<p>Based on my interests (academic, social, geographic), my parents put a tour together that included LAC's, big universities, reaches, safeties, etc.. After the first visit, I got annoyed with theri questions after the tour and before the info session. They actually left me at the info session and came back 2 hours later. They then tried a different approach at the second school which was..after or during the tour I would give a thumbs up or thumbs down, no questions asked...and the only criteria I neded to determine was if I could feel myself being happy at the school. It worked really well for all of us. In that they had put together the initial list, all the schools were of the type of caliber they had in mind for me...so in some way they felt they didn't need to know the particulars of why or why not for every school. I applied to the one school I wanted very badly, got in ED I and before I knew it, it was over. I recommend the approach.</p>
<p>^^ Great input, flyboy. Several of us have had related experiences. One mom asked only that her son give a One Sentence precis of his impressions before they left the parking lot. She found that they were pithy and insightful, even though he may have said nada, zip, zilch during the whole tour/info session and didn't want to have a full debriefing.</p>
<p>Our approach was only to ask, after he'd seen two,... "so, which of those two do you like better?" and as we'd seen more "any change to which ones you're considering?" We had a kid who liked them all, but he liked some better than others, so weaned his list as he went along. He was happy to let us know which ones had fallen down or off and which was currently at the top of the list. Didn't want to probe any further.</p>
<p>Gosh, this thread is so helpful! My d seemed so apathetic. It took me a while to realize she was frightened. Also, she wanted something out of "Gilmore Girls" but was not interested in any Ivies except Cornell. Today, we went to a reception for SMU, which she had refused to even consider because she "hates Dallas." When I cautiously asked how she like the reception, she said, "It was great." That was the first time I've heard the word great since we took our first campus tour 13 months ago. Who knew? She continues to whittle down her list.</p>
<p>My son has been the same way. I think he is overwhelmed, too. He is also a rising senior, and just now seems somewhat interested in the process; well maybe not the process, but at least getting accepted at his schools of choice. We visited several schools this summer, and he gave us his impressions of each one. I had him write his impressions down on paper, on a college visit form I found on the internet. He balked a little at first, but wrote down some insightful things. </p>
<p>He is applying to 4 of those schools, as of now. He actually submitted two applications last week without any prompting from me. I talked to him about it the other day and he said he just wants to get senior year over with and "get on with my life." I'm sad that that is how he feels, but I respect his feelings.</p>
<p>oregonianmom, My son also said things like that. He also got very anxious once a couple of peers from hs heard about their first college acceptances, and he had not heard yet. I was very appreciative that my son did hear from one rolling school by the end of the first week in October. They accepted him 2 weeks after he submitted his application! This reduced the stress for senior year.</p>
<p>It sure helps to read these posts. My s was gone all summer and we/I'm trying to get him to do something about college and his summer homework. School started last week and he still isn't done- I've given up and realized he's getting the grade, not me. I know he's thought about schools, but he won't talk to me or his dad and feels like he's in charge and he'll take care of it. He may end up at state U or taking a gap year, I'm at a frustration point.</p>
<p>I'm glad I started this thread. The responses are fantastic. It's great to not feel so alone in all of this.</p>
<p>Fourkidsmom, I know how you're feeling about the summer work, etc. D is just sitting down now to do all her AP work (4 courses' worth.) School starts in a week. And when does she think she's going to start working on her college apps?? I'm trying real hard to keep my mouth shut about all of this.</p>
<p>But she'll get it done as she always does. With lots of stress... </p>
<p>I suppose next year at this time when she's packing to leave I'll be wishing I had all this to complain about!</p>