What Students Wish Parents Knew About College Admissions…And How You Can Support Them!

What Students Wish Parents Knew About College Admissions

BIG Ideas:

  • The admissions process has changed dramatically over the years, as schools now consider other factors beyond grades and test scores.
  • Your child may be stressed about making the right school choice, meeting deadlines and responsibilities, and managing current academic and extracurricular activities.
  • Talking with your child about their feelings and setting expectations about how your family will afford school can help alleviate stress.

Buckle up! Things are about to get really exciting! Your child is embarking on their college journey. As a parent, you may be experiencing all kinds of new and unfamiliar emotions like joy, pride, and even sadness at the thought of them growing up.

Your child is feeling a lot, too.

They may be scared and overwhelmed by all there is to know and do. Recognizing their feelings and understanding the admissions process can go a long way in helping you guide and support your child to make the right choices.

Here are some important things for you to know that can help you both:

  • Admissions requirements have changed a lot. It used to be that colleges focused primarily on grades and SAT or ACT scores. Now, they take a more holistic view of students, considering extracurricular activities and essays. You can help your child by researching and attending information sessions to build your knowledge of the new process.
  • Your child may not be looking for the best school. Thanks to social media, there’s a lot of pressure on students to get accepted at top-ranked schools. But as part of their school selection, your child should consider more important factors like campus life, programs offered, and finances.

    Have open discussions with your student about their goals, priorities, and the field of study that interests them. It’s never a bad idea for them to choose a school that aligns with their career interest. Remember, the goal is to help them choose the best school for them.

  • Your student is super stressed. Managing the deadlines, testing, and admission requirements plus their workload and extracurricular in high school may create a perfect storm of stress for your child. Acknowledge and validate your student’s anxiety, go easy on them, and offer reassurance that everything will be okay.
  • They know college costs a lot – and they’re worried, too. The soaring price of college may make your student feel guilty about the financial burden it may place on your family.

    To acknowledge those feelings and set expectations about how you’ll afford it, schedule a time to have “The Talk,” (the student loan money talk).

    Also, discuss the importance of looking for scholarships and grants and completing the FAFSA early to maximize potential financial aid.

  • They want to do this themselves, BUT they still need you. College is a major step toward independence and adulthood, so your student may want to take full control of the admissions process. That doesn’t mean they don’t still need you.

    You can help by encouraging your student to talk with counselors and admissions officers or schedule campus visits so they feel empowered throughout the process.

    You can also be a valuable resource for them by proofreading essays, keeping track of deadlines, and offering encouragement and praise.

  • Rejections hurt. Getting rejected isn’t the end of the world, but it can feel personal and overwhelming to students. Remind your child that they have plenty of options available and celebrate the acceptances they get and other milestones they achieve along the way.

Though your child is entering adulthood, they need your love, wisdom, and support. Use this process as a time to learn more about them, support their choices, and grow closer. And make sure to give them a break from the college talk every once in a while and remind them (and yourself) that YOU’VE GOT THIS!

Brazos is Here to Help Make Your Journey Easier

For more than 40 years, Brazos Higher Education has been helping make education more affordable for students. As a Texas non-profit, we offer great rates and no fees on private student loans to help fill the gap where federal loans leave off. Contact us to learn more.