As your child grows, you will find yourself having to make various decisions regarding his/her future. One of the most important decisions is which college your child should go to. Instead of making this decision yourself and forcing it upon your child, here are some ways to empower your child to make the decision - with your help of course!

Share the decision-making responsibilities
First assess your own aim before sending your children to college. However it is essential for you to remember that it is your child who will be attending the institution, not you. Let your child know that they need to play an active part in the decision making process.

Trust your child's instincts
Empower your child to trust their instincts. Later in life your child will have to rely on his or her own decision-making capability. Now is the time to strengthen that skill.

Let your child take charge
Resist the urge to help you child with everything. If you fill out the application forms or make all the choices, it is most likely that your child will not invest themselves in the process. Remember that your child is growing up and these are great ways to encourage responsibility.

Don't make an emotional decision
Encourage your child to make their own choices independent of what their friends do. Once you have dealt with their emotions, you must remember to keep your emotions in check. Don't let distance or fear of letting go, influence your decision.

The Must DO's for Parents

• Discuss frankly with your child how much you can afford to pay for college education
• Make a list the countries where your child should apply for college if your are considering international education options
• Arrange for campus visits at colleges that are shortlisted (if viable)
• Remember that admission selectivity does not necessarily indicate quality of a specific program
• Watch for newspaper announcements for dates of entrance exams, admission deadlines, etc.
• Make copies of all documentation that you send to colleges and keep them safely in a file for your reference
• Remember to plan in advance and do not leave everything to the last moment

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