As a parent, one of the big milestones you will go through is when your kid leaves for college. Although this can be a stressful, confusing, and emotional time, it is also one of the biggest moments in your child’s life. As a parent, we all want the best for our kids so here are some of the most frequently asked questions that parents have about college!
How can I help my child get into a good college?
Answer: Be a supportive and motivational parent. Try to be involved with their lives so you can help out in any way possible. At the end of the day, it is your child who is going to college, not you. It is important for you to be a strong backbone so that your child can thrive in school!
My child has low grades/a low SAT score. Can he/she still get into college?
Answer: Colleges do look at grades and scores. But the good news is that that’s not all they look at. Colleges want to get a good idea of who you are as an overall person outside of the classroom. This is why it is important to be an all-rounder student and explore your interests to show passion.
My child is so irresponsible and doesn’t know how to take care of himself/herself. How will they survive college?!
Answer: College is a period of time where students learn more about themselves and how to survive on their own. As a parent, your natural instinct would be to nag them and teach them everything so that they can be prepared. But there are some things that kids only learn when they are alone and are forced to do it themselves.You’ll be surprised to see a difference/change in your child from when you drop them off to college and the first time they come back home!
What if we can’t afford to pay for college?
Answer: Yes, college can be expensive but there are many ways to help a student pay for college. Some of the options are: financial aid, scholarships, student loans, and work-study opportunities. Colleges want students to get an education and succeed, regardless of their financial situation, so they will help as much as they can so that it is affordable for you!
My child did not get into any college they applied to. Now what?
Answer: It is important to know your options. Going to a four-year university right out of high school may not be the right option for everybody. Taking a gap year to work or travel can be beneficial for you. Going to a community college for two years and then transferring may be a good idea for you. It is not the end of the world!