Well it is Friday and we are like 5 days from official decision date. Are any of you parents out there still trying to decide what to do? If you are I feel your pain. Good luck.
Isn’t it the kids who are deciding? Both my kids waited until the very last day after they had whittled it down to two choices. It’s the biggest decision they’d ever had to make and there were good reasons for either choice in both cases.
The only decision we made was on the limit that we would pay. It was 100% my D’s decision on which school she attended even though my wife and I had our favorites as well, we kept our opinions to ourselves unless our D asked for it. Our main influence was helping her research and figure out what schools to visit and apply to.
Mine has pretty much decided, but isn’t ready to say it definitely yet. I knew she was feeling a bit more relaxed about the decision when she actually asked me and her dad if we had opinions. We do, but we keep trying to emphasize that both options are terrific and the choice is hers.
Honestly it’s not easy to leave the choice in her hands! But she needs to shoulder that responsibility.
OK let me put it another way. Does anyone have a child still deciding?
Simple answer: yes.
I know several in our home town who are still going back and forth.
I know several, so you’re not alone. My own S only decided two days ago.
Yes. My daughter is at an admitted student’s program right now. She called me because she had a few free minutes. I can tell already that she is going to have a hard time deciding as there are pros and cons to both universities. I am not going to interfere in the decision at all; however, I do have an opinion which I have decided to keep to myself.
It may come down to money. The school where she is right now will increase her grant to cover health insurance as I don’t have a plan that would cover her in California. If the other school won’t match that, then the decision will probably be made as that is almost a $14,000 difference in cost over four years.
Yes. My son is still deciding and it’s driving me crazy. Last week he was 100% sure, didn’t even want to make the last college visit we had arranged a trip to see. I insisted, as he rec’d a large merit scholarship there and told him that he was the one that put it on his list, so we were going. Well, now he’s totally confused and less excited about the school he was ready to commit to. Well, it sure was warm and sunny in L.A. I believe his confusion is 90-95% about the weather and location- he says if the other school was in California it would be a slam dunk. I also feel that some self-doubt is creeping in as the first school was a reach and the second one a likely. I’m okay with either choice as long as he makes his decision on more than weather, sunshine and proximity to a beach. He needs to make the decision soon- I really didn’t love the second school and keeping my opinion to myself is starting to be a challenge.
Oh boy, this brings back memories from 4 years ago “Just buy the damn sweatshirt!” was my answer to the dilemma a few days before decision day and a last minute visit five hours away. At that point, I was so done.
^Oh please do not let my son ask to go across the country to see college # 1 again! I may have nightmares about this tonight.
Yes! S1 had narrowed it down to three, two of which we visited yesterday and today. He decided to drop the third, as it was too hard to decide even with two. I really thought the visit would clarify things for him - but he seems MORE confused now, as he liked the second one as much as the first now. I had thought he (secretly) had a front runner - but was surprised by how much he liked the second one. Aaaargh!!!
Yes we are still completely undecided.
My senior is deciding between Cal Poly, UCSC and University of Oregon. I think he wants Oregon and I wish he would pick Cal Poly… 
Any advice? I do think all of his choices are fine and it is up to him…
@thefrenchchef what is your senior’s major?
Cost: Are you full pay out of state for U of O?
Graduation rate: Cal Poly has impacted programs, see: https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/degrees-certificates-credentials/Pages/impacted-degrees.aspx “All undergraduate programs, pre-programs, and undeclared/undecided programs are impacted” and a 52% 4 year graduation rate. See https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/education/article220267730.html
Just a few things I would be considering.
Editing to say that the other schools look to have a similar 4 year grad. rate. Cost should definitely be considered for a potential 5th year.
@2mrmagoo we are CA residents. I’m not sure what the relevance is of the impacted majors at Cal Poly is sorry?
@thefrenchchef, I was considering it in context of grad. rates. Then upon looking up the other schools see that they are similar so grad rate isn’t really a factor. Cost in context to grad rate is however. Just trying to help. In a similar boat and any additional info I can find to help my senior i’m trying to find. Good luck!
^additionally changing majors could be more of an issue at Cal Poly. Just something to consider.
Glad to know we’re not the only ones still undecided. Did not get in first choice, waitlisted second choice - so still have a very small inkling of hope for an in from the WL. My problem is, the current school we have deposited for, we both love (private & expensive) might not be the best option for transferring into choice 1 or 2 (both are very snobby). Other state school options aren’t very enticing… what to do… it will all be over soon thankfully. I might need therapy after all of this.
My S is also still deciding, but definitely leaning towards the more expensive option, which would require him to graduate with loans. The other option would have him graduating debt free. His two top choices were ruled out because of price weeks ago.
Yes, I’m ready for it to be over.