Preparing for College

Selecting a college is never easy, but it can be an exciting process that involves the entire family. Choosing from the more than 3, 200 colleges and universities in the United States may be a frightening prospect for a high school student and parent. Because there are so many excellent institutions of higher education to choose, it’s not uncommon for a student to feel that more than one college offers the right individual fit. Colleges differ in many ways. The diversity of campus-size, available academic programs, planning, college can be possible for everyone. Below are some suggestions to help ensure each college-bound family is prepared and informed in choosing a college or university to attend.

Steps parents Can Make for College-Bound Success!
	14.	Recognize that education is a lifelong process
	13.	Recognize there are many places where learning can take place
	12.	Recognize school as work
	11.	Encourage extracurricular/outside school activities
	10.	Maintain a school line
	9.	Serve as home teach or tutor
	8.	Provide a constructive study climate
	7.	Encourage mastery of basic skills
	6.	Become involved in child’s school work
	5.	Express respect for effort
	4.	Recognize doing one’s best as success
	3.	Recognize degrees of competency
	2.	Emphasize importance of school
	1.	Encourage positive work attitudes
	Start Here and Move Up the Ladder of Success!
	Excerpted from: "Parents and Counselors Together (PACT)" National Association for College Admissions Counselors (NACAC)

Get a better job!	With college education, you’ll have more jobs from which to choose.
Earn more money!	On average, over a lifetime, someone who spends tow or more years in college earns $250,000 more than someone who doesn’t.
Get a good start in life!	College also trains you to express your thoughts clearly, make informed decisions, and use technology – all useful skills on and off the job and for life.
	- U.S. Department of Education