rop the ball in his or her coursework. While it is true that in terms of grades, college starts in 9th grade, there is a bit of room for error in the earlier years, as long as the student eventually demonstrates an upward grade trend. By the fall term of 11th grade, this upward trend has to have begun; it is then the student’s responsibility to reinforce these high grades throughout the rest of his or her high school career. It is therefore also crucial to end midterms on a strong note. You should check in with your son or daughter periodically to see how each individual class of theirs is going so you can pinpoint any particular problem areas early on. If they seem to be having problems in a certain area, encourage your son or daughter to talk to the teacher outside of the classroom on a biweekly basis. This not only will help your child understand the material, it will help him or her build an important relationship with a teacher who could vouch for him or her on a college application during the following year. It’s also a good idea to ask questions about their classes from an intellectual standpoint: Try and help your child connect the actual course material by engaging in dinnertime conversation about what he or she is studying. Play the role of student by having your child explain in detail what is being covered in their core classes. Still, if your son or daughter seems to be slipping grade-wise or seems increasingly disinterested in his or her schoolwork, you may want to start encouraging the college research process with a possible trip to a reach school or two. Seeing the school’s environment and realizing what the commitment it will take to get there will likely serve as a motivator more commanding than your reminders that schoolwork comes first.

- Stay on top of your son or daughter’s standardized testing schedule. It is important to really keep on top of your kids about this: Are they signed up for the right standardized tests? Are they properly registered? It has unfortunately proven more than once that leaving minute details such as picking up registration forms up to the student is not always a foolproof plan. Also, ask to see the registration forms to make sure that your son or daughter’s name is spelled and recorded exactly the same way on each SAT form. If a student sits an SAT or a subject test on more than one occasion and his or her name is recorded differently in any way from one date to the other, not all scores will be grouped together. Even something as minor as the presence or absence of a hyphen in a compound last name can cause a separate record to be created for your child, so please be vigilant about spelling!

- Finally, don’t stress yourself out, too! As we said earlier, 11th grade is indeed a demanding and tense year for students. It is your job to serve as a support system during this time, not add unneeded extra pressure.

For parents of seniors:

- Encourage

For juniors:

- Optimize your free time. Unfortunately, eleventh grade tends to be the most difficult in terms of time management due to the large amount of studying that is required of all students – not only for their courses, but for standardized tests. We recommend going out with friends only one night a week, preferably a Saturday night. You probably want to get into the habit of staying in on Friday nights – or at least having more relaxed Friday nights – because most standardized tests occur early on Saturday mornings. I know that 11th grade is a very social year, and it’s easy to get distracted by friends, so we recommend that students plan their study time at home very carefully. Break that time up into one-hour blocks, working on homework and studying for 50-55 minutes and taking 5-10 minutes at the end of each hour to take a break and communicate with your friends. This requires discipline, but you will get a lot more done with way than if you let yourself get caught up in an hour-long phone conversation or IM session. It is very important to prioritize what you have to do every week, keeping in mind that large projects, tests and papers come first. Plan to work on these in advance, not the night or even week before. In fact, as soon as you get the assignment or test date, you should begin preparing incrementally. A project done the night before is never as good as one that has been gradually strengthened over time, and furthermore, you need a good night’s sleep—7 or 8 hours if possible—before a presentation or test. Pulling an all-nighter ultimately does you a disservice. If you are tired after school, instead of sleeping until dinner, you should train yourself to take 30-minute power naps, which will re-energize you without wasting valuable time.

- Stick to your IvyWise testing schedule. Eleventh grade, we’re sorry to say, is also the year of heavy standardized testing. The best way to handle it all is by beginning preparation for the SAT I, SAT subject tests, and AP exams (if you’re taking them in May) at the beginning of the school year. In addition, try spacing your test dates out so you are not wrestling with too much test prep at any given time. For example, you can take the Math I or II SAT subject test in November and December and get them out of the way. If you are able to prepare well enough in advance, we recommend taking the SAT I in both January and April and leaving May and June open for subject tests. The May SAT date does not conflict with the dates of the May AP tests, which are usually given at school during the week. In order to get the most out of a testing day, we advise—especially at the end of the school year—taking 3 SAT subject tests on both the May and June dates. The subjects you take on these dates should coincide with your 11th-grade courses, as learning is cumulative, and you should already know most of the information on the tests by May or June due to your in-school coursework. Also, remember that because colleges take only your highest scores, you can take tests twice. For example, if you take US History as an 11th-grader, you may want to sign up for the US History SAT subject test in both May and June to give yourself two shots at it. For the SAT I, colleges will take your highest score in each section, even if they occur on different test dates. If you want a third chance at the SAT I or any SAT subject tests, you still have October and November of your senior year to use as retake dates. Finally, just a reminder that in order to be prepared for standardized tests, it is important to practice. You should do about eight realistic practice tests for each exam, whether it be the SAT I, a subject test, or an AP exam, before going into the real test.

- Nurture your teacher relationships. Eleventh grade is the most important time in your high school career to cultivate your relationships with teachers. Most likely, two of your 11th-grade teachers will later be writing your college recommendations. Try to be absent as little as possible (aim for 3 days maximum per year, and those should only be due to extreme illness), be responsible with your schoolwork, go above and beyond the boundaries of the classroom assignments, be respectful of your teachers and peers, and meet regularly with your teacher outside of the classroom for extra help and so you can build a better relationship. By the end of the year, you should have at least two teachers who will want to go to bat for you. The better a teacher knows you, the better his or her recommendation will be, as he or she can include detailed and lively anecdotes about you in your letter of recommendation.

- Start your college research early. Beginning in 11th grade, we recommend visiting as many campuses as possible of those that interest you, because you will learn a lot just by being on the campus and seeing the community firsthand. You can start your research using the Fiske Guide to Colleges, which is an especially great resource, because each school’s description also includes a list of schools that are typical overlaps (a list of schools where applicants to that particular school also applied). Once you read a bit about a college, you can do more research about it online by taking virtual tours and reading about professors, course offerings, clubs and organizations, community service, internships and study abroad opportunities. After awhile, you will really start to get a feel for what it would be like to go there. When you visit, you should attend both the information session and the campus tour, as you get two different points of view: Generally, an admissions representative leads the information session while a current student leads the tour. As an eleventh-grader, it is also a great idea to make contacts at the schools in which you’re interested. For example, contact the admissions office at a school you love, find out who will be reading applications from your area, and start an email dialogue with this reader. This is a good way to get your specific questions answered, as well as have your name heard by the person who will eventually be evaluating your application.

- Set high but realistic grade goals for each semester. Colleges will look first and foremost at your academic record from 9th grade through the end of 11th grade. Therefore, your goal should be to end 11th grade as strong as possible. This is especially important if you started high school out on a shaky note – if you finish 11th grade on an upward grade trend, your lower grades in your freshman year will be more likely to be excused. Most colleges will only see the very beginning of your senior year’s performance in your courses by the time you apply, so your end-of-year grades during junior year must be reflective of your academic capabilities. College is about getting a higher education and admissions readers want to be sure that the students they admit can do the work at their school. Remember, grades always come first!

For seniors:

- Focus on all of your schools, not just your early choice. If you applied early, it can be tempting to “wait and see” before seriously working on your other college applications—however, since most early programs send out their decisions in mid-December and most regular applications are due in early January, putting off the other applications would be a mistake. Give yourself your winter vacation as a time to relax, not as a time to be frantically working on your college applications. Furthermore, keep researching all of the schools on your list. Take comfort in the fact that you put together your college list based on careful research—you would likely be equally happy and successful at any of the schools on your list. Continued research should help you get excited about multiple colleges, instead of just focusing on one. That way, once you receive your early application decision, you will be prepared for all options.

- You are in charge of what you share. In other words, if your relatives nag you over where you are applying and whether you will be going to an Ivy League school, feel free to decide how much you want to share. If a particular extended family member or friend is adding to your stress rather than helping alleviate it, you might want to calmly and directly explain that you would rather not discuss it right now. Remember that if someone is giving you a hard time, it is likely a result of his/her own feelings and not about you. Surround yourself with people who will support you, and think about how your words might be affecting those around you as well.

- Don’t forget that you are still in high school. Senior year, as you know, is often very stressful. Seniors are so busy planning and preparing for leaving home and going to college while at the same time still trying to enjoy their last year of high school. Don’t get so caught up in applying to college that you neglect high school—including your schoolwork. Stay motivated by using your last year of high school to get the most out of your classes, and to contribute more than you have in the past. Adding to class discussions, challenging yourself on papers and assignments, and managing your busy schedule are great practice for college, when you will most likely have harder classes and more freedom.

- Be a leader. As a senior, you are automatically a leader in your school, whether or not you are captain of a sport or president of a club. Assume your leadership role with pride. Be a role model to younger students. Lead by example in the classroom, on the sports fields, and in your clubs and activities.

- Remember that things do work out. It may be difficult to hear now, but whether or not you are admitted to your first choice school, things do work out in the end. Most students I have spoken to agree that they would have been happy and successful at many, many colleges. Success is based on the individual, not on the college he/she attends. College admission is not a statement about your worth as a person. This fact is important for everyone to keep in mind—even the person who is admitted to every school on the list. Celebrate your many accomplishments before you hear from your colleges.

For parents of juniors:

- Start planning trips around college visits. A helpful way for a parent to get involved in the college application process is by starting to plan college visits in advance, before the pressure is on during senior year. Longer trips can be planned during fall or winter break, whereas a quick trip should be planned for a day off of school. Ideally, a visit should be when school is in session, so the student can get a realistic idea of what it’s like to live and study in that particular community. Initiating discussion of college visits is also a great way to encourage your son or daughter to begin the college research process early. Remember, however, that your role is to plan the visits and provide support for your son or daughter throughout the duration of the visit; it is not to decide whether the school is a good match for your son or daughter. Of course, your opinion will likely matter to your son or daughter, it’s important that you stay at arm’s length – you are not applying to school.

- Help your child understand the importance of junior year grades. Eleventh grade can be an extremely stressful and work-intensive year for students who are planning on applying to the top tier of colleges. In some cases, the overload can cause a backlash or a descent into indifference. It is then your role to help your son or daughter understand that 11th grade academic performance is basically the most important aspect of a college application, and this is the most inopportune time for a high school student to drop the ball in his or her coursework. While it is true that in terms of grades, college starts in 9th grade, there is a bit of room for error in the earlier years, as long as the student eventually demonstrates an upward grade trend. By the fall term of 11th grade, this upward trend has to have begun; it is then the student’s responsibility to reinforce these high grades throughout the rest of his or her high school career. It is therefore also crucial to end midterms on a strong note. You should check in with your son or daughter periodically to see how each individual class of theirs is going so you can pinpoint any particular problem areas early on. If they seem to be having problems in a certain area, encourage your son or daughter to talk to the teacher outside of the classroom on a biweekly basis. This not only will help your child understand the material, it will help him or her build an important relationship with a teacher who could vouch for him or her on a college application during the following year. It’s also a good idea to ask questions about their classes from an intellectual standpoint: Try and help your child connect the actual course material by engaging in dinnertime conversation about what he or she is studying. Play the role of student by having your child explain in detail what is being covered in their core classes. Still, if your son or daughter seems to be slipping grade-wise or seems increasingly disinterested in his or her schoolwork, you may want to start encouraging the college research process with a possible trip to a reach school or two. Seeing the school’s environment and realizing what the commitment it will take to get there will likely serve as a motivator more commanding than your reminders that schoolwork comes first.

- Stay on top of your son or daughter’s standardized testing schedule. It is important to really keep on top of your kids about this: Are they signed up for the right standardized tests? Are they properly registered? It has unfortunately proven more than once that leaving minute details such as picking up registration forms up to the student is not always a foolproof plan. Also, ask to see the registration forms to make sure that your son or daughter’s name is spelled and recorded exactly the same way on each SAT form. If a student sits an SAT or a subject test on more than one occasion and his or her name is recorded differently in any way from one date to the other, not all scores will be grouped together. Even something as minor as the presence or absence of a hyphen in a compound last name can cause a separate record to be created for your child, so please be vigilant about spelling!

- Finally, don’t stress yourself out, too! As we said earlier, 11th grade is indeed a demanding and tense year for students. It is your job to serve as a support system during this time, not add unneeded extra pressure.

For parents of seniors:

- Encourage y

in-school coursework. Also, remember that because colleges take only your highest scores, you can take tests twice. For example, if you take US History as an 11th-grader, you may want to sign up for the US History SAT subject test in both May and June to give yourself two shots at it. For the SAT I, colleges will take your highest score in each section, even if they occur on different test dates. If you want a third chance at the SAT I or any SAT subject tests, you still have October and November of your senior year to use as retake dates. Finally, just a reminder that in order to be prepared for standardized tests, it is important to practice. You should do about eight realistic practice tests for each exam, whether it be the SAT I, a subject test, or an AP exam, before going into the real test.

- Nurture your teacher relationships. Eleventh grade is the most important time in your high school career to cultivate your relationships with teachers. Most likely, two of your 11th-grade teachers will later be writing your college recommendations. Try to be absent as little as possible (aim for 3 days maximum per year, and those should only be due to extreme illness), be responsible with your schoolwork, go above and beyond the boundaries of the classroom assignments, be respectful of your teachers and peers, and meet regularly with your teacher outside of the classroom for extra help and so you can build a better relationship. By the end of the year, you should have at least two teachers who will want to go to bat for you. The better a teacher knows you, the better his or her recommendation will be, as he or she can include detailed and lively anecdotes about you in your letter of recommendation.

- Start your college research early. Beginning in 11th grade, we recommend visiting as many campuses as possible of those that interest you, because you will learn a lot just by being on the campus and seeing the community firsthand. You can start your research using the Fiske Guide to Colleges, which is an especially great resource, because each school’s description also includes a list of schools that are typical overlaps (a list of schools where applicants to that particular school also applied). Once you read a bit about a college, you can do more research about it online by taking virtual tours and reading about professors, course offerings, clubs and organizations, community service, internships and study abroad opportunities. After awhile, you will really start to get a feel for what it would be like to go there. When you visit, you should attend both the information session and the campus tour, as you get two different points of view: Generally, an admissions representative leads the information session while a current student leads the tour. As an eleventh-grader, it is also a great idea to make contacts at the schools in which you’re interested. For example, contact the admissions office at a school you love, find out who will be reading applications from your area, and start an email dialogue with this reader. This is a good way to get your specific questions answered, as well as have your name heard by the person who will eventually be evaluating your application.

- Set high but realistic grade goals for each semester. Colleges will look first and foremost at your academic record from 9th grade through the end of 11th grade. Therefore, your goal should be to end 11th grade as strong as possible. This is especially important if you started high school out on a shaky note – if you finish 11th grade on an upward grade trend, your lower grades in your freshman year will be more likely to be excused. Most colleges will only see the very beginning of your senior year’s performance in your courses by the time you apply, so your end-of-year grades during junior year must be reflective of your academic capabilities. College is about getting a higher education and admissions readers want to be sure that the students they admit can do the work at their school. Remember, grades always come first!

For seniors:

- Focus on all of your schools, not just your early choice. If you applied early, it can be tempting to “wait and see” before seriously working on your other college applications—however, since most early programs send out their decisions in mid-December and most regular applications are due in early January, putting off the other applications would be a mistake. Give yourself your winter vacation as a time to relax, not as a time to be frantically working on your college applications. Furthermore, keep researching all of the schools on your list. Take comfort in the fact that you put together your college list based on careful research—you would likely be equally happy and successful at any of the schools on your list. Continued research should help you get excited about multiple colleges, instead of just focusing on one. That way, once you receive your early application decision, you will be prepared for all options.

- You are in charge of what you share. In other words, if your relatives nag you over where you are applying and whether you will be going to an Ivy League school, feel free to decide how much you want to share. If a particular extended family member or friend is adding to your stress rather than helping alleviate it, you might want to calmly and directly explain that you would rather not discuss it right now. Remember that if someone is giving you a hard time, it is likely a result of his/her own feelings and not about you. Surround yourself with people who will support you, and think about how your words might be affecting those around you as well.

- Don’t forget that you are still in high school. Senior year, as you know, is often very stressful. Seniors are so busy planning and preparing for leaving home and going to college while at the same time still trying to enjoy their last year of high school. Don’t get so caught up in applying to college that you neglect high school—including your schoolwork. Stay motivated by using your last year of high school to get the most out of your classes, and to contribute more than you have in the past. Adding to class discussions, challenging yourself on papers and assignments, and managing your busy schedule are great practice for college, when you will most likely have harder classes and more freedom.

- Be a leader. As a senior, you are automatically a leader in your school, whether or not you are captain of a sport or president of a club. Assume your leadership role with pride. Be a role model to younger students. Lead by example in the classroom, on the sports fields, and in your clubs and activities.

- Remember that things do work out. It may be difficult to hear now, but whether or not you are admitted to your first choice school, things do work out in the end. Most students I have spoken to agree that they would have been happy and successful at many, many colleges. Success is based on the individual, not on the college he/she attends. College admission is not a statement about your worth as a person. This fact is important for everyone to keep in mind—even the person who is admitted to every school on the list. Celebrate your many accomplishments before you hear from your colleges.

For parents of juniors:

- Start planning trips around college visits. A helpful way for a parent to get involved in the college application process is by starting to plan college visits in advance, before the pressure is on during senior year. Longer trips can be planned during fall or winter break, whereas a quick trip should be planned for a day off of school. Ideally, a visit should be when school is in session, so the student can get a realistic idea of what it’s like to live and study in that particular community. Initiating discussion of college visits is also a great way to encourage your son or daughter to begin the college research process early. Remember, however, that your role is to plan the visits and provide support for your son or daughter throughout the duration of the visit; it is not to decide whether the school is a good match for your son or daughter. Of course, your opinion will likely matter to your son or daughter, it’s important that you stay at arm’s length – you are not applying to school.

- Help your child understand the importance of junior year grades. Eleventh grade can be an extremely stressful and work-intensive year for students who are planning on applying to the top tier of colleges. In some cases, the overload can cause a backlash or a descent into indifference. It is then your role to help your son or daughter understand that 11th grade academic performance is basically the most important aspect of a college application, and this is the most inopportune time for a high school student to drop the ball in his or her coursework. While it is true that in terms of grades, college starts in 9th grade, there is a bit of room for error in the earlier years, as long as the student eventually demonstrates an upward grade trend. By the fall term of 11th grade, this upward trend has to have begun; it is then the student’s responsibility to reinforce these high grades throughout the rest of his or her high school career. It is therefore also crucial to end midterms on a strong note. You should check in with your son or daughter periodically to see how each individual class of theirs is going so you can pinpoint any particular problem areas early on. If they seem to be having problems in a certain area, encourage your son or daughter to talk to the teacher outside of the classroom on a biweekly basis. This not only will help your child understand the material, it will help him or her build an important relationship with a teacher who could vouch for him or her on a college application during the following year. It’s also a good idea to ask questions about their classes from an intellectual standpoint: Try and help your child connect the actual course material by engaging in dinnertime conversation about what he or she is studying. Play the role of student by having your child explain in detail what is being covered in their core classes. Still, if your son or daughter seems to be slipping grade-wise or seems increasingly disinterested in his or her schoolwork, you may want to start encouraging the college research process with a possible trip to a reach school or two. Seeing the school’s environment and realizing what the commitment it will take to get there will likely serve as a motivator more commanding than your reminders that schoolwork comes first.

- Stay on top of your son or daughter’s standardized testing schedule. It is important to really keep on top of your kids about this: Are they signed up for the right standardized tests? Are they properly registered? It has unfortunately proven more than once that leaving minute details such as picking up registration forms up to the student is not always a foolproof plan. Also, ask to see the registration forms to make sure that your son or daughter’s name is spelled and recorded exactly the same way on each SAT form. If a student sits an SAT or a subject test on more than one occasion and his or her name is recorded differently in any way from one date to the other, not all scores will be grouped together. Even something as minor as the presence or absence of a hyphen in a compound last name can cause a separate record to be created for your child, so please be vigilant about spelling!

- Finally, don’t stress yourself out, too! As we said earlier, 11th grade is indeed a demanding and tense year for students. It is your job to serve as a support system during this time, not add unneeded extra pressure.

For parents of seniors:

- Encourage

ou love, find out who will be reading applications from your area, and start an email dialogue with this reader. This is a good way to get your specific questions answered, as well as have your name heard by the person who will eventually be evaluating your application.

- Set high but realistic grade goals for each semester. Colleges will look first and foremost at your academic record from 9th grade through the end of 11th grade. Therefore, your goal should be to end 11th grade as strong as possible. This is especially important if you started high school out on a shaky note – if you finish 11th grade on an upward grade trend, your lower grades in your freshman year will be more likely to be excused. Most colleges will only see the very beginning of your senior year’s performance in your courses by the time you apply, so your end-of-year grades during junior year must be reflective of your academic capabilities. College is about getting a higher education and admissions readers want to be sure that the students they admit can do the work at their school. Remember, grades always come first!

For seniors:

- Focus on all of your schools, not just your early choice. If you applied early, it can be tempting to “wait and see” before seriously working on your other college applications—however, since most early programs send out their decisions in mid-December and most regular applications are due in early January, putting off the other applications would be a mistake. Give yourself your winter vacation as a time to relax, not as a time to be frantically working on your college applications. Furthermore, keep researching all of the schools on your list. Take comfort in the fact that you put together your college list based on careful research—you would likely be equally happy and successful at any of the schools on your list. Continued research should help you get excited about multiple colleges, instead of just focusing on one. That way, once you receive your early application decision, you will be prepared for all options.

- You are in charge of what you share. In other words, if your relatives nag you over where you are applying and whether you will be going to an Ivy League school, feel free to decide how much you want to share. If a particular extended family member or friend is adding to your stress rather than helping alleviate it, you might want to calmly and directly explain that you would rather not discuss it right now. Remember that if someone is giving you a hard time, it is likely a result of his/her own feelings and not about you. Surround yourself with people who will support you, and think about how your words might be affecting those around you as well.

- Don’t forget that you are still in high school. Senior year, as you know, is often very stressful. Seniors are so busy planning and preparing for leaving home and going to college while at the same time still trying to enjoy their last year of high school. Don’t get so caught up in applying to college that you neglect high school—including your schoolwork. Stay motivated by using your last year of high school to get the most out of your classes, and to contribute more than you have in the past. Adding to class discussions, challenging yourself on papers and assignments, and managing your busy schedule are great practice for college, when you will most likely have harder classes and more freedom.

- Be a leader. As a senior, you are automatically a leader in your school, whether or not you are captain of a sport or president of a club. Assume your leadership role with pride. Be a role model to younger students. Lead by example in the classroom, on the sports fields, and in your clubs and activities.

- Remember that things do work out. It may be difficult to hear now, but whether or not you are admitted to your first choice school, things do work out in the end. Most students I have spoken to agree that they would have been happy and successful at many, many colleges. Success is based on the individual, not on the college he/she attends. College admission is not a statement about your worth as a person. This fact is important for everyone to keep in mind—even the person who is admitted to every school on the list. Celebrate your many accomplishments before you hear from your colleges.

For parents of juniors:

- Start planning trips around college visits. A helpful way for a parent to get involved in the college application process is by starting to plan college visits in advance, before the pressure is on during senior year. Longer trips can be planned during fall or winter break, whereas a quick trip should be planned for a day off of school. Ideally, a visit should be when school is in session, so the student can get a realistic idea of what it’s like to live and study in that particular community. Initiating discussion of college visits is also a great way to encourage your son or daughter to begin the college research process early. Remember, however, that your role is to plan the visits and provide support for your son or daughter throughout the duration of the visit; it is not to decide whether the school is a good match for your son or daughter. Of course, your opinion will likely matter to your son or daughter, it’s important that you stay at arm’s length – you are not applying to school.

- Help your child understand the importance of junior year grades. Eleventh grade can be an extremely stressful and work-intensive year for students who are planning on applying to the top tier of colleges. In some cases, the overload can cause a backlash or a descent into indifference. It is then your role to help your son or daughter understand that 11th grade academic performance is basically the most important aspect of a college application, and this is the most inopportune time for a high school student to drop the ball in his or her coursework. While it is true that in terms of grades, college starts in 9th grade, there is a bit of room for error in the earlier years, as long as the student eventually demonstrates an upward grade trend. By the fall term of 11th grade, this upward trend has to have begun; it is then the student’s responsibility to reinforce these high grades throughout the rest of his or her high school career. It is therefore also crucial to end midterms on a strong note. You should check in with your son or daughter periodically to see how each individual class of theirs is going so you can pinpoint any particular problem areas early on. If they seem to be having problems in a certain area, encourage your son or daughter to talk to the teacher outside of the classroom on a biweekly basis. This not only will help your child understand the material, it will help him or her build an important relationship with a teacher who could vouch for him or her on a college application during the following year. It’s also a good idea to ask questions about their classes from an intellectual standpoint: Try and help your child connect the actual course material by engaging in dinnertime conversation about what he or she is studying. Play the role of student by having your child explain in detail what is being covered in their core classes. Still, if your son or daughter seems to be slipping grade-wise or seems increasingly disinterested in his or her schoolwork, you may want to start encouraging the college research process with a possible trip to a reach school or two. Seeing the school’s environment and realizing what the commitment it will take to get there will likely serve as a motivator more commanding than your reminders that schoolwork comes first.

- Stay on top of your son or daughter’s standardized testing schedule. It is important to really keep on top of your kids about this: Are they signed up for the right standardized tests? Are they properly registered? It has unfortunately proven more than once that leaving minute details such as picking up registration forms up to the student is not always a foolproof plan. Also, ask to see the registration forms to make sure that your son or daughter’s name is spelled and recorded exactly the same way on each SAT form. If a student sits an SAT or a subject test on more than one occasion and his or her name is recorded differently in any way from one date to the other, not all scores will be grouped together. Even something as minor as the presence or absence of a hyphen in a compound last name can cause a separate record to be created for your child, so please be vigilant about spelling!

- Finally, don’t stress yourself out, too! As we said earlier, 11th grade is indeed a demanding and tense year for students. It is your job to serve as a support system during this time, not add unneeded extra pressure.

For parents of seniors:

- Encourage

y their last year of high school. Don’t get so caught up in applying to college that you neglect high school—including your schoolwork. Stay motivated by using your last year of high school to get the most out of your classes, and to contribute more than you have in the past. Adding to class discussions, challenging yourself on papers and assignments, and managing your busy schedule are great practice for college, when you will most likely have harder classes and more freedom.

- Be a leader. As a senior, you are automatically a leader in your school, whether or not you are captain of a sport or president of a club. Assume your leadership role with pride. Be a role model to younger students. Lead by example in the classroom, on the sports fields, and in your clubs and activities.

- Remember that things do work out. It may be difficult to hear now, but whether or not you are admitted to your first choice school, things do work out in the end. Most students I have spoken to agree that they would have been happy and successful at many, many colleges. Success is based on the individual, not on the college he/she attends. College admission is not a statement about your worth as a person. This fact is important for everyone to keep in mind—even the person who is admitted to every school on the list. Celebrate your many accomplishments before you hear from your colleges.

For parents of juniors:

- Start planning trips around college visits. A helpful way for a parent to get involved in the college application process is by starting to plan college visits in advance, before the pressure is on during senior year. Longer trips can be planned during fall or winter break, whereas a quick trip should be planned for a day off of school. Ideally, a visit should be when school is in session, so the student can get a realistic idea of what it’s like to live and study in that particular community. Initiating discussion of college visits is also a great way to encourage your son or daughter to begin the college research process early. Remember, however, that your role is to plan the visits and provide support for your son or daughter throughout the duration of the visit; it is not to decide whether the school is a good match for your son or daughter. Of course, your opinion will likely matter to your son or daughter, it’s important that you stay at arm’s length – you are not applying to school.

- Help your child understand the importance of junior year grades. Eleventh grade can be an extremely stressful and work-intensive year for students who are planning on applying to the top tier of colleges. In some cases, the overload can cause a backlash or a descent into indifference. It is then your role to help your son or daughter understand that 11th grade academic performance is basically the most important aspect of a college application, and this is the most inopportune time for a high school student to drop the ball in his or her coursework. While it is true that in terms of grades, college starts in 9th grade, there is a bit of room for error in the earlier years, as long as the student eventually demonstrates an upward grade trend. By the fall term of 11th grade, this upward trend has to have begun; it is then the student’s responsibility to reinforce these high grades throughout the rest of his or her high school career. It is therefore also crucial to end midterms on a strong note. You should check in with your son or daughter periodically to see how each individual class of theirs is going so you can pinpoint any particular problem areas early on. If they seem to be having problems in a certain area, encourage your son or daughter to talk to the teacher outside of the classroom on a biweekly basis. This not only will help your child understand the material, it will help him or her build an important relationship with a teacher who could vouch for him or her on a college application during the following year. It’s also a good idea to ask questions about their classes from an intellectual standpoint: Try and help your child connect the actual course material by engaging in dinnertime conversation about what he or she is studying. Play the role of student by having your child explain in detail what is being covered in their core classes. Still, if your son or daughter seems to be slipping grade-wise or seems increasingly disinterested in his or her schoolwork, you may want to start encouraging the college research process with a possible trip to a reach school or two. Seeing the school’s environment and realizing what the commitment it will take to get there will likely serve as a motivator more commanding than your reminders that schoolwork comes first.

- Stay on top of your son or daughter’s standardized testing schedule. It is important to really keep on top of your kids about this: Are they signed up for the right standardized tests? Are they properly registered? It has unfortunately proven more than once that leaving minute details such as picking up registration forms up to the student is not always a foolproof plan. Also, ask to see the registration forms to make sure that your son or daughter’s name is spelled and recorded exactly the same way on each SAT form. If a student sits an SAT or a subject test on more than one occasion and his or her name is recorded differently in any way from one date to the other, not all scores will be grouped together. Even something as minor as the presence or absence of a hyphen in a compound last name can cause a separate record to be created for your child, so please be vigilant about spelling!

- Finally, don’t stress yourself out, too! As we said earlier, 11th grade is indeed a demanding and tense year for students. It is your job to serve as a support system during this time, not add unneeded extra pressure.

For parents of seniors:

- Encourage

rop the ball in his or her coursework. While it is true that in terms of grades, college starts in 9th grade, there is a bit of room for error in the earlier years, as long as the student eventually demonstrates an upward grade trend. By the fall term of 11th grade, this upward trend has to have begun; it is then the student’s responsibility to reinforce these high grades throughout the rest of his or her high school career. It is therefore also crucial to end midterms on a strong note. You should check in with your son or daughter periodically to see how each individual class of theirs is going so you can pinpoint any particular problem areas early on. If they seem to be having problems in a certain area, encourage your son or daughter to talk to the teacher outside of the classroom on a biweekly basis. This not only will help your child understand the material, it will help him or her build an important relationship with a teacher who could vouch for him or her on a college application during the following year. It’s also a good idea to ask questions about their classes from an intellectual standpoint: Try and help your child connect the actual course material by engaging in dinnertime conversation about what he or she is studying. Play the role of student by having your child explain in detail what is being covered in their core classes. Still, if your son or daughter seems to be slipping grade-wise or seems increasingly disinterested in his or her schoolwork, you may want to start encouraging the college research process with a possible trip to a reach school or two. Seeing the school’s environment and realizing what the commitment it will take to get there will likely serve as a motivator more commanding than your reminders that schoolwork comes first.

- Stay on top of your son or daughter’s standardized testing schedule. It is important to really keep on top of your kids about this: Are they signed up for the right standardized tests? Are they properly registered? It has unfortunately proven more than once that leaving minute details such as picking up registration forms up to the student is not always a foolproof plan. Also, ask to see the registration forms to make sure that your son or daughter’s name is spelled and recorded exactly the same way on each SAT form. If a student sits an SAT or a subject test on more than one occasion and his or her name is recorded differently in any way from one date to the other, not all scores will be grouped together. Even something as minor as the presence or absence of a hyphen in a compound last name can cause a separate record to be created for your child, so please be vigilant about spelling!

- Finally, don’t stress yourself out, too! As we said earlier, 11th grade is indeed a demanding and tense year for students. It is your job to serve as a support system during this time, not add unneeded extra pressure.

For parents of seniors:

- Encourage your son or daughter not to lose steam in school. Probably the most important thing you can do for your senior right now is to help them avoid the infamous senioritis like the plague. Especially now that early-round applications have likely been submitted, the temptation to extend much-needed relaxation into slacking off is looming strong. You can help by providing continual reminders that senior year does count and can in fact be the deciding factor of acceptance if he or she is deferred or waitlisted. If he or she needs more help internalizing this fact, you might want to have your child give his or her IvyWise counselor a call!

- Help set up mock interviews for your son or daughter. Many schools require or recommend an interview to accompany students’ written applications, and for many students, this can seem somewhat daunting. Naturally, practicing will help! Try arranging a mock interview with another adult – perhaps a friend of yours t whom your son or daughter is not too close – to mimic the experience a bit more accurately. Also, if your student is signed up for an IvyWise package, have them consult his or her manual and thoroughly review the sample questions provided in the interview section.

- Don’t place too much emphasis on your child’s early school. Now that early applications are in, there is little else a student can do but wait for his or her first-choice school’s decision. Do your best to avoid closing the college discussion to other schools by saying, “Well, if Penn [replace Penn with Harvard, Princeton Brown, etc.] accepts you, none of this will be relevant, but you should start working on your NYU application just in case.” Although you are not technically eliminating other schools from the mix, it can definitely be too much for a student to handle if his or parents consistently bring up the outside chance that he or she will be accepted at his or her dream school, which for many students is a very high reach. Now that year-end grades and test scores are in place, this point in the year is a great time for you to schedule a meeting with the college counselor at school, where you can go over your child’s college list and get the school counselor’s perspective on the likelihood of your child being admitted to each school on the list. Make sure the list is complete with all reach levels (high reach, target, and true safety schools) – it’s time for a reality check! In some cases this may mean redefining a list somewhat, but it’s certainly better to do that now than after the fact. In brief, it’s important at this time for you to keep the conversation open to the idea that there are many choices, and if your child is not accepted early, it is not the end of the world and can be a blessing in disguise. After all, you are the parent and your job is to make your child appreciate his or her successes, of which there are certainly are many!

- Applying to college is not a “we” process. The college application process can be very scary for parents: The child you raised is growing up and leaving the nest. Where they go after leaving said nest, however, should not ultimately be up to you. The decision-making process belongs to the student. Please try and keep the “we” out of it as much as possible. You can and should be your child’s biggest cheerleader, but allowing your son or daughter to take ownership of what is likely his or her most major life decision is essential. Furthermore, if the applicant is eventually deferred, waitlisted, or rejected, do not try and assume the blame by making it a mutual rejection (“’We’ were rejected from Notre Dame” is not going to soften the blow for your son or daughter.). As most applicants ultimately understand, acceptances to colleges are based on a complex interaction of factors, and no one should consider it a personal failure if the ideal end result does not materialize. It is the parent’s responsibility to help the student understand this – not to appropriate the rejection as a sign of your own shortcomings. Your objective, adult point of view is a crucial element to your son or daughter’s comprehension of this situation, so please do your best to keep an impartial attitude toward the end result (al the while, of course, while reminding your child that he or she will always be loved and that he or she is indeed successful).