You Are In!…Now What?
Updated: Apr 1, 2021
Congratulations on your acceptances! If you haven’t yet decided which college to attend, consider our practical recommendations. You have done the work, now relax and enjoy the ride.
Financial Review
Parents – If you have not yet discussed with your student your parental financial parameters, now is the time. Layout what you can afford based on income, existing assets, and what you are comfortable taking on in loan payments. Depleting lifetime savings is not an option.
Parents and Students – Review each financial offer, reducing the cost of attendance by scholarships and grants only. If competing school offers are not equitable, consider writing an appeal providing updated information about your financials and your student’s commitment to the school.
Students – If a gap exists between the school’s net cost of attendance and what your parents can contribute, get real. Consider your possible career path(s), estimated income once school is complete, and use a payment calculator to determine years of payments and interest for student loans. Not all debt is bad but understanding your long-term cost allows a clear assessment of each school’s value proposition.
Revisit Colleges – Admitted Student’s Day - Virtual or Boots on the Ground? - Not all schools are allowing student visits, so how to get to know a college without a visit?
Remote Sessions – Attend as many remote sessions as possible. A silver lining is that students can now evaluate a school on value propositions vs the majestic buildings and sometimes chat boxes are easier for students to ask questions. Example of remote sessions include
Study Abroad
Program of Study
Live student virtual campus tour
The first-year experience
Pre-professional programs
Student clubs and activities