Should we keep looking?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I've gone back to read through my posts to remind me of our process. I can't believe what has changed b/t then and now! The main thing that has not changed is finances. We are looking to contribute 15k-18K a year (payment plan/HELOC) and explained to DS that he will be responsible for loans above that amount. This led him to look more closely at U of Alabama and it is now his top choice (he would rather go there than consider in-state, although is willing to apply to Pitt and may consider it if net price ends up comparable to UofA). </p>

<p>He is taking the SATs one more time tomorrow to try to get the 20pts required for UofA full tuition (right now qualifies for 2/3 tuition). </p>

<p>On his (my) short list, from previous visits and recommendations: RPI (will go back to visit the open house at end of month), U of Rochester (likes the flex curriculum b/c he is still undecided about major) and JHU (his high reach, but he really liked the campus when we visited. He is doing an overnight at the end of the month). But right now, he is saying he doesn't want to look any further b/c UofA is affordable, has a nice campus, and he could graduate in 3yrs w/all his AP credits. Several people he has talked to (including his guidance counselor), say he will love/fit in in the south b/c the people are so warm, friendly and more easy going than here in the Northeast. DS is very attracted to that idea. </p>

<p>So I'm warming up to the idea of UofA, esp since DS is not clear about major (current is combo of applied math/stats and psychology). However, I told my husband this morning that I feel that we still have a wee bit of influence on where he is considering and would like to present another option or two just for him to compare as we come down the home stretch. At this point, if it was up to him, he would just assume apply to UofA and JHU and be done with the process. But a year ago, I suggested UofA and he said he wouldn't consider it and now it is his top choice. So I can't help thinking that he thinks he knows what he wants, but doesn't know all of his options. </p>

<p>Continued suggestions/feedback is appreciated. I still think there is one or two more schools we could make him look at to compare enviroments. Or am I just making it too complicated?</p>

2

<p>It looks like he has 5 schools right now - Bama, Pitt, JHU, RPI and Rochester. Sounds like he has the waterfront covered and is perfectly happy at this safety. I wouldn’t complicate it any more.</p>

3

<p>I agree. There’s a tendency to think that the perfect school/spouse/job is just around the corner, if we just look one more time, but odds are, if he’s found an acceptable list of schools, the effort will be for naught. He’s lucky he has that many, but you don’t sound so happy, like you think he can do better. As a parent I can sympathize, but it is his choice.</p>

<p>So, how to come to terms with this? You could go through the list of better schools with the restrictions you’ve put down, and see if you can come up with some overlooked gem that he would like. You might find it, but it’s got to be way better for it to be worth the effort and possible fight. I would suggest Tulane and U of Miami as possibilities, known top schools with merit money, also southern, which he seems to like. </p>

<p>Other than that, you just might have to learn to live with his decision.</p>