| What can a college degree do for your | | | | develop talents and interests. Colleges |
| child? Well for starters, it can earn | | | | like to see that applicants have interests |
| them an average of $2.1 million over their | | | | beyond their school work. Students should |
| lifetime which is nearly twice as much as a | | | | maintain a list of these activities, so they |
| high school graduate can expect to earn. | | | | can include them in their college |
| Â As students prepare for summer break, | | | | applications in 12th grade. |
| they should take the time between mall | | | | |
| visits and pool parties to do some | | | | 3. Discuss colleges with other people. |
| college research, it will great benefit them | | | | |
| later on. This used to be a subject that came | | | | Students should try to always talk with their |
| up only during the senior year but that has | | | | family, teachers, and other adults about |
| changed. | | | | their desires to go to college and about |
| | | | which careers they are interested in. The |
| These days, students are starting much | | | | more people students talk to, the more |
| earlier at the advice of parents who see the | | | | support they will have in reaching their |
| advantages of planning early and avoiding | | | | goals. |
| procrastination.  This process | | | | |
| keeps the student on track and focused as | | | | 4. Visit, Visit, Visit! |
| well. Having a bachelor's degree is becoming | | | | |
| a requirement for most well-paying jobs in | | | | There are over 3,000 colleges and |
| today's world. With more and more students | | | | universities in the country. Students should |
| applying to college (3.2 million+ in 2008!!) | | | | take advantage of this by visiting schools to |
| it is imperative to begin this process early | | | | get a feel for each one before they apply if |
| to avoid any heartache. | | | | at all possible. I compare this |
| | | | frequently to car shopping. You |
| Here are 5 tips for 10th and 11th grade | | | | wouldn't purchase a car without test driving |
| students over the next few weeks before | | | | it would you? You definitely look under |
| summer break arrives to consider: | | | | the hood first right?  The same |
| | | | goes for college selection for your student, |
| 1. Meet with a guidance counselor, and | | | | especially with the price-tag these days. |
| sign up for college preparatory courses, but | | | | Those who are ambitious should call the |
| don't bite off more than you can chew! | | | | admission office in advance to schedule an |
| | | | appointment and/or college tour. |
| Colleges favor students who take more | | | | |
| difficult courses. By not taking these, | | | | 5. Request College Catalogues. |
| students may limit not only the colleges to | | | | |
| which they are accepted, but also their | | | | After students have visited a few local |
| ability to succeed in college. Â They are | | | | colleges, they may be interested in what's |
| labeled "college prep courses" for that | | | | outside of Virginia. They should request |
| reason. It is important to do this | | | | catalogues from those institutions, over the |
| starting in the 9th and 10th grade year. | | | | phone, in writing or online. These catalogues |
| | | | explain what admissions departments look for, |
| 2. Start getting involved in | | | | and help with early planning. Don't let the |
| extracurricular activities in your local | | | | price tag of colleges intimidate you. That's |
| community. | | | | where financial aid and student positioning |
| | | | come into play. |
| Extracurricular activities are a great way to | | | | |