How do you get your kid to look at school B when he's in love with school A?

Parents Forum
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<p>Thanks for the info on the various strategies. I think they will be helpful.</p>

<p>The apps for number 2+ will take a bit of work, I think, to show some enthusiasm for that school. I think he has a hard time picturing himself at another school because that will mean, de facto, that he did not get into Dream school. </p>

<p>Life’s lessons, I guess. It was so much easier in the old days when you could apply to schools, sight unseen, and show up at the dorm in september holding a suitcase.</p>

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<p>Something a friend did with her daughter was to have her apply to her number 2 and 3 FIRST, as a practice for the “real” application, work out the kinks, etc. So D did put in some effort, knowing it would make the application for the fave school better.</p>

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<p>^^^ That’s a cool idea.</p>

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<p>How about creating a small grid with slots for colleges that must be filled:
The Academic Reach — Dream School The Financial Reach—?
The Academic Match —? The Financial Match—?
The Academic Safety—? The Financial Safety—Your State School?</p>

<p>By narrowing down the criteria, it may be easier for him to choose a school for each slot.</p>

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<p>^^For some reason, this reminded me of Hollywood squares. Dating myself, I am.</p>

<p>ilovetoquilt: great idea, also a way to get them done? :slight_smile: We’re doing EA to Dreamie, but maybe I can get him to do 3 for 1 by 11/1.</p>

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<p>A friend told me this exact same thing last night. They wanted their daughter to go to State U (for financial reasons) and daughter wanted nothing to do with it. They required their D to spend the night with an older friend at State U and go to classes with friend. D now goes to State U and loves it.</p>

<p>As my son’s counselor says ’ you might admire the look of a car but until you drive it, you don’t know if it’s the car for you.’ He highly encourages overnight visits and attending classes.</p>

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<p>That’s what I keep telling our son. The reach schools are great but getting in is like winning the lottery. He needs to think through what will happen if he doesn’t get in one of those. I think son is finally starting to get it.</p>