Your child is never settling is they are going to a school that they love. One of the reasons that our goal was never to apply to a college that she has not visited. She also attended fly ins at a few schools to get a better feel for them. We did have a few addidtions to her list which were recommended by a college counselor at the last minute, however if she is accepted we will go and visit and see if it’s a good fit. Another thing that my DD decided to do was share her college list with only a few people mostly family and counselors/consultants and only share with others once she has made a decision. This relieves her from the competetiveness, pressure and opinions. I support her but can’t say that I haven’t been a little loose with the lips here on CC. She is not at all interested in posting or reading on CC so I believe that I am safe.