Many parents believe the greatest hurdle to applying for college scholarships is finding scholarships. Nope. Not by a longshot. For many seniors, the motivation to write one more autobiographical essay for a scholarship application is the largest impediment.
For one, many are depleted of energy after writing a dozen (or more) college essays over the fall and winter. Plus, many students continue managing the extensive, unrelenting workload of multiple AP/IB or Honors courses. Additionally, many cope with the anxiety inherent to waiting for admissions responses, wondering about being admitted to colleges of their choice.
Secondly, even for students concerned about college costs, many don’t understand the value of a college education. Lacking the willingness (or maturity) to candidly discuss financing college with their families, high school seniors instead can avoid any opportunities remotely related to college costs, which includes applying for scholarships.
So, while there’s few opportunities for a teenager to potentially earn hundreds if not thousands of dollars for an hour-ish of work to write (or just amend their already written autobiographical essays), seniors often fail to do so.
Yet, many parents concerned about where to reduce their own spending to pay college expenses, as the bill to make good on their lifelong promise of a college education is coming due, are intent on their teenager submitting scholarship applications.
Thus, conflict can ensue.
Yet, families (despite the possibly clashing positions) can start necessary conversations to define the value of college, using price as one means for measuring worth. In doing so, both parents and teens also evolve toward a partnership, where teens take greater responsibility for their experience as an “adult”.
And, as a byproduct, when both parents and teens air their concerns, doubts, speaking plainly about costs, then everyone can build the necessary confidence for a teenager to leave home in the next ten months.
For more information about how to both plan for and navigate the complex college admissions process in order to minimize the risk of educational malinvestment, contact Creative Marbles Consultancy.
