SET BOUNDARIES!

While we encourage parents/guardians to be engaged in their student's college search/decision process, being too engaged can come with consequences.

Students should be the ones filling out their applications, writing their college essay, and scheduling interviews/emailing admissions representatives. Schools take notice when a student advocates for him/herself vs a parent/guardian.

To help your student be successful in college, the college admissions process is a good opportunity for students to learn how to organize materials and balance multiple deadlines. Doing this for them won't help them learn!
These are the important lessons they'll need to bring with them for their college years.

How can I help my student with the college process?

Remember that your student has a say- while choosing a college, especially financially, is very much a family decision, many families lose sight of the fact that the student will be going to school/living there, not the parent/guardian. Make sure you listen to what your student has to say about what they like/don't like about a particular school when narrowing down the school list.
Help your student find his/her own "inner differentiator"- learning self-advocacy and decision making is tough, and the college process is a great time for students to learn/use those skills. Filling out their applications and submitting their test scores for them doesn't help them learn, puts them at a disadvantage, and is frowned upon by college admissions. They can't bring you to college!
Taking a backseat on college tours- we do encourage parents/guardians to join their students on college tours. It's important for you to see the schools too! However, we suggest you sit back and let your student soak the visit in before giving an opinion, so they have a chance to form theirs on their own.
Proofreading the essay(s) - while we encourage you to remain as hands-off as possible with the actual writing of the college-essay, we do encourage you to help students proofread their essays (while making sure it remains in their own words).
Framingham High School also has a wonderful Writing Center, and other resources, that can help with the College Essay process.
Be a calming influence/sounding board- the college application is multi-layered and stressful! Applying to colleges can feel like a part-time job, and this can be tough for students. Every year we hear students ask "but what if I don't get into any of the schools I apply to?" Being an empathetic teammate in time of self-doubt is the best help you can be to your student.