As a parent who has sent four kids to college, I thought I'd experienced it all. Campus visits, move-ins, loans, roommate issues, and family weekends - I'd done it all. But when my youngest child decided to attend a school far from home, I was in for a completely different admissions experience. This time, it was all about the details, the customization, and the support. Here's what I learned.
The Customized Campus Visit
One of the most useful aspects of this experience was the customized campus visit. While my older kids had group tours, this time, we had a personalized experience. We met with admissions, took a personal tour of the theatre department, and met with the department head for their major. It was the most productive day we spent on campus, giving us a clear picture of what the school had to offer.
The Pro/Con List at Admitted Student's Day
Over Spring Break, we attended an Admitted Students Day at a school not far from home. This event was incredibly helpful, providing the information needed for making the decision to commit. We sat in on a class, and I had a parent session on the job market and post-graduation career resources. During lunch, my child and I sat next to each other in the school's cafeteria, and we completed their pro/con list together. This helped them weigh their options and make an informed decision.
The Financial Aid Review Process
Prior to this year, I had never heard of a Financial Aid Review. Both of my child's top choices offered this option, and it was a game-changer. The process took about five minutes to submit an online form along with proof of their financial aid offers from other schools. In early April, both of their top choices responded, offering additional grants. This not only helped get the costs of their top three very different schools within $3,000 a year of each other, but it was also a confidence boost for my child.
The 2.5-Day Orientation
With the financial aid piece settled, my child could make their choice. After a lot of thinking, seeking opinions, and realizing they really want a new experience, they chose the school that is six hours away. This was the school that gave the customized campus visit, and now that I knew they would be going to college two states away, I had a whole new list of questions. The orientation was 2.5 days of helpful, informative, and comforting sessions for students and parents. While I stayed in a hotel, my child stayed in a dorm on campus. Orientation started with parents and students together, but by the end of the first day, we had to say our good-byes.
The Emotional Sessions
On the last day, I had two emotional sessions, the faculty warned, which made most parents cry - Supporting Your Student and Student Issues. We talked about what to do if your student gets lonely or is struggling, the child-sized gap in your life, and what the new normal is. Yep, I cried. But I felt more comfortable leaving my child since I understood this college.
The Takeaway
At the end of orientation, my child was exhausted and excited. We now knew the campus and building names, important dates, and had tips on everything from packing a plunger to navigating FERPA and nailing down plans for them to come home for Thanksgiving. Now I feel peace of mind in sending them almost six hours away, the furthest by far of any of our kids, away to college.
