For PSEO Parents

Welcome PSEO parents! You play a crucial role in the success of your student, and we hope that you find this website to be helpful as you navigate the ins and outs of being a PSEO parent.

PSEO Parent E-Newsletters

Volume 1 Issue 1: September 18, 2007

Resources

In this segment, you will find information about the University of Minnesota, trends of former PSEO students, and ideas for healthy ways to support your student. You will also find a link to the "Student Survival Guide," a publication that will address many of your questions.

• University of Minnesota PSEO Student Statistics
• Student Survival Guide
• University of Minnesota Policies on Privacy
• Safety on Campus
• Helpful Suggestions for Parents
• Conversation Starters
• Admission to the U of M
• Campus Tours
• University of Minnesota Parent Newsletter
• Other U Parent Resources

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PSEO STUDENT STATISTICS

1. 500 PSEO students admitted each year (450 for fall, 50 for spring) out of 700-900 applicants for fall and 100-200 applicants for spring
2. 62% of students registered part-time, 38% of students registered full-time
3. 95-97% of students who apply are admitted to the U of M
4. Additional information regarding admission to the University of Minnesota
5. Profile of students admitted to the University of Minnesota (2007)

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRIVACY POLICIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a copy of my student's grades?

The quickest, easiest way for parents to receive information about their child's grades, financial statement, or other student information is for the student to provide it. Students can look up information online, print it off, and give or e-mail a copy to their parents. Student records are available for students at the Student Onestop Web site.

Can I have access to my student's grades if he/she is still a minor?

According to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment), college students, regardless of age, are considered responsible adults and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them. Under this law, parents who want to receive a copy of their student's academic or financial records can do so if their student signs a release form. The AHS3 Office will not share private student data, including grades, with any third party except the high school (e.g., parents, friends, etc.) without the student's written consent.

Please be aware that neither our office nor the Office of the Registrar can release grades to friends, parents, or other relatives unless they are the student's designated legal agent. Grades cannot be released to anyone but the student, a designated legal agent, and the high school guidance counselor or other school office. Also, we cannot release grades to anyone over the phone.

For more information go to University of Minnesota Privacy Policies and the FERPA Act.

How can my student give me access to his/her grades?

The PSEO application section entitled "Access to your File" allows student to specify to which third parties, if any, the student wishes to grant access. If you want to change the information you supplied in this section, please contact the AHS3 Office. Access must be granted in writing, accompanied by the student's signature.

CAMPUS SAFETY

For information about campus safety and how to stay healthy, go to the campus safety web site.

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS

As parents of PSEO students, you play and especially important and challenging role. We have compiled a list of suggestions, taken from various "experts" in student development and advising, that may help you to navigate your role.

1. Help your student understand that coming to this university is a major transition, and parts of it will be easy and parts of it will be difficult. This is normal-everyone experiences some challenges with transitions.
   
   Helpful Links: University Counseling and Consultation Services
   
   
2. Be prepared to be a sounding board for your student. Often when he wants to discuss an issue with you, he is just looking for support and encouragement. Help him find the resources that he needs to solve the problem on his own. Accepting the outcomes of one's decision, whether good or bad, can be an empowering experience.
   
   
3. Encourage her to ask for help. Learning is a cooperative effort, and asking for help is a vital part of the effort. Professors, teaching assistants, academic advisers, counselors, and university staff will all be able to point your student in the right direction. Students are not expected to find all of the answers for themselves! If she does not know where to begin, have her read through the "Student Survival Guide" provided by the AHS3 Office. Of course, AHS3 advisers and staff are always available to help!
   
   Helpful Link: Resources for Current PSEO Students
   
   
4. Help him stay on track for the college applications process. Encourage him to manage his time so that he does not miss important deadlines, but be careful not to write his applications and essays for him! Admissions committees often see thousands of applications, and it becomes easy to spot an essay written by Mom and Dad!
   
   Helpful Links: Get Ready for College
   
   
5. Your student may want to explore several major or career options. Be supportive by encouraging her to visit with professors, other students, and advisers on campus and to ask for names of alumni working in the field. PSEO students have full access to the career services on campus. It is never too early to start thinking about careers!
   
   Helpful Links: University of Minnesota Career Services
   
   
6. Resist the temptation to steer your student toward a major simply because it fits your interests. Students are more likely to be successful in school and their careers if they are doing what they enjoy.
   
   
7. Encourage your student to use the advising services at the University of Minnesota. AHS3 advisers are happy to meet with students to discuss their plans at any time throughout the semester, although your student may find easier access to our staff during non-registration periods. Your student can call 612-626-1666 to schedule an appointment to meet with an AHS3 adviser.
   
   Encourage her to seek a healthy, balanced lifestyle. She should continue to make time for friends and family, physical activity, hobbies, and other activities that are not academic in nature. Suggest finding a student organization or a place to exercise.
   
   
8. Parents must insist on open communication with the child since FERPA will not allow us to give much to parents. Talk to your child about money, grades, studies, work/study, dating/relationships in conjunction with school, organizational skills, calendar skills/time management.
   
   
9. Ask her what you can do to help.
   
   
10. Tell him that you are proud of him!

Suggested books which may be helpful for PSEO parents and parents of college students:

• "You're on Your Own (But I'm Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years" by Marjorie Savage
   
• "The Parent's Crash Course in Career Planning" by Marcia Harris and Sharon Jones
   
• "Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years" Fourth Edition by Karen Levin Coburn, Madge Lawrence Treeger
   
• "Almost Grown: Launching Your Child from High School to College" by Patricia Pasick
   

CONVERSATION STARTERS

The following questions were provided by Jerry O'Connor, of New Mexico State University, in an attempt to help parents of first-generation college students connect with their students. We believe they can be helpful to parents of all college students. By keeping an environment open to dialogue, you will better connect with your student, and you will show your support for him or her; you will also better understand your student's new life at the university. Although we do not guarantee that you will always receive the answers that you want, we hope that your student's answers will begin new conversations.

• Do you know the names of all of your professors? What do you know about your professors? Their background, educational training or interests?
   
• Can you figure out or understand the objectives of each of your classes?
   
• Has any faculty member given you encouragement? Have you visited any professors during their office hours?
   
• Academically, what has been the most interesting class or lecture?
   
• Anything about the campus surprise you?
   
• Have you been able to maintain a balanced life with this workload?
   
• Any ideas about your future academic focus?
   
• Do you ever get discouraged? What about? Care to talk about it?
   
• Are there any groups or organizations you are thinking of joining? If you did, would such a group take a lot of your time?
   
• What advice would you give your younger brother, sister, or high school friend about what to do in preparation for college?
   
• Can you spot those who you know will succeed academically from those who are going to have difficulty? How can you tell?
   
• How does studying in college differ from studying in high school?
   
• How does socializing in college differ from socializing in high school?
   
• What do you like about college life and what discourages you?
   
• Have you found a way to feel like a member of the U of M community?

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