4 Tips for a Successful College Application

4 Tips for a Successful College Application

The time has come – your child will be graduating high school soon, and together you must prepare for what’s ahead. The flurry of college tours, applications, essays, and scholarships can be a daunting and stressful experience for all involved. Keep these tips in mind as you and your child venture into the world of college applications:

1. Encourage your child to keep an open mind. It can be easy for your student to write off a school because they’re already set on a top choice, or maybe they have themselves convinced they won’t like a certain school because it’s “too big” or “too small.” If a school has a program they’re interested in, urge your child to give it a chance – what they find may just surprise them. Besides, it’s also wise to apply to multiple schools. You never want to put all your eggs in one basket.
2. Pay attention to deadlines. Not only do deadlines impact the application itself and the chance of acceptance, but also the housing, room placement, and scholarships. Starting the application process early improves prospects and gives your child more time to thoroughly fill out the application and craft a compelling essay.
3. Develop a personable essay. A college essay is your child’s opportunity to showcase his or her authentic self to the admissions board and share insights that can’t be found elsewhere in their application. They shouldn’t write what they think the admissions board wants to hear; instead, focus on something they’re passionate about. Passion helps an applicant’s true self shine through, setting him or her apart from others. Remember, coming across as perfect isn’t the goal. Challenges, and how your child overcame them, show character and are just as important as their accomplishments.
4. Plan ahead for financing. Finding ways to pay for college is essential! Together, you and your child can begin filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as October of senior year. There is also an abundance of private scholarships your child can easily apply for online. Check out sites such as Scholarships.com, FastWeb.com, CollegeBoard.org, and more.

Still having trouble securing enough financing and need something to help fill the gaps? UNCLE has options to help you manage your finances so you and your child can afford their education – and the valuable life experience they deserve.