College Strategy - Not looking at Reach, Stretch or Safety

[ucbalumnus]

@kirstenm44

Parents, please make sure your child is aware of your financial situation. Of course, your child should apply to schools they see themselves at and enjoying because private schools often give out more money/aid than public ones and can be cheaper than state schools, but after they are accepted, include them in the money talks. MY parents did not include me and I think your child should be aware of what school they can attend and what school they’re throwing money down the drain at.

Better would be to change “after they are accepted” to “before they make their application lists”, in order to avoid futile applications to colleges that will not be affordable, and ensure that colleges are properly assessed in reach/match/safety (i.e. if a big merit scholarship is needed to afford the school, and that scholarship is a reach, the school is a reach, even if merely getting admission is a safety).