Surviving the College Search
How to Get Your Parents Through the College Search
Before you head off to campus visits and college fairs, agree on the ground rules.
Sit down together and talk about your individual expectations, interests, and concerns.
Some items to cover
- Intended major
- Location
- College costs
- List of schools to check
- And anything else that you think might be an issue. Avoid potentially embarrassing matters before the campus tour. If you can't agree or compromise, then agree to disagree.
Decide how the final decision will be reached
Some parents allow their son or daughter to make the final decision, others decide together, while still others say it comes down to the financial aid package. Whatever your decision-making method, agree from the beginning how it will be done. This will save much conflict in the end.
Keep in mind that your parents are going through a transition—just like you
You are facing some pretty big changes that at times might seem scary. Your parents are confronting challenges too—like letting you go! Just remember they are acting out of concern and love.
Keep communicating
The key to surviving the college search with your parents is to keep talking. If you keep the lines of communication open, you'll be on the right track! No matter how hard the selection process seems, have faith that your parents have your best interests in mind, and together, you'll make it through this transition. Before you know it, you'll be in a new place . . . and on common ground again.
