<p>Laserbrother, I hope you will not be offended by what I am about to say, but but I get concerned when I hear parents using "we" when talking about college applications as in "We don't want to apply to more than 8 schools" "We have decided to apply to..." </p>
<p>This is your DAUGHTER's college application process. I agree totally with Curmudgeon - your role is to figure out the financial side of things, but it is your daughter's side to figure out her final list, figure out how she'll do her applications on time, and get them done. I think any parent who's been through this at least once will tell you that ultimately the more you push for structure and control in the process, the more likely it is that your child will (1) get stressed out and/or (2) dig his/her heels in and not conform to your master plan. </p>
<p>So, my advice would be to start putting things more in your daughter's hands. Sure, help her keep on track with testing, pay attention to the financial side of things and, once she's decided on a final list (which probably won't happen until Fall if she's like 99% of kids), make her a nice little list of deadlines, but don't insist that she have a final college list too early in the process, or start thinking that this is something YOU can control. College admissions is NOT something anyone control.</p>
<p>It is really going to be up to your daughter to make these decisions, to actually put the applications together, and to make the final choice. Parents can provide input and guidance, but we really can't steer the boat. You'll save yourself a lot of grief next fall if you realize now that even the best laid plans are likely to change as your daughter matures and thinks things through over the next year. :)</p>