For Parents
In keeping with Hawken’s philosophy of teaching and the mission of our office, the college process is intentionally designed to be student-centered and student-driven. Parents play a significant role, providing logistical and emotional support while ensuring that the student takes ownership of the process. When students are empowered to take the lead, they reap the rewards of authentic self-discovery; the ability to clearly articulate their goals; and the independence, confidence, and resilience that will serve them well in college and throughout their lives.
The parent’s role is to partner with the student and the counselor, serving as facilitator, guide, and mentor - maintaining open communication and providing the necessary tools, support, and encouragement along the way. Putting the student at the center of this partnership ensures that he or she will ultimately enroll at the institution that is best suited to offer the appropriate level of academic and personal challenge based on his or her abilities and interests.
As counselors with many years of combined experience, we know this process can be overwhelming, and we are here to help you. We hope you will use the resources we provide to guide your thinking and to support your child throughout this exciting journey.
Helpful College Search Resources
Recommended Books, Blogs and Podcasts
List of 2 items.
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College Admission Blogs/Columns
Hawken College Counseling Office Facebook Page
NY Times Education Page
Grown and Flown: Parenting Never Ends
Class Struggle—Washington Post
Huffington Post College Page
Inside Higher Ed
Chronicle of Higher Education
Work & Family Blog—Wall Street Journal
The Atlantic, Education Page
Forbes Great education news that mixes in higher education financing. -
College Admission Books
Colleges That Change Lives (Loren Pope)
I’m Going To College – NOT YOU!: Surviving the College Search with Your Child (Jennifer Delahunty)
Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide To Understanding The College Years (Karen Levin Coburn & Madge Lawrence Treeger)
The Trophy Kids Grow Up: How the Millennial Generation is Shaking Up the Workplace (Ron Alsop)
How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Raise Your Kids For Success (Julie Lythcott-Haims)
The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admission Process of a Premier College (Jacques Steinberg)
Admission (Jean Hanff Korelitz)
College(Un) Bound (Jeffrey J. Seligo)
Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life (William Deresiewicz)
Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be (Frank Bruni)
The Road to Character (David Brooks)
Crazy U: One Dad’s Crash Course in Getting His Kid Into College (Andrew Ferguson)
Acceptance (David Marcus)
The Geeks Shall Inherit The Earth ( Alexandra Robbins)
Early Decision: Based on the True Frenzy (Lacy Crawford)
Important Links
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A software system that supports the college process through the college search, application management, and application submission process for school forms and recommendations. Families will receive a login sophomore year.
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The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a non-profit organization which regulates athletes of higher education institutions, conferences, and individuals. Click on the link for more information about playing sports in college and to register for the Eligibility Center (required for Division I recruitment).
An independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school, toddler through grade 12
Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Directions | Log in | 440-423-4446