The letters of acceptance from your teen's top college choices are rolling in, FAFSA and scholarship applications are being painstakingly completed and seniors are wrapping up high school careers. There's a lot on their plate, and yours. But now is the time to make the final decision on the college they will attend. In order to make the right decision, academic, social and financial considerations must be made.
Every college has academic specialties. There are more undergraduate and post-graduate opportunities in a college's area of emphasis. Jordan, my stepson and local senior, wants to go into the health field, perhaps become a doctor. He researched colleges that were an academic fit for him before he sent applications, but it's certainly not too late to do that now. Choosing a college that meshes with a teen's career interests is important to their academic success.
Your teen's social interests are also an important factor in choosing a college. What kinds of activities does the college have for incoming Freshman? Would your teen do better closer to home? Would your teen do well on a populated campus or would they benefit from a more intimate atmosphere? Jordan is a reserved personality so a strong freshman social program at a school closer to home is a must. Making it through the first year of college has everything to do with social acclimation.
Last, is the financial fit. What can you afford? Are there going to be scholarships available? Does your teen qualify for financial aid? How do you feel about student loans? How much debt are you willing to accrue for school? For most parents, the financial aspect has to be taken into consideration. Since Jordan is planning on extended school time, he decided to get through his undergraduate degree with as little debt as possible. This meant attending an in-state institution.
Choosing a college is an incredibly important decision to you and your teen and therefore cannot be made lightly. If you and your teen discuss the financial, social and academic requirements for your teen and your family, the school that is right for them will emerge. For Jordan, Idaho State University is the right choice because it fits his personality, his career goals and our budget.
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