Get Way Ahead: How You Can Start Work on Your Kid’s College Application Now

Are you already feeling stressed about your child’s college application, even though they’re only in grades 9, 10 or 11? College application is such a huge milestone in their life that it’s normal to feel nervous about how to approach the process.

You want your child to be in the absolutely best position come application submission time. This means that, when the admissions panel meets, your child has the best possible chance they could get of success.

Accomplishing just that is going to take organization and thoroughness from both parent and child. But the good news is that, if you start early, the whole application process will be less stressful overall and will lead to better chances of success.

Here’s how to begin:

1. Encourage Broad Interests and Extra-Curricular Activities

To get into the best colleges, your child will certainly need an incredible academic record. However, there is more to the college application form than a list of grades. Colleges are looking for well-rounded students who can demonstrate skills and talent beyond their academic achievements.

From at least Grade 9 (age 14) upwards, encourage your child to continue to pursue his or her interests and develop his or her talents. Perhaps new activities could be added to their weekly routine.  These may be sporting, creative or musical, for example. If your child is able to gain recognition, certificates or awards for them, they will help your child prove his or her abilities.

There are other ways to help broaden your child’s life experience and give their college application a boost. These may be in the form of community work or internships, for example.

Be wary of encouraging your child to do too much, however. Colleges are likely to favor students who are committed long-term to a few activities than to students who dip in and out of lots of different activities.

2. Research Colleges and Build a Balanced List

The list of colleges your child will apply to certainly needs to be aspirational, but it also needs to be realistic. Your child needs to be a good fit with a college to be accepted and, conversely, the college needs to be a good fit for your child.

This is where research comes in. It is easy to sketch a list of only colleges that are well-known names. However, there are some great places of learning you may be less familiar with right now. Also, bear in mind that even with amazing grades that match college expectations, the biggest name colleges may only accept around 10% of qualified students.

Visit as many colleges as you can long before applications need to be in. Try to build up a long

list that includes a variety of types of colleges: your child may change their mind many times about the type of place they want to study in. Some colleges are vast, others are smaller scale and friendlier. Some are great for cultivating athletes; others are great for honing artistic talent.

Finally, try to build a list of colleges that includes some highly selective schools where your child may have a chance; plenty where the average student grades are very similar to your child’s and admission rates are higher; and at least one backup option.  

3. Prepare for Standardized Testing

There are two ways to prepare for success in the SATs and ACTs. Firstly, you’ll need to set a schedule for taking the test. This should allow opportunities for retakes, if necessary. You should also remember that some college applications need to be submitted earlier. These may be ‘early decision’ applications or those for merit scholarships.  

It would also be a good idea to get some quality coaching in place for your child to maximize their chances of success in the ACTs or SATs. A good provider will offer coaching with diagnostic tests and personalized learning to complete between sessions.

4. Begin Interview Practice Early

It’s likely that your child is pretty unfamiliar with interview situations. However, they are often vitally important in the college application process. Putting some coaching in place is sensible.

College interview training courses will help your child with presentation, language, enunciation and pronunciation. They can also help your child prepare answers to the most likely or frequently used questions, and help them think on their feet if posed with awkward questions.

Preparation is the key

If you complete these four steps early on, by the beginning of Grade 12, you and your child should feel confident and prepared for the college application process.

Your child will have a well-thought list of colleges to apply to; a range of positive attributes to add to the application form; their standardized testing schedule under control; plus, they’ll feel confident about attending interviews when the time comes.

All this means that in 12th grade, your child is free to focus on maintaining or even improving their grades, and in putting the final finishing touches to their stellar college application form.

AUTHOR BIO

Maloy Burman is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Premier Genie FZ LLC. He is responsible for driving Premier Genie into a leadership position in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education space in Asia, Middle East and Africa and building a solid brand value. Premier Genie is currently running 5 centers in Dubai and 5 centers in India with a goal to multiply that over the next 5 years.