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Where Do I Even Start? A Parent’s Guide to the College Admissions Process

"Where do we even begin?" That’s the first thing most families ask me when we start talking about college.
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The process can feel overwhelming—deadlines, decisions, dollar signs… it’s a lot. But you don’t have to climb the whole mountain today. You just need to take one step.


This guide walks you through 4 practical steps to start the college process with more confidence and less stress.


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🧭 Step 1: Talk About the Future (Without Pressure)

This doesn’t need to be a formal sit-down. Ask your teen what kind of life they imagine after college: where they’d want to live, what type of job sounds exciting, or how they’d spend their time.

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Want an easy way to spark that convo?

The RealtyHop Scholarship asks students to picture their dream life 10 years from now by choosing a real home listing and writing about their favorite feature and why it matters to their future. It’s creative, low-stakes, and it’s a real scholarship. Win-win.

Pro Tip: Give your teen space to dream out loud. This isn’t about locking in a plan. It’s about planting a seed.


🧭 Step 2: Build a Starter College List

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Forget rankings and “dream schools” for now. Start a list of schools that:

  • Offer a possible major your teen’s curious about

  • Are located somewhere you could picture them thriving

  • Might offer generous scholarships or financial aid

Not sure where to begin?

Try the Big Future College Quiz by College Board—it’s short and student-friendly, and helps teens think about what matters (size, location, vibe, etc.).

Pro Tip: Use a shared Google Doc or Notes app to track schools. Add why you like each one: major, aid, location, vibe, etc., to simplify future research.


🧭 Step 3: Understand the Timeline

Deadlines sneak up fast. Here are a few big ones:

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  • August 1: Common App opens

  • October 1: FAFSA usually opens (note: it opened late this year)

  • Oct–Nov: Priority deadlines for merit aid

  • Nov 1–15: Early Action/Early Decision

  • Dec–Jan: Regular Decision deadlines

  • December: Last SAT/ACT test dates for most schools

  • Jan–Apr: Peak local/community scholarship season

Pro Tip: Local scholarships often have fewer applicants. Check with your school or local groups in early spring for better odds.


🧭 Step 4: Start Thinking About Cost (Without Panic)

The “sticker price” on a college website isn’t what most families pay. Aid, scholarships, and merit awards vary, but the right info helps you plan.

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Look into:

  • FAFSA – federal aid (opens October 1)

  • CSS Profile – required by some private colleges

  • Scholarships – many open in junior or senior year

  • Automatic merit aid – schools like Arizona State or the University of Alabama award scholarships based on GPA/test scores.

Pro Tip: Use each school’s Net Price Calculator for an estimate. And check their tuition policy—some schools (like Miami University in Ohio or Minot State) offer flat tuition or waive out-of-state costs.

Helpful tools:

  • BigFuture – financial aid quiz, net price calculator, and scholarship searches

  • TuitionFit – compare real aid offers

  • MyinTuition – fast cost estimates for private colleges


Final Thought

You don’t need every answer today. But if you’re looking for a steady guide to help your family navigate this journey with clarity and confidence, that’s exactly why I started Future Bound.


 
 
 

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