Hampton Roads Educational Consulting, LLC

My child is a good student, but won't be applying to a college like Yale or Harvard. Is there any reason for me to consult with you about college planning?

Absolutely. While the application process is most complex and demanding at highly competitive colleges, finding a college that is a good match for a student is a difficult task. Furthermore, the information that colleges provide about their costs is often confusing, making it difficult for families to discern what they are likely to pay, rather than the sticker price. I help families find affordable colleges that are a good match for the student. 

When I applied to college, I don't recall my parents playing much of a role. Shouldn't my child be the one applying to college?

There are a couple of reasons why I believe parents should play a significant role in the college admissions process. First, applying to college today (particularly to a competitive college) is a great deal more complicated than it was a generation ago and second, high school students are much busier. In my opinion, a student who is juggling advanced courses, extracurricular activities, preparation for multiple standardized tests, and the other demands of teenage life should not be expected to also single-handedly learn the admissions process, research and visit colleges, and then organize and complete numerous college and scholarship applications.

Even if I am willing to help with college admissions, won't my child resent my involvement?

Most likely he or she will welcome it. In a 2007 national online survey of high school seniors, 60% of students were happy with their parents' degree of involvement in college planning and 28% wanted more, not less! (1) Chances are your child wants and needs your support and your assistance.

Why do I need to start planning for college when my child is in 9th grade?

Suppose you knew that three years from now you would face an important evaluation at work whose outcome would determine whether you got a significant raise or promotion. Wouldn't you want to know as much as possible now about how you would be evaluated? Learning early in high school how colleges will evaluate your child when he or she is a senior will help you make the most of opportunities and avoid mistakes.

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1. College Board and Art & Science Group. (2007). National Survey Finds Many Students Want Their Parents to Be More Involved in College Planning. Online: www.collegeboard.com

Still not sure whether Dr. Fithian's services would benefit your teen?

Email her at ellen@hredconsulting.com