College Planning Tips for the New Year

BY PETER VAN BUSKIRK

In many households, the start of a new calendar year marks the start of the college planning process. After much holiday talk about possible college destinations, high school juniors now gird themselves for the inevitable rush of activity that will culminate in college applications less than a year from now. And many younger students will soon find themselves on the “college trail” as well. Wherever you, the student, are in the process, keep the following in mind as you engage in college planning.

1.    Stay student-centered. Quite often, students (and their parents) focus on the “answer” without first addressing the “question.” They know the “what”—college is the predetermined outcome—before they have carefully considered the “why.” This can lead to uninformed choices and, eventually, a sense of aimlessness once in college.

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