Parent questions about helping child choose college

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

Adult Education

MEMBERS

2 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Mills College

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

Adult Education Chatboard

Parent questions about helping child choose college

by Mel

Nov 19, 2009

My daughter has early acceptance to the college, that is her first choice. We are going to tour the campus next week, and meet with the financial aid office. I have a lot of questions in mind, but need to know if there are specific questions I should ask, or that my daughter should ask.

Also, how does one determine if a college is going to be the right fit? From their website, I believe that the small private nature, of the college is a good fit for her, but what else should we look for?

Thanks.

Comment

(3)

report post

Sara On 11/19/09, Mel wrote: > My daughter has early acceptance to the college, that is > her first choice. We are going to tour the campus next > week, and meet with the financial aid office. I have a lot > of questions in mind, but need to know if there are > specific questions I should ask, or that my daughter should > ask. > >...See More

Nov 30, 2009

report post

Mom to Three On 11/19/09, Mel wrote: > My daughter has early acceptance to the college, that is > her first choice. We are going to tour the campus next > week, and meet with the financial aid office. I have a lot > of questions in mind, but need to know if there are > specific questions I should ask, or that my daughter should > ask. > >...See MoreOn 11/19/09, Mel wrote: > My daughter has early acceptance to the college, that is > her first choice. We are going to tour the campus next > week, and meet with the financial aid office. I have a lot > of questions in mind, but need to know if there are > specific questions I should ask, or that my daughter should > ask. > > Hi,

My first post in response did not make it so it was probably too long so in a shorter reponse:

- Unless you are very wealthy, as a parent you need to know what the financial aid package will be because costs have risen 40% since our oldest daughter went to a top tier private college 15 years ago. Also, consider carefully if your daughter will need to go to grad or professional school in her field and job prospects to pay back loans.

- If she has not already visited a college and spent a night with a friend or as part of a program, then I would have her talk to kids from her area who are there or have gone to the selected school ASAP to see what they think. If not, then she ougt to see if she could spend the night on a visit before she decides in a dorm as most schools have this option now.

- Unless explicitly stated in policy, I would suggest finding out how someone in a dorm room 24/7 of the opposite sex is handled because this is a reality issues on most college campuses today. You hate to pay big bucks and have it be your child sleeping out of or not feeling welcome in her dorm room.

- In terms of academics, see if there is a time limit to complete one's degree because the need for a semester or even year break can crop up, but some schools have definite deadlines.

- How rigid is the curriculum in terms of being able to explore a bit if unsure of a major or if one decides to change one's major course of study.

- Finally, do find out where student health services are and how one can access mental health services as well as physical health. Anxiety, depression etc. can crop up during these years and a college student needs to know how to get assistance as soon as possible.

- Finally, no decision is written in stone. Our middle daughter found her 5-year physical therapy bachelor/masters degree program too easy with a 3.9 the first semester and transferred. It was not an easy time, but in the end the right choice for her.

So with two daughters now working with college and graduate school programs behind them that is my best insight.

Dec 1, 2009

report post

bernoulli On 12/01/09, Mom to Three wrote: > On 11/19/09, Mel wrote: >> My daughter has early acceptance to the college, that is >> her first choice. We are going to tour the campus next >> week, and meet with the financial aid office. I have a lot >> of questions in mind, but need to know if there are >> specific questions I...See More

Dec 27, 2009

report post