College application tips

We are near the end of the college application process. Here are my best tips while they are fresh in my mind. Start thinking about this as soon as your child enters high school and start a 3 ring binder divided by schools/financial aid/scholarships etc.

Check the web site of the schools you child is interested in around July 1st to see if the essay questions for the application are updated and posted for the following year. Print them out and have your child look at them to start formulating ideas.

Have them keep a journal of favorites songs, books they have enjoyed and why, challenges they have overcome, interesting people they have met-you get the idea. When the time comes to write the essays, they have these notes to help them to remember.

If you child is a junior during the summer, have them work on these essays over the summer. Do not wait until school starts, especially if they play a fall sport or they are super busy with AP classes, etc.

Start collecting information on scholarships. Pay attention to the ones the schools offer, local scholarships that you might read about in the paper and through your high school guidance office. Look at the essays needed if applicable. Some of the entrace essays and scholarship essays can be shared, but not as many as you would think.

Keep detailed track of community service hours. Encourage your child to spend alot of hours on one or two projects rather than many with few hours involved.

You will most likely be shocked by your expected family contribution after you complete the FAFSA. Brace yourself.

I hope this helps. Has anyone ever known anyone to actually receive a scholarship through Fast-Web? I keep asking and the answer is still no.