As a parent, you have the responsibility of guiding a young and impressionable mind through some of the biggest life challenges. When important decisions are concerned, you simply can’t leave it all to your kids. They simply don’t have the experience and the know-how to select the most rational choice. College selection will obviously […]
Read More...HELPING PARENTS NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE MAZE
Posts Tagged college choice
The College Selection Dilemma: Big or Small?
By Suzanne Shaffer on Thursday, February 8th, 2018 | Comments Off on The College Selection Dilemma: Big or Small?
Looking Past the College Names and the Rankings
By Suzanne Shaffer on Wednesday, November 8th, 2017 | Comments Off on Looking Past the College Names and the Rankings
When I talk to parents and listen to their stories about college prep, it’s hard not to be concerned. I’m concerned because it seems that college choice has become a competition–a competition among parents and a competition among students. It’s all about the prestige, the name, and the rankings and very little about the […]
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How I Helped My Daughter Choose College Over a Boyfriend
By Suzanne Shaffer on Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 | Comments Off on How I Helped My Daughter Choose College Over a Boyfriend
I will never forget how it felt when my daughter announced, “I don’t think I will go away to college.” My stomach went into knots. My heart broke. My mouth dropped. Panic arose within every fiber of my being; but I didn’t speak. My mind was going in a hundred different directions; but I remained […]
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My Son’s Path to College Graduation Took 9 Years After High School
By Suzanne Shaffer on Monday, March 28th, 2016 | 10 Comments
This week, I will be sharing some personal stories and experiences of my own children’s path to college. I hope they help enlighten you and encourage you to help your college-bound teen. During his senior year of high school, my son applied to three schools: the Air Force Academy, West Point, and the Citadel. […]
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My Daughter Turned Down a Full-Ride Scholarship
By Suzanne Shaffer on Friday, March 25th, 2016 | 1 Comment
During this financial aid award season, several years ago, my daughter had to make a difficult decision: which college would receive her acceptance of an offer of admission. Of the many colleges she applied to, they included private colleges, state universities, and trade colleges. Some offered her financial aid, others did not. It […]
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Tips for Making the Final College Choice
By Suzanne Shaffer on Monday, March 7th, 2016 | 2 Comments
The college your student chooses will be his home away from home for the next four years and his extended family. His choice should take into consideration those two facts and many others. How will he (and you) make the final college choice? What do you do if your student has multiple offers of admission? Beyond comparing financial […]
Read More...10 Criteria to Narrow Down Your College List
By Suzanne Shaffer on Tuesday, January 26th, 2016 | Comments Off on 10 Criteria to Narrow Down Your College List
There are over 4000 four-year colleges in the United States and another 1900 community colleges. Choosing a college can be overwhelming if you don’t narrow down the choices with this simple list of basic criteria. Once you’ve narrowed down the college list, you can get more selective and specific with your final choices. Here […]
Read More...Wednesday’s Parent: The #1 Question to Ask Before Applying to College
By Suzanne Shaffer on Wednesday, August 12th, 2015 | 1 Comment
The new school year is beginning and high school seniors will be making that difficult choice: choosing a college. It’s certainly a process of eliminating the unaffordable ones, the ones that are either too far away or too close to home, and the ones that simply don’t interest your student. But before applying to […]
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The Freedom to Choose
By Suzanne Shaffer on Saturday, July 4th, 2015 | Comments Off on The Freedom to Choose
Today is Independence Day and along with all the fireworks, barbecues and festivities, we should always reflect on the meaning of freedom. Our college bound teens would tell us that freedom means they don’t have to be under the constant supervision of parents when they leave for college. Our upcoming seniors would say freedom means […]
Read More...Mom-Approved Tips: How Will You Make the Final College Choice?
By Suzanne Shaffer on Monday, April 13th, 2015 | Comments Off on Mom-Approved Tips: How Will You Make the Final College Choice?
The May 1st decision deadline is approaching and families are anguishing over that final college choice. The college your student chooses will be her home for the next four years. It will be her extended family. Her choice should take into consideration those two facts. But how will you make the final college choice? […]
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