<p>Wow, this is a tough one. I would look back at the child's history. Is he a "smoke blower" - makes suggestions just to see if he can get a rise out of you, or just to see what your reaction is? Does he actually follow through on sudden impulses? If he has had difficulty with separations, what is the natural history of these difficulties - can he resolve them or do they fester?</p>
<p>I think Jmmom's suggestions are very sound, and Anixousmom's leading questions - pointing out some of the realities of those choices in a non-judgmental way "The classes are large, but many more offerings" are right on.</p>
<p>If he was my son, this would all be smoke blowing to obscure the real problem - with his grades, with a girl, not happy on his hall, so I would ignore a lot of the off the cuff comments. That's why knowing your child's history is so important. I would make the counselor/RA suggestion, he would blow me off, but then he might well go talk to someone - when it is his idea.</p>
<p>I would do this, if he is taking actual steps toward a school that you think is unacceptable - I would make that clear. There are some mistakes the Bank of Mom won't underwrite, but I would not bring that up unless he is seriously applying to an unacceptable choice.</p>