4 Questions to accompany your student in their post-Verto planning
Verto Families, your student has made the choice to start college the best way possible– abroad with Verto Education! Your student may already be busy planning what museums they’ll be visiting first or which cafés they’ll be studying at, but have they already started thinking about their plans after their experience with Verto?
It’s never too early for your student to start exploring their post-Verto strategies! Verto offers a comprehensive program called Post-Verto Planning so students feel empowered to confidently navigate their next steps after Verto.
Here are some questions you can use to jumpstart your student’s exploration:
1.) Why are you going to college?
This is a big question, but an important one– and one that will provide the clarity and motivation needed to excel in higher education. In his book Path to Purpose, William Damon, a professor of education at Stanford University, argues that “purpose is the pre-eminent long-term motivator of learning and achievement”. (source).
Accompany your student by asking them to write out, what are 2-3 reasons you want to pursue a college degree? Your student should ask themselves, “Does the career path I intend to pursue require a college degree?” Hang on to those reasons as you explore the following questions!
2.) What post-Verto options have you already considered?
At Verto, we know that Verto participants join us from all walks of life, and will follow a multitude of paths after their year or semester in our community. Most students consider college – that’s great! We know that Verto is a path of least resistance to completing a 4-year degree, on-time. Other students might follow a different path, such as an apprenticeship program, gap year, or full-time work, to continue learning about themselves and the world around them. At Verto, we welcome the conversation of what is my best fit post-Verto plan? We encourage students to explore their personality and interests and how that aligns with their desired career path. And we encourage students to explore how they can accomplish their desired career goals, as a final step in their pathway to success.
3.) What is important to you in an institution?
Accompany your student in refining their college list by evaluating the core factors that will drive their application decisions. For instance:
- Does location matter? Consider the practicalities of a school’s setting—have they weighed the geographical opportunities (like local industry hubs) against potential challenges (like weather)?
- Does major matter? If they have a specific career path in mind, verify that the school offers that program and take the time to research the quality and curriculum of the department.
- Is financial aid a factor? Be proactive by exploring the financial resources and tuition pages of every institution on their shortlist.
- What else? Consider campus size, student culture, or specific extracurricular offerings.
If your student is interested in one of our many partner universities, our Partner College webpage features special filter options to help you check out institutions by the factors that matter most to you.
4.) What does success look like if the original plan shifts?
“Fail to plan, plan to fail.” It’s a classic for a reason, but we prefer a more proactive spin: Succeed to plan, and plan to succeed!
Encourage your student to share their various paths with you. For many, this is the first time they’ve navigated a decision of this magnitude. By exercising patience and empathy—and asking thoughtful, clarifying questions—you can help them articulate their thought process and provide a supportive space for feedback.
We recognize that planning for college and the future involves high-stakes choices. However, the fact that your student chose to study abroad during their first year already proves they possess resilience and leadership—two essential traits for sound decision-making. As they consider life post-Verto, aim to be a thought partner rather than just a guide. Should their plans shift, remind your student that our on-site Post-Verto Planning staff are equipped with excellent resources to help them pivot with confidence.
We are excited to work with your student to help them discover their best-fit post-Verto plan. Let us know what plans these 4 steps set in motion for your student!
Want to see if a Verto start to college can work for you? Apply today to get started.
*** Note: Specific programming and activities are subject to change semester by semester.
