Top 3 Issues Families Face Working Together During the College Process

Top 3 Issues Families Face Working Together During the College Process

Applying to college is a family process; and even for students who want to maintain autonomy over their essays and supplements, parents play a big role in the outcome of the journey and in how enjoyable the experience is. For rising seniors ready to jump into the process headfirst, we think it’s important to begin by establishing the kind of working relationship you will have with your parents or guardians.Keep reading to learn more about the top three issues families face navigating this process and how you can avoid them from adding unnecessary stress to your own.

Poor Communication

Few issues will increase uncertainty and stress around this process like poor communication. It’s vital that everyone is on the same page before proceeding. For this to happen, students need to be transparent with their parents about their goals and concerns, and parents need to do the same.As issues arise, it can be quite helpful to work with an admissions expert who can add valuable perspective to a conversation. But neither student nor parent should work in a vacuum.This may mean your family needs to develop specific rules about when and how often you’ll talk about the college process to create meaningful boundaries. And it may also mean that there will be some uncomfortable discussions about what is realistic or expected. But knowing this information up front will set a workable framework for the whole application process that ultimately leads to success.

Poor Communication, Continued – Expectations

Parents and students are sometimes on different pages about what constitutes a “good” school or which criterion in the search process should be most heavily valued. Failure to see eye to eye on expectations can lead to heightened tensions that spill over beyond applications into other areas of family life.If there is any parental preference (or insistence) that your student attend a school in a particular state, from a particular athletic conference, of a particular size, for a particular major, etc. those expectations should be made clear at the beginning of the process. Operating with transparency will allow everyone to invest fully in the available choices and avoid getting hopes up about options not actually on the table.As much as going to college is an experience for the student, it is an investment for her entire family. And each family will have different ways of reconciling these realities against each other. Through open, direct communication, parents and students can bridge any gap between their expectations.

Poor Communication, Continued Further – Control Issues

Students must feel – or rather, take – ownership over their own process. This is easier for some than others; but issues arise when the parent is more invested than the student in seeing that work gets done.Finding the right balance can be tricky. This is one of the main benefits that families experience when working with an admissions expert; having a neutral figure with a deep understanding of both the timeline and quality of work required for success can provide the context both parents and students need to maintain a healthy relationship while working through this process.  A family discussion about how involved parents will or won’t be in the daily maintenance of the college process early in the application season can set the tone for effective communication moving forward. Regular check ins will also be appropriate; the goal is to allow the student to drive the process without becoming overwhelmed or falling into the trap of procrastination. This can be a delicate balance, and every family dynamic is unique. But prioritizing this outcome of your communication will not only make applying to colleges run smoother, it will empower your student’s self-advocacy for future tasks. The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us