| My husband and I have twin grandchildren and we | | | | contains a list of things to investigate, including |
| are their legal guardians and financial conservators. | | | | location, environment, and housing. The University |
| The court granted these roles to us after their | | | | of Wisconsin has published a similar checklist, |
| parents were killed in separate car crashes. Our | | | | "Choosing a College." Tell your grandchild or |
| grandchildren were 15 1/2 years old when they | | | | grandchildren about these lists. |
| moved in with us. Now they are 17 1/2 and | | | | 4. Don't force the choice of a major. "10 Things |
| involved in the college search. | | | | You Should Consider When Choosing a College," |
| Guiding grandchildren through this search requires | | | | an article on the Yahoo Education Website, says it |
| a gentle hand. How can you help your grandchild | | | | is important to go to a college that prepares the |
| or grandchidlren find the right college? One of the | | | | student for his or her chosen career. Students |
| best things you can do is use the Internet as | | | | who don't know what they want to do should |
| your "staff." If you use the search words "college | | | | "choose a school that will give you plenty of |
| choosing" you will find hundreds of helpful articles. | | | | options." This is wise advice for students and |
| You may help in other ways, too. | | | | GRGs. |
| 1. Encourage college visits. According to "Top Ten | | | | 5. Emphasize the fit. Martha O'Connell, Executive |
| Rules for Selecting a College or University," | | | | Director of Colleges That Change Lives," thinks |
| published on the American Educational Guidance | | | | students need to find a college or university that |
| Center Website, visiting the top two or three | | | | fits them. In her article, "How to Choose the Right |
| choices is one of the best things a prospective | | | | College for You," she says finding the fit takes |
| student can do. The article tells students to bring | | | | time and thought. "Choosing a college because |
| family members with them because they are | | | | your friend is going there or because of where it |
| "extra eyes and years." Our grandchildren didn't | | | | ranks on a list does not take into account who |
| want us to come along and we respected their | | | | you are or who you will become," adds O'Connell. |
| wishes. | | | | 6. Research scholarships and grants. Free |
| 2. Foster dreams. "Top Ten Rules for Selecting a | | | | scholarship searches are available on the Internet. |
| College or University" advises prospective | | | | A College Board Website article, "Where the |
| students to apply to a few "reach schools" and at | | | | College Scholarships Are: Develop Your College |
| least two "safety" colleges. This sage advice | | | | Strategy," may also be helpful. According to the |
| allows students to dream and, at the same time, | | | | article, students should take a pesonal inventory |
| provides a safety net. You may want to suggest | | | | and research scholarships. You may also establish |
| some "reach schools," but keep your suggestions | | | | a college fund or savings account. |
| brief -- just a couple of sentences. | | | | Let your granchild or grandchildren have the fun |
| 3. Increase awareness of key factors. The ACT | | | | of finding the right college. Their college choice will |
| Student Website has a helpful checklist, "Identify | | | | be more meaningful and, best of all, you will have |
| Important Factors in Choosing a College," that | | | | done your job. |