Quinnipiac University
Student and family member pose for a photo on the quad

Info for

Prospective Families and Parents

It's not just students who become part of the Bobcat family — we welcome their parents, families and loved ones as well. You become part of a vibrant community, and it is our goal to guide you as you navigate admissions, financial aid, paying for college and supporting your Bobcat through their degree program.

Planning for college while you’re in high school

We've put together a year-by-year action plan we recommend your prospective student follow to help them navigate the college admission and financial aid process. We encourage high school students to challenge themselves with college-bound, Advanced Placement or college-level courses, participate in extra-curricular activities and connect with their high school guidance counselor each year to reevaluate their plan. Select a year below to read advice and tips.

First Year of High School

Get to know your interests

Begin to think about what areas of interest you are drawn to. Make sure your schedule includes courses in similar areas and add in some elective courses to meet your interests.

  • Tip: To help understand your areas of interest, we recommend you:

    • Take an array of classes, join a few clubs and get a taste for different disciplines, especially things you've never tried before. High school is a great time to start exploring outside of your comfort zone.

    • Talk with people you know and meet. Start with your parents, teachers, coaches, and other mentors. Ask them all about their story. What experiences did they have? What worked for them and what didn't? If they could do it all over, what would they do differently, and what would they make sure they did again? What advice would they give to their younger selves and to you? And don't be afraid to start asking new people you meet. Networking and getting to know new people is a great way to expand your perspective and horizons.

Start to visit colleges and universities

Visit a few local colleges and universities to get a feel for what you like (for instance: large versus small campuses; city versus suburban schools). 

  • Tip: Start a journal dedicated just to college visits. Every time you visit a college, whether for a tour, or simply attend a summer camp, take a few minutes to write down your top likes and dislikes for each university. It'll be a great reference in a couple of years to refresh your memory on how you felt about the college.

Begin to think about your resume

Look at admission requirements for the universities you are interested in. Now is a good time to begin to build your high school resume to meet some of those requirements.

  • Tip: Don't get overwhelmed. You don't have to do everything all at once.

    • Academics: Meet with your high school guidance counselor to make sure you're selecting the right classes to meet all the academic requirements you need over the next four years.

    • Extracurricular experiences: For extracurricular activities, pick a few items to tackle each year of high school. And don't forget, summer can be a great time to fill in areas of experience you need, such as volunteering, part-time work or participating in an enriching summer camp.

Don't hesitate to reach out to high school counselor and college admission counselors directly. These professionals are here to help make the process as clear as possible.

Plan a Visit

Take a Tour, Attend an Info Session or Open House

Prospective parents and families are invited with their prospective undergraduate student to explore our stunning campuses, experience our expansive and inclusive communities, get a feel for our immersive academic programs and meet engaged and invested faculty and students.

Visit

Explore the Area

With beaches, amusement and adventure parks, hiking, boating, theater, history, museums, concerts, restaurants, shopping, resorts, and more, there's always something to do. 

Explore our recommendations for what to do in the area, where to stay, places to eat and how to get here.

Learn more about the Greater Hamden area

Maps and directions