When Should You Start the College Process?
It is common that the college process begins no sooner than January of a student’s junior year. This idea is based on the premise that premature conversations about the “C” word cause undue stress. However, in today’s competitive environment, waiting until the middle of junior year may actually have the opposite effect. There are many compelling reasons to start the college discussion earlier. The time between January of junior year and the beginning of senior year is just too short to comfortably prepare and sit for standardized tests, visit and research schools, develop an appropriate college list and still focus on schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Additionally, since so many students opt to take advantage of early decision, early action and rolling admission programs, the available time is often further crowded by the need to produce multiple applications early in senior year. By starting to think about college sooner, this intense timeframe is expanded and the demands become more manageable for all concerned. This is not to say that college should become the focal point of a student’s high school experience. But it can be helpful to take advantage of opportunities for informal discussion and direction as they arise. For example, when on a family vacation near a university or college town, you can visit the campus to get a general idea of what kinds of schools are out there. Perhaps attend a concert or an athletic event at or nearby a campus. Don’t worry about whether the school will end up on your child’s ultimate list. These visits reduce anxiety by demystifying the idea of college and providing exposure to different types of schools before the pressure to make decisions intrudes. Use the experience as a teachable moment; explore together, relax and have fun.
