<p>I came across this article this morning and thought to myself dang it many of these things sound like things I would definitely do ... I thought I would share it since I know I can not possibly be the only one. I bookmarked it so I can reread it over the next year when I feel like taking over the entire process for my son. </p>
<p>10</a> Things Not To Do When Your Child Applies To College | Sharon Greenthal</p>
<p>I feel mixed about not talking to other parents of seniors.</p>
<p>On the one hand, there can be tension and a feeling of competitiveness. In my case, a friend said she felt bad hearing about DS because he has financial aid options from being NMSF that her son does not. Her son is a good, smart kid but doesn’t get the very top scores because he doesn’t work very fast. </p>
<p>On the other hand, we can relate to each other’s experiences.</p>
<p>I think it’s best to talk to parents whose kids graduated in the last few year or are now juniors or even a bit younger. Then it works to share information and to find and provide support.</p>
<p>The article is wonderful, and some of the comments are even better. My favorite is from a dad who went out of his way to enjoy the college search process with his daughter. This is what he wrote:</p>
<p>Also, my kid and I think it’s hilarious to watch all of the other kids. The same ones show up for every session in our large city…UPenn on Sunday, Georgetown on Weds, UChicago on Friday…and ask the same ludicrious questions (“What would you say are the core values of your university?”). When Washington University of St. Louis came to town, I told my kid I’d give her $100 if she asked "Now, do you land at National/Reagan or Dulles to visit the campus?”</p>
<p>By the way, the author herself also links to CC almost immediately:</p>
<p>What’s more stressful and anxiety-ridden for a parent than your child applying to college? Not much. At least, not much if you’re a parent like I am, who fretted and worried and stalked [url=<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/]websites[/url”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/]websites[/url</a>] trying to calculate my children’s odds of getting into their top choice schools (slim-to-none).</p>
<p>Good article. I think I would just barely pass with a 65, as I certainly committed 3 of the do-nots on the list, and also fell short on the following, although selectively (so partial credit only):
I agree with momfromme that this is a mixed bag. Parents can share experiences and support each other; and adults should already know that their own child is not the extra-most-special senior in all the land. Of course, you have to be selective about what you say and with whom you share it.</p>
<p>
Seriously?? I didn’t buy an paraphernalia because I didn’t need another T-Shirt when I knew I would get something when we dropped DD off at her new school.</p>
<p>I never bought a tshirt with my own college’s name on it, much less some place we visited. </p>
<p>Some of this advice is good --not checking your kid’s accounts–and some of it is stupid, depending on your skills: not reading the essays. Kids need someone they trust to bounce ideas around with, to give them feedback, etc. A teacher is not going to have time, and the relationship is different. Don’t talk to parents of other seniors? Also ridiculous. Don’t talk to your friends? Why, because you can’t hold an adult conversation in which you share concerns and support each other? Really?</p>