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<li><p>Focused too much on prestigious east coast colleges (not enough on less selective, but still excellent, midwestern schools.) In particular, did not spread out visits to a geographic variety of schools early in the process. Come March, the rejections came from schools we’d visited, the acceptances from schools we had not. </p></li>
<li><p>Placed too much hope on “hooks” and on ED as a game-the-system strategy.</p></li>
<li><p>Did not pay enough attention to having financial safeties.</p></li>
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<p>In other respects, the strategy and the results have played out pretty well. Established clear criteria for size and type of school. Limited visits and applications to schools that fit the criteria, not to the top N on the USNWR lists. Applied to 6 schools, not 16. So, the acceptances are from match schools he’d be happy to attend (though there are issues that ideally should have been resolved earlier, and not quite enough choices for comfort in case a turn-off emerges from April visits).</p>
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<li><p>On the SAT IIs: I agree about taking them early. My son took two as a sophomore and two more as a junior. Because he got them done early, he did not need to worry about them his senior year. He did the same with the SAT. He was happy with his score and never retook it after January of his junior year.</p></li>
<li><p>Take the SAT early. Not your junior year. My son did it at the end of his … freshman year. He wanted to see the test. When he got his scores back, he took them to his English teacher and asked for ways to improve. We do not have prep classes here, so he needed advice from teachers to find ways to improve … and he did.</p></li>
<li><p>Think how many schools to apply to: Looking back on this, my son says he would have applied to fewer schools, especially since his in-state school does not offer much merit money. He got in … with no merit money. Besides, it was not a top choice. He said that he would have been better off if he had applied to eight, not 11.</p></li>
<li><p>Do not get burned out on essays. This is a big one. My son was beat from all the essay writing, and now, he has to do more for local/state scholarships. See if you can write essays that can apply to more than one application. Such is the case with the Common App, but if you can refashion those for other schools, it’s awesome. </p></li>
<li><p>Do not forget your other kids at home: I know that sounds a little crazy, but it’s true. We get caught up in the process because we often need to assist our kids in mailing things or filling out forms for financial aid. Do not forget you have other kids, too, if you have them. Sometimes, I think, our youngest felt a little left out. </p></li>
<li><p>Seek wise counsel: Oh, this is so true. I work with a couple of wonderful gentlemen whose children are older than mine. One of them was my son’s AP U.S. history teacher. When my son was waitlisted from an Ivy, I called this man and asked that he be there when I gave that letter to my son. He was … and then he offered good advice, the kind that builds up. My son respects this man, and he really listened. </p></li>
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<p>Don’t know if this will help anyone. But we are very glad the apps are done, the decisions are out and the choice will be made soon. </p>
<p>And thank goodness, we do not have to concentrate on this again for a few years … when the younger son has to start applying.</p>
<p>momreads^^
Wise words and I appreciate them all! I’ve seen some of your other posts and usually find your approach direct and fresh! Good luck enjoying your younger child again!</p>
<p>What do you do if you have all this wisdom but DS dosen’t want to hear about or heed it?</p>
<p>I have a freshman who is intending to overload his sophomore year schedule because he feels that he can and wants to compete with the top kids in his grade (the ones who overload their schedules in attempt to beat each other out for the top 5 spots in class rank). I have learned so much on CC about taking a rigorous schedule but needing to be able to handle it (academically and emotionally) but DS thinks he can (I really am concerned that he will crash and burn when the going gets tough)! I feel like I am going to be watching a train wreck in slow motion.</p>
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<li><p>Though you can keep an eye on SAT II dates that seem to make sense during the HS years, let your freshman and sophomore kids just enjoy their HS years without the pressure of college. It will come soon enough. If you give them enough space, as they become more confident, they WILL find something they enjoy that you might not have even thought they would. You cannot create interest in your kid–you can expose them to things, but you can’t make them love them.</p></li>
<li><p>The ACT is a great test. It is definitely worth trying to see if this test fits your kids’ test-taking skills. See Admission Dad/Tufts Blog entry on the ACT. Many colleges will let you take the ACT with writing in lieu of the SAT & two SAT II subject tests. Hmmmmm…one test vs. three. My kids liked this math.</p></li>
<li><p>Speak to your children up front, before they fall in love with colleges, about your financial situation and how it will affect their college choice. </p></li>
<li><p>Speak to your children about privacy, and whether they want the whole world to know where they’re applying (from you) or whether they’d like to keep their cards a little closer to the vest. Murphy’s law #76895432: If they tell YOU to keep it quiet, that doesn’t mean they’re not telling everyone themselves!</p></li>
<li><p>Try not to let your child’s senior year be defined by the college process: this is the last year with them, with wonderful, warm, fun, fabulous moments. ENJOY THEM, together!</p></li>
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