It’s Not Too Early to Help Prepare Your High Schooler for College
In my professional life, I’ve spent more than 15 years supporting high school students – mostly first-generation college-goers – with the college application process. I’ve encountered many parents over the years with questions about the college application process and confusion about what they “should be doing.” Through my work, I’ve learned some important lessons that have crossed over into my personal life as a parent of a recent high school graduate. We know that young people need opportunities to build agency for their decisions. We also understand that they thrive when caring adults are engaged. Though schools play a key role, families, in every form, are important partners who help students navigate the postsecondary process and access opportunities. There are some crucial times when caregivers can and should step in.
Here’s my advice to parents and caregivers of high schoolers:
1. Pay attention to the classes your child is taking in high school.
As a parent or guardian, you can make sure that your child has access to the most challenging courses appropriate for them. If your child is ready and motivated, ask your school about opportunities for advanced coursework, including Advanced Placement, dual enrollment or early college programs. It’s important for your child to challenge themselves in an appropriate way.There is evidence that access to advanced coursework in high school increases students’ chances of success in college.
2. Know that how your child spends their summer matters.
Make sure your child is spending their summer in a meaningful way, whether it’s volunteering, working, or participating in structured activities. Depending on where you live, there may be many summer programs and jobs available, but most of them require students to apply several months beforehand, so plan early. If your child seeks academic opportunities, you should search for programs on college campuses. Though most of these are not free, many provide scholarships and are a wonderful way for students to gain course credit and / or experience life on a college campus. It’s also an important time for high school students to find out what they might like or not like in a job experience or academic program
3. Take your high schooler to visit colleges.
As your child enters their junior year of high school, if plans are for them to enter college immediately after high school, it’s time to think about visiting college campuses. Choose a couple of colleges (these can be close to home) that are different from one another – private versus public, small versus large, urban versus suburban, technical versus liberal arts. Schedule a tour or register for an on-site information session. Not only will this help you learn what your child might be looking for in a college (or equally important, what they don’t like!), you’ll both get to hear from Admissions Officers about the application process and what criteria they evaluate when they make decisions. The sessions may start to sound similar, but 
there is some valuable information about the steps in the application process that are helpful to hear at least once. It’s also a time to learn about the campus culture and safety; academic offerings and class sizes; advising support and career placement services; the clubs and other activities your child could take part in; and, of course, housing and dining services.
4. Let your student take the lead on submitting the college applications, but step in to finalize the financial aid forms.
Young people can get support from their ‘team of champions’ before submitting applications. This can include school counselors, teachers, family members, or others who have experience navigating the college admissions process and can review their essays and other documentation before submitting. It’s important to consider more than one school when applying to colleges, because each may provide different levels of financial support. While community colleges are often more affordable, many four-year colleges and universities offer full- or partial-need financial support, depending on families’ particular circumstances.
While your child will be responsible for communicating with Admissions Officers, the financial aid forms will not be considered complete until the parent or guardian submits their portion. Both student and caregiver will need to register for a FSA ID, so I recommend doing that before the FAFSA opens (potentially October 1). Submit the financial aid forms as early as possible, as some funding can run out. Be persistent in following up to make sure colleges have everything they need in order to prepare a financial aid offer. And after an offer is made, you should not hesitate to have a discussion with the Financial Aid office to inquire about additional funding, especially if your financial situation has changed since submitting the forms.
5. Help your teen identify supports on campus
What matters more than getting accepted into a school, is persisting through the academic programs, navigating the college years, and graduating. Help your child identify resources on campus they can utilize if / when they need it – tutoring and writing centers, mental health counseling, student support, programs for first-generation students, etc. Or identify an outside organization that provides virtual and texting support, like uAspire, Bottom Line, or Let’s Get Ready. Research shows that students who are involved in a campus activity are more likely to persist. Encourage your child to get involved in campus activities and experience not just the academics, but the social, athletics, arts and culture, and career pathways opportunities that are available.
Preparing for college isn’t about doing everything for your child — it’s about knowing when to step forward and when to step back. By staying engaged, asking questions, and helping your teen navigate key moments, you can support them in building the confidence, skills, and agency they’ll need not only to get to college, but to thrive once they’re there.
Joanna Sanborn is Senior Director for Higher Ed Pathways at The Possible Zone