Scholarship Time!Well, it's that time of year again.
Students have graduated all across the nation. Many of their parents are excited that their child is growing up and about to move on to college. After years of contemplation and indecision, the child has finally decided to attend a college.
Generally, the parents don't want to shoulder the expense of a college education at today's prices. So now, the child is a Senior (or maybe a Junior), has matured and become more focused. Since the parents now know that the child is serious, now would be the perfect time to begin searching for scholarships. Right?
Wrong!! Nothing could be further from the truth.
The scenario above is played out all across our fair nation. The parents have their prospective on how they think the scholarship process works. Colleges establish the process. After all, they are spending their money (recruiting budget). Let's take an “in depth” look at the process from the college's prospective.
The college views the awarding of a scholarship much like you view the purchase of a new car. You've been living under a rock if you haven't noticed Toyota and Honda's strangle-hold on the top of the auto quality ratings. In recent years, though, Cadillac has edged both of them out of the #1 spot. Colleges want to get the most “bang for the buck.” They don't want to spend their hard earned dollars on a “lemon.” Hey, this is a five-year commitment. That's a long time to have to deal with a problem situation. The colleges don't just run out to the “lot” and pick one! They research the available options many years in advance. It is best to go with the lowest risk factor available. Now, there are car buyers who can't get one of the “top rated” vehicles. They have to “settle” for what they can afford. Similarly, there are colleges that can't afford the top student prospects. Everyday, they are working to improve their “credit” rating, but improvement takes years of recruiting. There are many differences but this is the basic concept.
Colleges are in the business of producing top-notch professionals in both Academics and Sports. The more “pros” that graduate from their school, the better. From a marketing prospective, better graduates translate into more paying clients. Parents don't mind paying for their child to attend a school that can show that it has prestige and a good graduation rate. They want to know that graduates can find jobs and become positive contributors to our society.
To increase their graduation rates, colleges seek out the best students they can find. I can remember when nobody in our graduating class would consider attending a Duke University, Lamar University or USC. Over the years, well placed recruits have changed the perception of these colleges in the public eye. Staying true to the saying, “Every dog has his day in the sun,” Colleges constantly revolve in the “Top College” ratings. Schools that were on the bottom are now on top. Many that were on top for years are now on the bottom. Some have even had to close their doors; mostly due to poor recruiting.
Most colleges begin the recruiting process when kids are in middle school. Note: I have interviewed a few parent with kids in the “Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP).” The kids are currently in the 8th grade and have been in the program for two years!! Yes, you got it. Duke “recruited” them in the 6th grade. For more information on the Duke's Talent Identification Program for 4th through graders, please see the link on our website.
http://www.tgbtg.com/A Texas A&M football coach once told a reporter that he starts his recruiting process when the kids are in little league. Do you see a pattern developing here? The colleges are watching your kids LONG before they know if they intend to go to college. Recruiters are boarding planes, renting hotel rooms and cars to come watch our middle-schoolers. When they get here, they often have to purchase a “Coach's Package” that can cost $150 and up! This is how they get the student's school, their name and other personal information. Now here's the catch. They can't tell you they are at the event! NCAA rules prohibit the recruiters from approaching you until their “Contact Periods” are in effect; usually late in the spring semester of the Junior year. Imagine how much recruiting money is lost when they have been watching a student for 6 years and the kid decides to quit, skip college, drop out of school, etc.
In conclusion, Parent's late start + College's early start = High School Senior Nightmare.
It is the parent's decision to prepare for the possibility of a child attending college. At the latest, you scholarship preparatory process should begin in the 9th grade. The State of Texas offers the “Texas Scholar's” program that will provide free paid tuition for Texas students who choose to attend a college in Texas. You must enroll at the beginning of the freshman year. For more information on the Texas Scholars program, please see the link on our website.
http://www.tgbtg.com/ This is also the time for you to begin building your child's “High School Resume.” The resume should include a listing of achievements, accomplishments, volunteer experience, grade records, community involvement & leadership experience.
Start practicing on the College Entrance Exams (PSAT, SAT or the ACT) during the 9th grade. Serious students will begin to take the actual College Entrance Exams in the 10th grade. The 10th and 11th grades are the “marketing” years. Have your child's counselor or coach begin to shop your student's resume to numerous colleges that interest you. Remember, you only have these two years. The 12th grade is pretty much the “Awards” year. Please notice that the majority of seniors commit to the college of their choice at the beginning of their senior year; between September and November of the fall semester. It is NOT a good idea to find yourself scrambling to find a school and boost entrance exam scores during this time. This places too much pressure on the child and their family.
In future articles, we will discuss the different divisions within the NCAA, NAIA & NJCAA. We will also discuss how to evaluate scholarship offers, testing strategies, resume building, essay writing and much more.
If you have any questions or need advice concerning scholarships, send an email to:
scholarships@tgbtg.com 
