The document serves as a guide for parents preparing for their child's college applications, featuring insights from college admissions experts. It covers essential topics such as finalizing a college list, what colleges look for in applications, and provides various resources including checklists and websites for college planning. Additionally, it includes a Q&A section addressing common concerns and advice for parents throughout the application process.

1. Getting Ready for
College Applications
for Parents
James Montoya, Chief of Global Higher Education, the
College Board and former Dean of Admission of Stanford
University
Jerry Pope, Dean of College Counseling, Niles North High
School and Niles West High School
MJ Knoll-Finn, Senior Vice President for Enrollment
Management, New York University

2. • Tools and resources
• Finalizing a college list
• What types of colleges to apply to
• What colleges are looking for on a college application
• Q&A
2
What We’ll Cover

3. Please submit your questions in the Q&A
module on the bottom right-hand corner of
your screen.
3
Q&A

4. 4
Tools and Resources:
BigFuture
• https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
• College application checklist and timeline
• Compare colleges
• Search by type, size, location, majors,
cost, and more.
• Build and save a college list

5. 5
Tools and
Resources:
Parent website
• https://parents.collegeboard.org/
• Sign up to receive text and email
reminders
• College planning advice for early, middle,
and late stages
• Topics include financial aid, getting ready
academically, the SAT and it’s role in
college applications, and more
• Glossary, FAQ, and calendar

6. 6
Tools and
Resources:
College Board
account
• Collegeboard.org
• Access scores online
• Send scores to colleges
• The Latest: Get tips and reminders
• Keep track of their college list

7. 7
Tools and
Resources:
College Application
Fee Waivers
• All income-eligible students can take the
SAT for free
• They can also apply to college for free,
application fees are waived
• Accepted by over 2,300 colleges

8. • What should students do to prepare for their first conversation with their
school counselor?
• How many colleges do you typically recommend that students apply to
and what kind of types should they consider?
• How can a parent help their student determine if a school is a right fit for
them academically, financially, and socially?
• Should a student apply to a college that they think they can’t afford?
• What advice do you have for securing strong teacher recommendations
for those colleges requiring them?
• Should my child apply to a school early action or early decision?
8
What types of
schools should my
child apply to?

9. • What happens when an application is submitted at NYU?
• What’s the most important thing you look for in a college application?
• What are admissions officers looking for in an SAT score?
• What should parents know about the value of taking AP courses for
college?
• What’s the “right” number of extracurricular activities on a college
application?
• What advice do you have for parents who are helping their students with
college application essays?
• Will applying for financial aid hurt my child’s chances for admission?
• What is your recommendation for families who will be completing the
FAFSA? When is the best time to submit it?
9
What are colleges
looking for on a
college application?

10. Please submit your questions in the Q&A
module on the bottom right-hand corner of
your screen.
10
Q&A

11. • More Information for Parents
collegeboard.org/parents
• College Search
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
• College application checklist:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/college-application-
checklist
•
11
More Resources

12. Thank
you.