Charting a Course for the Long Haul

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Last week, P and I attended an orientation session at our charter school for rising high school students.  Actually, there were families with a high school student that had missed the usual fall orientation as well as families who have 6th and 7th graders in the room.  We went in part to discern if P is really ready to make that transition to high school.

One of the things that surprised me a bit during the session had to do with mapping out the course of study for high school.  I had already realized that you should have an eye on what courses could be prepare a student for life after high school.  They’ve had college prep suggestions for year (even way back when I was in high school!)

What caught me off guard was the orientation leader talking about how even at this point in time we should have our vision include any graduate school programs needed to pursue a chosen career. 

I suppose I can see the wisdom in this.  After all, if you know that medical school is calling, you want to maximize experiences that will better prepare you for that education.  Or, you might want to find someone to be a mentor and allow for a more personal and up close look at the profession.

But, would you think about studying for the admissions test (e.g. the MCAT or LSAT) while in high school??  I have to admit that New York gmat classes were not top of mind early in my school career as I didn’t know I’d sit for the GMAT until I was living in Rochester, NY.  Actbually, I couldn’t have predicted the switch from science to business even when I first moved to Rochester for graduate school.

For a child who has a clear vision of what they want to do, it probably doesn’t hurt to investigate options for helping prep for the tests.  One company that allows for this preparation is Veritas Prep.

P has not really decided upon a set career path.  And, I’m not inclined to push him quite yet.  However, I have told him that while becoming a Green Beret is a great goal, he might want to find out which skills he’ll need to be considered as well as which degrees are most desired.  Then, we can work together in earnest to chart out a course for the long haul.