A Parent's Guide to College Decision Season

As a parent, supporting your child in the college decision process is important, but it's equally important to strike a balance between guidance and allowing them to make their own choices. Here’s how you can approach it:

1. Encourage Exploration

• Support their interests: Encourage your child to explore schools that align with their academic and personal passions. Be open to their interests, even if they differ from your own preferences.

• Provide resources: Share helpful materials, such as college websites, campus tour options, or information on specific programs, but allow them to take the lead.

2. Offer Advice, Not Directives

• Share your perspective: Offer insights based on your life experience, but avoid dictating which schools they should apply to or attend. Keep in mind that the decision should be theirs.

• Discuss expectations: If you have financial or logistical concerns, be open and transparent about them, but collaborate to find solutions together.

3. Discuss Finances Honestly

• Review financial aid options: Help your child understand the cost of college and how financial aid, scholarships, or loans work. This will empower them to make informed choices.

• Set realistic boundaries: If you have financial limitations, communicate them

  
  
  
  

  early in the process so your child can factor those constraints into their decision.

4. Encourage Independence

• Let them own the process: Let your child research, visit colleges, and fill out applications on their own, but be available when they need advice or assistance.

• Support decision-making: Encourage your child to weigh pros and cons and make a final decision themselves. Be there to listen and offer guidance, but respect their autonomy.

5. Be Patient and Understanding

• Respect their timeline: Deciding on a college can be stressful. Your child might change their mind or feel unsure at times. Offer reassurance and patience during this period of self-discovery.

• Provide emotional support: The college decision process is a significant milestone, and your child might need emotional support as much as practical guidance.

6. Be Open to Different Paths

• Encourage non-traditional options: If your child is considering alternatives such as community college, trade schools, or gap years, be supportive of these choices if they make sense for their goals and aspirations.

By being a supportive guide rather than a decision-maker, you’ll foster your child’s confidence and help them choose a college or path that aligns with their goals and future.