<p>Our bright, sweet, 3.3 S is headed to Western WA University in Bellingham, WA. Look around for the quieter colleges – not the UCLA or UC Berkley, but the University of Redlands sorts. </p>
<p>Consider contacting the high school counselor and asking where kids from this year’s class with a similar GPA are going. Ask about two years back as well. If you are lucky, you may get a name or two and be able to talk to a local teen/parent and get some first hand reporting on what has gone well. </p>
<p>Now is the time to really work your networks. Church, swim team, Kiwanas, whatever it is your family has contacts with – reach out and try and find families a year or two ahead of you. Ask what their kid did. You should end up with both some successes and some horror stories that will help winnow out that massive list of possibilities.</p>