<p>Thumper’s post #11 in response to my post #5 rings very true. </p>
<p>Most kids / families apply to maybe 3 colleges that are all relatively local and then pick one of them. I was one of those folks…applied to 3 in-state publics and selected one without ever touring any of them…but that was a lot of years ago.</p>
<p>And lord knows kids, and adults too, change their minds and life goals. Yes, kids will often change majors…I think I changed mine 3+ times!</p>
<p>Pick and choose from the list I made in post #5. All of them are good tips if your child is applying primarily to colleges with below 20% acceptance rates like we did, as practically every kid that applies to those highly selective schools will have stats that match your child’s stats.</p>
<p>Less of the list applies if your child is planning to attend a nearby public that has a (relatively) easy admission bar, but some points are still applicable.</p>
<p>That list was “our story” only. YMMV.</p>
<p>P.S. One other “must”. Have the guts as a parent to sit down with your child BEFOREHAND and tell them what you can afford to contribute to their college education, if anything. Then walk thru the probable financial aid they’ll get (see other posts on CC to find a good calculator). Use those $'s, in addition to any expected merit aid, to set a price range on colleges with your child. You definitely don’t want to go through the “but we just can’t afford it” talk with your child after they’ve been accepted at a too expensive dream school.</p>