When high school counselor Patrick J. O’Connor asked a college admissions officer for any advice he could share with parents of soon-to-be seniors applying to college, the advice was:
“Let your child drive the bus.”
Here’s one way O’Connor suggests parents put that advice into action (read the entire column, “Six Words of Advice for Parents of College-Bound Juniors” here):
Initiative. From start to finish, a college application has to send the message that applying to this school was the student’s idea, and the student is excited enough to do something to bring that idea to life. This is why so many colleges want students to visit campus or meet the admissions representative at a local college fair; it shows the student is serious about their application. That seriousness is questioned when the application is completed in what is clearly the handwriting of an adult, or when parents call the admissions office to ask questions. This is particularly true if the parent starts the call by saying ‘We’re applying to your college next year.’ If the student wants to start building a meaningful relationship with the college, they make the calls, and speak in first person.”