Parents of Seniors Many colleges are still accepting applications for Fall 2008. Contact colleges directly to help narrow your choices. Seniors can be working on the following:

• Consider the reality of colleges. Will you like the weather? What size college will you do your best in?
• Refer to "Write Your Essay" for the Ten Tips to an effective personal statement..
• Visit local college campuses (any) for comparison and make plans to tour the colleges your most interested in attending. For tips on campus tours click the "Tour a Campus" link on this page.
• Follow up on your letters of recommendation and thank those who have finished them.
• Have you remembered to have official test scores sent directly to your college choices?
• Talk to your child's school guidance counselor and consider consulting with an independent counselor.
• Read about financial aid options at studentaid.ed.gov.
• Most scholarship programs have posted their 2008 deadlines and requirements. Begin your search with www.studentscholarshipsearch.com.

Parents of Juniors Don't wait until your senior year to begin thinking about and planning for college.  Your child's junior year can be very important to college admission. Here are some things you can do now.

• Talk with your student's school counselor about AP and Honors course options. If these are not options, encourage your student to enroll in an appropriate community college course. These courses introduce your student to the kind of academic rigor they can expect in college and can demonstrate ability and initiative on college applications.
• Remind your student to focus on studies. Colleges often decide on applicants based on the grades they make during their junior year.
• Visit the National Association of College Admission Counselors website for some excellent articles about the college process.
• Check out scholarships. Search the Internet  (FASTWEB or www.studentscholarshipsearch.com). Many scholarships are available to juniors.

Parents and their Sophomores or Freshmen

• Look into the academic requirements of some colleges. Make sure your child's course schedule meets the basic requirements.
• Speak with your child's school guidance counselor about available college preparation services and programs.
• Your child can take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test).  It qualifies students for National Merit Scholarships. Find out more about PSAT and SAT at The College Board website.
• Look into summer college programs.  These programs can earn your child college credit and demonstrate your child's commitment and ability to succeed in college-level courses, increasing his chances of getting into a great college.
• Encourage your child to volunteer in his community or support her extra-curricular interests.
• Start saving now for college. Even $100 per month during your child's high school career will guarantee him $5,000 to start college.

This month's Directions - Research!

Now that your student has identified the qualities s/he is looking for in a college, utilize on-line college searches (try CollegeData.com) to begin your research. Visit college web sites, fairs, virtual tours (eCollegeTours.com), request brochures, read reviews (search for books at Amazon.com) and take full advantage of all the information options you find (many schools have on-line chat rooms with current students!) The best choices are well informed choices!

Which way will you go? Choosing your direction to college is one of the most exciting times in one's life. There are plenty of great resources on the Internet, but a knowledgeable guide will make sure the best resources are put to your greatest advantage. With Directions to College you will have the reassurance of an experienced college professional supporting you through the process. Your consultant will sensitively and quantitatively help you to assess your needs, discover your options, consider your choices, and accomplish the logistics, so you can reach your academic and career goals.

Whether you are already college-bound or not sure where your future lies, you'll need to be prepared for the opportunities you'll find along the way. Chances are there's more to your journey than you think.

Regan Ronayne, M.A., C.E.P. College and Career Counselor

*Click here for a list of colleges that have open admission. Essentially all applicants are accepted.