<p>My daughter will enter HS in the fall. Any advice for her/me from parents who've just gone through the college admissions process, you know, "if I knew then what I knew now" insights? Thx!</p>
<p>Chill. Realize that HS should not be simply preparation for College, let your daughter find things that she likes to do and have her dig into it. And if she hates it, let her try something else.</p>
<p>Oh, you meant academics. As you can guess, she should take the hardest classes she can do well in and still have a life.</p>
<p>If your daughter is entering high school in the fall, then she will be in the class of 2015. (I guess perhaps that my first piece of advice is that graduation is coming sooner than you think…haha!!)</p>
<p>I thought I already saw a thread for HS class of 2015 and college class of 2020 but I can’t find the link.</p>
<p>Come join the fun!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1086324-parents-hs-class-2015-college-class-2019-a.html#post12255452[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1086324-parents-hs-class-2015-college-class-2019-a.html#post12255452</a></p>
<p>Ha. Yes, my older daughter who enters HS in the fall is a D15, and as it happens, I also have a D16. I introduced myself at the other thread: thanks for the link! </p>
<p>This thread is a little different in that it is specifically asking for advice from parents who have been through the process, looking back on their experience through four years of perspective. </p>
<p>Thanks, everyone, for your comments!</p>
<p>As soon as you finish your taxes this year, gather up all of your other financials, and run the calculators at [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator - Finaid) and at [EFC</a> Calculator: How Much Money for College Will You Be Expected to Contribute?](<a href=“http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp]EFC”>http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp) It is advisable to have access to adult beverages, good quality chocolate, and a large box of Puffs Plus (they are the softest ones) when you do this.</p>
<p>If your finances are complicated, print out <a href=“http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/101310EFCFormulaGuide1112.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/101310EFCFormulaGuide1112.pdf</a> and work through it on paper.</p>
<p>Then get honest with yourself and your child’s other parent(s) about just exactly how much money is available, and just exactly where it will come from. When you know your own family bottom line, it will be easier for you to keep your head(s) on straight for the next few years. Even if tutor2015kid ends up with the grades and stats for admission at collegeX, if the money is not going to be there, you need to know that now. tutor2015kid deserves a safety that he/she can truly love.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best as you start this new adventure!</p>
<p>THIS sounds like excellent advice. The two P15/16’s here talk tough about how the high sticker prices for schools aren’t justified by employment outcomes (OK except maybe for the Ivy’s) plus the grad school factor: if grad school is likely, then employers will focus on the grad school rather than the college. But both of us attended elite private colleges prior to grad school and enjoyed the experience…so in the end will we really stand tough on placing top priority on budget? If we know exactly what the means are (and get together with the Grandparents15/16 on their offer to help) then we will have numbers to bracket the spectrum of possible outcomes. Thanks happymomof1!!</p>
<p>And I would add to Happymomof1’s very good advice - don’t start celebrating if your number from those calculators is low. A zero, 500, or even 5000 doesn’t mean that’s all you’ll pay for college. Darn few institions guarantee to meet need with no or limited loans. No matter what kind of financial shape you’re in, this is probably going to cost WAY more than you expected.</p>
<p>^^^ So True!</p>
<p>I ran the calculators when Happykid was in 9th grade, and the results so disturbed me that I couldn’t look at them again for another year. But once I wrapped my brain around the XX,XXX that is our EFC and the Y,YYY that we can actually afford, I was able to get the rest of the family on board. I too graduated from an elite private (on scholarship), so I have had to ask myself what I’d do if Happykid had the drive, grades, and desire to attend my alma mater or an equivalent institution. For a place of that calibre, I’d consider going into debt. But for anyplace even one rank lower, I wouldn’t.</p>
<p>As it happens, Happykid is completely focused on a career field that she is able to start at our local community college, and can continue at an affordable in-state public university. You don’t know yet what your daughter’s goals will turn out to be, or what her GPA and exam scores will look like. The options that you envision right now may well turn out to be completely wrong for her! But if you know your financial bottom line, whatever her goals turn out to be, you will be able to find a good way for your family to make things work.</p>