<p>^The abbreviations on this site can get confusing. For the first week I was here I thought DH stood for “divorced husband”…</p>
<p>Aside from my children filling out the apps themselves with only a final parental copy-editing readthrough, each child’s process checklist looked very different from the OP’s. However, if it works for you family (meaning the kid gets into college and family members are still speaking to each other ;)) it’s all good.</p>
<p>The OP’s agenda was pretty clear with the suggested first step:</p>
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<p>I am wary of someone whose stated goal is to obtain something popular, simply because it is popular. The category “highly selective college” is simply too broad and diverse to have any value in and of itself. This criteria easily explains the extreme number of 17 applications.</p>
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<p>The Parents forum is a little different from most of the other CC flora, members seeking input/discussion from parents can post on any education related topic here (even though it may not be the best choice of forum).</p>
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<p>This thread is seen in it’s entirety.</p>
<p>Yes, it is good to have some colleges with later application deadlines on your backup list, in case the first couple colleges come back disappointing in terms of admission or aid.</p>
<p>It also is great to apply as early as possible to at least one admissions and financial safety with rolling or early admissions. Having an acceptance in hand early in the process will reduce stress through the remainder of the process.</p>
<p>ivyparent43 - thanks!</p>
<p>The idea to make Excel spreadsheets is very helpful.</p>
<p>We used a plain old calendar. All deadlines were written on the calendar along with the date WE expected those to be completed (earlier…because you never know when a computer snafu will happen). The calendar also included important school and family commitments…so the kid would KNOW that they had a family wedding the weekend before something was due. This would NOT have shown up on an excel spread sheet. </p>
<p>Create something that shows the BIG picture. We found that one of those desk blotter size calendars was excellent. It was big enough to write in everything!</p>
<p>I think this poster started two different threads with this same list around the same time, and the other one is where the revelation that the OP did not know what a “LAC” was came out.</p>
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<p>Ally…you are referring NOT to this current thread, correct? You are referring to another thread. No posts have been removed from THIS thread!</p>
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<p>Not a different thread by the OP, but on this thread started by another member:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1553010-new-member-adimssion-diy-2.html#post16376842[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1553010-new-member-adimssion-diy-2.html#post16376842</a></p>
<p>Looks like the OP copied and pasted their previous post verbatim from that previous thread without cleaning up the LAC reference.</p>
<p>I made one Excel spreadsheet for possible schools for D2, gathering up info on possible majors that she might be interested in (kept adding columns as her interests shifted :)), the spread of SAT/ACT scores, and various comments or info I dredged up about things like Jewish community at/around the school and ADHD support services. That spreadsheet never got seen by anyone except me. Then there was the one that I started to help her get organized, listing deadlines. Not that it was really needed, because there were a grand total of 4 due dates covering six applications which even she could remember. Then it got more complicated because two of the EA schools allowed more time because of Common App tech issues, but by that point there was no need for a spreadsheet. </p>
<p>No spreadsheets for D1’s college application season. Again, not complicated: four dates for about 8 applications.</p>
<p>I actually like making spreadsheets. It’s a great way to procrastinate–rearranging my to-do lists. :D</p>
<p>Thanks entomom. I remember that now!</p>
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<p>It’s confusing because the member posted the OP of this thread and it’s identical post on the other thread the same day. The following day the member googled LAC and realized their mistake and made the post I linked to earlier.</p>
<p>My daughter isn’t “rare,” but she did the whole thing herself. Perhaps she would have gotten into Stanford with more help from us (we did push her to do an arts supplement, but she refused), but she did get in everywhere else and is very happy where she is.</p>
<p>I’m a little surprised by your treatment of LACs as “just” LACs. For plenty of top students, LACs are the top choice. My daughter was salutatorian with a 2340 SAT (one test) and she didn’t apply to a single Ivy because she just wasn’t interested. I think your advice is best for the aggressive, Ivy-or-bust parents who think that’s all there is.</p>
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<p>Please review the past few posts, which discuss and clarify the OPs use of LAC.</p>
<p>Such confusion is one of the problems that can accompany reviving old threads.</p>
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<p>Do a google video (youtube) search of the college name too. That will get you all kinds of videos made by students and some visitors, alumni, professors…and definitely not just the best views and wonderful aspects. </p>
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<p>SO fun! Some good talks during the long car trips too…</p>
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<p>For us it was December 1 but same idea…no essay angst during the holidays, and apps submitted in time for max scholarship consideration. In S1’s case he had to do them early to schedule auditions, but i have told D2 that she should plan to do the same. </p>
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<p>Very useful for deadlines and keeping track of recs, essays, transcripts, etc.</p>
<p>I think the OP meant well. As a newcomer to the college application process, I really appreciate the effort and time taken to post.</p>
<p>Very informative thread! Thank you, OP, for starting it.</p>