In a recent report, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Phi Delta Kappa International stated that over 90 percent of students in middle school plan to pursue a college education. Unfortunately, only around 66 percent of students start college after graduating high school.

What could cause such a significant gap? According to the NASSP and Phi Delta Kappa International report, only 1/3 of college-bound middle school students know which high school classes they need to take in order to make it to college!

In my many years of college financial planning, I have prepared college plans for a variety of children, ranging from newborns to current college-attendees. I have learned from experience that preparing your student early can not only get him or her into a good school, but also help to significantly reduce your college costs!

So, how can you prepare your student early? Start by finding out what courses he or she will need for college admittance, and which courses will raise his or her potential for tuition discounts or scholarships. Collegeboard.com offers a “College Search” service that allows you to search for colleges by name, category, and statistics. Then you can read all the school’s vital stats, from housing and campus life to admissions requirements. Review both the required AND the recommended courses. Remember, going beyond the basic requirements will give your child an edge!

While collegeboard.com is a great starting place, the best place to find out requirements and recommendations is from the college itself. If your student has some idea of what schools he or she is interested in, you may want to visit their admissions websites to get more information. Many school websites give you more in‑depth information, including GPA requirements and school-specific SAT test suggestions. For example, the UC San Diego admissions website encourages applicants to the Jacobs School of Engineering to take the SAT Subject Test: Math Level 2 as well as a science test related to the student’s major. You can bet that a student who has followed these recommendations will have an admissions advantage over those who don’t!

I also suggest that you get your child’s academic counselor involved. Counselors can help your child outline a high school course plan to ensure that your student completes all the necessary courses for four years of high school. While you’re at it, why not call or email your child’s prospective colleges to get further information from an admissions advisor? Getting ahead of the curve now could provide you with more leverage for scholarships or tuition discounts in the future.

All the best,
Deborah Fox

Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs.

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