Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews

YCBK 514: When Should My Student Start The College Process

Mar 3, 2025
Kathleen deLaski, Founder of the Education Design Lab, shares her insights on transforming education. She discusses the shift towards micro-credentials and their growing significance in today’s job market. Kathleen highlights how alternative pathways, such as certificates and apprenticeship programs, are reshaping access to career opportunities, particularly for students without traditional degrees. The conversation emphasizes the importance of adapting education to meet changing economic demands, making it clear that a four-year degree isn’t the only route to success.
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ADVICE

Early College Exploration

  • Get answers to big college questions early, even in middle school, through meetings or podcasts.
  • This allows families to understand college decisions and plan without formally starting the process.
ADVICE

When to Start College Process

  • Start the college process when your student is ready and engaged, typically by junior year.
  • Consider starting earlier if targeting competitive colleges, seeking scholarships, or pursuing athletic recruitment.
ADVICE

Later Start Options

  • Students with test scores and college visits can start later, between the summer after 10th and first semester of 11th grade.
  • Those staying local or not visiting until after decisions can wait until the second semester of junior year.
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