<p>Not a problem down where we live. My son would be hard pressed to find another applicant to his schools in a 100 mile radius. We are in the land of the auto admit to UT.</p>
<p>hey, it only happens sometimes!</p>
<p>At my school, we are helping one another... i even wrote a friend's dartmouth peer rec and i am also applying there in the same year...</p>
<p>my school doesn't see that much competition, perhaps since a good 50% of the students go to penn state. those who are applying to the more selective schools tend to have been in classes together for an eternity (primarily because at our school the ivy applicants do science), and really enjoy one another's company. however, there are a few parents out there who I can certainly see reacting badly to the competition. the valedictorian of our school last year had a mom who was so obsessive about her kids succeeding in school, she made her do her other daughter's homework. needless to say, that other daughter does horribly on exams, and the mother still thinks she's doing what's best for her child. even though the eldest is in mit now, this trend still continues. the mother intends to put her youngest through penn state's ist program, as her husband is a professor, so the daughter is ensured good grades.</p>
<p>Thanks, Jamimom. I always find your posts and advice very valuable, so your thumbs up is much appreciated. S is about done - although he hasn't completely ruled out writing one more essay, to enable him to apply to the state U honors college. We hope to have a better sense by the end of the month, as the EA merit money offers should be announced by then. I am feeling a tad jealous of the folks who are done too! :) But no friendships are in danger. And every time I think about the tsunami victims, I realize that, as problems go, what a wonderful problem we have!</p>
<p>Well, your ability to keep things in perspective, I'm sure has rubbed off on your son. Do encourage him to write the honors essay. It's nice to have several options.<br>
I have my fingers crossed for the merit money for him.</p>
<p>i personally think that if you allow your college selection process to get in between friendship then you really just need to grow up. life's tough.. deal with it :)</p>