Think college as early as 9th or 10th grade. Pay attention to course selection, commitments to clubs and activities.
Parents are probably way ahead of their kids as far as thinking about the college process, so keep your conversations casual to avoid overwhelming them.
Once junior year rolls around, it's time to get serious. Being organized will save plenty of headaches, so start with the basic: a calendar.
Place the calendar where the student can see it and note when the SAT or the ACT tests are being held, and any other relevant deadlines.
By January of senior year, you should apply for financial aid. Applications should be in college admission offices by the end of February.
Remember that you'll be dealing with piles of paper over the next year — brochures, financial aid forms, etc. A filing system will keep everything organized.
Set aside a certain time every week to meet with your child and go over materials from schools.
Encourage your child to start a college journal, to help keep track of details — and to see how his thoughts on college change over time.
Designate a "college-free" zone in the house. Once you start the search, a lot of families find themselves overloaded with information.
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