| Do you have a son or daughter that's getting ready | | | | GPA if the class is too difficult for them, is a great |
| to think about life after high school? They probably | | | | idea. Encourage your child to get involved in student |
| think the rest of their life hinges on their upcoming | | | | government or other extracurricular activities. |
| quest to find a college, and in a way, it does. But, it | | | | Admissions departments love well-rounded applicants. |
| doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here is what you | | | | Community service, hobbies and jobs can also count |
| need to know to help them make the right decisions | | | | in your child's favor when it comes to extracurricular |
| along the way. | | | | activities. However, make sure their grades stay |
| First things first, you need to get your son or | | | | top-notch while they are diversifying their interests. |
| daughter signed up to take the SATs, ACTs, or | | | | The last variable in the college admissions process is |
| possibly both. Look at the required testing for | | | | in the admissions essay. This is the part of your son |
| admission consideration for each school. Remember, it | | | | or daughter's application that lets admissions officers |
| is better to over-test than under-test. If their chosen | | | | get to know them better as a person. It is critical |
| schools want to see either the ACT or the SAT, it | | | | that the essay has no grammar or punctuation |
| may be a good idea to take both tests. | | | | mistakes. A great essay lets you hear the writer's |
| In fact, your son or daughter may want to take the | | | | voice clearly. It is best to have the essay proofread |
| tests more than once, since schools accept your | | | | by a few different people, if possible. An English |
| highest scores. If your son or daughter scores higher | | | | teacher and a guidance counselor would be ideal as |
| on the math section and lower on the writing section, | | | | proofreaders. |
| they can take the test again and use the highest | | | | It is also important to remember one last vital |
| score on each section to calculate their cumulative | | | | element to the college admissions process: your |
| score. Since the tests are offered multiple times each | | | | emotional support as a parent. High school students |
| year, it's best to start early and test often to get | | | | have a lot of social pressure on their shoulders to |
| the best test scores you can. SAT and ACT prep | | | | begin with, and the college admissions process is a |
| classes are also available, and many helpful hints can | | | | huge step in their lives. Make sure your son or |
| be found online. | | | | daughter knows that they can turn to you for |
| Your son or daughter should also start considering | | | | support, regardless of whether they're going to an |
| what their high school transcripts are going to do for | | | | Ivy League school or a community college. Your |
| their odds of acceptance during the admissions | | | | support will help them make the most out of their |
| process. Adding an honors or advanced placement | | | | potential. |
| class, just so long as it won't damage their overall | | | | |