What is the best way to get my H.S. Junior ready for college?

AUDREY - posted on 01/13/2011

My daughter is a Junior also so this is what I've done thus far. First, make an appointment with the guidance teacher and discuss grades, classes needed, etc.... Request Full transcript for your records. Next review PSAT score and determine what she needs to brush up on before she takes SAT. There are books, seminars and tutors which can assist in preparing her for the test. Register with College board.com to register for SAT test. It is recommended they take SAT twice ( junior&senior year). Begin to research colleges that offer her major (collegeboard, Pearsons student edge & College prowler are my favorites), cost and admission acceptance percentage, etc... (begin to keep file for information). Call campus and see dates available to visit. Begin researching financial aid, scholarships and grants. Print out next eight months with important deadlines, items that need attention , etc... Begin first draft of resume. During summer have your daughter begin writing essay.Hope this helps, this is as far as I've gotten. Also, it was conveyed to me that we should consider taking ACT test ( this I need to research...). Good luck!!

Nicole - posted on 01/12/2011

I have had my kids working with College Admissions Consultants since they were in 8th grade. The company we use is in CT but they do distance consulting over the phone, through Facebook etc. You can visit there website and get an idea of what they do...www.perkinsmurphy.com. In 8th grade they made sure that the HS schedule that was set up put the kids in the best position to complete all their requirements and they pushed them to stretch themselves in honors classes etc. On the way to my daughter's 2nd appointment with them she said "I'm so excited! I just feel smarter when I meet with Tim & Betsy". That was nice. Plus, whatever they say seems to carry more weight than what I say because our kids never value our opinions as much as others (at least not at this age). They have a complete package where they work with their clietns through all the college apps, financial aid apps, scholarship apps etc. They even challenge colleges on their financial aid grants to work to get better packages for their clients. They came highly recommended by many of my friends who saved THOUSANDS of dollars on college by the financial aid and scholarships they helped secure. And ALL of their clients have gotten into one of their top 3 schools since they started this years ago. I could go on and on. I have come to know them very well and think they are worth every penny they charge. They even have a College Bootcamp the summer before they go away to college to go over all the topics parents really don't want to go over with kids and kids really don't want to discuss with their parents. Good luck!!!

Teresa - posted on 01/12/2011

Your daughter has a unique major in mind. If she doesn't already have a background in this area, I would work hard to get her experience this summer in a school camp program or something similar. Looking specifically for an unusual major is going to drive a lot of her college decision process - you don't want her to miss out on a great school she would love and that would love (and pay scholarships) to have her for a major she realizes 2 semesters in that isn't suited to her after all. This isn't an issue for someone with more common interests but will be for her. Also, help her understand the impact of every single grade on her gpa, and get her initial ACT or SAT tests lined up. That will give you an idea of your target markets for schools as well as for scholarships. All the previous suggestions are great, as well. Good luck!

Sharon - posted on 01/11/2011

She can ask the school counselor about scholarship information or you can try on line. You would not believe what kind of scholarships are offered out there. My daughter who is also a junior is applying for a scholaship here in Chicago. It is offered to girls who are over 5'11 and boys who are over 6'. I have seen scholarships offered to kids whose parents are nudists. So just do some investiagtion and I am sure you will find something to fit your daughter! I wish her the best!

Kimberly - posted on 01/11/2011

go to her councilor at school and find out what colleges she is looking at and talk to the financial aid advisors. There is a lot of help out there for her.

Elissa - posted on 01/11/2011

A lot of what the others have said is good advice. I myself have gone back to college, so this is a part of my daily life. :) (I'm currently classified as a Junior; I'm majoring in Interior Design with a minor in Art History at the Savannah College of Art and Design.)

If your daughter is particularly interested in attending an art and design college like mine, another way to help prepare is to have her begin putting together a portfolio of her work. Portfolios are a great addition for scholarship material, particularly for scholarships with an art focus. If she has a good relationship with her school's counselor, or a teacher, or a community leader, approach them now for writing future letters of recommendation. Giving them a "heads up" helps them prepare in plenty of time.

Also remember that scholarships aren't only given out on the basis of a GPA -- community service and leadership scholarships are out there, as well. If she's not involved in a school organization or community organization, now is the time to do so. (But make sure it's one she's genuinely interested in!)

Also, don't underestimate your community colleges. They're local and they're cheaper, often with smaller class sizes. Consider asking her to take her freshman level courses there; she'll get more individual attention when she needs it, it'll help her understand what is expected of her at college without feeling overwhelmed, and the credits she'll earn should be able to transfer to the undergraduate university or college she wants to go to. (Vet the community college first, though, to make sure! It needs to be accredited.) In addition, if her GPA at community college reaches a 3.5 or above, she'll be invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year honors society, and that can carry a lot of weight with 4-year colleges. Phi Theta Kappa is also a wonderful organization with motivated people; she'd make good friends there.

Also, and I can't underscore this enough: Show her how to shop. She'll be able to keep a budget better if she knows how to get the best deals, and how not to succumb to impulse purchases. For example: for basic supplies, like notebook paper, pens, ramen, juice, paper towels and cleaning supplies, dollar stores are best. Buy used textbooks whenever possible; hundreds of dollars can be saved (whether buying online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Alibris, etc, or buying through local bookstores and thrift stores). Graphic design will require art supplies, and often you can buy them cheaper online than in the stores. Sign up for various art supply store newsletters; you tend to get coupon deals that way.

Ramona - posted on 01/06/2011

I had my dd pick out a bunch of colleges to visit, we have been since the end of Sophmore year. She is a Jr also. She is going to apply this summer to her top schools, so if it won't work out, she still has time to go to her B list. Have his school counselor give you info and attend college fairs.

Ruth - posted on 01/05/2011

In school scholarships are helpful, too. My daughter is getting 7k a year academic and 1k athletic. Those go fast, though, like February of senior year at HS. Start visiting colleges this spring. The earlier she makes connections the better. My daughter had her heart set on 1 school but we set a goal of visiting 4. She chose a different one when she actually toured....plus it was FUN! I LOVED visiting colleges with my kids. It made me miss them less because I can imagine them in that dining hall, library, dorm, etc.It is such an exciting time. ENJOY!!

Beth - posted on 01/05/2011

Forget the pre-SAT's, they have been shown not to help with the actual tests. Teach her some real life skills that she will never get unless you spend the time with her and teach her. My daughter is a sophomore at NC State, and let me tell you some of the things that she is glad I taught her, and some I wish I had.
Teach her to balance a checkbook and stay on a budget. This is the number one thing that college kids have no clue about. Money slips through their fingers, with pizza, beer (oh yeah) soft drinks between every class instead of a water bottle, gas for running around...money isn't understood until there is none left, then they call home or grandparents. Do NOT give her a credit card, you will regret this! Spending money should be given to her in allowance form, and she needs to learn how to live on a budget NOW, so she will be able to do it later.
Teach her that she does not have to wear what everyone else does, some people are going to always have more money and cooler clothes. She is there to get an education, not put on a fashion show. She'll be just as cool in her regular clothes as some are in designer labels, personality matters much more than who is stitched on your tags!
Drinking and drugs, talk to her seriously about it. Don't be naive and think she hasn't tried it, but don't ask for a confession. Talk to her about date rape, alcohol poisoning, drinking and driving, which drugs do what, and what different drugs look like!!! I'm very glad I did this, my daughter recognized some drugs I had told her about and looked up and kept her friends from trying them....they were NOT safe nor would they have gotten high...they would have been dead.
Teach your child how to manage her time. Study time comes before play time, and attending class is a must if she wants the grades! It is very easy for freshmen to skip classes, since no roll call is taken, and then their grades drop. Talk to her now about how it's going to feel and be getting up to go to class without Mom or Dad there to make her go, and no one watching to make sure she attends class. Remind her that she is going to college for HER benefit, no one else's. If she is not ready to leave and take on the responsibility, staying home a year or two and attending a community college is always an option and it gives kids time to mature a little longer.

Regarding scholarships, look locally for those available for honor roll students, then look online for companies who specialize in Animation that might offer scholarships. I must add that there is stiff competition for scholarships, and a 3.4 may not be high enough for her to compete against other students. Unless you belong to a minority, most of the scholarships go to kids with 4.0 GPA's who also have tons of community service in their respective fields and areas. That is our experience, and my daughter was in Graphic Design, then switched to Public Relations/political marketing.

Good luck! I wish you both all the best!

Gale - posted on 01/05/2011

Thanks Jennie and Traci! I really appreciate all the good information! This really helps with my H.S. Junior as well as my two college kids!

Traci - posted on 01/04/2011

Advisor at the college she will be attending. When we made an appointment with Admissions, they automatically submitted our daughter's name into all available scholarships. Check at your work and spouse's work to see if they have funds available based on your employment. Based on ACT scores and your child's placement among her class, she maybe eligible for a Presidential Scholarship. Freshmen year was the hardest for us, but the last three we spent a lot of time getting help from her department advisor.

Jennie - posted on 01/03/2011

Check out fastweb.com they are a good resource for scholarships. Also the FASFA. It's free and easy to fill out online. She can get some state and federal sponsored scholarships from there. Just love her, support her and teach her good values and morals. College is just high school with bigger kids. Teach her well and she will excel. It's a learning experience like any other. Don't stress. It should be fun!

Gale - posted on 01/02/2011

Thanks Angie! I appreciate your recommendations! You are so right. The time goes so fast and there isn't alot of info out there to help parents prepare their children for college. I have a son in his second year of college and a daughter in her first year of college but I did not feel we were prepared enough. They are doing great and loving the college experience. However I want to be ahead this time around and all you have posted will really help. Thanks again,



Gale

Angie - posted on 01/02/2011

Have her take the SAT or ACT this spring and bring up her GPA. An ACT score of 30 and/or a GPA of at least 3.75 are what will make her most marketable to both schools and scholarships. Go to FastWeb.com, set up an account and then be surprised at the number of scholarships she qualifies for. This summer have her write a generic essay that can be tweaked to fit the essay questions on scholarship applications and college applications. Find an English teacher who would be willing to proof and help her improve her essay as soon as school starts. Some scholarship applications are due by late September so she needs to be ready. BUT, the best thing she can do for herself is go to the school counselor and get some tips from him/her. Good luck. That senior year just flies by - my son will finish he last semester of high school and second semester of college in May. I can't believe how quickly time has gone.....