The transition from high school to college is not only a passage for students but it also represents a transition for parents as well. This is often the time that a child moves away from home into not only a new place but also a new culture. One that requires parents to "let go" and yet still remain a source of support. This is a difficult transition and yet an inevitable one. The college choice, in the end, must be your child's but parents do have an important role in the process. Certainly, financial considerations are often a primary concern but so is the "match" - knowing that your child has made a good choice based on his or her own needs, goals, and learning styles. The following are some suggestions to keep in mind as you explore the issues of college choice, admissions, and financing the costs of a college education.

	A visit to the colleges in which you child is interested is important. Your child may feel at home on some campuses and uncomfortable on others. Plan to accompany your son or daughter to as many schools as time, distance, and finances will allow.
	Encourage your child to start a file for safekeeping of all college information. Include in the file a chart of pertinent data for each college he or she is interested in attending: name of college, application deadline, application fee, standardized tests required, financial aid forms required, etc.
	Encourage your child to request applications in August and to begin working on the college essays.
	Make arrangements with your child for the checks to cover application fees (approximately $40 per college). Additionally, students need to cover testing fees.
	Check the deadlines for applications, financial aid forms, and housing. Housing applications (particularly for large state universities) may be due in the early fall, before other materials' deadlines.
	Remember that your child's courses (and grades) are the most important factor - not her SAT or ACT scores.
	The final choice needs to be your child's. A decision not owned is one likely to fail.

The college process can be a stressful time for loving parents. You want to do all that youcan to help your child be successful in a process that demands that each student speak forhimself or herself. It is not uncommon for students to experience a denial from a collegeor university. Parents can support their children and themselves by recognizing a denialfor what it is: an indication from a college that the "present match" between the collegeand applicant is not a good one. Students who are not accepted at a particular collegemay very well earn the necessary grades to transfer later on - if they continue to want thatschool. A denial should be viewed as a challenge, not a rejection.

The college process is, for many teenagers, their first experience in decision-making, andstudents are often anxious and scared. Be understanding of their moodiness and try tohelp them enjoy their college search process. Remind them that there are many collegesthat will match their needs and interests. They will be accepted at an appropriate schoolprovided they do the proper research.