Parros College Planning logo_cropped 7-2014

Certified College Planning Specialist offers tips to keep students on track and increase chances of getting accepted into top-choice schools

Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications, 248.260.8466, barbara@eafocus.com; Kim Parros, Parros College Planning, 888.590.3668, kim@parrosfinancialgroup.com

Ann Arbor, Mich.— Sept. 8, 2014 — As a new school year begins, high school juniors nationwide are gearing up to apply for admission to their top choice schools. According to financial advisor Timothy C. Parros, CCPS, founder of Parros College Planning, an Ann Arbor, Mich., based company providing resources in the college admissions process to parents and prospective college students, despite great expectations, happy outcomes on college admittance are largely dependent on a student’s ability to stay focused academically while avoiding common mistakes that can doom otherwise promising candidates.

Parros says the keys to successful management of the college admission process include making good choices, building relationships with colleges and managing expectations.

“One of the most common mistakes I see prospective college students and parents make is letting emotional interests override academic priorities,” Parros said. “Especially here in southeast Michigan, we are notorious for being loyal to a fault to specific universities. However, it is not a wise strategy for a student to embrace a college because of its overall ranking or reputation, athletic programs or location without considering the strength and accessibility of specific academic programs and majors offered.”

Parros refers to this form of thinking as being “destination-centered” and the thought process sets students, and parents, up for frustration and disappointment later down the line.

“One often hears of a student transferring because the initial college chosen does not offer programs that the student wants to study,” Parros said. “Also, many college students change their major in college at least once. Changing majors is expensive, as is transferring schools, both in lost credits and time. Students who are not absolutely certain of a major may want to consider the benefits of attending a university that offers a wide range of programs without hyper competitive admissions hurdles.”

Parros reminds prospective college students and their parents it is not constructive to regard the college planning process as a prize to be won or a particular destination to be reached

“Students need to remain diligent in searching out schools that represent a good fit for them, and that school may be in a less than desirable location – and not even have a football team!” Parros said.

About Parros College Planning
Parros College Planning is an Ann Arbor, Mich. based company focused on helping prospective college students get into the college of their choice. Specific services in the step by step Parros process include college matching analysis, ACT/SAT prep, essay critiques and strategies for helping families lower tuition costs by navigating financial aid, scholarships and grant options. Parros College Planning is led by founder Timothy Parros, CCPS, who is a member of the National Institute of Certified College Planners, Higher Education Consultants Association and the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Learn more about Parros College Planning here and follow the company on Twitter @THECOLLEGEPRO.

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