One Parent’s Lessons Learned (Part I – General)

Applying to College Admission Stories
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Now that my family’s search-application-admission process is over * (until the next time :wink: ) I don’t know how much more time I’ll be spending on CC so I thought I’d jot down some of the very brief and most important lessons that I’ve learned along this journey. (Later on I may post some lessons that are more athletic recruiting specific.)

Let me add, as an aside, that I have very much enjoyed my time here and greatly value and appreciate all of the wonderful information, advice and opinions that I’ve read and received. CC is truly a great resource and I am very glad it exists.

This post is being placed in the Parents Forum but it wouldn’t be bad IMHO if it was shared with students also. And it is intended for new parents who are just beginning or still going through the process. This is not meant as a catch-all, be-all guide. Just some thoughts to pass on that might prove helpful to some. So, here goes …

Rule No. 1
All children (all people) are different and every family is different. There are many instances of commonality, shared traits, shared experiences, etc. But each and every one of our children is unique and need to be treated as individuals. Each of our situations is unique. There is no only one right way to do things.

Rule No. 2
High school students will change their minds. Often. From “I only want to go to a big school” to “I hate large schools.” From “I think kids who follow their boy/girl friends to college are dumb” to “My boyfriend is probably going to XXX so I’m going to apply there so that we can be together.” From “I don’t have a dream school” to “If I don’t get in to X&X I will die.” It is maddening but it happens.

Rule No. 3
Make and agree on a college plan. Together.

Rule No. 4
Stick to the plan.

Rule No. 5
Realize that Rule No. 4 is impossible to achieve.<br>
Things change. Life happens. Flexibility and adaptability are the keys.

Best wishes and good luck to everyone! - gf

  • My daughter applied ED to her first-choice school and was accepted. She is thrilled and we are all very happy for her.
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Lovely post, and I’m a student :slight_smile: Thank you!

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Also congrats on your daughter’s acceptance to her top choice school!

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^^^^

Thank you very much (for both posts).