<p>I thought this would be the "fun part" ie. picking from a smorgasboard of great options. But for my d, the reality of what is at stake in choosing a school is really hitting her. Before she was concerned (and still is) about the environment, location, etc. Now she is more focused on "can I make it at ...." She is realizing when you get into a competitive school you will be surrounded by people like yourself and will no longer be the big fish in a small pond. Shocking! Especially for an undecided major, it is tough trying to sort through where to locate yourself so you ultimately can make a good decision and you have the appropriate options open. Oh well, it will be done in a very short time and then we can focus on x-long twin sheets!</p>
<p>I guess in a way all of it is hard…and fun, too. Good that she’s taking the decision that seriously and not basing it on something too frivilous.</p>
<p>crzymom, I’m a senior… but I know it’s hard! I originally thought the choice would be easy… I expected I’d get in to a few, but not to get merit aid at any so the choice would be relatively easy. But I got in to more than expected, and merit aid at 2 schools I hadn’t previously been considering! I wish there was more time to choose.</p>
<p>I remember it well. D was still undecided when she finally had to pick one. She transferred the next year to the other!</p>
<p>About the “can I make it at”… a very LOOOOOOONG time ago when my first kid was considering colleges, she and I both worried (well, me more!) that the very selective colleges might be too difficult/stressful/cut throat etc. Luckily, she went to one of the anyway, and it was great and not cut throat at all. If you look at the graduation rates of the more selective schools, you’ll see that a very high percentage graduate in 4 years. That lets you know that almost all do “make it” at that college, and usually very happily!</p>
<p>I know what you mean, OP. It will get better. D was the proverbial Buridan’s donkey when she trimmed her list down to two schools and could not pick one over the other. Luckily, she never had any buyer’s remorse. Still loves her school.</p>
<p>I WISH I could have talked my S into applying to several schools. He picked the one he wanted, I picked a safety, and he got accepted into both. He got money from the safety, has yet to hear anything else about money from the one he wants…and he’s going to the one he wants. Today when he gets home from school he will send an email to the safety and turn them down gently. I don’t want him to burn any bridges…just in case.</p>