Confessions of a College Advisor

Last Thursday I conducted a college admissions and financial aid workshop at a local library.  Among the (small) audience:

A mom. And her 2nd grader. 

Her only child.

(Insert punch line here.)

Obviously, I told her she was late to the party and should have started planning for college while her daughter was in utero.

No, I didn't.  But I did attempt to keep a straight face the entire night, which is typically not in my skill set. 

On a serious note, even though I'm the guy who sends emails like "Don't start too late" or "You better do this now, or else," I have my limits. 

God, that was hard to write. 

Yet, therapeutic, because sometimes Pearl and I can't believe what we actually do for a living.  Thursday night was one of those times.   

If you're worried about being That Mom or That Dad, this should help.  

If your kid tells you that you're nuts, neurotic or taking the college thing too seriously, feel free to share this example with them. 

You'll be able to point out that there are much crazier parents out there.  So your kid should be grateful for having you, not annoyed by you.

(Good luck with that.)

9th grade is plenty early to get serious about college planning.  Most families start in 10th or 11th.

I will say this, the later you start in high school, the worse off you might be.  Because college applications are predicated on the entire body of work in grades 9-12.  Occasionally 8th grade, if the kid took a high school level class then.

Not 2nd grade.

Thanks for letting me share part of my  bizzaro universe with you.

-Andy "Still Shaking My Head" Lockwood

P.S.  Tomorrow (Sunday) night, our head tutor Marissa and I are running a short, live, "Town Hall" on the recent changes to the SAT and ACT, and what they mean for you and your kiddos.

It's tomorrow, 7pm, online.   

If you have an 11th or 10th grader, definitely do whatever it takes to tune in.  Here's where to go: