As parents, you naturally want your children to succeed, especially as they prepare for professional careers. Navigating the path from high school to college can feel overwhelming, particularly with the many options for applications, standardized tests, and early admissions. If you're encouraging your child to pursue a professional degree, preparing them early is essential. This guide provides research-backed strategies for setting them up for success from 8th grade through 12th, focusing on academic preparedness, standardized tests, extracurricular experiences, and selecting the right college.
Preparing Your Child for College: 8th to 12th Grade
Starting early is key when preparing your child for college and a future professional career. Research suggests that early engagement and academic planning can significantly affect post-secondary outcomes (Conley, 2014). Here's how you can help them succeed step by step:
8th and 9th Grade: Laying the Foundation
Focus on Core Subjects: Ensure your child is excelling in core subjects such as English, math, science, and history. These subjects form the basis for standardized testing and college admissions (College Board, 2022).
Encourage Good Study Habits: Early in their academic careers, students benefit from establishing solid study habits, including time management, self-regulation, and organization (Zimmerman, 2002).
Explore Career Interests: According to research, career exploration during adolescence helps students make informed decisions about their academic pathways (Kenny et al., 2006). Encourage your child to explore various career paths based on their interests and strengths.
10th Grade: Building a Strong Academic Record
Take Challenging Courses: Many colleges prefer students who challenge themselves academically. Encourage your child to take honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available (College Board, 2022).
Prepare for Standardized Tests: While some colleges have moved away from requiring standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, these tests are still important for scholarships and selective programs (Dynarski, 2018). Encourage your child to take the PSAT as a precursor to the SAT and use it to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program (College Board, 2022).
Engage in Extracurricular Activities: Research shows that participation in extracurricular activities correlates with higher academic performance and college enrollment (Fredricks & Eccles, 2006). Encourage your child to participate in clubs, sports, or volunteer work.
11th Grade: Time to Get Serious
Take the PSAT: The PSAT serves as practice for the SAT and is used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program (College Board, 2022).
Research Colleges: Research shows that students benefit from early and structured college exploration (Conley, 2014). By 11th grade, your child should begin researching colleges that align with their career goals, financial capabilities, and academic qualifications.
Prepare College Applications: Many colleges offer early decision or early action options, which typically have deadlines in November or December of your child’s senior year. Preparation should begin in the 11th grade to ensure all materials—such as essays, letters of recommendation, and test scores—are ready in advance (National Association for College Admission Counseling [NACAC], 2022).
12th Grade: The Home Stretch
Take the SAT or ACT (Again, if Necessary): Some students may benefit from retaking the SAT or ACT during their senior year to improve their scores, which can increase their chances of securing scholarships (College Board, 2022).
Apply Early: Research indicates that applying for early decision or early action can improve a student’s chances of acceptance (Hoxby, 2021). Ensure all applications are submitted well ahead of deadlines.
Apply for Scholarships: Scholarships are an essential resource for students and families concerned about college costs. Scholarships based on merit, extracurricular involvement, or community service can significantly reduce the financial burden (Dynarski, 2018).
The Importance of Internships and Summer Programs
Internships and summer programs offer students a hands-on opportunity to explore career interests. These experiences help students gain insight into what their future careers might look like, potentially preventing them from being undecided once they get to college (National Association of Colleges and Employers [NACE], 2022). High school internships and summer programs can provide a significant edge in the college application process, as well as help students clarify their career goals (Conley, 2014).
The College Application Process: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Admission
Understanding the difference between early decision, early action, and regular admission is crucial:
Early Decision (ED): This option is binding, meaning if your child is accepted, they are committed to attending that school. ED can increase chances of admission for competitive schools but requires a strong commitment (Hoxby, 2021).
Early Action (EA): EA is non-binding, allowing students to apply early and receive decisions without the commitment. This option can be beneficial as students hear back from schools earlier without the binding obligation (NACAC, 2022).
Regular Admission: Regular admission deadlines are typically in January, with decisions released in the spring. This allows students to apply to multiple schools and compare financial aid offers (NACAC, 2022).
Choosing the Right School Based on Finances
Choosing the right college involves more than just looking at prestige. Tuition fees can vary significantly, and it’s important to weigh the costs against the benefits. Private colleges and prestigious universities often come with a higher price tag, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best fit for every student.
Community Colleges: Community colleges offer a cost-effective way to complete general education courses before transferring to a four-year university. Studies show that students who transfer from community colleges to universities often do as well academically as students who started at a four-year school (Shapiro et al., 2018).
State Schools: State universities are often more affordable for in-state students and offer robust programs comparable to those at private universities. In many cases, attending a state school can save thousands of dollars (Dynarski, 2018).
Scholarships and Financial Aid: Make sure to explore all scholarship and grant opportunities to help mitigate college costs. Federal and state financial aid programs can also make attending college more affordable (Hoxby, 2021).
Things to Avoid as a Parent
While it's essential to be involved in your child’s journey to college, there are a few things to avoid:
Don’t Push Them Into a Career They Aren’t Interested In: Pressuring students into careers they are not passionate about can lead to frustration and a lack of motivation (Kenny et al., 2006). Instead, support their natural talents and interests.
Avoid Focusing Solely on Prestigious Schools: Research indicates that the “prestige” of a school does not always equate to better educational outcomes (Shapiro et al., 2018). Focus on finding a school that fits your child’s interests and financial circumstances.
Don’t Ignore Financial Responsibility: Excessive student loan debt can burden students for decades after graduation. It’s essential to have open conversations about financing options, including choosing less expensive schools and applying for scholarships and grants (Dynarski, 2018).
Conclusion
Preparing your child for a professional degree takes careful planning, starting early and focusing on their academic and personal development. By encouraging them to explore their interests, challenging them academically, and making informed decisions about college choices, you can help set them up for long-term success.
References
College Board. (2022). PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10. Retrieved from https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10
Conley, D. T. (2014). Getting ready for college, careers, and the Common Core: What every educator needs to know. Jossey-Bass.
Dynarski, S. (2018). The price of college tuition is changing: Here’s what it means for you. The Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu
Fredricks, J. A., & Eccles, J. S. (2006). Is extracurricular participation associated with beneficial outcomes? Developmental Psychology, 42(4), 698–713. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.42.4.698
Hoxby, C. M. (2021). The return to college application options: Early decision, early action, and regular decision. The Journal of Higher Education, 92(3), 342-366.
Kenny, M. E., Blustein, D. L., Haase, R. F., Jackson, J., & Perry, J. C. (2006). Setting the stage: Career development and the student engagement process. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(2), 272-279. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.2.272
National Association for College Admission Counseling. (2022). Guide to early decision and early action. Retrieved from https://www.nacacnet.org
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). (2022). Internship and co-op report. Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org
Shapiro, D., Dundar, A., Wakhungu, P. K., Yuan, X., & Harrell, A. (2018). *Transfer and mobility: A national view of student movement in post
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