Copyright 2007 © Pathways Consulting Services, All rights reserved.
Getting ready for college is time-consuming and stressful for most students and consequently, for their families. But, it doesn’t need to be so.
Part of the key to relieving some of the pressure is to be well-prepared and organized. Starting early to assemble lists and generate a file of pertinent materials eliminates the last minute scramble to find and sort needed information.
Here are some organizational tips to help manage the preparative stages of applying to college and then more hints for venturing forth along that new path.
Include:
- Standardized test score reports - MCAS, PSAT, PLAN, SAT, ACT, AP, etc.
- High School Transcripts
- Guidance Counselor information - name, address, phone number
Assemble and arrange chronologically all paperwork and memorabilia from elementary school onward. Include things like:
- certificates
- awards
- newspaper clippings
- old report cards
- class photos
- notes from teachers
- programs from plays, assemblies, etc
- Confirmation, Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitations and documents
Create a folder for each potential college and label it with the college’s name. Keep catalogs, view books, applications and paperwork, (etc.) from each college in its folder.
Keep track of each person with whom you speak or correspond. You may have to refer back to a conversation or follow up on a correspondence at a later date and should not have to do so from memory.
For each contact, include:
- date, time
- contact at college: name, phone number, department
- type of contact: phone, email
- content of conversation
- notes
Create one folder for parent information and one for student information. When it comes time to complete financial aid forms, everything will be in one place.
Include the following (as appropriate to your individual situation):
- most recent tax return
- most recent W-2's
- year-to-date dividend, interest (etc.) information
- savings account and retirement statements
- stock, bond, mutual fund (etc.) information
- latest mortgage statement
- loan information
- car
- student loan
- home
- etc.
- other debt information
Tuition School Fees Academic supplies
- Books
- Supplies
- Lab fees
- Equipment
Tutoring Dues Rent or Room Board or Groceries
- Drinks
- Vending machines
- Snacks
Electronics
- Laptop
- Printer
Computer Expense
- Internet service or connections
- Printer ink
Utilities
- Electricity
- Gas/Heat
- Water
- Other Utilities
Telephone (including cell phone) Insurance
- Health
- Auto
- Personal
- Life
Health Care
- Prescriptions
- Doctor
- Dentist
Home
- Cable or satellite TV
- Home living supplies
Car
- Car Payment
- Gasoline/Oil
- Parking
- Auto maintenance
Local transportation
- Train
- Bus
- Cabs
Travel home
- Plane
- Train
- Bus
Clothing allowance
- New purchases
Laundry
- Dry cleaning
Credit Cards Childcare Student Loan Payment Personal
- Toiletries
- Haircuts
- Gifts
Emergency fund Entertainment
- Movies
- Sporting events
- Concerts
Social and recreation
- Restaurant meals
- Dates
Miscellaneous Expense
- applications
- resume
- activity and extracurricular list
Generate a health record:
- ages of childhood illnesses
- vaccination dates
- allergies
- medications (date each started)
- family history of major illnesses/surgeries
- doctors' names, addresses, phone numbers
- health insurance provider, ID number
Important addresses and phone numbers:
- who to call in an emergency
- relatives
- family friends in the local college area
While this may not be immediately necessary, most dorms have kitchens and it provides a young student with an alternative to cafeteria food.
- List all major and small appliances and electronics that will be moved into the dorm.
- Include model number and serial number.
- Take a photo of each major electronic device or appliance.
Valerie Eichel, Ph.D phone: 508.404.5644 send email
Copyright 2007 © Pathways Consulting Services, All rights reserved.