How to get your kids into the college of their choice
(STATEPOINT)

We all want our children to succeed in life, and planning early for college is one of the best ways to help them get ahead in the real world.

There are plenty of things parents can do to help kids be as prepared as possible to get into the colleges of their choice. The key is to get on the right track early when a child first enters high school.

"Students need to get good grades and work hard, but academics are not the only part of college preparation. They need to develop skills, build character, participate in student activities and, most importantly, develop a plan with their parents that will help them select the right school and gain admission to it," says Professor Bill Coplin, author of the new book "25 Ways To Make College Pay Off: Advice for Anxious Parents from a Professor Who's Seen It All" (AMACOM Books).

Before putting undue pressure on a child, parents need to realistically consider if their child is college material and if a typical four-year college is the right choice.

Once you determine college will be the chosen path, there are plenty of things you can do to help your child get focused and organized. Professor Coplin offers the following advice:

• Use the "Goldilocks Principle" -- not too hot and not too cold. High school can be tough, but it should also be a fun experience that helps children begin to stand on their own feet. You need to apply just the right mixture of "hands on" and "hands off" when helping students choose courses and extracurricular activities, develop good study habits and begin planning for their futures.

• Have your child prepare a written or verbal plan about how college will contribute to his or her career focus. It's easier to follow a plan once it's formalized and can be reviewed along the way.

• Perform a "focus check" every four months to check his or her commitment to a college path. Are good study habits being developed? Have courses and activities been selected wisely? Remember, colleges look at grades as well as types of courses taken.

• Don't worry about your child's GPA if it is 3.0 or above. Take strong action if it's heading below 2.0.

• Get college credits in high school. It demonstrates to you, your child, and even to colleges that a student is serious.

• Use the application process as a career-development test. How children handle the college selection process can be useful in preparing for a career and for college itself.

• Choose a college based on a student's career mission. Check if coursework allows for internships and field experiences. Some schools even give grants for internships or free summer tuition for internship courses.

• Think about a future career. Check out a college's career services department. Does the staff know what they're talking about? Do alumni work with undergraduates?

• Before they enter college tell children you won't pay for more than four years (unless it's a longer program, such as architecture or pharmacy).

• Require your child to pay for at least 20 percent the college education - it helps insure college is taken seriously and helps hone life skills, such as time management and job search and interview techniques.

• The key is establishing a plan with your child to support college preparation while in high school and to continue that relationship during college to help him or her plan for a successful career," says Coplin.

For more advice on helping to ensure your child's success in college and beyond, read Coplin's "25 Ways To Make College Pay Off," now available in your local bookstore or online.