ACT Parent website updated with useful information, resources

The college and career planning process can seem difficult to navigate without the right set of tools. ACT has updated its parent website so adults have the knowledge and tools to help students find their life path and begin traveling down it.

On the site you'll find:

• Homework motivation tips
• A college planning timeline
• A financial aid need estimator
• Tools and resources

You also can read the inspiring stories of other students and keep up with our senior-year bloggers through the parent site. Visit www.actparent.org for the latest information.

We would like to hear from you. Let us know if there are useful resources you would like to see on the site, or if you know of an inspirational student story, please send a message with the subject line "Parent" to mediarelations@act.org. We won't be able to answer every message individually, but welcome your input.

College planning terms

College planning terms can be more than a little confusing. Here are the definitions for several terms many students are currently encountering.

Common/universal application. Form that allows a student to submit one application to many different schools. Both are available online: www.commonapp.org and www.universalcollegeapp.com. Some schools also require supplemental forms.

Early decision. A student gets to apply earlier than usual and receives an early decision on admission. If admitted, the student is bound to attend the school.

Rolling admissions. A process in which a school reviews applications and makes decisions on them until the freshman class is filled. Some schools may have a hard deadline for applications for each semester, so look for cut-off dates.

Early action. A student can apply to an early action school and receive the admission response early. The decision is usually non-binding, but the applicant may agree to forgo applying to other early action/early decision institutions. When conditions apply it is sometimes called Restrictive Early Action.

Open admissions. An admission decision, usually made by public junior and community colleges, without regard to academic performance.

Transcript. The official record of educational achievements, provided by the student's high school.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The key to unlocking student financial aid, it should be completed and submitted as soon after January 2 as possible. The form and supporting information can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

You can find glossaries of college and financial aid terms on several websites, including:

http://www.finaid.org/questions/glossary.phtml
http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/college_application_terms.htm
http://www.fastweb.com/fastweb/resources/articles/index/100026

Bloggers offer a student's point of view

As a parent with so many responsibilities, it's easy to lose sight of the social aspect of a student's growth. Socializing isn't only about having fun, but can teach valuable lessons like time management and cooperation in a meaningful way. ACT's high school bloggers Jedidiah and Emily point to some valuable lessons they've learned from the social aspects of their lives. You can read all about it—and the fun of Homecoming—in their early October blog postings.

Parents, students and mentors can learn from the tips each has to offer along with how they cope with busy schedules and the activities associated with the college admissions process. Follow them as they share their experiences from senior year.

Student blog entries are posted at http://www.actstudent.org/blog/, and watch for their stories throughout the school year.

College visits without leaving home

Though it can't replace an on-campus tour or overnight stay, the Internet is helping people "visit" potential schools inexpensively and effectively. When it's not possible to travel to every school, you and your teen can still get a sense of the place, its offerings and demographics of the student body—online.

Many colleges and universities post virtual tours on their websites. Some innovative schools go so far as to let you "sit in" on classroom lectures through online video. Others feature student blogs and chats with admissions counselors and financial aid advisors. Many of these features can be found in the admissions section of a school site, or type "virtual tour" into the site's search feature. If you are planning a campus visit, take advantage of these tools ahead of time to research important questions to ask or narrow your focus when on campus.

One new website is compiling student- and alumni-written school reviews, as well as all kinds of user-submitted media and information. The site, http://www.unigo.com/, was created by a recent college graduate and is in its infancy. Stop by and visit regularly—new content is added all the time.

Local college fairs also offer a way to learn about schools without having to visit their campuses. Find a calendar of college fairs across the country at http://www.schoolguides.com/calendar.asp.

Whether you and your student visit all of your potential schools or not, take time to find out as much as possible.

ACT test date reminder

The next 2008 2009 ACT national test date is December 13, 2008. The registration deadline is November 7, 2008. Late registration, with an additional fee, runs through November 20, 2008.

An optional Writing Test is available in addition to the multiple-choice achievement test. Find out about the Writing Test on the ACT student website, including the colleges that require it.

On the ACT student website, check out the test prep aids. Free sample questions are available along with test-day tips, a list of what to bring, and approved calculators for use on the Math Test.

Preparing for the ACT, a booklet with a complete practice test, scoring key, writing prompt, and sample essays, is available to download on the Test Prep section of actstudent.org. The ACT registration packet, available from the counseling office, also contains the booklet. Sign up for ACT Online Prep™, the only test prep program developed exclusively by ACT test development professionals. It is a very inexpensive tool your student can use for a full year.

For all your questions about the ACT test, visit ACT's student website.

See also:

ACT's Information for Parents

The ACT

PLAN

EXPLORE

Financial Aid

College Search

Careers