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<p>He visited one of them and was really impressed by the professors, who treated him seriously and took time to talk to him and show him around. But he still likes the idea of aiming for the “dream” schools. I’ve told him that he needs to look for the best fit, not the most prestige. However, that can be tough when the best fits are unaffordable, and he has to pick between the reaches and the safeties.</p>
<p>I wonder how he’ll feel when the rejections start rolling in, which easily could happen if he applies to mostly reach schools. He says it won’t bother him, but I guess he won’t know until it happens. It would also be disheartening to get reach-school acceptances coupled with inadequate financial aid.</p>
<p>I know this happens to people all the time. Still, it gives me pause to realize that he’s deliberately pursuing a strategy that is likely to lead there.</p>