Parents
As parents, for most of us, applying to college was a fairly simple and straightforward process. A decision to apply and attend was predicated mainly upon how close the school was from home, programs offered, cost, and whether it was a parent’s alma mater. Indeed, most applied to only one or two schools. The process was matter of fact and very far from the level of anxiety that seems to define the national obsession today.
College admission in the 21st century represents a new chapter in history and is foreign to many who are navigating this road with their child for the first time. You want your child to be successful in life, but most of all you want your child to be happy. So, how do you maintain a sense of happiness when newspaper headlines announce that competition is growing and that more qualified students are being rejected as applications soar? You see a great kid who has accomplished much and yet you fear dismissal and rejection by an institution which has not even had the chance to know your child or their potential. Added to the uncertainty of acceptance is the harsh reality of what it costs to fund a child’s education and the complexities of understanding the financial aid maze. And, don’t forget! How do you make sense of school rankings, GPA, a high school’s profile, extracurricular activities, community service, and everything else that seems needed in making your child more appealing for positive college acceptance?
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