| Do you wonder who does the applying for college | | | | providing "timely reminders" each step of the way. |
| these days - the parent, or the child? When we | | | | When we planned our college visits, I made contact |
| were kids, it seemed like mom and dad were out of | | | | with the college and I asked the advisor what they |
| the college application loop. Their role was to write | | | | would like me to bring. One time, they asked for "all" |
| the check. Today, parents are becoming more and | | | | my homeschool records. We met as a family with |
| more involved in assisting their children find and gain | | | | the admissions advisor, and we were all together in |
| admission to college. But what is the proper role for | | | | the room. He never asked to see my homeschool |
| parents to take in helping their homeschool student | | | | records, although he did look very appreciative when |
| find a college? | | | | I brought them. Later in the visit, my children sat in |
| The truth of the matter is that the student is still | | | | on a classes and I remained at the advising office. I |
| responsible to do all the applying. Homeschool | | | | wanted them to know that my children were not so |
| parents, however, take on roles that are played by | | | | sheltered that I had to go to class with them. As I |
| public school high school guidance counselors and | | | | was there, I spoke to the advisors about my |
| advisors. | | | | homeschool record keeping. It seemed like an |
| Parents are GREAT guidance counselors, though. The | | | | administrative task that a public high school would |
| love for their child can ensure success, and their | | | | normally handle, not a student. That is when I gently |
| careful consideration will help prevent any major slips. | | | | suggested that they might enjoy actually LOOKING |
| So when you are looking at college applications, it is | | | | at all the records I had brought with me! |
| the student who does the applying: filling the forms, | | | | Treat the college search as a partnership between |
| asking for the recommendation letters, writing the | | | | yourself and your homeschool student. In this |
| essays. It's the guidance counselor (you) who will | | | | partnership, they need to take the lead and do the |
| guide them through the process, providing | | | | heavy lifting. Your role - as usual - is to guide and |
| opportunities for college fairs, and college visits, and | | | | remind. |