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For high school seniors and their families, the process of choosing colleges and universities to apply to, of getting the applications done, and of making the ultimate selection, raises a number of issues. Dr. Einhorn prepared this list of issues, with rating exercises, to help Roycemore families reflect on them:
1. Personal Versus Professional Goals. A nurturing, supportive, and personally enhancing environment is more important for some students, while a strong career preparation is more important for others. Of course, both goals usually matter. Exercise: On a scale of 10, and with a total of 10, list how important personal goals are for your child, and how important professional ones are, in choosing colleges and universities to apply to (1=low, 10=high).
2. Cognitive Style Matching. Some students have a particular way of thinking and working that requires a good match with the school’s environment, while other students can adapt to pretty much any school that meets their #1 goals (above). Some students are very creative and self-motivated, for example, while others prefer to be structured. On a scale of 10, rate how important it is that the school provide an academic environment that is “user friendly” to your child’s cognitive style.
3. L.D./A.D.D. Issues. Some students with L.D./A.D.D. issues may need to attend schools that have well-developed academic support programs, while other students with L.D./A.D.D. are fairly independent in compensating with their cognitive strengths for their learning issues. On a scale of 10, rate how important it is that the college/university provide a well-developed L.D./A.D.D. support program.
4. Geographic Location: Location is a priority for some students and families, and not much of an issue for others. The priority can be to be near or far away, urban or rural, or in a particular kind of climate or ecosystem. On a scale of 10, rate how important it is that the college/university have a particular location.
5. Responsibility For The Application/Selection Process. Some students take primary responsibility for the application/selection process, while others students’ parents do. Among parents, some take more responsibility than others. On a scale of 10, with a total of 10, rate how much responsibility the student, the mother, and the father (and/or other adult) take for the application/selection process.
6. Economic Implications. The cost of college/university is more of an issue for some families than for others. If it is an issue, it should be acknowledged. On a scale of 10, rate how important cost factors are in the ultimate selection of a school.
7. Family Stress: The college/university application/selection process is stressful for all students and families, but to different degrees. On a scale of 10, rate how much stress this decision has for your family. Then, on a scale of 10, rate how well your family is responding (1=disaster, 10=comfortable adaptation).
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