<p>My BIG problem with kids going to state directional schools is that my town is not rich and our state schools have been seeing increases from 6-9%/per year each year. The college bound kids in our town would be much better off applying to privates and comparing packages. Some of the privates in our region offer little money; others quite a bit. </p>
<p>I don’t expect the school Counselors to take charge of the whole process. I just simply wish they would strongly urge parents to get involved in the research. Choosing “fit and name” is difficult enough for 16-17 year olds. I think it is a rare student who could simultaneously also wrap their heads around the finances of school as well. </p>
<p>Let’s face it, if a kid can be drafted or charged as an adult at 18 and drink at 21, how many in the general populace would imagine college FA is tied to parents until age 24?</p>
<p>It’s a capitalist accommodation that I wish would get tested in the courts. I don’t think it is right either. How it would change the college scene would be interesting if it were changed. That our kids can go to war at 18, can be legally held responsible as an adult in contracts and crimes, but can’t legally have a beer is insane to me too.</p>
<p>Agree with Longhaul! There’s no way my son’s GC would have been able to put in the time that I did for his college search. But, what bothered me is that he seemed rather unfamiliar with any school outside of New England. And his suggestions would have resulted in my son going to a large public school costing more than what we will pay for a private OOS school, where he is bound to have smaller classes and more teacher interaction.</p>
<p>I think that many parents (myself included) think the GC have all the tools and answers, but really it is our job to work with our children to get them where they need to be.</p>
<p>“I think that many parents (myself included) think the GC have all the tools and answers, but really it is our job to work with our children to get them where they need to be.”</p>
<p>That is my point. However, I think school officials continue to mislead parents by presenting a perception that they have things under control, they are the educators, they know what they are doing, etc. They tell parents to back off, let adolescents be independent and make their own decisions, and trust the schools. </p>
<p>But most GC depts. falls short. I do not fault most of them in terms of not giving a lot of individual attention to kids, since most GC staff are overworked. What I DO fault is a lack of organization and knowledge. For example, it would not be difficult to send out e-mails to parents about important SAT or ACT test dates. It would not be difficult to send out a brief e-mail about the importance of the PSAT and it’s role in NMF, and even WHY becoming an NMF is important (something I didn’t even know about. My son made it, but not because he studied or prepared for it.) The GCs could simplify the process by getting parents on board and educate them in terms of how they can be involved.</p>
<p>maggie, You are so right. I was very late to the game, but caught up quickly. How’s this for clueless: my son never took the PSAT. He didn’t see the point of taking up a Saturday morning with a practice test. UGHHH!</p>
<p>Our hs did something called the Plan in 9th grade that was a combination of the PACT and a career interest inventory. What they got was a profile of careers they might be interested in and maybe even suggested college majors. I thought it was a great way to get kids thinking about the whole thing early. My son was quite interested in the results.</p>
<p>Well, I found the Plan and I was wrong; it was given in the 10th grade and the profile was called a World-of-Work Map, with clusters of different career possibilities.</p>
<p>At my kids hs “Planning Class” is required in either grades 10 or 11 and as a parent I think that they were very useful. Not only were they required to look at the careers that interested them/suited them but they also had to plan out the prerequisites both in hs and at university. They also had to budget for the income necessary to cover the expenses that they expected. Excellent, I thought, but kids both felt the exercise was tedious and unnecessary. DS was especially amused when the ‘job finder’ came up with modelling as a career for him!
Our GC’s are hard working and helpful but know the local universities best so as parents my h and I had to research the opportunities further afield, especially when it came to athletics.</p>
<p>I don’t think I had all the information in the beginning. I spent a lot of time gathering information, which I am happy to share. </p>
<p>I just feel bad for the kids/parents who are given little/no/bad information. As I mentioned earlier, one student in my D’s class applied to only 3 “lottery” schools. Not a great plan. I think it would have been nice if the GC’s, who approved all transcripts/lor’s etc had noticed and suggested some additions. I am not blaming anyone, I know they are overworked. Just expressing sadness that more accurate information is not distributed at the high school level.</p>