By Risa Lewak
Independent Educational Consultant

Is the cost of college giving you nightmares? Do you get anxious thinking about your child's chances of getting into an Ivy League university? There are few things in life as stressful as having a son or daughter apply to college. Although the process is never easy, here are a few tips that may make the college admissions process smoother and more tolerable for both you and your child.

Risa Lewak, MSEd, conducts workshops for students and parents around the country that are designed to reduce the stress of choosing and applying to college. Her upcoming website www.JustLetUsIn.com , will provide a forum for students and parents to vent about college admission anxiety. Because she still has nightmares about applying to college, her mission is to make the college process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Tip #1: Let your child apply where he/she wants – even if it's not the school of your dreams.

Tip #2: If paying for school is an issue, have a candid talk about it. Explain that certain schools may not be within the realm of possibility because of prohibitive costs.

Tip #3: If you have real reservations about your child's choice of school, sit down and talk to your child about why the school's not such a good idea. If your fears are unfounded, then admit you're wrong (sorry, that one may be tough).

Tip #4: Do not buy the college bumper sticker for the car until your child has been accepted.

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