College Selection Begins in Grade School

Being a junior in high school-or worse, a senior-with no idea of the type of college you want to attend makes for an angst-ridden high school experience. But parents can help focus their children far earlier than most people realize. Not that you want Junior stressing about getting into Harvard in fifth grade, but choices made and interests followed in elementary school start to narrow the college choices long before he ever hits high school.

Simple things, like the academic expectations set for your child in grade school, decisions on whether to pursue a sport, play an instrument, or get involved with acting or dance, can become the driving force behind college decisions.

Dance classes begun in elementary school might instill an interest in dance that becomes the focus of the college selection process. Or years of soccer and a love for the sport might narrow the college choices to schools within Division 1 or 3, and within those, to the schools whose coaches show interest in your child. In other words, your child may narrow his college choices simply by following his interests. That's a good thing. There are so many schools that the process can be overwhelming to students who have no clue about the kind of school they want.

Visit colleges whenever you can

While you don't want to start the "official" college visits until your child is in high school, you can get the wheels turning long before that, and it's easier than you think. Just find an excuse to get your kids on campuses when you can.

When you're visiting Grandma or on vacation, find a college or university along the way and drive through campus. Attend plays, musical programs, or sporting events at local colleges. Take your children to your alma mater for homecoming weekend. Sign them up for a sports camp at a college. If you're at a soccer tournament in Virginia, drive through the University of Richmond campus, or make a detour to the University of Virginia. It's interesting how quickly your child will form opinions about what types of schools they like after they've been to a few.

Being familiar with campuses gives them a starting point when the time comes to get serious. If you've done several "passive" visits, they may have an idea of whether they want an urban school or if a big state university seems the most appealing. And, you'll have formed some opinions of your own along the way. You'll be able to guide your child to the schools where they might fit and have a good chance of acceptance because you'll have been on a number of campuses with them. Just remember that your child is the one who will attend. While a city school may not be your cup of tea, if it's what your child wants, then you need to go with the flow and visit some so they see the advantages and disadvantages.

Visiting colleges at an early age gives your child an idea of what higher education is all about. Our nine-year-old son is already very comfortable on college campuses because he's been on college tours with his older siblings and visits them now that they're college students.

If you can help your child develop an opinion of what type of campus (urban, rural, large, small) they can see themselves on, or what interests (dance, soccer, or ultimate Frisbee) they want to pursue, it will be a big help when it's time for them to become serious about college. Having even an inkling of the schools they might be interested in-or never want to see again-will save you time and money. And that can only be a good thing.