We want to partner with parents/guardians, so students are successful in college. Although it might seem strange for a student to leave high school early, research has consistently found that there are many long-term benefits to early college entrance.

Once your children enter the program, they can always return home to visit, but there’s no doubt that going to college is a big change, whether they go early or after their senior year. Parents/guardians are included in the Information Sessions, Visitation Day, interview, and the welcome to campus lunch. We also send a monthly newsletter to all parents/guardians. You are encouraged to contact the Belin-Blank Center at any time with questions or concerns. It is your hope that by knowing some specific staff, the university will not seem as large. To learn about what your child should do to prepare to apply for the Bucksbaum Academy, please see the student sections above. Many times, high school counselors have excellent information and resources to help students and families prepare for college.

Here are some thoughts from parents/guardians of students in the Bucksbaum Academy:

• “We are quite relaxed having our son in the program. If he were a regular UI freshman, he would be without the excellent supervision and guidance that the Belin-Blank staff is providing him.”
• “Do it! What they ‘lose’ as a senior is far outweighed by what they gain in getting real challenges and opportunities.”
• “Listen to your son or daughter…They know best.”
• “The staff are supportive and act as advocates for the students. They (students) are better off than if they entered as regular freshmen.”
• “This has given (our son) the opportunity to save an entire year that would have otherwise been largely wasted.”
• “Our son needed to be in a university setting-he was ready academically and emotionally to be out of high school. This is a great program…do it!”
• “The program works! She has adapted to the different teaching styles of her teachers and the different learning that goes on compared to high school. She is very happy.”
• “Our daughter was home last weekend. As I drove her back to campus she said, ‘I’m so glad that I’m not in high school anymore.’ Enough said!”

"The early-entrance program was the partner needed for these students to have a fulfilling senior year... This expert staff advocates, cares, and provides the needed support system."

If a student expresses an interest in attending college early, what would you do? We recommend that you consider these questions and use them in discussions with said student as they finalize a decision about early entrance into the University of Iowa.

• Will the student have enough credits to graduate by the time the student leaves? Most of our students graduate high school early or use coursework from the University of Iowa to finish requirements for their diploma.
• If the student will not graduate prior to entering the early entrance program, how will you communicate which courses are needed and which ones will be taken on the Iowa campus?
• Typically, one year of high school credit is equal to one semester of credit at the university level.
• The student may want to come back for events throughout the year, such as prom or the graduation ceremony. How will this be handled? Are they eligible to serve as a valedictorian for the class?
• The student may want to come back for events throughout the year, such as prom or the graduation ceremony. How will this be handled? Are they eligible to serve as a valedictorian for the class?
• How will the local scholarships handle this student’s applications? Will you recommend them for scholarships when they enter Iowa or after they have completed all of their high school requirements?
  

Our Bucksbaum Early Entrance Academy empowers high-achieving students like you to begin full-time on-campus study at the University of Iowa after your sophomore or junior year of high school. This year could be your last year of high school. Will you be ready? Use these tips as you are preparing to apply to enter college early.

• Communicate with your school as to whether you will graduate at the end of high school or use courses from The University of Iowa to fulfill requirements for your diploma. You can finish your degree either way; it is up to you and your school how that is worked out.
• Continue to take as many honors or AP courses as possible. These courses will help prepare you academically for the challenge of university course work.
• Work with your guidance counselor to make sure you are meeting the specific requirements of the college you plan to enter at Iowa.  Refer to The University of Iowa's first year admissions requirements for more information. 
• Take the PSAT, even if you do not plan to take the SAT. The PSAT can qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship, National Achievement Scholarship and National Recognition Program Scholars.
• Register to take the ACT or SAT by November, if you haven’t taken one yet or if you want to try to improve the score you received.  Taking it multiple times allows you to increase your score by preparing for the sections you need. Your guidance counselor can help you find web sites, books, or classes to help you prepare for the tests.  For more information about about scholarships visit the UI admission's scholarship website.
• Attend an Information Day. Learn more about the program, visit the campus, and meet with the staff members at the Belin-Blank Center.
• Talk with your guidance counselor about how your school and community will handle scholarships for you—will you need to apply as a sophomore? Or wait until your first year at the University, your "junior year"?
• Complete the University of Iowa application for admission by December 1.
• Complete the Bucksbaum Early Entrance Academy application by February 1.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study, and need-based scholarships.  Some financial aid funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so it is important to file your application as soon as possible after the application opens on October 1.  The deadline for priority consideration is December 1.  Read more on the Office of Student Financial Aid's new student website.
• Attend a residential summer camp for the experience of being away from home for an extended period of time. It can be an academic program, a sports camp, or any other summer camp offered on a college or university’s campus. The Belin-Blank Center offers a number of residential summer programs that are academically and socially stimulating.
• Look for internship and job-shadowing opportunities. Admissions officers like to see well-rounded applicants who have participated in high school extracurricular activities, but also consider volunteering or job shadowing in a career area that interests you.
• Keep track of your achievements so when you start filling out college applications, you won’t have to try to remember all of your awards and extracurricular activities.

The Belin-Blank Center has drafted a pdf, Suggestions to Prepare for Applying. This document provides a host of ideas and suggestions for interested students who are planning to apply for the Bucksbaum early Entrance Academy.