Playing the odds, college hopefuls all wanted a winning hand

Parent Cafe
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<p>I never understand the "apply to less schools and focus on applications." Ridiculous. With the common application and being able to re-use essays it isn't hard at all to complete an application. BY FAR the happiest and most successful students in my opinion are the ones that applied to multiple schools. The unhappy crew were the ones that got too attached to a few schools, didn't get in, and settled on safeties or low matches that were arguably not as strong a fit as they thought they would be.</p>

<p>Most top schools are similar in that they have incredibly bright students and incredibly talented and focused faculty.</p>

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<p>What's the purpose, really, in applying to 20 schools? I simply do not get it, and nothing I'm reading on CC convinces me that it's a good thing. Something seems broken about the college admissions process. Maybe we're raising a generation of children who don't know how to handle disappointment, are not adept at making decisions, haven't had time or encouragement in high school to slow down and smell the roses, aren't very good at evaluating information on their own, and follow the Holy Grail of prestige without really understanding why. Some of the teenaged stress and angst I see on CC really distress me. Living in a very, very competitive part of the country, I am surrounded by parents who just stare at me blankly when I say that our very bright and capable son will be applying to mostly state universities because that is where he's finding programs that fit his interests and his passion. And having gone to a prestige school myself, I am quite satisfied with his direction so far.</p>

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<p>If I had one piece of advice, it would be to leave your geographic area and look around. Too many people fail to do this. </p>

<p>Your kid will get credit for being from elsewhere. Use the edge!</p>

<p>your</p>

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<p>Absolutely true, except that many of the unhappy campers I've seen have as safeties schools ones they KNOW they won't like! Their idea of a safety school is a school they know they can get into, not a school that they like and can get into.</p>

<p>Calmom's comment is right on the money: "Meanwhile, because they are focused so much on prestige, they may miss the boat when it comes to structuring a good list, simply because they aren't looking."</p>

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[quote]
For once, the French have a better solution for their competitive pr</p>