If you feel that a college representative has treated you with less than a professional attitude, by all means speak with that representative. If the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction you should contact the college Admissions Office and explain the problem to the Director of Admissions. All college websites have contact information. If your son or daughter is appealing an admissions decision to a college, you will need to contact an Admissions Counselor or Admissions Office and request information on the appeal procedure. If all else fails, check the National Association for College Admission Counseling's web site for resources.

What would I look for if I did that? Is this really necessary? It depends on the student's situation. Most colleges and universities have professional college representatives that visit high schools and attend college fairs. This is an opportunity to ask questions and gather information. If you are still confused about college choices and you would like individualized assistance through out the process a private consultant may benefit you.

All colleges have web sites that are updated regularly. If a student is attending an Illinois community college before transferring to an Illinois state university, check the state universities web sites for articulation between the schools. Most will update courses that transfer between two year community colleges and four year schools. Also, the college you are interested in may have the school newspaper on the web site. Don't forget to fill out information cards at college fairs so the schools can send you updated information. Lastly check the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling web sites for expert information.

National Association for College Admission Counseling Government Relations

Be supportive. Let your student know that you have faith in their ability to succeed. Students will bring home information about various colleges, go over the information with them but allow them to steer you in the right direction! College is a stressful time for both students and their parents. Check out this Newsweek article entitled "The Fine Art of Letting Go."

NACAC is the National Association of College Admissions Counseling. Visit the NACAC website and you will find information about college fairs, the application process, book reviews and much more.

All colleges should provide this information on the web sites. State universities are required by law to post crime statistics. Attend an open house or tour of the desired campus and talk with current students on that campus. Students can be a very reliable source.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) as amended is a federal law intended to protect the privacy of student educational records accumulated from early childhood through college. FERPA provided parents with certain rights with respect to their children's education records. However, once a student reaches the age of 18 or enters college, the rights previously held by the parents transfer exclusively to the student.

Ordinarily, parents obtain information about their children's records directly from their children. FERPA does state that the University may release information to the parents of a student but is not required to do so. The Office of Registration and Records may disclose information to parents by:

1. Parents may obtain the student's written consent. This would be in the form of a simple letter authorizing Registration and Records to disclose copies of scholastic and other records to his or her parent. OR

2. Parents may submit a copy of the first page of their most recent income tax return indicating that the student is a dependent as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

The payment of a student's tuition by the parent does not, by itself, give the parent the right of access to a student's record.

Additional information made available by College Parents of America on FERPA and parents.