It's that time of year when college decisions are looming large. And while it was fun watching your son or daughter receive multiple college acceptance letters, the time has finally come to decide. But how?
The flurry of information coming your way probably feels like a maelstrom, and you might have the nagging fear that your child's entire future rests on this one decision. Needless to say, it can be very tough to cut through the confusion and come to a decision.
As a new college president, and the parent of two college-age children, I've been there. So, I'd like to offer five pieces of advice on how to choose between those final few colleges on your family's list:
- Relax. I know, that probably sounds impossible. But it's important to realize that you are deciding between good options. The United States has the best system of higher education in the world. College presidents don't say this very often, but the truth is that there are lots of strong colleges that offer outstanding educations.
When it is all over, affirm and celebrate. Your child needs to hear you say, "You made a great decision." And mark the occasion. Go online, order your student a T-shirt from the bookstore -- and get one for yourself, too. Or go out for a meal at their favorite restaurant. And, if all else fails, see point No.1.