I know it seems exciting, particularly if it's your oldest child. And when those first college catalogs start rolling in, it IS exciting. And then they keep coming and keep coming. The amount of mail you'll receive is mind-blowing. Truly staggering. And the novelty quickly wears off. My daughter has gone from "Oooh, let me see, let me see!" to "Just trash all that, Mom."
Much of the mail is from colleges you have never heard of. Then there is the mail from the truly elite schools which, even if your child could get into, you could never pay for. A few pieces are from schools you might actually consider and those get plucked from the pile.
Here's my suggestion for when you enter this stage of your life: Research schools online and with your high school counselors, then YOU contact the schools you're interested in and asked to be placed on their mailing list. Your life will be simpler, your mail carrier will thank you, and you might just save a few dozen trees in the process.
For a more humorous read on the college solicitation process, check out this column in the Kansas City Star.
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Or, here's another thought: don't take the PSAT! I find it to be a terrible waste of time and resources, particularly when you're practicing for a test you can take as many times as you want until you get a score that satisfies you. I took my first SAT in 7th grade, and my second when I was a senior. I didn't use any study guides, or any strategy guides, and did fantastically (IMHO). In fact, I'd suggest everyone take the SAT in middle school or when just entering high school - makes you look smart when you're only 5 feet tall taking this huge test in a room full of juniors and seniors.
Okay, now that I think of it... that wasn't too terribly productive - sorry.
Thanks for the comment, Jake. My understanding is that the PSAT is what gets you on the radar for National Merit Scholarships. Your junior year score is what counts, and taking it your sophomore year is sort of a practice round.
And I believe that you can only take the PSAT in October each year. It's not offered multiple time like the ACT is.
We're just starting the whole process so I am hardly an expert. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks for the compliment about my "about me." I really love an email that I got about Motherhood that I posted once. Here is a copy if you are interested:
http://mrsnespysworld.blogspot.com/2008/01/being-mom.html
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