Advice from Parents Who Participated in The Princeton Review's "College Hopes & Worries" Survey 2008

When to Start The Process

Start your college search EARLY. I wouldn't wish these last few weeks we have had on anyone. - J., Brooklyn, NY

Create a calendar with deadlines, test dates, college events and visits, etc. This will eliminate a lot of stress for both you and your child. -- Sandee, Los Gatos, CA

Do taxes early in year to complete financial aid forms early and visit lots of colleges. Make sure your student applies to colleges that you can afford without taking on load debt as well as ones that are a reach financially--mix it up. -- Suzanne, Baltimore, MD

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

On Choosing Colleges to Apply To

Aim for a college that feels like you belong there, meets your overall academic and social goals, and isn't going to break the bank. Go with instinct. -- Gail, Houston, TX

There are many good colleges out there -- not just the 10 that everyone is applying to. --Mary Ann Miller, Far Hills, NJ

Apply to a variety of schools (public, private, out of state) because the student's desires often change as they mature during their senior year. -- Carol, San Jose, CA

The Importance of Standardized Tests

Make sure to take your SAT or ACT early so if you are not satisfied with your score you can retake it! -- Mary, Duluth, MN

Let them know how important the SAT really is. My daughter thought it wouldn't matter, but every point counts. -- C.M., Monroe Township, NJ

On Not Micro-Managing Your Child's Application

Be a guide and not a choice-maker. Believe in your child's own intuitions and advocate for their personal interests. -- Alice, Randolph, NJ

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 for your individual child. Visit a bookstore and help your child pick out a good review manual for the ACT and/or SAT. Visit colleges if you can--you might find some not even worth applying to--but don't overdo the number of visits. -- Carole, Livonia, MI

Listen to your child. Don't pressure your child into making the choice you want for him/her. I found most parents just want to brag about their child's acceptance and sometimes don't pay attention to their real desire and choice. -- Raine, NY

I know some parents who are literally obsessing over this whole process. I hope they don't forget that it's their child who is going to college, not them. -- Nancy, Plover, WI

On College Visits

Visit the school more than once or take pictures when you visit because it all becomes a blur.-- Lucy, NY

On Choosing Which School to Attend

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 overlook quality public colleges and avoid being trapped into feeling a more expensive private education is better. -- Francis, Smithtown, NY

Don't focus on a major so much as interests and opporunities. Nobody is sure at 18 what they want to do. The beauty of college is that they have a chance to expand their horizons and perspective. -- Larry, Bayside, NY

I asked my son two questions. Tell me what your dream job would be based on your thoughts today and, under what school structure would you think you have the best chance for success. Those two items narrowed our selection down to make it a much easier process. -- James, Madison, WI

Make the final decision after receiving the financial aid packages. -- Kathleen, Miami, FL

On Paying for College

Save a lot, save early. - L. F. S., Glen Rock, NJ

Make sure to get taxes done early and fill out FAFSA soon after. -- Mary, Duluth, MN

Expect the FAFSA to indicate that you can contribute more than you really can. Look for local scholarships and each college for what they have available as well as state and national sources. -- Mark, Jackson, MI

On Stress

Your child will not be nearly as stressed as you will be.-- Lynda, Sunrise, FL

On Rejection

Don't take rejection from a school personally. I'm astounded by the lack of objective process and the complete lack of transparency in how students are measured by college admissions offices. It seems more like a lottery than a selection process. - Rob, Longwood, FL

Wise Advice

Make sure to take the college process in steps and you won't feel so overwhelmed. -- Denise R, Sea Girt, NJ

Focus on your child and what is best for him/her and try not to focus on the all the competition between parents. This is about your child, not about you. -- Carol M, Tarrytown, NY

College 'status' is over-rated. A college experience is what you make of it, not how much or how prestigious the college. -- Rose, Boland, MA

No matter what school they get into, they will likely be happy. If not, college is not a jail sentence. You can transfer. -- J.W. Cheshire, CT

Don't be scared if your son/daughter wants to take a year off. Our son did and it was the best possible thing he could have done. He is much more self-motivated now. Funnelling kids through college sometimes just puts off the "coming of age" you wish they had before attending-- and spending all your carefully saved money in the process! -- Julie W, NM

Don't worry be happy. - David, Newcastle, ON

Praise for The Princeton Review

Make sure you use Princeton Review for checking out colleges online! -- Sheri,Springfield, PA

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 G, Bridgewater, MA

Take the Princeton Review SAT Prep Class before taking the OCTOBER (Junior year) PSAT and SAT. Then take the review class before the October SAT (Senior Year) -- Ernest H, Fort Worth, TX

If your child is having trouble with the standardized testing, the Princeton Review is a big help in raising their score. -- Connie, Covington, IA

Have the Princeton Review SAT tutor class come to your child's school. The class was given to 9 students at Aquinas High and all students improved theirs scores. My child improved by almost 200 points! -- Rhonda, Augusta, GA

An invaluable tool for us has been the Princeton Review Website. We used this site to guide us through our whole college search experience. We especially enjoyed the Counselor-O-Matic. Our daughter 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

The Princeton Review thanks all of the parents who shared these tips and comments and hundreds of others we heard from on our survey. Our customers are our best advisors and counselors!

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