College Road Trip!!
Oh, it's that time in our lives again! The most asked question, "So, what's Kyle doing next year?"
Again, I am shown (as if I did not know before) how different my children are! I love having that reminder!! I have been asked so many times by Moms "Where do we start?" "Is there a book we could buy?" "Some one should write one, they would make a killing!"
I am not saying I am an expert! Let me start by saying that. This is more for me to get my thoughts straight and remember this so next time in 4 years I will remember what we have done! Not sure I could write a book on the how to's!! First thing I believe you and your spouse need to do is decide how much you are willing to help your student out with school. Does the full amount fall on their shoulders? Do you have a set amount you will give?
So first step starts when the kids are in 7th grade. Why 7th? Because 7th grade starts the path for High School. 8th grade in our school, HCA starts the Math path for High School. 7th grade teachers as well as test scores and grades decide what math track a student is on. Why does this matter? because once on their path it is hard to change!
Next Step, My hubby being the math mind that he is figured out with a scholar ship how much a student could make per hour of study. 4 years 180 days per year divided by scholarship amount. Example 30,000$ (Scholarship)/4 years= 7500 per year/ 180 days at school= 41.67$ per day!! That is descent money for working hard! Does that make sense? So we explained this to our kids in 9th grade to show them how much studying is worth!
Start Sophomore year taking SAT and ACT. Tyler said the best thing we did for him was have him take it when the scores really did not count. That way he got the jitters out and got to see what to expect before the scores really matter!!
Junior Year start visiting colleges. Seeing what the student likes to do. My wise hubby has told the kids for years "Do some thing you love and do it so well people pay you to do it!" Visiting is so much easier when the student knows what they would like to do. Start researching scholarships. See what scholarships are offered from the school.
Fall of Senior Year apply at all the schools they like. Reminder each application costs!! We were encouraged to apply at ideal, likes, and a stretch school (a school that is a dream, stretch to get into). Early applications give the students time to look at other schools if they do not get in to their schools, and (from what I see) merit scholarship deadlines are before or on Dec. 1. Some colleges you can apply end of Junior Year.
So here is where each child shows how God has made them fearfully and wonderfully made.
Tyler - Heart set on ASU and was not really sure what area of study. He thought computer science, Industrial Design, and Physics. March came around and he decided Engineering and UNCC. He loves it there!
Kyle- Heart not set on any school but knows he wants to teach High School Math. He has received 1 scholarship from UNCG and he has interviewed for scholarships from both ASU and LRU. We will see where he goes! The jury is still out and we are waiting on Scholarships! Big lesson we learned is not to be afraid of the private colleges. They have bigger price tags yet are freer with monies.
Allee- Right now heart set on Culinary. We are visiting schools in the next few days to get an idea of what this will look like. She is hard at work at researching scholarships. She is determined to not have to pay much for school out of her pocket. I know her hard work will benefit her!
Three totally different schooling ways, 3 totally different children. Each absolutely perfect! God has created each one different and wonderfully made.
Although, next year will be the third time we start the application process, each year has looked very different. It has been such an honor to help each child research their path! Their way! Not every child is the same and not all schools are the same! What works for one does not always work for all!
I admire the families that are Duke Families, Chapel Hill Families, etc. This is not our family! Our kids have each looked to their own way, and Carmen is yet to decide!
We will not be a divided Family, We will be a diverse family! We will launch our arrows in many directions and watch them grow into beautiful perfect creations of the Lord! Not perfect in a worldly sense but perfect in the LORD!!
I could not be prouder of our children! I cannot believe we will soon be the family that has 3 adult children! Oh my, where has the time gone!
And this too is ... LIFE AS I KNOW IT!
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