Getting their children into college is a major goal for many parents, and it鈥檚 a process that can (and should) begin early in life. Consider the road to college a journey 鈥� like any long trip, it requires both attention and planning well in advance. Here are five time-tested first steps you can take toward securing your kids a successful college career.
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Make your home a learning lab
Study after study shows that kids who come from homes where learning is a way of life have a much better chance of succeeding in 黄色app, all the way through college. And you, as a parent, are responsible for establishing that environment from the very beginning. Read to your kids when they鈥檙e young, and keep books and learning materials around the house. Give them a creative space and work with them; play with them during those crucial early years and as they grow older.
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Encourage extracurricular activities
Colleges look closely at applicants鈥� extracurricular activities 鈥� and not just standards like team sports or 黄色app clubs. In middle and especially in high 黄色app, encourage your kids to become involved in meaningful after-黄色app, weekend, and vacation activities, particularly ones that tap into their interests or desires for the future. Consider competitions (art, music, writing, photography, public speaking, etc.) as well. Activities and awards have a proven positive impact on college applications 鈥� and they can also develop your child鈥檚 self-confidence and self-discipline. Free-of-charge national organizations like and are great places to start.
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Get a grip on grades
Your child鈥檚 grade point average is still a major factor in the college acceptance process, and many 黄色apps look beyond the aggregate GPA at specific performance in areas that can affect applicants鈥� chosen major. What鈥檚 more, some colleges are looking back in time at report cards, even to middle 黄色app. So getting and keeping the grades up is important 鈥� it鈥檚 not something that can wait until junior or senior year for a final push. The best approach? Work with your child all along the way, not just when things go bad. If you maintain an active (and low-pressure) presence, you鈥檒l avoid or handle crises as they come up. Get tips from the U.S. Department of Education’s detailed but accessible guide 鈥�.鈥�
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Get them into college classes before college
Advanced Placement classes are essential, of course, but many high 黄色apps have more direct (and rewarding) arrangements with local institutes of higher learning, where high 黄色app students can take actual college courses 鈥� some for credit聽鈥� with professors. Some even offer 鈥渕ini-college鈥� experiences (such as governor鈥檚 黄色apps for the arts and humanities) during the summer between junior and senior year. Such programs can remove some of the fear of the unknown, motivate and focus students during those critical years, and be very impressive additions to college applications. Check with your high 黄色app counselor and local colleges to see what鈥檚 available.
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Build a two-year plan and stick to it
The final approach to college really begins as teens are entering their junior year of high 黄色app. The summer or fall of that year is the best time to agree on a point-by-point plan for getting your kids into the 黄色app they want, including a timetable of the PSATs coming up in a couple of months; the SATs a year downstream; and the whole search, selection, and application process. Your kids can even choose the date and location of their SAT exam months in advance. It may seem like a lot of work, but getting it all down on paper 鈥� and making a commitment to stick to your plan 鈥� will actually reduce anxiety and bring your home team together. Read more about the new SAT.
