It's August and summer is just about over.  If you have a senior at home, they are probably enjoying these last few days before school starts and they have to juggle rigorous senior year classes, activities, and college applications. But do not let them get too comfortable! If they are just using this time to relax, they are wasting their summer! Before school starts, seniors can complete a few tasks to ensure they do not miss important college application and financial aid deadlines this year.  

In August, seniors should be:Here are some important reminders and milestones to hit as you prepare for applications: 

1. Make a list of qualities that you want to have in a college like distance from home, avg GPA and SAT/ACT score, room styles, activities, avg class size, and cost of attendance.
2. Research colleges and create a college list (6-10 colleges)
3. Create FSA ID for student and parent
4. Research application materials needed for every college including essay topics
5. Make sure parents have their 2015 tax information easily accessible so they can fill out the FAFSA in October without any problem

The most important items on this list are #1 and #2.  Your child needs to understand what they want in a college and they need to have a solid college list so they then gather all required application materials such as teacher recs, counselor recs, essays, and application fees.  Students also need to know if the colleges on their list require any additional testing.  If so, students need to make sure they register and take these tests before the deadlines.  It is important students do all of this before their hectic senior year begins.  By using an advisor from Riley College Advising, you know you are getting expert advice and information.  Our College Advisors will help your student create solid college list and research the required application materials and deadlines.  This way, you know that your child has all of the information they need to get right into filling out the applications with the help of our College Advisors.  

From the day they are born, we want the best for our children.  We buy the best toys, send them to the best schools, see the best doctors, get them swimming lessons, and music lessons.  We will stop at nothing to make sure our kids have the right tools to make their dreams come true.  Planning for college, completing financial aid, deciphering financial aid letters, and choosing a college to attend are just some of the big milestones students must hit during their senior year.  They need to do all of this on top of completing their most challenging classes, participating in extracurricular activities, and enjoying the last remaining moments as an adolescent with their friends and family.  And of course parents help their kids with all of these items; however; parents are incredibly busy themselves.  While high school counselors do their best to meet with their students individually, many counselors just do not have time for such individual attention.  There is so much to do during your child's senior year so it makes sense to hire an independent College Advisor.  

Here are a few reasons students and parents hire Riley College Advising:

• Gain a competitive edge
  • For every parent that you hear talking about working with an independent College Advisor, there are 5 more that are using one but do not want to disclose it.  A study out of Standford University reported that 26% of applicants in 2013 hired a "private admissions counselor" and this was three times as many than was reported in 2003.  As admissions becomes more and more rigorous, it is important to give your child a competitive edge during an incredibly competitive process
• Personalized attention
  • Clients get personalized recommendations and advice tailored to their clients.  All materials we use with clients is created by us for every student. We do not use templates or old materials; nothing is cookie cutter.  Everything is personalized for the client by their College Advisor. At Riley College Advising, we take great pride in getting to know the student and the family so we can proceed with our advising and ensure it is personalized.
• Relieve stress for both parents and kids
  • Knowing an expert is guiding your child through this process each step of the way can ease the stress and tension at home.  Often times parents call Riley College Advising after a big family argument because their child is not as motivated or industrious as they would like him/her to be.  When this happens, we make sure to talk to everyone involved and we create a simple, stress-free timeline with very clear goals to meet every day or every week.  We suggest weekly meeting with your College Advisor to keep you on track and help with anything that is not getting done.  The clear plan, weekly meetings, and accomplishing real goals will not only make parents feel relieved that their kid is making real progress on their college applications and the work they are doing is being monitored by a qualified professional.  In turn, students will also feel a great sense of relief because they will feel they have some control over this crazy process after they talk with their College Advisor and they see their personalized plan and timeline.  
• Get insider information
  • It is incredibly complicated to know all of the admissions information, different systems colleges use for applications, financial aid, and admitted students as well as information about great college with less name recognition that offer incredible study abroad programs, great housing, leadership and research opportunities, and valuable support services.  And this is just the beginning of it! Our Advisors have a vast catalog of information about colleges that families can't access through a big blue book or via a website search engine.  It has been acquired over many years with countless college visits, meetings with admissions officers, and one on one talks with admissions and financial aid officers. We also offer unbiased advice;  we do not receive any funds or materials to promote one college over another and all of the work we do is strictly confidential.  We will never release your name or identifying information to anyone or any institution.  
• Create the best application package
  • Students only get one chance to apply to a college and you want to make sure the application is the BEST representation of your child.  Our College Advisors will make sure that everything in their application package highlights their uniqueness, potential, and credentials.  This starts with the college essay and ends with teacher recommendations.  There are many pieces of a college application package and each one of them is important and should be treated as such.  Our Advisors will ensure that every piece of the application package perfectly represents your student and gives them the best possible chance of gaining admission into that college or university.

College application and financial aid deadlines are quickly approaching and it is imparitive that students do not miss any of them.  Doing so could lead your son or daughter to miss out on being accepted into their dream college and lose financial aid money. Contact Riley College Advising today for your FREE 30 minute evaluation! (724) 591-1924 or Riley@RileyCollegeAdvising.com