letters, families should discuss the money-related implications of attending each school. Parents should be honest and detailed when talking with their teenager about college costs. It is recommended that families make a spreadsheet to compare the cost of each college. The document can also include information about how much debt a student or family would have to take on for each option.

5. Evaluate academic opportunities. Teens have probably already spent some time looking into the academic offerings of each college they applied to, but experts say it doesn't hurt for families to do some additional research before making a final college choice. Parents can help their teens research and think through the breadth and depth of academic opportunities offered at a college, which includes the majors and minors offered, course selections, accessibility of faculty, undergraduate research opportunities and study abroad programs. And for teens who aren't sure what they want to study, families can look into how easy it is to change majors at a particular institution.

6.Research career outcomes. Families can do some research to help determine whether a school will be able to help teens reach their career goals. Internship opportunities are one factor to consider. Looking at job placement rates and starting salary data for recent graduates can also be helpful. And if a teenager hopes to eventually attend graduate school, families can look into grad school outcomes for a college's recent alumni, experts say. Career and graduate school outcomes data are often available on a school's website.

7.Talk about location. Some teens may want to attend a college that's close to home, while others want to go to school far away from the town they grew up in. Parents and students can talk about the pros and cons of the location of each college on their list, experts say.

8. Focus on the fit. Fit encompasses many factors, including academics, extracurriculars and campus culture, to name a few. Students should choose a college where they believe they can succeed, expert says. This type of fit matters more than a school's brand name or any other factor. Parents can encourage their teenager to approach the decision this way.

9. Visit the campus again. Many colleges hold events on campus in the spring for students who have been admitted to the incoming class. These events offer undecided teens another chance to experience a school and ask any remaining questions they have about academics, student life and other topics. Experts recommend that undecided teens attend admitted students days, if doing so is financially feasible for a family.

10. Don't pester your teenager. Asking teens about their college decision every other day can stress them out. However, since there is a deadline, parents can check in regularly to make sure their child is making progress toward a final decision. Families can pick one night a week to have a conversation about the college decision. Families can use this discussion time to weigh the pros and cons of each school.

Resource:
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/parents-10-ways-to-help-your-teen-with-the-college-decision?onepage

10 Tips to Help your Teens Make College Decision

American Collegiate Live (AC Live)

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