01Visit Stanford last, not first! Going to the most famous (and ultra-selective) colleges at the outset can warp expectations and make other choices (the likelier ones) seem like lesser choices.
02
Think of standardized testing as a necessary evil, and don’t overdo it! A program of long-term skill development can help, but avoid testing too often or thinking of small improvements as overly meaningful.
03
Be sure to visit a range of college styles at the beginning: small vs. large, public vs. private, conservative vs. liberal, intense vs. laid back. Allow your child to ask him or herself, Where do I feel most at home?”
04
Allow your child to control the process. Think of him/her as the driver and yourself as the passenger of a car. You can offer advice and suggestions, but the wheel is in his/her hands.
05
Don’t meddle with your child’s essay—it must sound like her voice. Parents often assume that the essay must showcase a child’s achievements, but the best ones showcase his/her voice and personality.