<p>I'm a rising junior, so all my college plans are still tentative at best. However, I AM looking at a lot of reachy colleges that are outside Maryland (MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia?) My mom isn't pleased about that at all, the only college she wants me going to is Johns Hopkins, and while I've definitely considered JHU...I just don't think I like it that much. We'll see.</p>
<p>Then again, my mom's also the one saying that "girls can't do science/math/engineering." True, I may not be a math or science prodigy, but I certainly don't suck at those subjects...and I'm not going to let her opinion dictate what I'm going to study in college.</p>
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To me, it's kind of amazing how supportive my folks are. I want to go out of state & I'm the only child too. Mom likes UConn really well- ok, except the 700 mile distance from OH. Dad likes pretty much whatever I like. He knows & understands that I don't want to be like the rest of my class and go to the usual in state schools (even if Miami is the 'family school') & as long as I have good reasons for liking the school, he's fine with it-- then again I really haven't thrown a questionable one at him yet. I think he's pushing for Duke though & really have no idea why. But he's not obnoxious with it, so it's ok with me.
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<p>UConn is a GREAT school. I absolutely loved it when I visited. You could do much worse.</p>
<p>booradleyeatscat: as a mother, I think your method of looking into colleges sounds correct--I've been using a similar approach to look into colleges for my son (although I think you need to be careful of some of the stereotypes from bks like Princeton Review and some of the comments on CC). We've also used the Fiske book and found it really good. Your list includes top schools where you should get an amazing education. Everything that is written about small lib arts schools like Swat, Amherst, Vassar, Haverford, etc. stresses the quality of the education and the great interaction with the professors. How about a book like "The Hidden Ivies"--it is written by Greenes' Guides and you can probably find it in the library or used on Amazon. It might help your parents get an understanding of the benefit of some of these schools.</p>
<p>Prestigious college - "We love you. Money is no issue, and don't even worry about paying us back." :)</p>
<p>Unknown college - "Why are you always wasting our money? You could have gotten some aid if you had worked harder, but no, you're always being lazy, living the good life. Money doesn't come freely, you know!" :(</p>
<p>My parents guidlines for college applications:</p>
<p>1) Thou shalt not apply early decision ANYWHERE
2) Thou shalt apply to thy local large, state university (UIUC) to make sure thy shalt indeed GO to college
3) We (being my parents) shall pay thy tuition and expences BUT:
4) Thou shalt work each summer for thine spending money.</p>
<p>The End. Thank you for a reasonable set of rules, mom and dad.</p>