<p>And how do you know for sure which type of counselor you have. I'm pretty sure we had type A despite the fact that she has 100 other kids to take care of. (Not all seniors thankfully!)</p>
<p>mathmom - Would you accept an anecdote? (the short version obviously)</p>
<p>Me to GC first week 11th Grade: "What college search book do you recommend?"
GC: "I don't use college search books."
Me: "Well what college search books are available in the Guidance Office?"
GC: "We don't have any college search books in the Guidance Office."
Me: "None?"
GC: "No."</p>
<p>Me to Daughter that night: "Hon, I think you need to change GCs."
Daughter to me: "Dad, she's the good one."</p>
<p>"something as ambiguous as "my ordered list as of this morning." "</p>
<p>Isn't that the truth!</p>
<p>And, based on truth, I like the idea of mentioning tops choices - if even that is possible.</p>
<p>Whaaaat? Our guidance counselors have over 350 students each. Only 50% of their students even graduate from high school, and that includes some very lightweight versions of a HS diploma for many of our kids. The whole GC department just puts out fires daily and mails out transcripts.</p>
<p>Thanks carolyn. Yes, I'm looking in depth at schools. GPA's, SAT/ACT scores, "student profiles", freshman return rates, 4 year graduation rates, % of need based aid, % of non-need based aid. As you well know the list goes on. Obviously these will vary from year to year and even having all the percentages on your side.. it still doesn't mean S or D gets in. Also getting in does not mean attending is financially possible. What bothers me a bit is a kid, any kid who loves a particular school, multiple visits, the college's
web site chat room, an interview, in other words tons of demonstrated interest. Interest which in the final analysis may actually HURT the kid's chances. That, from what I understand, it is where these "hired guns" will tell a particular college, "Okay this kids a good applicant, lot's of demonstrated interest, parents have high EFC, offer him/her the minimum package because he/she is attending regardless"
A kid's enthusiasm should not hurt them in the fin/merit aid department. Why should parent's have to caution thier child about demonstrating interest? These kids are being played, lured in, and then dissapointed because a college hired an enrollment manager who "guessed" (and ultimately that is what it is) wrong. In other words the kids accepted but can't afford to attend because the offer ($$$) was limited owed to demonstrated interest. So I think yes, an applicant has to limit demonstrated interest. They have to be coy. They have to establish leverage and then exploit it. Wouldn't you agree?</p>
<p>
[quote]
So I think yes, an applicant has to limit demonstrated interest.
[/quote]
In my opinion, a student should demonstrate interest in all their colleges. I cannot imagine ever limiting one's demonstration of interest.</p>
<p>I absolutely 100% agree with Soozivt. </p>
<p>I'm sure Susan will agree with me on this: the best way to insure merit money and financial aid is to focus on finding the best matches between your daughter's needs/wants/admissions profile and the needs/wants/admissions profile of individual colleges.</p>
<p>Being "coy" about your interest during the admissions process potentially undermines making a strong and believable case for that match. So trying to strategize like this is likely to backfire.</p>
<p>What good is a merit scholarship if you don't get in in the first place?</p>
<p>Beyond focusing on building a list based on the best matches between your daughter and colleges, try not to over-strategize. Admissions officers can smell "strategized kids" a mile away. And, they find them a bit of a turn-off.</p>
<p>Nightingale -
"So I think yes, an applicant has to limit demonstrated interest. They have to be coy. They have to establish leverage and then exploit it. Wouldn't you agree?"</p>
<p>I think that could backfire pretty spectacularly. The thing is, if a kids is enthusiatic about one school, they have no reason to assume that the kids is also enthusiastic about another school - unless one assumes collusion between colleges (which I doubt due to the time involved), to say nothing of ethics or the colleges hacking each others databases (well, that <em>does</em> happen sometimes...).</p>
<p>Colleges also know that said kid is not making the decision in a vacumn - mom and dad and the checkbook (or home equity line) are going to have some say in the matter - even with a relatively high EFC.</p>
<p>Looking back at my son's results, it pretty much mirrors what Carolyn says - the schools that were the best fits came through as one would expect for their level of selectivity and my son' profile. He didn't get all acceptances - but did have excellent options including 2 of his 3 top choices.</p>