for 6-9th graders
College Admissions Guidance for Middle School Parents
With the college admissions process getting more complex and competitive each year, parents like to know before their child begins searching for the perfect school what is involved, what they should be steering their child towards before high school and when to start.
College Admissions Advising for Middle School Parents
With the college admissions process getting more complex and competitive each year, parents like to know before their child begins searching for the perfect school what is involved, what they should be steering their child towards before high school and when to start.
It’s never too early to start the college admissions process.
Parents have questions about college and how to get their child on the right path long before their child is in high school. We recommend parents (and 8th or 9th graders) schedule one meeting each year before the next year’s classes need to be selected. During these calls we discuss how the student is doing in current classes, what their class progression should look like based on their interests and capabilities, what they are or could be participating in and outside of school, and potential summer activities to explore interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do you suggest middle school parents/students meet with a counselor?
We recommend an initial meeting for parents of 6th or 7th graders to learn about decisions that impact college admissions during middle school. One meeting annually is usually sufficient from 6th-9th grade. Students are encouraged to join the meetings in 8th and 9th grade and a second session may be helpful for motivated students.
What is the best piece of advice for a parent of a college-bound middle school student?
This is going to sound counterintuitive, but, you need to allow your child to fail. Yes, fail early. Failure is part of the recipe for growth as an individual and student. The goal is for kids to fail on small things in middle school rather than experiencing it for the first time when things get tough (and count) in high school. When students experience failure, survive and overcome challenges, it reduces anxiety down the road. Parents should resist the temptation to jump in to save the day. Children need to learn the value of responsibility, effort and consequences.
