<p>I did most of the initial legwork for my son too, made all the phone calls because he hates to talk on the phone. The visits captured his interest in certain schools and he did an incredible job writing apps. AND keeping up his HS schoolwork even when crippling senioritis hit. He earned his choices and revisited his final choices with keen interest. By then, it was very real to him. If it doesn’t get real to your son at some point, where he’s excited about going to college and takes the reins, he may need a gap year.</p>
<p>One thing I did was write a brag sheet for the guidance counselor wherein I described my son’s incredible and unique mind. I let him read it before I sent it in and he said, “Wow–this makes me sound like an interesting person!” I said, “Kid, you ARE a really interesting person!” My advice is to help your child figure out his likes and dislikes, his strengths and weaknesses and let that lead to the next step. Big learning experience!</p>