Decision on where to go to college is not only a personal choice but has become a philosophical one. No more can we blindly follow the steps of a cookie-cutter approach to getting our kids to college. While good grades, high SAT scores, extracurricular activities, and community service are needed to build an impressive resume, there's more to it. With rapidly changing times and technological advancement, it seems prudent to carefully choose a college that'll lead to the best job prospects in an area that interests your child. That said, the key to preparing for college is not determined by where your child wants to go (or where you want them to go), but rather to have options open in the first place. The decisions, however big or small, that parents make in the children's early years impact them by the time they graduate from high school.

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Preparing for college doesn't really 'begin' in high school but it 'ends' there. How your child's talents and interests are shaped over the years actually germinate in elementary school years. Every child comes with a gift. The cues are there. They only need to be discovered and harnessed. No time in their schooling years is a less significant time than another. How we, as a community of parents, teachers, coaches and counselors, encourage and support our kids lays the framework upon which they succeed. After all the hard work, when your child comes to her/his senior year, it is time to showcase not only all they have achieved but also what they have come to be.

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A college application is a thoughtfully captured picture of your child that helps land the best fit college for his/her future success. As an educator, mentor, counselor, and every child's advocate and friend, Dr. Pakala guides you and your precious child all the way to seek out that promising college acceptance and career path. The best time to start preparing is NOW. It's never too early or too late!