大学倒计时

作为家长, you of course want to give your child the best opportunity for success, 对很多人来说, attending the "right" university or college is that opportunity. Unfortunately, being accepted to the college of one's choice may not be as easy as it once was. Additionally, the earlier you consider how you expect to pay for college costs, the better. 今天, 大学毕业生平均负债28美元,负债950英镑, 而应届毕业生的平均工资是55美元,360.^1,2

为上大学做准备意味着设定目标, 保持专注, and tackling a few key milestones along the way—starting in the first year of high school.

大一
在学年开始之前, you and your child should have at least a handful of colleges picked out. 高中期间会发生很多变化, so remaining flexible but focused on your shared goals is crucial. It may be helpful to meet with your child's guidance counselor or homeroom teacher for any advice they may have. You may want to encourage your child to choose challenging classes as they navigate high school. Many universities look for students who push themselves when it comes to learning. However, a balance between difficult coursework and excellent grades is important. Keeping an eye on grades should be a priority for you and your child as well.

大学二年级
During their sophomore year, some students may have the opportunity to take a practice SAT. Even though they won't be required to take the actual SAT for roughly a year, a practice exam is a good way to get a feel for what the test entails.

Sophomore year is also a good time to explore extracurricular activities. 大学正在寻找全面发展的学生, so encouraging your child to explore their passions now may help their application later. Summer may also be a good time for sophomores to get a part-time job, 争取实习机会, 或者出国旅行，帮助他们充实自己的经历.

大三
你孩子的三年级全是标准化考试. 每年10月, third-year high-school students are able to take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT), also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). 即使他们不需要参加大学入学考试, 许多奖学金都要求参加PSAT/NMSQT考试, 比如国家优秀奖学金.³

顶尖大学寻找的是未来的领导者. Encourage your child to take a leadership role in an extracurricular activity. This doesn't mean they have to be a drum major or captain of the football team. Leading may involve helping an organization with fundraising, marketing, or community outreach.

In the spring of their junior year, your child will want to take the SAT or ACT. An early test date may allow time for repeating tests during their senior year, if necessary. No matter how many times your child takes the test, most colleges will only look at the best score.

大四
For many students, senior year is the most exciting time of high school. Seniors will finally begin to reap the benefits of their efforts during the last three years. Once you and your child have firmly decided on which schools to apply to, 确保你掌握最后期限. Applying early can increase your student's chance of acceptance.

现在也是申请奖学金的时间. Consulting your child's guidance counselor can help you continue to identify scholarships within reach. 每年有数十亿的免费联邦拨款无人认领, simply because students fail to fill out the free application. Make sure your child has submitted their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to avoid missing out on any financial assistance available.⁴

最后，和你的孩子谈谈离家生活的事. Help make sure they know how to manage money wisely and pay bills on time. You may also want to talk to them about the social pressures some college freshmen face for the first time when they move away from home.

对许多人来说，大学为他们的人生奠定了基础. Making sure your children have options when it comes to choosing a university can help shape their future. Work with them today to make goals and develop habits that will help ensure their success.

1. 《betway东盟体育》.2023年2月22日
2. TheBalance.2022年6月28日
3. PrincetonReview.com, 2023
4. 《betway东盟体育》.2023年2月5日

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