Remember the feeling you had when you dropped your child off for the first day of school? I was surprised when that feeling came back years later as I helped my son and daughter navigate the college application process. Even though they were a lot older, the experience was just as momentous. Going to college is one of the most significant transitions in a young person’s life. The ultimate decision about which college is the best fit belongs to him or her, but your support as parents is critical during this complex journey.

It is important to familiarize yourself with the steps your child must take to complete the application process successfully. Serious preparation for college begins in 9th grade as students move into high school. Things really heat up in their junior and senior years. Speaking as a parent of two children who are currently in college, and as a professional in the college-readiness field, I’d like to share a few valuable tips and strategies that got me through this daunting and intense time.

THE RIGHT FIT – Be involved!

Get your child thinking. The more research your child does during junior year, the more informed a decision he or she will be able to make. Ask your child questions about possible majors and career interests. What colleges would be best for those? What about college size and location?

Read college handbooks. Many print resources are available to assist with the college search, including the College Access & Opportunity Guide. 

Do Internet research. Websites offer many options to assist students in narrowing down their college choices. You can sort and arrange by campus type, majors, size, and setting. The CSO College Center at www.csocollegecenter.org will get you started.

Visit campuses. April vacation of the junior year is a great time to tour campuses with your child. College visits allow young people to feel the energy of a school and determine if it is a good match. It’s an opportunity to explore, evaluate, and get firsthand information.

Check academic entrance requirements. Be sure your child is on track to meet all college/university requirements before applying: college entrance exams, GPA, required high school course load, and so on.

THE TOOLS - Be organized!

Get a school year planner. Have your child record all deadlines (application and financial aid) in a planner. It’s a great visual tool!

Use an accordion file folder. Assign one pocket for each application.

Stock up on stamps and envelopes. Your child must supply a self-addressed stamped envelope with every request for a recommendation from teachers and guidance counselors.

THE DEADLINES - Be ahead of the curve!

Request applications early in the senior year. Most colleges and universities have an online application system. Your child can also receive applications by postal mail.

Be considerate of busy educators. Give teachers and guidance counselors enough time to provide recommendations and transcripts. Encourage your child to request appointments with school staff as soon as possible in senior year to get the ball rolling.

Help your child prepare a résumé. Colleges want to know about your child’s extracurricular activities because it helps them see what kind of person he or she is. Make a list together of everything noteworthy: work experience, honors and achievements, major responsibilities (even babysitting), and hobbies.

Set a schedule for essay writing. Many students find the personal essay section of the application a difficult task and are tempted to procrastinate. Don’t let your child wait to get started till the day before the application is due. And remind him or her to proofread! An English teacher is often happy to help.

Organize your income taxes in December. The federal financial aid form, or FAFSA, can be completed after January 1. Have your taxes prepared early, so your child won’t have to file an updated FAFSA later on.

THE EMOTIONS - Be calm!

Be prepared for tears. Your child may not always appreciate it when you pester him or her about deadlines. It’s natural reaction. Just keep the communication open.

Stand back but stand by. Remember that many decisions in this journey belong to your child. Learn how to let go. Know your role, and be a safety net. All the hard work will be worth it when those college acceptances arrive in the mail!