<p>i myself being one of them, am perplexed... is cc a good thing? sure it gives us wealths of knowledge, nothing any guidance counselor could give, but it makes us semi-obsessed, i know that i spend almost an hour a day checking this site... which brings me to question the advantages of having such a place at my fingertips... what do you parents believe?</p>
<p>i hope you guys don't mind me posting in the parents forum... i was just wondering, since my own parents don't seem to like me being infront of the computer for hours at a time :)</p>
<p>Cujoe as a fellow student, I would agree that this site has added to my "college obsession." I'm a transfer student, so really I've only been working towards this for two years, unlike some of the people around here who have been working for 6+ years to get into a top university. I honestly think this site is a good thing. If you come here asking questions you'll get some great answers. One of the things this site has really helped me with in the last few weeks, is it has somewhat acted as a support group. With the admissions decisions coming out now for us transfer students (Freshmen I guess are almost done with the process, whereas we're just starting), I've really started using this site to help calm myself down, since it's good to know I'm not the only one who is panicked over admissiosn.</p>
<p>My kids won't come near CC, and I think it is probably a good thing. First of all, I don't want them knowing what I post! Secondly, it would make them crazy and convince my son that he won't get into college. The stats of the kids on this board are insane- and it is easy to think that everyone in the applicant pool is comparable to what we see here. I would rather have my S be confident and let me worry! I use the knowledge I gain here to pass things along to him, which he usually does not appreciate anyway.</p>
<p>Ditto to MomOfWildChild. There is useful information here but I think the trend and tone of postings could frighten and discourage many students. As a parent, I have found it informative, interesting, and a great source of support, especially given that my kid doesn't want to talk about any of this--especially with me--so I can gratify my vicarious preoccupation and sometimes share knowledge I have that he doesn't want....I wish there was a broader, louder voice here from students, like WhitneyM, who are not intent on the Ivy track but are interested in learning and sharing what they learn about a more diverse group of colleges...</p>
<p>At first, I was horrified when I found this site (I think it was a few monthes back) because I ran into the "Chances" board and convinced I wouldn't even get accepted to the schools I applied to. Then, I calmed down and was greatful none of the chances people seemed interested in these little Pacific Northwest schools. XD Kidding.</p>
<p>I think the Parent's Forum is very good though. Its really helped me think about things and keep them in perspective... which is a good thing since quite a few of the kids in the highly competitive district I am in have similar stats to the CC kids. But, its nice to read about parent's views on colleges and the like. ^_^</p>
<p>Good in some ways, because it's a way my son connects with like-minded college-bound seniors. Bad in other ways, because many of the posters seem to be very high-achieving, making him feel like an undesirable applicant (SAT was 1310, 4.0 weighted GPA). So... I guess as long as it supports rather than stresses, it's a good thing.</p>
<p>wow, so i'm not alone in the feeling that a 3.7 uw isn't good enough... or that my 1490 won't stack up against the 1500's... cuz honestly that's how i've been feeling for the past 5 or so months :(</p>
<p>I promise you that if Wild Child gets through this process successfully, which I believe he will, it will give hope to all future classes! He is a talented, bright kid with some mis-deeds to report on his application. He hates standardized tests and refuses to prep for SAT. He allowed that he "might" prep a little for SAT IIs because he has no idea what the tests are about. He doesn't have a 4.0, but he takes classes he enjoys at a challenging prep boarding school. He is a top athlete in his sport and will be recruited. He wants to use his sport to aid him in admissions to a highly selective college. He will not take AP classes in subjects he doesn't enjoy just to enhance his transcript. He got a 1390 on the January SAT and also took the March test. His main goal is to not have to take it again! He tells me that no one he knows is as obsessed as most of the kids on CC. He thinks I am obsessed (I am) and that I am way too engaged in his college search process. My D got into college successfully (soph at Rice) without me even knowing about CC. I don't know how we did it!</p>
<p>congrats on the rice admission for your d... and yes... we are an obsessed group of people, even occult some might say... (tho i don't believe it)</p>
<p>i just discovered it a few days ago, i think its equally helpful and harmful because i got some Qs answered but it also wastes a LOT of time i should be studying</p>
<p>Cujoe, I think it's a two-edged sword. However, luckily my D has little time to even lurk here (& never posts). And I'm glad she had even less time during the Early App process than she does now, because she might have been frightened away from that effort (which was successful for her). However, there's a wealth of information which <em>I</em> use to feed to her as need be. There are a lot of good ideas here which we discuss together. (She still has really no time to read CC.) It's also been helpful for me as a parent in providing new, or confirming suspected, info for my younger D.</p>
<p>I think the "Chances" forum can be dangerous when students invest too much in the opinions posted. But I think that CC is a great cyber support-group after decisions come out (Regular and Early and Rolling). I like the way that overall, student posters really support each other. I think some have been saved from a sense of despair. I also think that many parents have been helpful to the seeking & questioning students, on many forums. It's just imp. to have a little discipline & moderation, that's all.</p>
<p>I relay things to my D here and there but neither of my kids would venture on here. My D truly believes that things will work out the way they are supposed to. She did all she could, and I know she prays about it, but now there is not much else she can do. She is so busy anyways. I agree about the double -edged sword, at least right now when the waiting seems intense. For the most part this site has been extremely helpful and supportive and I am able to pass along a lot of what I am learning to other parents, and my D's friends.</p>
<p>It's kind of addicting. I know I shouldn't spend so much time here, but I do anyway. ALthough CC has provided lots of excellent information, it has added to my stress in that I now feel like I know practically nothing and perhaps did not provide enough direction in the college selection process. (Not that my son would have listened anyway!)</p>
<p>It has been very addicting for me ;) but I mostly count it as a useful addiction. I wonder if high school students with a LOW post count on CC fare better than students with a high post count--I rather suspect that they do. My son doesn't get on this site because it takes a crowbar to get me away from the computer [wry grin].</p>
<p>This board helped me a lot in my Junior year when I was taking the SATs and trying to balance classes and EC's at the same time. It also gave me a clear picture of college admissions and helped me with my apps. That being said, I hope I'll be able to leave once I pick the right college. This site is overly addictive.</p>
<p>One parent from CC contacted us directly about a LAC my child was seriously considering but had some hesitation because of certain issues discussed in the myriad college books we poured over. We talked to her and her D (matriculating there) and our questions were answered cheerfully and honestly - we grew to value their opinions over time and found the D exceptionally bright, friendly, and helpful. Their input had a big impact on my child's decision to attend this college and it turned out to be a super match - and many of the issues that had been bugging us about the school from book and web-site discussions turned out to be irrelevant or non-existant!</p>
<p>I can deffinitely say CC has helped so far in finding lots about colleges and the application process. Frankly, I feel that CC gives an edge in particular to international students, because most of us don't have Guidance Counselours or the money/visa for college visits. Naturally, the Chances Boards are insane - I guess they are a test of resistance for newcomers.</p>