<p>It’s always a competition, against others, but at the same time against one’s self (hence the Westminister comparison). </p>
<p>Same with dating :-)…</p>
<p>Dating is a good analogy Marian. But I see it with “Why X school essays” tell them why you love them and tell them how much so you will get picked. It is really so superficial, how can a 17 really know how wonderful a school will be for them.</p>
<p>No kidding. Actually I appreciate the mention of dogs in dog shows. I got really snapped at when I posted once comparing a kid to a pony . . . </p>
<p>And the truth of the matter is that the pooch (college) you have available is one you can choose to learn about and love.</p>
<p>Most of today’s 2nd-generation Tiger / half Tiger kids would cringe if they found out how their parents selected a school… </p>
<p>In the old country, it was pretty much done following the Harry Potter Sorting Hat method. The school chose you, not the other way round, based on national exam scores. Then, we had to endure a year of guesswork trying to find information on a few schools based on paper catalogs and bulletins (remember those?), go thru the I-20 visa process, settle all the paperwork in our country of birth, then take a suitcase and fly half way to the other side of the planet.</p>
<p>So, pardon me if I’m a bit too focused on the practical rather than the emotional aspects of ‘matching’ :-)</p>
<p>I loved the analogy, turbo93.</p>
<p>Adolescence.</p>
<p>Obviously the parents and children will have different reasons for picking a school. The hope is that they can agree on something, even if their reasons are different.</p>
<p>-finances are a big one for many. Honestly there is no reason that a high school kid should be so out of the loop when it comes to family finances that they don’t already know that some schools are too expensive while others are acceptable.</p>
<p>-the friends choice is my choice is a big one that gets parents annoyed. Anyone that has gone a few years past HS and college will know that things change once you get to a new university. Following a boy or girl friend is just childish and parents know that.</p>
<p>-location as a reason works both ways as a positive and a negative. Parents might want kids at a school closer to home, because they understand it will make life easier on all. Kids might want a school that has a close proximity to the beach because they want to be able to go play on days off.</p>
<p>It seems like if there are frank discussions as soon as searching is started and there are some boundaries laid then there will be less disagreement.</p>