The first step

Flutemom · 04-13-2008, 07:57 AM

Somehow the fact that my daughter is going to be going to college and this whole college search became more real to me and to her yesterday. She took the ACT yesterday and it made the college search feel so much more official.

She came home talking about it at warp speed. She feels confident about how she did, so that is great! She is already itching to see what how she scored lol. I have a feeling the next few weeks are going to feel really long waiting for those scores. I can only imagine next year at this time waiting for acceptances and rejections.

I think she and I are now is feeling the need more profoundly to find those couple of safety schools that she would love to attend to add to her list. It will make the waiting so much easier.

I can see myself spending a lot more time here now.

historymom · 04-13-2008, 09:53 AM

flutemom...funny how that works

I think all of us 09 parents will be here a lot more in the coming months.

marite · 04-13-2008, 10:43 AM

Flutemom.

It's a great feeling that your D is psyched. Let her consider whether she should take some SAT subject tests, as some of the more selective colleges require them on top of the ACT. Ask her to make a list of her activities; this will be useful when she writes her resume. Brainstorm various anecdotes about her school experience and ECs that can be shared with recommendation writers and/or form the basis of her application essays. Ask her also to identify some favorite teachers. Toward the end of the year, she should ask them if they're willing to write a recommendation. Junior year teachers have longer to get to know their students and to write fuller recommendations, especially if they do not feel burdened by too many requests.
And finally, ask her to begin to consider what type of schools she is most interested in attending (location, climate, size, social scene, etc...). All this can be done in a low-key manner; but it's good to be able to take advantage of her enthusiasm.

fireflyscout · 04-13-2008, 12:01 PM

Hi Flutemom! Yep, you'll be spending more time here (refer to various CC addiction threads). My son took the ACT yesterday too - he feels pretty good. We've got a list of schools to visit, and a good list of foundation (safety) schools. Try to get your daughter organizing information for her applications this summer (resume, honors, essays), because there never seems to be much available time during the senior year. Especially if I'm guessing correctly by your name and your daughter is in marching band.

Flutemom · 04-13-2008, 04:49 PM

Thanks for the reminders and tips. One of her teacher's has already told her that he will write her a recommendation. She thinks she has another teacher in mind and will decide for sure by the end of the year. She thought about the subject tests but none of the schools that she is looking at require them but she is keeping that option open. I am definitely going to take advantatage of her enthusiasm to get her to choose a couple of safety schools. She definitlely needs to work on organizing information as mentioned. I have printed out these posts to help her remember all of those "little things". Yes, she is in marching band and I am a band mom

Starting in July she will have her hands full with band camp, competitions and parades and putting CD's together for application supplements.

Thanks again for all of the tips and reminders...I am sure they will prove invaluable.

bethievt · 04-13-2008, 05:06 PM

What I did-- to help my son get a start-- was to browse through the Fiske Guide and put a sticky note on every college that "sounded like him". It didn't take that long in our case because so many didn't "sound like him". Then he looked through and decided where to visit. Everytime we heard of a school that sounded interesting, he'd go back to the guide books and check it out, but he never really added to the initial list because there was always something (preppy, sportsy, Greeky or whatever) that didn't fit as well. Then we visited schools and he went from there. I hope you have as much fun with this process as we had--make safety (for admissions and FA if you need it) be a focus of your search. You can add on the rest later.

Flutemom · 04-14-2008, 06:12 PM

Thanks bethievt,

We do have The Insiders Guide to Colleges. I never thought to use it that way with the sticky notes...thanks for the great idea. I will pick some up this week.

astrophysicsmom · 04-14-2008, 06:36 PM

And, based on several other current threads on the topic(s), figure out your financial situation....how much are you willing/able to contribute realistically...then use one of the finaid calculators to get a general idea of what schools will consider your estimated family contribution (the dreaded EFC)...which will probably come up with a much higher number than you consider realistic. If money IS an issue, make sure your D knows that up front....

bethievt · 04-14-2008, 06:50 PM

The Insiders Guide is just as good. Just remember to have plenty of safety when you visit. Follow the threads here about safety, no matter how fantastic your student is. You want choices!

jmldouglas · 04-14-2008, 06:54 PM

I wish I had Found CC when we were doing our research. I came here late in the game, but i'm glad I found this addictive forum. D is now making her college selection after 2 years of hard work. We were well prepared for the journey. I wish I knew then, what i know now. It is important for your D to be involved in EC and do some volunteering.
Start working on those finaid.org calculators so you will know where you are in the EFC game. Be clear about how much you can pay towards tuition,room and board,etc. Many dream schools become disasters if you cannot pay what they expect. Apply to reach, safety, state and private schools. A broad range. Visit as many colleges as is within reason. Start looking for outside scholarships. The reality of college costs sets in and it is surreal. Merit awards are tangible at schools that may be her safety. Take advantage of your D's guidance counselor. They are more willing to help you if they know the parent is involved. Take advantage of any fee waivers(application) that come your way. If a school hawks your daughter with a "free application and no new essay" by all means do it. It takes a lot of effort and planning, but it is worth it in the end. Best of Luck. You willl be in my shoes next year. Bittersweet.

bethievt · 04-14-2008, 07:16 PM

If you and she are ok with a bit of geographic distance, she will get some admissions advantage for being from another area.

mathmom · 04-14-2008, 08:06 PM

Bethievt, I hope you're still around in two years, because I have the feeling that your son is very much like my younger son. Nothing we looked at for Mathson will be right for him. The only thing is I'm not sure he'll be as geographically adventurous as yours was.

Flutemom · 04-14-2008, 08:51 PM

Thanks to everyone for the great advice. Finances will be a big concern for us as I am a single mom. I will definitly check out a financial aid calculator some time this week. My daughter knows that money may end up being the deciding factor when it comes down to choosing so her eyes are wide open there and she knows the need for having safeties that she would love to attend. We are both fine with geographic distance in fact she would like to get farther away and experience something different.

ohio_mom · 04-14-2008, 09:05 PM

Hi, Flutemom

if there is a non-custodial Dad in the picture, be aware that most if not all of the schools that use the CSS Profile look at custodial and non-custodial income and assets when determining. If this is likely to be an issue, discuss with the finaid office in question to find out what the deal is (or at least what they are willing to tell you) on their needs-based aid. There is occaisional bending of rules, and many PROFILE schools offer merit aid, but its just something to be aware of.

Fortunately, most schools don't use CSS Profile, only FAFSA and their own application (which may or may not consider non-custodial income/assets). FAFSA looks at the custodial parent's income.

Flutemom · 04-14-2008, 09:59 PM

Hi ohio_mom,

There is really no non-custodial dad in the picture. I do get child support but it has been garnished from day one. I have never known where he is. He has never seen my daughter or tried to see her. Child Support Services will not tell me where he is and do not want to get involved in passing letters/forms etc. I do have a letter from them in which they told me that it was due to data privacy that they cannot tell me where he is. So I can only hope that the letter may help with a couple of financial aid offices when we get to that point.

So at least at this point I am hoping that her class rank,grades and test scores will be a plus with merit aid at some schools. I work full time but with an income under 25,000/yr almost anything will be a financial reach without merit aid.