Is Your Child Ready for College?

Barbara Cooke, M.A.Career Counselor and Author

Parent’s Guide to College and Careers How to Help, Not Hover (JIST 2010)

http://guidetocollegeandcareers.blogspot.com

Reality Check

Over 70 % of high school graduates will enroll in college within two years of high school graduation

Less than 50% will complete a Bachelor’s degree or technical career program within six years

Reality Check

Only 60 % of students who start college at a 4-year school will complete a degree

40 % of students will notThe problem is more than choosing the

“wrong” collegeMore students have the expectation of

going to college without the preparation to be successful in college

Reality Check

High school success does not equal college readiness!

Three kinds of preparedness1. Academic preparedness2. Social/Emotional preparedness3. Financial preparedness

Academic Preparedness

What are your child’s basic skills in reading, writing, math, science?

Take the ACT or Compass testCompare scores to ACT College

Readiness BenchmarksA standardized measure

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks

ACT test scores needed for 50% chance of earning a B or better or 75 % chance of earning a C or better in college courses traditionally taken in the first year of college

College composition, college algebra, college biology, and an introductory social science course

Academic PreparednessCollege level classes vs. remedial

classesRemedial (developmental) classes are

one of the fastest growing segments of higher education

Courses taken in college to bring underprepared students to skill competency of a college freshman

Will cost you time and money

Academic PreparednessTime management in collegeTwo hours of outside study for each one

credit hour in class15 college credits: 15 hrs. in class + 30

hrs. of study = 45 hrs. per week needed for school

Add a part-time job 20 hrs./week = 65 hrs.

Homework/outside activities in HS

Academic PreparednessWriting skillsIn college, your child will expected

to:Write numerous short and long papers in all classes, not just English classes

Read unfamiliar material, analyze it and respond to it in writing

Answer essay questions rather than multiple choice questions

Academic PreparednessMath skillsCollege algebra is the minimum

degree requirementRemedial/developmental math

courses will cost you time and moneyInsist on 4 years of college prep

math in high school

Social/Emotional PreparednessA more subjective assessmentHow mature is your child?The three “R’s”

ResponsibilityResilienceResourcefulness

ResponsibilityTurning in assignments on timeShowing up for work and doing a good

jobCompleting household choresFollowing household rules and

curfewsManaging money - checking accounts,

debit cards, saving for purchases

ResilienceTaking criticism wellRealistic expectations of selfThe ability to bounce back after

setbacksSelf-care:

Eating rightExerciseGetting enough rest

ResourcefulnessProblem solving skillsConnecting with other people to

identify resourcesTalking with instructorsCreating and using a support system“Helicopter” parents: teach your

child to solve the problem, don’t solve it yourself!

Honor the “Red Flags”

Address your concerns about study skills, time management, and responsibility while your child is in high school

Work with your high school counselor to develop an action plan to build skills junior and senior year

Financial PreparednessHow are you and your child going to pay

for college?U.S. student loan debt now exceeds credit

card debt – over $830 billion dollars!College debt is an issue for both of youAverage student debt for graduates:

$29,400Doesn’t include debt of students who

leave without a degree

Financial PreparednessFour sources of money for college:

1. Grants and scholarships a student earns or is awarded

2. College savings accounts3. Monthly family income applied to

tuition and living expenses4. Loans, both student and parent

Financial Preparedness Total Cost of College (COA)

(tuition, fees, room, board, transportation, misc. living expenses)

- Less “Gift Aid” (scholarships and grants that do not have to be repaid= Out of Pocket Cost of College

(pay with college savings, cash, and student/parent loans)

Gift Aid

Scholarships and grants you don’t have to pay back

Scholarships: awarded for meritGrants: awarded based on needOutside/institutional scholarships

and grants

Scholarships and GrantsFederal aid: studentaid.ed.govYour state Department of Higher

Education website– state grants, scholarships

College websites automatic scholarships competitive scholarships

On average, scholarships and grants cover only 30% of the COA

Family Income Used for College

Tuition payments by parentsStudent earnings from work-study

and part-time jobsImportant: a work-study award is

paid to the student and covers indirect living costs

It does not cover direct costs such as tuition, fees, room and board

Student and Parent Loans

More families are borrowing for college

Both parents and students need to know their “debt threshold”

How much you can borrow and comfortably repay the loan?

How much is too much debt for college?

Parent Loans for College

Parent guideline: Your total household debt payments all your debts -- including mortgage payments, credit cards, car loans and education loans -- shouldn't eat up more than 35% of your gross pay

Parent Loans for College

Family income: $100,000/year

Total debt on mortgage, car payments, credit cards, other debts: $25,000/year

Maximum amount to add in loan payments: $10,000 /year

Student Loans for College

8% ruleYour child’s total student loan

payments should not exceed 8% of monthly gross income after college

For $30,000 student loan, payment will be $345/month

Salary needed: $52,000 /year

Student Loan RepaymentTotal Student Loans Annual Salary Needed

$10,000$15,000$20,000$25,000$30,000

$17,262/ year$25,893/year$34,524/year$43,155/year$51,786/year

Student Loans for College

8% rule connects amount to borrow with the student’s marketability after graduation

Some majors command more money in the job market than others

$345/month loan payment will be the same for an English major or engineering major

College Majors and JobsSome majors develop specific job

skills: engineering, nursing, education etc.

Most majors develop non-specific, transferable skills: English, psychology, communication studies, biology etc.

For most majors, work experience while in college is the key to employment after college

College Majors and JobsBegin exploring careers in high schoolCareer exploration vs. career decision-

makingUnderstand how different majors play out

in the job marketSeparate choosing a major from choosing a

1st careerUse career resources once you are on

campus

How to Insure Preparedness

Take rigorous courses in high schoolFour years of college-prep mathWriting-intensive courses: research

papersUse AP and dual-credit wiselyExplore careers in high school

Web Resources for Parents

http://guidetocollegeandcareers.blogspot.com

Career information websitesParent’s Guide to College and Careers/

How to Help, Not Hover (JIST 2010)

Careers by college major websitesFinancial aid (FAFSA4caster)and scholarship

linksLinks to 4-year college websites

Final ThoughtsAffirm your child’s strengthsDon’t be afraid to say “No”Teach networkingLearn to let go

Is Your Child Ready for College?

Barbara Cooke, M.A.Career Counselor and Author

Parent’s Guide to College and Careers How to Help, Not Hover (JIST 2010)

http://guidetocollegeandcareers.blogspot.com