The number of Indian students traveling abroad for education was over 1.2 million in 2023, with projections estimating this could reach between 1.5 to 2 million by 2025- Times of India
As women entrepreneurs, we juggle a delicate balancing act between our personal and professional lives, constantly striving to excel in both spheres. With our workfronts expanding and family responsibilities growing, it’s imperative to plan ahead and manage our time effectively.
To ensure a smooth and stress-free journey for both ourselves and our children, early planning is paramount.
In this guide, we’ll explore practical strategies to help you navigate the complexities of college applications and secure a promising future for your offspring.
1. Challenges Faced by Parents
Course Selection: Science? Commerce? Arts? The agony of choosing.
The regret of the road not taken. As the subject selection forks into several vibrant trails, students and parents face the dilemma of picking the right courses.
This decision often bears the undue weight of being a life-changing decision. While planning for international higher education and an international career, families need to adopt a more interdisciplinary and liberal approach.
Several universities abroad, and several international boards, offer students the option to pick and choose subjects based on their interests and strengths and pursue interdisciplinary majors.
Financial Planning for College: Funding college tuition is expensive
The pressure to plan financially while finding scholarships and financial aid can get stressful and chaotic.
Some families struggle with honest conversations about money, either due to cultural reasons or to protect children from financial stress.
However, for the CSS profile, transparency is crucial. Families must discuss assets, liabilities, medical expenses, debt, etc.
Having these conversations at the last moment can lead to shocks. Avoiding such conversations may lead to unexpected last-minute demands when financial aid forms mandate these.
Despite potential discomfort, having these conversations ahead of time can help families not only plan, but also balance aspirations with reality, and avoid added stress when trying to manage college costs.
Expectations: Students Aiming for Prestigious Universities.
The entire process can lead to stress and anxiety for students. The pre-existing pressure of meeting high academic standards, extracurriculars, and managing deadlines can feel like an impossible act.
While a student would wish to pursue an unconventional career in arts but parents always wished for them to pursue a career in STEM, an open discussion will allow both of them to present their perspectives.
Through this open discussion, (and being realistic with their goals), parents help reduce anxiety while ensuring their students remain motivated but not coerced.
Overwhelming Process: Deadlines, forms, and requirements
Deadlines, forms, and requirements can get overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with them.
Staying on top of submission/enrollment dates takes an inordinate amount of time.
Many scholarship applications require students to submit materials weeks or even months before college applications are due.
If a student overlooks a scholarship deadline, they could miss out on crucial financial support, making college less affordable.
Creating an organized system cuts stress levels to just the bare minimum and allows nothing to slip through the cracks during the application process.
Inadequate Information & Guidance: Which programs, schools, and resources to choose
It can be incredibly complicated to consistently feel like you don’t know which programs, schools, and resources are in the best interest of your child – especially without consultation from an expert.
Parents may hear about a prestigious program or university but lack the knowledge to evaluate its fit for their child’s interests and goals.
This can lead to misguided choices, such as applying to/attending a school with a great reputation in a field that doesn’t align with the student’s aspirations.
Balancing Academics and Activities: What to priortize
One of the major challenges is balancing academics, projects, and extracurricular activities.
Students sometimes get too focused or immersed in one at the expense of the other.
Finding a healthy balance is essential. Students can create a schedule that allocates time for both study and activities. This helps ensure they excel academically while still engaging in interests outside of school.
Making Decisions: The right choice for your child
Every parent wants to help their child increase their chances of being accepted into their dream school, but the pressure to make the “right” choices can feel heavy with so many options available every step of the way.
For example, choosing between AP courses and extracurricular activities can create tension.
A parent might feel that taking AP classes will boost college applications, while the student may prefer to spend time pursuing theatre or music.
Furthermore, because there are thousands of colleges to consider, parents also struggle with which schools have the best programming in areas of interest.
This decision-making process can be stressful. Thus, parents and students must communicate openly and prioritize what truly matters in their college journey.
2. Why Plan Early? The winning edge
- Strong Academic Record: Early planning allows students to keep their GPA as high as possible and to choose classes that confirm their intended majors for academic success.
- Building a Competitive Profile: Students have time to take on leadership roles, participate in extracurriculars, and volunteer work that strengthens and creates a competitive application overall.
- Finding Interests: Early planning allows students to explore different career paths, develop their skills, and also take on internships, research, or projects.
- Subject Selection: Choosing the right subjects in school is important, especially for competitive colleges that require specific prerequisites.
- Standardized Test Prep: Preparing for the SAT or ACT in advance will grant students time (if needed) to prepare, plan, and retake the tests to get the best scores.
- Scholarships: Students with a strong profile have a better chance of qualifying for merit or need-based scholarships. Early planning allows students to create a strategy to apply for scholarships and also meet deadlines.
- Letters of Recommendation: By building strong relationships with teachers, students tend to receive better letters of recommendation that reflect their genuine personality and character.
2. Building a Scholarship-Worthy Profile
- Academics: High grades and a challenging course load (AP tests) show that a student can handle rigorous academic environments.
- Leadership Roles: A student who takes on leadership positions in school clubs, sports teams, or community organizations displays the ability to support responsibility and initiative – these are qualities that colleges value.
- Meaningful Projects: Passion projects that solve real-world problems show creativity, critical thinking, and the desire to make a difference.
- Volunteer Work: Volunteering shows commitment to service, and can enhance the student’s application by demonstrating engagement in the community.
- Extracurricular Involvement: Being involved in activities that align with the student’s interests shows that they are well-rounded and committed to the selected major.
- Unique Achievements: Awards, recognitions, or other accomplishments set a student apart in the admissions process and demonstrate unique talents or contributions.
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4. From Chaos to Clarity: The Stress-Reducing Benefits of Early College Application Planning
The college application process, while demanding, offers a unique opportunity for parents and students to collaborate, explore, and grow together.
By embracing a proactive approach, women entrepreneurs can empower their children to make informed decisions, build strong applications, and navigate the complexities of higher education with confidence.
By embracing a proactive approach, women entrepreneurs can empower their children to make informed decisions, build strong applications, and navigate the complexities of higher education with confidence. Remember, the journey is as important as the destination, and by fostering open communication, setting realistic expectations, and providing unwavering support, parents can play a pivotal role in helping their children achieve their academic and professional aspirations.
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Remember, the journey is as important as the destination, and by fostering open communication, setting realistic expectations, and providing unwavering support, parents can play a pivotal role in helping their children achieve their academic and professional aspirations.
Article Contribution by – Pooja Agarwal
