Charting a Clear Path: Smart College Planning for Students and Parents
Every successful college journey begins long before the senior year of high school. Starting early allows students and parents to explore academic goals, extracurricular interests, and financial considerations without unnecessary pressure. Ideally, families should begin meaningful conversations in middle school or early high school, setting expectations and discussing potential career paths. By opening this dialogue early, students can make more informed course and activity selections, while parents can begin budgeting and researching scholarship opportunities . Starting this process ahead of time offers a stronger sense of direction and reduces last-minute stress. Equally important is creating a realistic timeline that outlines key milestones along the way. From taking standardized tests to gathering recommendation letters, each step has a proper time and place. A clear schedule helps avoid missed deadlines and gives students a greater sense of control over the application process. Pa...