Skip to content
  • Solutions
    Our Services
    Middle School College Prep
    Transfer Admissions
    Gap Year Admissions
    Essay Advising and Review
    Admissions Committee Review
    SAT Test Prep
    ACT Test Prep
    College Prep for Neurodiverse Students
  • About Us
    Our Story
    Why Us
    Success Stories
    Contact Us
  • Programs
    AI Scholar Program
    Research Scholar Program
    Startup Internship Program
    Passion Project Program
  • Resources
    Blog
    Webinars
    Empowerly Score®
  • Partner Solutions
    Partnerships & Affiliates
    Empowerly for Employers

Sign In

Free Consultation
Book a Free Consultation

Login

  • Blog > Grade Levels, High School

5 Ways To Help Your High School Senior Prepare For College

Picture of Gelyna Price

Gelyna Price

  • March 10, 2022

Preparing for college means you’ll need to plan for—and make—some of the biggest decisions in your life so far. For college, it is always better to kick off these preparations as early as you can, in order to give yourself enough time.  Students and parents alike recognize that the competition for college acceptance gets steeper every year, and the uncertainty caused by the pandemic only compounds this pressure. The sooner you’re able to start working with an expert counselor towards your goals, the less time you lose later on. 

These students have to first choose a course they wish to major in during their time in college. This is sometimes tricky because students may need to decide between their dream major and what their skills most support. Then they still have to select a college afterward; all these can be overwhelming.

As a parent, your duty towards your high school seniors is to ensure that you walk them through the college application process and help them get ready for college. This concept may be new for some parents, especially if it is your first time preparing any child for college. However, the steps to prepare high school seniors for college are not as demanding as you would imagine, especially if you go about it the right way. Here are some expert tips on how you can prepare your high school senior for college.

1. Encourage Them to Start Planning Early

It has always been said that the earlier you start planning for something, the better. The importance of kicking off any preparation as early as possible can not be emphasized enough, and it even gets more crucial for significant events like going off to college. Yes, every student should know to start planning and preparing for college as soon as they become high school seniors. But as a parent, you are advised to remind your young student of the benefits of early preparations and encourage them to start planning their college application.

2. Assist Them in the College Search

As much as you would want your high school child to select a major and institution of their choice, it would be wrong to leave them to figure this out on their own. You are advised to lend a hand of assistance to them by walking them through the process and explaining complicated terms. You can also help by introducing them to professional high school counselors or attending college admission counseling with them. These professionals can help ease the task of selecting an ideal college by showing them ideal colleges for their skills and selected majors.

3. Help Them Practice for Their SAT/ACT and Essay Writing, and Other Exams

There are various ways through which colleges screen admission applicants, but most colleges often utilize SAT/ACT as their entrance exams. Indeed, most students take these tests in their junior high school year, but the majority of them often retake them in their senior year for a chance to score higher. You can help your child prepare for these tests by studying with them and providing them with all the necessary materials to succeed. Regardless of whether your student will need to submit SAT/ACT scores, having the skills necessary to perform well on exams is a useful tool.

Many colleges also demand that students submit an application essay and letter of recommendation along with their other documents while applying. You can also help them through this process to ensure that they do it right and avoid any complications.

4. Plan A College Tour With Them

Many universities operate a rolling admission system, while others utilize the regular system. But did you know, some applicants may be required to visit the school in person to observe the school’s academic system and programs firsthand? This demonstrates interest in the particular school, which adds to what you learn in college counseling. For those schools where a visit is inevitable, it would be a lot better and more cost-effective if you plan for a college tour with your high school senior. This way, you can avoid last-minute preparations, unplanned expenses, and you get to be with your child for support.

5. Prepare Them For College Life

College life is often considerably different from high school, and you would not want your kid to step into this life unprepared. Therefore, the final step to getting your high school senior ready for college is to help them be as comfortable as possible right from their first day in college. You can achieve this by providing all the necessary materials and items they will need to fit in perfectly among other college students.

With this solid foundation, your high school senior will be ready to fly!

Book A Free Consultation

Share this post
College Internships
Picture of Gelyna Price

Gelyna Price

Related articles

Find the latest college admissions news, tips, resources and more.

How to Decide Between College Offers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here are 10 must-do tips to help you decide between several college offers confidently and clearly, and find the ideal college offer for you.

10+ Unexpected Schools That Give Generous Financial Aid

Discover the unexpected colleges that offer generous financial aid — and how they make higher education truly affordable for families.

How to Select the Perfect Major: Researching Majors for College

Learn how researching majors for college can shape your application — and discover how to find the right major for your goals and interests.

Empowerly is a member of:

Menu

  • Services
  • Success Stories
  • Careers
  • Become a Counselor
  • Refer a Friend
  • Book a Consult

Contact Us

  • enrollment@empowerly.com
  • 800 491 6920
  • empowerly.com

Follow Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
Subscribe to our Newsletter
© 2025 Empowerly Inc | All Rights Reserved
Cookie Preferences
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Solutions
Our Services
Middle School College Prep
Transfer Admissions
Gap Year Admissions
Essay Advising and Review
Admissions Committee Review
SAT Test Prep
ACT Test Prep
College Prep for Neurodiverse Students
About Us
Our Story
Why Us
Success Stories
Programs
AI Scholar Program
Research Scholar Program
Startup Internship Program
Resources
Blog
Referral
Webinars
Empowerly Score®
Partner Solutions
Partnerships & Affiliates
Empowerly for Employers
Book a Free Consultation
Login