Right on track
BY RONDA ADDY

For some parents, their child going off to college represents them getting older. For others, it means finally being able to turn that bedroom into an office. For the college-bound student, it means they are getting away from their parents and can now do what they want when they want. No matter what college represents, the important thing is to choose one that both parties will be happy with. When should this search begin?

During your child's freshman and sophomore years, they should start thinking about the minimum course requirements most colleges have and plan on taking courses that will help them meet those requirements. It's also a good time to meet with their guidance counselor and discuss their classes and college plans. If they want to participate in college sports, make sure they know the requirements of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).

During your child's junior year, they should sign up to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), as well as start researching colleges and their application procedures. If your child is going to sign up for AP classes sponsored by the College Board, they need to do so by their junior year. After receiving the results of the PSAT/NMSQT, your child should meet with their counselor about their college applications, and if the results were not what they hoped for, it might be a good idea for you to do something to help them do better on the ACT or SAT. They should also register for the ACT. By the end of your child's junior year, they should have taken the ACT and the SAT I or SAT II subject tests.

During summer break between your child's junior and senior years, they should call their colleges of interest and arrange to take campus tours and visit a classroom. While at the college, they should visit the financial aid counselor if need be. The results of their ACT, SAT and AP scores should have all arrived at the college by this time. If your child is going to need financial help, they should start sending away for private scholarship applications, especially those available in your area. This is also a good time to start filling out college applications as they arrive.

Senior year, and it's down to the wire. College choices should be narrowed down to those that your child can realistically expect to get into. If the SAT or ACT scores weren't what your child wanted, they should take the tests again to improve their score. They should also make sure all high school records and transcripts are up to date. Senior year is also when your child needs to ask their teachers for recommendations, making sure they give them plenty of time to complete the letters. Your child should follow up later to make sure the teachers have sent everything in by the deadline. Senior year is also when all financial aid applications need to be sent and first semester grades sent to all the colleges they have applied for, if the college requires them. Two weeks after filing their FAFSA, your child's SAR (Student Aid Report) should be arriving. They should check the report for errors and be sure to keep a copy with their student records.

College acceptance and rejection letters should be arriving soon. This will help your child narrow down their choices. As soon as one is chosen, make sure your child sends in their acceptance notification and informs any other schools that they were accepted to about their decision. If your child has gotten a financial aid package, they should apply for student loans. Near the end of their senior year, your child should make sure the high school has sent their college their final transcript. If your child is going to be living on campus, they should apply for housing and meals and make arrangements to attend campus orientation.