The college search and admission process is a life-changing event for your child, and often for the whole family. The beginning of the college search signals the beginning of a child's transition from teenager to young adult. As a result, it can be difficult for parents to strike the right balance of helping without taking over. Here are some dos and don'ts on the world of college admission.

Do Learn About the Process
Realize that the college admission process has changed since you attended. Whether or not you attended college, invest some time in reading up on today's college admission process.

Do Discuss Restrictions Up Front
If there are financial or geographic restrictions that limit the range of colleges your child can consider, discuss them with your child at the beginning of the college search.

Don't Limit Choices Based on Fees
Financial aid often helps families send their children to even the most expensive colleges. College financial aid offices can direct you to good resources and answer your questions about how financial aid works.

Do Remind Your Child of Deadlines
The life of a high school student is often very busy, and teenagers are still learning time management skills. So help your child begin keeping a calendar or day planner to keep track of all those important college deadlines.

Do Listen and Offer Advice, but Don't Nag
For many students, their choice of college is their first adult decision — and it can be difficult. Likewise, it can be difficult for parents to find the right balance of guiding their child without making the decisions. Try to act as a sounding board for your child: ask good questions and let your child supply the answers.

Don't Make Decisions for Your Child
Your child needs to choose a college based on his individual abilities, interests and personality. To that end, beware of pressuring your child to apply to the college you would like him to attend. After all, your child will be the one who spends several years living and learning at college.

Do Be Your Child's Cheerleader
The college admission process can be stressful. Your child may feel uncertain about the decisions to be made, fearful of rejection from colleges, or anxious about meeting deadlines for both college applications and school work. Over the course of the search process, your child may change course more than once. All of this is normal. Parents can help their college-bound child by offering plenty of encouragement, a listening ear and gentle guidance. And, don't forget to celebrate each step along your child's journey from high school to college.

— Jennifer Gross, NACAC