It’s Application Season — What You Need to Know

Whether your senior is just beginning the process or is in the thick of college applications, your teenager needs to be well-informed. Keeping track of application deadlines is perhaps one of the most important considerations. Learn more about applying to colleges.

As you may already know, there are several types of college application choices today. Applying to one college at a time is always an option. However, this approach can be time consuming and costly. Students who wish to apply to a variety of colleges may want to consider using the common application. The common application is a standardized, one-size-fits-all form accepted by nearly 400 colleges. To learn more about the program, visit the common application FAQ.

If your student has his or her heart 100% set on one college and meets their selection criteria, he or she may wish to see if that school offers an early decision program. By applying for early decision, your teen is telling that college that it is his or her top choice. Usually this type of application is due in November (as opposed to January 1 for regular admissions) and admission decisions are usually made by December (as opposed to April for regular admissions). If admitted for early decision enrollment, your teenager must withdraw all other applications and agree to enroll at that university or forgo the enrollment deposit.

If your student has a dream school but still wishes to keep his or her options open, another idea is to apply early action. However, this option is offered by fewer schools than early decision. If admitted under early action, your teenager is not bound to enroll at that college. He or she may choose to accept the offer or wait until spring to see what other college acceptances arrive. If your teenager is not accepted through early action, he or she is usually still considered along with the regular application pool.

Top Ten College Application Mistakes

Encourage your teenager to take his or her time when applying for college. Just like applying for a job, attention to detail will set your student apart from the pack and help avoid delays and added stress. Caution your student about:

1. Misspelled words and grammatical errors
2. Filling out an online application, but then not submitting it
3. Forgetting to sign the application
4. Not carefully reading instructions to avoid incorrect answers
5. Listing extracurricular activities that don’t meet the definition
6. Not giving his or her high school counselor enough time to meet college deadlines
7. Illegible writing
8. Using an email address your student thinks is clever and funny, but colleges won’t
9. Forgetting to check email accounts for college responses and messages
10. Asking someone else to fill out the application or write the essay

As with all good planning, encourage your teenager to build some extra time into the overall process. Life happens, counselors have many students to help, college choices may change, and checking documents takes time. Allowing a little extra time will make the journey a little smoother and more calm during a very busy period in your senior’s life.

Mediocre Mid-Term Grades? How You Can Help Your Student

If you’re like many parents, you recently attended a parent-teacher conference at your child’s school. After some initial chitchat, the teacher slid your student’s report card or class grade across the table. Were you pleased or shocked at what you saw? If it was the latter, don’t worry. You may not have had time to ask the teacher all the questions buzzing through your head. However, there’s still time to help your child improve and learn.

The time you take and the support you provide now will help your pre-teen or teen whether they go to college or workforce training after high school.

After the conference, take a breath and talk to your student. You may want to ask:

1. Do you feel this grade reflects your best effort?
2. Did you turn in all your homework on time? If not, what was the penalty for turning in late homework? How can I help you learn to meet deadlines?
3. What is your teacher’s policy about incorrect answers on homework and exams? Will your teacher allow you to turn in corrected answers for partial or half credit?
4. Do you understand the material? If not, will your teacher meet with you to review and answer questions? Are free tutors available at your school? Do we need to consider hiring a tutor?
5. Do you have any distractions or barriers that keep you from listening, taking notes, or completing homework? How can you avoid them?
6. Can you describe the tests (essay, multiple choice, or other)? What are the best ways to prepare for the exams? What percentage of your grade do tests represent?

Armed with some basic answers from your child, you can formulate a strategy for fostering improvement. For help and free resources, check out ACT’s Homework Motivation or Why Go to College website articles, or read the ACT student blog for advice from high school students.

2009–2010 ACT Test Date Schedule

Students may register online or pick up registration packets from their high school counseling office. The cost for the ACT test without writing is $32. When combined with the optional ACT Writing Test, the total cost is $47. For those who qualify, fee waivers are available from high school counselors.

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