<p>Obviously, my choice was my alma mater; however DD chose my second choice, my grandfather's alma mater!</p>
<p>I don't understand why people put so much pressure on FA. My family income for the 2 years previous to applying to college was a grand total of zero, and now, at the end of my freshman year, we are still significantly under the poverty line. However, I applied early decision and got into one of the more expensive schools in the nation prepared to take out a few hundred thousand dollars in loans. It was that or UGA and that was not a sacrifice I was willing to make. Granted, I was very lucky in getting a decent scholarship and then my grandfather offered to pay the rest well after I had been accepted, but I still would have taken a loan over going to a less than satisfactory school where my education would be lacking. </p>
<p>My mom LOVED Emory (because it was close to home) and Tufts (because it was pretty) and would not stop talking about either. Personally, I couldn't stand either and was very set on the school I attend now- Brandeis. It really hurts because to this day, my mom still makes disparaging comments about my choice.</p>
<p>Boy selected Y (even though the financial offer was the worst), mom wanted Stanford, dad prefered H.</p>
<p>My son (from the Philly suburbs) chose Carleton over Oberlin. Since I'm an Obie, that was a little sad. But I'll get over it. I had initially thought he would be put off by Oberlin because I went there and/or because of the (largely undeserved) 'hippie' reputation, but those factors played no part in his decision. On the contrary, he was very attracted to Oberlin's history and community. We also both enjoyed our visit to Grinnell. But my son was most comfortable at Carleton, so I couldn't very well pressure him to go elsewhere. In the end, any of those schools would have been great for him. The admissions people at all three were wonderful to deal with.</p>
<p>gadad, I know Brown is a fine school, great rep, Ivy and all that. But when we visited, D and I were turned off too. On the tour I asked about women in the sciences (Harvard's debacle was in the news at the time) and I got a blank stare. Then something about, oh, sure, "girls" can take science. But I asked again, what percentage of science professors are women? More blank stares, and then rebuff.
Lots of emphasis on campus safety. Each and every emergency phone was pointed out as we passed. Protesting too much?
Also, we stayed in Providence and read the local papers. Lots of crime. Locked-down elementary schools and infighting among the staff. Racial tension. Poverty. Inequality. And lack of concern from those in power.
Okay, these were quick and superficial observations. Maybe the OP's daughter ran into some of the same.</p>
<p>Carleton, Oberlin, Grinnell and Macalester are all so wonderful we didn't know how our son could possibly say no to any of them. He chose Grinnell, but we'd have been equally as happy with any of the others.</p>
<p>We figured that since S doesn't know what he wants to study, a large state uni would be the best bet for him. He picked the smallest school on his list (and not, alas for us, the free one.) He's excited about going to William & Mary at the end of August.</p>
<p>As a West Coaster, I've got plenty of respect for W&M.</p>
<p>I was hoping that DD would attend Boston University, my alma mater. After she was accepted a really nice leather briefcase came from the school with the imprint on it "Boston University School of Management Class of 2010". I really loved that school for her and was looking forward to frequent visits to Boston. Well, DD chose to stay instate and attend the University of Florida in Gainesville! While I am not complaining about the free tuition (Bright Futures Scholarship), I think that she would have had a better education (both academic and socially) at Boston U. She is happy with her choice however.</p>
<p>I was just happy she was going to college-
I had only attended local community colleges & didn't graduate from high school- so anything 4 year was very impressive.</p>
<p>I would have been happy if she had attended any of the public in state and out of state schools on her list, but I was* thrilled* that the one private school, which seemed to me the quintessential college experience ( if you don't count big team sports as essential), not only admitted her, but with enough financial support to attend.
( And that she liked it too)</p>
<p>lol... it seems like the parents fall in love with schools more than the kids do.</p>
<p>Chances are the parents, especially those who populate this site, DO have a more informed opinion as to which school would be the better fit. Thus, I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have your S or D pick the college that offered the best sleepover.</p>
<p>Oh, I just think we wish WE could do it again! :)</p>
<p>The common theme seems to be that we might "think" we know what is "best," but we also know enough to let our kids choose for themselves. Difficult as that may be, it's definitely the best thing to do. I am willing to bet most of our kids do know what is best for them ... and if they don't, it is a good life lesson ... although maybe that is hard to say if the lesson ends up costing mom & dad money!! In the end, though, if they don't come back to live in the basement until they are 45, it has worked out!</p>
<p>Oh, I definitely think my kid made the best pick for himself. He had way more personal contact with students, attended classes and is the only one who can say how it felt for <em>him</em> to be on each campus. I think, like kelsmom, I was picking the one <em>I</em> wanted to go to.</p>
<p>Ha ha ha - I would have loved it if he'd picked one of the full tuition offerig schools (loved 'em all.........)</p>
<p>I know many, many, freshman change majors, something like 40%. In reading studentreview.com and other sites it seems many kids made what they now feel are horrible choices. Uultimately it is thier mistake to make, but often a costly one for the folks writting the tuition checks.</p>
<p>Years ago, I was accepted to Amherst and Yale, After visiting both, I felt more comfortable at a small LAC. While my parents preferred I attend Yale, they respected my choice as they realized that I was the one getting the education and not them. They also were enthusiastic supporters of my college experience, showing up at games, musical performances, and cultural activities I was involved in, so I felt that once I made my decision, they were behind me 100%. No looking back. My parents were Asian immigrants to the U.S., but they were wise enough to know that one of the great features of living in America, is the variety of life choices and possibilities here, and that it is the individual who gets to make the choice.</p>
<p>I certainly am taking this same approach with my children's college searches, too.</p>