I am a parent with disabilities and on Social Security Disability. My daughter is in 12th grade at a public STEM school. She is a first-generation entrant into college. I am utterly overwhelmed by the college admissions process. I want to seek the help of a college admissions advisor/counselor who can help guide her (and our family) through the process.
I would really appreciate recommendations for college admissions advisors / counselors.
I think you’ll be able to find good advice here. Private college counselors can be very pricey. Many parents have done what you’re about to go through-- including first generation families.
Testing: The most important things your daughter needs to ready are ACT or SAT exams. If she’s not already taken them, she should sign up for Oct or November sittings. Most colleges require these. At the time of sign up, she can automatically have her scores sent to 4 colleges along with the fee. If she wants additional scores sent to other schools, that’s an extra fee. Depending on your income, she may qualify for fee waivers. This is obtained through her HS guidance counselor.
Create a reasonable college target list: what is affordable? What will fit your daughter’s level of achievement? Are we talking superior Ivy-league type achievement? Or more down to earth, normal but solid HS achievement? Her HS guid counselor will be essential in helping her craft this list. Does the HS have an event for parents/students who are planning on going to college? Have your daughter check. If so, definitely attend.
Many school districts have a college fair in the Autumn. Perhaps go there to learn about some other schools not on her radar. As mom, you can go and talk to the reps yourself – see how kids like your daughter have fared previously. Since you’ve not been to college yourself, go with an open mind – but sense if they truly are customer service oriented. Do they just give you brush off answers? Or do they really want to be inclusive? It matters, IMHO. (my daughter declined two top ranked engineering colleges specifically due to this and chose a lesser ranked regional college’s Honors program – because the 3rd college really rolled out the red carpet for my kid. Her mom and I fully concur with her choice!).
Will you or other relatives be able to contribute anything? Is your dear daughter (DD) able to work and have savings go to costs for tuition? Local colleges where she commutes are much less expensive. No one HAS to go have the resident college experience.
deadlines. Some schools have “rolling admissions” which evaluate applications as they come in. Many others have a hard date (mostly being Dec 31 or Jan 1).
If your DD is a superior student, she should investigate the Questbridge program (www.questbridge.org). Its deadline is Nov 1 (i believe). Free tuition & room and board. Very competitive but a godsend for some families. Only very superior students are taken.
do you know other families who have successfully gotten kids to college? Ask for their advice and tips. Not that you should take it all but it can’t hurt to ask. Be selective on the advice you’re given. There’s a lot of falsehoods and myths out there too.