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It's Never Too Early to Start the College Search, But It Can Be Too Late

Armed with thick college guides, financial aid forms, grade transcripts and high aspirations, millions of high school students immerse themselves into a search for the college of their choice.

Armed with thick college guides, financial aid forms, grade transcripts and high aspirations, millions of high school students immerse themselves into a search for the college of their choice. They soon discover that finding - and financing! - the right college can be a daunting task.

Students and their parents often become overwhelmed discussing financial aid options, majors, location, and even educational delivery systems. And looking at a list of colleges doesn't make it any easier. The Carnegie Foundation's Classification of Institutions of Higher Education lists 3,941 colleges, universities and schools in the U.S. From public universities and baccalaureate colleges to technical schools and theological seminaries, when, where and how does a family start the search process?

Ideally, the time to start planning the financial aspect of a child's college education is at birth, according to Dr. Douglas Huffman, Dean of Admissions and Records, and Ken Faffler, Director of Recruitment at Northwestern College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. "Parents need to realize that setting money aside over the years for their child's college education is accruing savings interest instead of paying student loan interest 20 years later," Huffman explains.As far as launching the actual college search, there is no set timeline. During Faffler's 13 years in college admissions, he's met with prospective students as young as fourth grade and many who were in their 40s and 50s. But as the college admission process becomes more competitive, starting the search early in high school benefits the student. "Surveys show that most students have a number one college in mind by the middle of their junior year," he says.

Huffman says that students and parents should reflect on four key areas during the student's junior and senior high school years in preparation for the college search:

1) Interest Areas

What careers interest the student? What are his/her hobbies? What areas does he/she excel in?

2) Abilities/Potential

What can the student do and do well? Music? Athletics? Computers?

3) Identify Locations and Preferences

Consider size of school, geography, majors offered, tech school or community college, public university or private liberal arts college, Christian or secular, urban or rural environment, residential or commuter, etc.

4) Delivery Systems

Does the student prefer a small classroom environment or the large lecture hall? Is direct interaction with faculty important, or are teaching assistant relationships adequate? Do they want a computer-based education, online classes, distance education?

"Admissions recruiters and guidance counselors sometimes send an unfair message to young people that once they choose a major there's one straight life-long path and it's a permanent decision. But it's not," Faffler stresses. "There are so many ways to get to any one point, and those paths can and do change frequently. In some respects, a college degree has become like a high school diploma: it's an entry-level point in your career. Getting a job out of college is not always based on what your major is, but that you are well-educated and can adapt to various work environments."

Once the student is serious about a college education, the real search begins during the junior year - or even earlier. The student needs to gather information on viable colleges. Information on these colleges is free and plentiful. "It won't be long before the mailbox is literally stuffed with brochures, viewbooks and application packets," Faffler says. And don't forget to use the Internet in the college search!

When the student has narrowed down college choices to a select few, the next step is the campus visit. "This is a key step in the college search," Faffler says. "A visit gives you the college 'feel,' how you'll fit in, a personal, inside look."

Faffler and Huffman recommend an overnight visit. Eat the food in the cafeteria, visit classes, take campus tours, talk with faculty, and take part in any social activities that are available. The campus visit often confirms a students' initial decision Faffler says. "Over half of those high school seniors who visit our campus eventually enroll, so it's a key step in the search process."

During January of the student's senior year, parents fill out tax forms and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), a standard government financial assistance form sent to any college the student has requested. Based on the FAFSA, the colleges put together financial aid packages that consist of need-based financial aid, which would be in addition to any merit-based aid such as scholarships for academics, leadership, ability, etc.

Financial aid isn't the only facet that requires forethought. To qualify for the National Merit program, the PSAT needs to be taken by the fall of the junior year. The ACT and SAT exams should be taken at least twice: in the spring of the junior year and the fall or winter of the senior year. Generally, college applications should be completed before Thanksgiving of the senior year for timely consideration.

"While it is never too early to start the college search process, it can be too late," Huffman stresses. "You can apply and get into a college the summer after graduation, but will you get the classes you want? Will you get the financial aid you need? Will you get into campus housing?"

Yes, a lot can be said for early planning and doing your homework when it comes to the college search process.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com, e-mail: info@araocontent.com

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