Page 10 - MDC-College-Handbook-2021

HOW PARENTS Can Help
• Talk to your child about their college ideas and dreams. Tell them your limitations and expectations.
Discuss concerns you have regarding location, costs and majors.
• Work closely with the Guidance and College Counseling Department by attending college nights and the Kick-Off College Conference.
• Learn and use Naviance.
• Participate in the college search. Help your child think about relevant college factors such as cost, location, size, student support services, weather and distance from home.
• Help devise an organizational system for college information, applications and payments.
• Schedule and go on college visits. Point out important factors you observe. Don’t dominate; rather, let your child take the lead and ask questions.
• Proofread applications.
• Watch due dates.
• Check essay topics to see if the questions have been answered.
• Check spelling but don’t write the essay.
• Make sure the application is in the voice of your child, not yours.
• Check to see if test scores were sent from College Boards and ACT.
• Encourage your child to notify his or her counselor that the application was submitted.
• Be prepared to guide the final college decision with a pros and cons discussion.
• Send registration and dorm deposits as early as possible.
• Make sure NCAA and Bright Futures applications have been completed, if applicable.
College Guidance Handbook