lewber Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 I am helping screen high school seniors this year for scholarships and it got me thinking. There is so much to this process and it seems like students without parents who are really on top of this might not be getting all the services, opportunities and money out there. Our school system counselors are really having to concentrate on counseling and not really academic and college guidance. I know there are a lot of students who aren't doing any test prep, practice tests, etc. I've always wanted to be involved with education somehow but not sure I want to go back to school to be a teacher. I'm wondering if I could do enough research, self learning to volunteer in this capacity somehow? FWIW, I only have one child and he's starting high school next year so I have no first hand experience with this. It just seems like a need that could really help these students, and I have an interest in this. Any ideas how or if something like that could work? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 This is an area I'm exploring too. Right now it looks like learning as much as I can about the process and posting reminders about things like SAT registration deadlines and college fairs to my local Facebook groups. There are groups like AVID that work with 1st gen college students. You might look into those. Some libraries offer test prep tutoring and other college search help. They might take volunteers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Are you thinking about homeschool or public school students? The biggest part of the counseling actually starts years before it is time for the actual college applications: course selection, planning for standardized tests, looking into requirements of different colleges. One can certainly learn this; the parents of the successful college students on this board all had to figure it out. There are people who work as independent college consultants; I know one lady on this board (Barbara) is one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 I give free college application seminars. I started off just giving them to homeschoolers, but in a couple of weeks I am doing a split presentation. The first portion is strictly for homeschooling parents to cover homeschool specific issues. That will be followed by a brief break to allow for the arrival of public and private school parents. The rest of the presentation will focus on the importance of creating a good selection of schools that match the student's aptitude and finances/how to make those determinations, the Common App, the Coalition App, FA, scholarships, etc. I figure it's free. I can offer what I know. It is a better starting place than zero. ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewber Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 This would be for public school students. I've never homeschooled. But I learn so much here, because you are the most involved parents obviously - as parents and counselors and teachers. We don't have much of a homeschooling community at all. We do have a lot of first generation college applicants. And certainly the need starts early. I had several applications with students "this close" to scores that would get them aid or merit scholarships. I would like everyone to take the PSAT or another screening test. I had some great first time scores which I think could have been raised to something really competitive but probably had no idea they were close. I have a lot of learning to do. I'll look at the AVID group. Thanks for the ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 The best free education on how to apply to colleges can be found on College Confidential. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstharr Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 I have informally helped several h.s kids navigate the process. In my area, there is an industry dedicated to tutoring and college test prep. Seems like there is at least one center on every block, if not actually adjacent. Fee for simple test prep is around $1200, up to 4000 for programs alluding to 1600 sat. I have only helped relatives or children of closet friends with college process. However, this past application season, I was paid to help with private h.s. admission. here low end for private college/ private school admission is around $2500, then up to 20000, for providers with proven track records. The families that are most likely to pay top $$ are rich immigrants from Asian countries where extreme emphasis is placed on test scores. The counselling work is not hard to master, especially for someone who has applied to, got accepted, and graduated from a highly selective college (the diploma is an important part of the marketing), and helped a couple of their own kids do the same ( their admission is part of the marketing). . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 https://www.iecaonline.com/%5C/membership.html Here is an organization that certifies educational consultants. College is one area of specialization. It's tiered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewber Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 "Pushy Moms" http://hechingerreport.org/volunteer-pushy-moms-help-community-college-students-transfer-to-four-year-schools/ That's awesome. And kind of exactly what I was picturing. Although I am just starting the process so I am not knowledgeable enough yet. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 I give free college application seminars. I started off just giving them to homeschoolers, but in a couple of weeks I am doing a split presentation. The first portion is strictly for homeschooling parents to cover homeschool specific issues. That will be followed by a brief break to allow for the arrival of public and private school parents. The rest of the presentation will focus on the importance of creating a good selection of schools that match the student's aptitude and finances/how to make those determinations, the Common App, the Coalition App, FA, scholarships, etc. I figure it's free. I can offer what I know. It is a better starting place than zero. ;) Can you video tape that and post it? Seriously! I bet a lot of people here could benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 This would be for public school students. I've never homeschooled. But I learn so much here, because you are the most involved parents obviously - as parents and counselors and teachers. We don't have much of a homeschooling community at all. We do have a lot of first generation college applicants. And certainly the need starts early. I had several applications with students "this close" to scores that would get them aid or merit scholarships. I would like everyone to take the PSAT or another screening test. I had some great first time scores which I think could have been raised to something really competitive but probably had no idea they were close. I have a lot of learning to do. I'll look at the AVID group. Thanks for the ideas. I was a school counselor for a program called GEAR UP for a few years in CA. It also helped first generation college bound students. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 I am helping screen high school seniors this year for scholarships and it got me thinking. There is so much to this process and it seems like students without parents who are really on top of this might not be getting all the services, opportunities and money out there. No advice but I totally agree with this! I never went through the process, and going through it all with DD was so confusing. This board was a lifesaver, but I couldn't imagine an 17-18 year old trying to get through it without significant help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 "Pushy Moms" http://hechingerreport.org/volunteer-pushy-moms-help-community-college-students-transfer-to-four-year-schools/ Ha, loved this quote...Maybe this is my kinda job! “You know how your kids wouldn’t listen to you? Well, these kids will listen to you. They will take notes on everything you say.†Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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