<p>Education is just a fascinating topic, at any level. I used to read books on educational theory back in the days of the 'free school' movement as a young teen. My friends are teachers. My community is rather educationally driven. My obsession? Reading CC in odd moments, as these wide ranging discussions feed my soul. </p>
<p>But unfortunately I only found CC as my youngest two are heading off for college, applications in, decisions just about to be made, and oldest just graduated. Oh well. There's always grad school. I'm sure I'll be quite well informed.</p>
<p>My husband found this site last winter when son was a Jr. I have found it incredibly helpful and everyone has always responded with gread advice to my questions. Since son was the first to go through this college process, I had many questions that I wanted to ask but didn't want to appear "dumb". Everyone here has been in the same boat and knows how complicated this process is. I also have become somewhat addicted (okay-very addicted), but there are a lot worse things we could be doing with our time. I have also met some parents whose kids will attend the same school as son, so it is nice to have someone to network with. Good like to the OP with this entire journey.</p>
<p>I'm addicted, too - I learned a lot, and d (my only) is now happily getting ready for orientation at her new school. But here I am anyway!</p>
<p>I think one of the reasons that we all started out here, particularly those like the OP whose kids know where they want to go is a "control" issue (not a helicopter-type control). All their lives, we've had a significant degree of control over our kids and over the processes their in - their schools, their EC's, what they eat for breakfast. The college admissions process is something that is totally out of our control - at this point, we can only influence it tangentially. We can advise, cajole, inform our kids. We can help them with forms and deadlines. But the ultimate outcome is out of our hands. Knowledge is power, and at least for me, this site helped me with the illusion that there was still something within my ability to influence.</p>
<p>And now, I'm here to pass on what I've learned to anyone who thinks it's worthwhile.</p>
<p>I don't know how long it'll take before this obsession ends, but until it does, I'm enjoying the ride!</p>
<p>I believe that our primary job as parents is to reduce the angst that some students experience during this time. Because your son's "dream college" is a slight reach the one thing you can do through the upcoming process is GENTLY mention some of the benefits associated with his other match choices when the opportunity arises. If he understands that there is no one perfect choice he will hopefully enjoy the entire admission process much more.</p>
<p>And it was our expeience that the entire college admission/selection/enrollment/financing process was not that daunting or complicated. And if there are any financing "issues" which may affect your son's admission choices you need to establish them NOW.</p>
<p>That is what we did and when our son had to turn down Oberlin's acceptance because of finances, it was easy for him to do.</p>
<p>I really like the support group idea. I've been lurking for a year and now my youngest is off to her dream school. In so many ways I feel that this whole process has been my life's work and it's hard to let it go. CC lets me continue to obsess without bothering the rest of the family and I totally love passing on the advice to other crazed parents like me. I still think CC should be mandatory reading for all HS kids and parents. It really helped me channel my anxiety (and obsession) through other's kids and parents's CC stories and not pass it all on to my D.</p>
<p>My wife found CC and got me interested. DD1 found her very small LAC on her own, and her mom and I fell in love with it as well. Being so small enabled us to get to know some of the staff; what a refreshing change from the huge state school I attended. Now I thoroughly enjoy trying answer questions on CC and participating in relevant discussions. I'm not addicted; I can quit any time, and do so late every night. But now DD2 is a rising HS senior, so I feel obligated to start again every morning.</p>
<p>Chedva, I agree with you re: knowledge is power and that this is a situation where I have no say in the final outcome (ohhhh, maybe I should try to get a job in the admissions office at the dream school???!!!!!!! - JK!). I realize now that this is a primary reason I'm on here every day - I like to know what to expect, I like to be prepared for whatever comes up and deal with it. There is no guarantee that DS1 will be accepted to his dream school, but I'm prepared with the info he'll need to make his decision if that time comes around that he needs to consider the alternatives. </p>
<p>I started years ago when D1 was a junior. She's a rising senior in college now (so that means that I am going on year 5 at CC). I do have a rising junior in high school, so I can somewhat "justify" my continued obsession with the college application process. Actually, I stick around because I just like a lot of the people on CC...</p>
<p>One thing that has been useful about being a CC addict--I've become the go-to person for years for parents who have kids who are applying to college. I even volunteer in our high school's college and career center...although the number of kids who come in for help are few, unfortunately. The kids already think they know it all...</p>
<p>I too am a lurker, been on CC for about a year. I don't post much, but I learn so much. I know I will need CC support when S leaves in August. (I just bought "Letting GO"). And D is only a HS soph, so I have years ahead of me.</p>
<p>Great thread. I think CC is like hanging out with friends. I love all the
interesting perspectives here. </p>
<p>I am still trying to get a grip on what a bulletin
board is as a social form. Is it like a party, with little groups talking
about different things? But it's not like a party because everything you say
is recorded, so that if you say something deeply incoherent (I've had a few of those, I still cringe), there it is forever. So is it more like letters to the
editor? No, it's way more lively than that. Finally, I decided that we all
are co-authors writing the first draft of one large rambling book. I like that.</p>
<p>Then I became interested in what the younger generation would say. I asked
DS1 (10 years old) "Hey, you have a lot of posts on that bulletin board
you go on. How many?" "About 3000," he says. Wow, I'm talking to an expert!
"So, do you think a bulletin board is more like a conversation, or a party, or
what?" </p>
<p>"Mom, it's like a joke," he says. "So you find posting humorous?" "No," he says,
"it's like a joke because you ruin it by trying to analyze it."</p>
<p>I'm addicted, too. I find myself going on the internet, and wishing I could think of a place to surf to. This is currently it. Funny, the whole world is at my fingertips and I choose to come here, obsessively! It used to be a professional acting kids' board, but my D has since 'retired' so here I am. You guys are a great sounding board. I like the non-college threads better than I do the admissions ones, but those are good, too. It's also fun to 'listen in' on some of the hs and college age kids on this board. There are some really bright kids here.</p>
<p>Can I tell you how addicted I am to this board? I don't think so. I only discovered it earlier this spring after my oldest son had been through the college process under his own steam (he had some very clear notions of how he wanted to do this and a truly stellar college counseling office to assist along the way, so there was little required of me beyond the usual motherly pacing and fretting which I tried very hard to keep to myself!). And yet I still find that I check in at least weekly with an occasional binge of several times in one day. </p>
<p>For me, it serves a couple of purposes. One, it has given me a way to help diffuse what I see as rampant anxiety and a drive for the so-called "Top" among teenagers today. It breaks my heart to read what some of the students are posting about their very deep wish to attend an Ivy League school (or worse yet, their parents' very deep wish that they attend an Ivy League school), or about their feelings of inadequacy that their scores aren't what they wished for, etc. But if there is one thing I have learned it is that there is no single place that is right for everyone, while there is someplace where everyone can find what they're looking for, so I spend time on this board trying to preach that gospel. </p>
<p>The other purpose it serves for me is that I often get a good chuckle out of you folks! You really are very funny and I do love to laugh (or at least smile, thus the moniker).</p>
<p>The last purpose will come into play when S2's turn at the plate comes up in 4 years. This is a terrific source of information.</p>
<p>i found cc just before my d's senior year. i'm very thankful to all the kind posters who are so helpful when I have questions. i'll be on cc for a while as i still have two younger ones in school (middle and elementary schools). i do wish i would have been actively reading the cc board years earlier but everything worked out just fine. </p>
<p>jtandmamom,
i feel like some students have their plates full keeping up with school and activities. my d also had varsity sports. senior year is an especially busy year. my d only managed 1 college visit prior to start of senior year and 1 in the fall. other college visits were all pushed back until the spring of her senior year because of classes and sport schedules. given their full plates, it's hard for the kids to have the time to spend on a message board, reading college guides, etc. As parents, if we can give them a hand by having the information available for them, it can be truly helpful. </p>
<p>IndianaKate,
LOL...................more than once my family had to tell me to "put down the fiske guide." i find it all very interesting. also nearby was peterson's competitive colleges guide.... :)</p>
<p>Quote: "Mom, it's like a joke," he says. "So you find posting humorous?" "No," he says, "it's like a joke because you ruin it by trying to analyze it."
---geomom, that is priceless! Are you sure he's only 10? :)</p>
<p>I have learned so much from reading CC over the past year. DS (my only child) was accepted to his first choice, a school I think will be an excellent fit for him, and I feel we were able to avoid a slew of pitfalls and make much more sound choices because of what you all shared. Thanks to all of you!</p>
<p>It was also a relief to realize that I was not the only boomer parent who was bewildered by how much more complicated and competitive this process now is compared with 30 plus years ago! And, a lot of the time, I just enjoyed reading posts written by so many clever folks.</p>
<p>Now I've been lurking about, reading about all that other stuff like outfitting his dorm room, etc.....and especially about learning to let go.</p>
<p>I’ve been reading, lurking, and learning since my husband came across this site in Nov. of 2005. While I’m still a tentative poster on these boards largely due to time, I try to weigh in and pay back the generosity of those who came before. What I do have is an extensive list of bookmarks for my favorite threads.</p>
<p>In that spirit, no single story has been as instructive as andi’s. </p>
<p>I'd never heard of CC until HS Sr son showed me the site. He was interested in SAT and AP info and those iffy "chances" threads. After a while, I ended up on here a lot more than he was. I've found it INCREDIBLY helpful, and it was nice to to not have to pester his GC every time I had a question. Count me as another who has enjoyed the college search process. It is probably one of the last big life events we'll get to experience with our kids in their current live-at-home, not-quite-yet-adult form...</p>
<p>On top of that, CC is just pretty entertaining. Why should the kids have all the fun? They're the ones who actually get to GO to college!</p>