Getting into a good school can change a student’s life forever. Whether your child hopes to stay in state or take their academic career wherever their test scores will carry them, getting into a reputable school starts early on. While much of a student’s preparation for getting into college falls on them, parents do play an important role in helping their children get into the right school. Read on for the best ways to invest in your child’s education and help them get into their dream college or university.

Visit Colleges Early On

Though it’s easy to assume students don’t need to think about college until they’re nearing the end of their time in high school, this is hardly the case for today’s students. Students that hope to get into ivy-league universities and the best state schools in the country often plan years in advance. It isn’t uncommon for middle school students to start touring colleges this early on.

Help your child gain a competitive edge on other students by getting started early. Start visiting colleges during the first few years of high school or even in middle school. By taking your child to a college campus, you’ll encourage them to start planning for their future.

As your child goes to more college visits and gets closer to their senior year in school, they’ll likely receive more informational packets in the mail from colleges that are considering them. Encourage your child to narrow down which ones they’re seriously considering so they can come up with a detailed plan of attack for their applications.

Encourage Your Student to Challenge Themselves Academically

The best schools in the world want to see high school applicants that get good grades and challenge themselves while in high school. An important way to keep your child on track for their dream school is to help them get better grades. Celebrate every time they ace a test or complete an extra credit assignment. If they are struggling in any class, make sure they get the tutoring they need to improve.

Additionally, encourage your child to take harder classes. Everything from AP science to dual enrollment is looked upon favorably by colleges. At this time, remember to push your child to do better without going overboard. Students can easily suffer burnout if their schedules are packed with too many challenging classes. A happy medium should encourage them to study hard without causing them an overwhelming amount of stress.

Pay for Test Prep Courses

One of the biggest determining factors that schools use to decide whether or not your child will go to their dream school is their test scores. Standardized testing is used by the top tier schools in the country as a way to separate the above-average students from others that don’t get into the best schools. Make sure your child is prepared by signing them up for a test prep course.

Research test courses like SAT Reasoning ACT Assessment, the PSAT, IB, SAT subject test, and similar classes. Review the requirements for your child’s pick of potential colleges and enroll them in the appropriate courses. Experts recommend that students take these types of courses a few months before the actual exam. This way, the information will be readily available when it’s time to take the test.

Share Scholarship Opportunities with Your Teen

Many students that get into good schools aren’t able to go because they can’t afford the tuition. Parents can encourage their children to apply for scholarships like Tech Live Connect. With Tech Live Connect and similar scholarships, students will be able to earn money to pay for the cost of tuition, books, rent, and other expenses associated with going to college.

Review Their Application

As your child gets ready to apply for college, parents can lend a helping hand. When reviewing their materials for the application, help them remember all their past achievements and activities. Additionally, go over their essays and make any suggestions when necessary as this will make for a stronger submission.

The admissions process for top-level colleges is incredibly competitive. Though the final decision is up to the board of admissions, you can help your child get into the right school. Keep these strategies in mind as you help your child stay on top of their studies and prepare for their college careers