By Shelly Rufin, MSHS, MSCC, Dr. (Hn)
Founder EDFIN College Planning
College Consultant/32 Year FAFSA Pro
Certified WASFAA, NASFAA Title IV Funding
Harvard Business School
32 years serving thousands of students
Serving families for over three-decades
Published December 29th, 2024
In the process of preparing your child for college, factors like academic performance and financial readiness can affect your college admission. Here, Shelly Rufin, a college planning expert with 32 years of experience, offers a checklist of how you can be adequately prepared to successfully reach your dream college.
Academic Performance
Achieving a high GPA while undertaking challenging courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes, is a significant factor in the college admissions process. This accomplishment not only reflects a student's academic abilities but also serves as a crucial indicator of their work ethic, ambition, and commitment to their educational journey.
Extracurricular Activities
Participating in sports, clubs, and volunteer activities also cultivates leadership, passion, and commitment skills. These experiences provide valuable opportunities for personal growth and development, allowing your child to learn how to work effectively in teams, manage time efficiently, and navigate challenges. Your child will not only develop a well-rounded character but also gain unique experiences that will help distinguish themselves from other students.
Standardized Tests
Practicing the SAT or ACT is essential for several reasons, as it not only helps your child to demonstrate proficiency in managing college-level reading, writing, and math skills but also equips your child with the necessary strategies to tackle the various types of questions that these standardized tests present.
Application Readiness
To ensure that your child’s application stands out and showcases their strengths effectively, and essential to have all required materials prepared well in advance. This includes not only your child’s academic transcripts and standardized test scores but also a personal essay that reflects your child’s unique experiences, aspirations, and motivations for pursuing higher education. It is also crucial to gather letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or mentors who know you well and can speak to your child’s abilities, character, and potential for success in a college environment.
Financial Aid
Lastly, a huge factor that can significantly influence your child’s ability to pursue higher education may be the financial aspect. One of the most important steps your child can take is to fill out your FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Even if you think your child will not be eligible for federal aid due to your family's income level or other circumstances, it is still highly advisable to complete the application.
As a 32 FAFSA expert, I’m here to help you and your kids receive the maximum financial aid for college, i.e., grants and scholarships up to the cost of attendance, and graduate with minimal to no debt.
Don't hesitate to reach out and ask for assistance. With the help of our 32-year College Consultant & FAFSA Pro, you can make your college dreams come true!
Contact us at (951)261-9799 or visit our website at https://www.edfin.net/contact to get a consultation today!
Wishing you and your child a successful school year and college journey!
Stay inspired!
EDFIN College Planning Team
Also, thank you in advance for spreading the word about our services through your referrals! Your support means a lot to us and is greatly appreciated. 🙏
Making College Dreams a Reality! 💰👩🎓🎉
Shelly Rufin, MSHS, MSCC, Dr. (Hn)
32-year FAFSA Expert
College Consultant
Certified WASFAA, NASFAA Title IV Funding
Harvard Business School Alumnus
EDFIN College Planning
Tel: (951) 261-9799
P.S. We love referrals ❤️ Don't forget to share your positive experience with your family and friends who might benefit from our services!
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