Parents' Advice for Parents of Next Year's Applicants

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Every year on the College Hopes and Worries Survey, we include an optional question at the end that asks respondents what advice they have for next year's applicants and parents of applicants. Here, in their own words, are their suggestions and tips. Enjoy!

On the College Application Process

Research, research, research. Don't make your decision just on the school's website. – Alexandra, Las Vegas
Create a calendar with deadlines, test dates, college events and visits, etc. This will eliminate a lot of stress for you and your child. – Sandee, Los Gatos, CA
After your child applies, the schools will allow you access to their website to track your application information. Keep track of all of your child's passwords and website access information. Because schools use different safety systems, you can end up with different user IDs and passwords at each school. If you apply to more than 3 schools, this can be quite confusing. – Cheryl, Stevenson Ranch, CA
Start preparing in your first year of high school. Don't wait until your third year. – Carlene, Roseville, CA
Start preparing your child for college in 9^th grade, because by 12^th grade, it's too late. The die is cast! – I.D., San Jose, CA
Start preparing when your child is born. – P.W.
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On Stress

Your child will not be nearly as stressed as you will be. – Lynda, Sunrise, FL
Don't spend too much time comparing notes with others going through the process. Makes people crazy. – Sarah, Newton, MA
Don't stress out your child. They're under enough pressure already! Life is not a straight line. Have faith in your parenting skills and your child's ability to succeed on their own terms. – MaryAnne, Westwood, MA
Make sure to take the college process in steps and you won't feel so overwhelmed. – Denise, Sea Girt, NJ
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On Standardized Admission Tests

Let your child know how important the SAT really is. My daughter thought it wouldn't matter, but every point counts. – C.M., Monroe Township, NJ
Make sure your child takes the SAT or ACT early so if they are not satisfied with their score, they can retake it. – Mary, Duluth, MN

On College Visits

When visiting colleges, don't just take the packaged tour. Eat in the dining halls and talk with the students. – John, Orange, CT
Visit the school more than once and take pictures because when you visit it all becomes a blur. – Lucy, NY
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On Parenting

Be a guide and not a choice-maker.   Believe in your child's own intuitions and advocate for their personal interests. – Alice, Randolph, NJ
Let your student take the lead in defining interests and schools that could be a good fit. Don't focus on labels. An excellent education can be had in schools you've never heard about before. – C.L., Ridgewood, NJ
Give your child a lot of support during this process. – Jill
As a parent, allow your kid to experience the college application for themselves.   While it is imperative to gently look over their shoulders, taking over full control doesn’t allow them to make important decisions for themselves. – Danielle, Lambertville, NJ
Be encouraging but not micromanaging. Remind your child of upcoming deadlines and help them proofread their essays. Start early in researching colleges that might be a good fit. Visit a bookstore and help your child pick out a good review manual for the ACT and/or SAT. – Carole, Livonia, MI
I know some parents who are literally obsessing over this whole process. I hope they don't forget that it is their child that is going to college, not them.  – Nancy, WI
Focus on your child and what is best for him/her and try not to focus on all the competition between parents. This is about your child, not about you. – Carol, Tarrytown, NY
Parents, Back off!   Applicants, Relax! – D.B., Monterey, CA
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On Money Matters

Make sure to get taxes done early, and fill out FAFSA soon after. – Mary, MN
Expect the FAFSA to indicate that you can contribute more than you reelly can. Look for local scholarships and ask each college about what they have available as well as state and national sources. – Mark, Jackson, MI
Dare to dream. Don't limit your child's vision of their future by your own financial worries. – Karen, VA
Save a lot, save early. – L.S., Glen Rock, NJ
Buy Paying for College Without Going Broke when your child is born. (I'm convinced every family should get this book when they leave the hospital with their first child!). – Robin, Bridgewater, MA
Start saving even before your children are born. – Carla, PA
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On Choosing Which College to Attend

Make the final decision after receiving all the financial aid packages. – Kathleen, FL
Don't be overly focused on "brand name" colleges. There are other excellent choices that offer very good value, and are quite affordable. – Mark, Macungie, PA
Don't focus on a major so much as interests and opportunities. Nobody is sure at 18 what they want to do. They beauty of college is you have a chance to expand your horizons and perspective. – Larry, Bayside, NY
There are many good colleges out there – not just the 10 that everyone is applying to. – M.M., Far Hills, NJ
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Wise, Funny or Both

Everything will be OK. Kids are happy in lots of places and for different reasons. It is important to remember they bring their own world with them and can create good things wherever they are. – Laurie, Madison, OH
Most boys are in denial that they have to get ready so soon. – Nancy, Los Angeles
Start your college search EARLY. I wouldn't wish these last few weeks we have had on anyone. – J., Brooklyn, NY
It will all work out. It matters more what your child does at the college he/she gets into than which college he/she gets into. – L. T., Cincinnati
No matter what school they go into, they will likely be happy. If not, college is not a jail sentence. They can transfer. – J.W. Cheshire, CT
Don't make any plans for the holidays, Sept. through Dec. – D.V., Santa Rosa CA
Don't worry, be happy. – David, Newcastle, ON, Canada
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Praise for The Princeton Review

Make sure you use Princeton Review for checking out colleges online! – Sheri, Springfield, PA
If your child is having trouble with the standardized tests, The Princeton Review is a big help in raising their score. – Connie, Covington, IA
An invaluable tool for us has been the Princeton Review website. We used it to guide us through the whole college search experience. We chose 2 safe schools, 3 match schools and 1 reach school. Thank you, Princeton Review. You have been our best guidance counselor! – Maria, Greenwood, SC
Have the Princeton Review SAT tutor class come to your child's school. The class was given to 9 students at my child's school, and all students improved their scores. My child improved by almost 200 points! – Rhonda, GA
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The Princeton Review thanks all the parents who shared these comments and tips and the thousands of others we heard from on our survey. Our customers are our best advisors and counselors!

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