<p>Pressure in this process is entirely self-imposed. Our son was a very good student(SAT-1400+, rank-top 6%) but not at a calibre to compete with students whose eyes were set on HYP or similar hypercompetitive college. In addition we never impose any expectations on him in regard to college choices. In fact there was little discussion whatsoever except for the jr year talk regarding what we were willing to pay out of our retirement savings.</p>
<p>As a result he never felt pressured to achieve strait A’s, choose EC’s to enhance the “resume”, or get hung up on enrolling in a reach college. He had an utterly normal hs experience, formed his own garage band and worked summers lifeguarding at the lake down the street. He had a blast during hs and in his sr yrar.</p>
<p>He did do lots of work researching colleges and even visited six jr/sr year. He used the common application almost exclusively and had it preped in one evening. He did his essay in over one weekend. He applied to only strong matches and strong safeties, got all his apps in by October and recieved an acceptance before Christmas.</p>
<p>By never setting his sights to stratopheric levels he entered RPI a happy and excited young adult again with no pressure or expectations to achieve beyond what hard work would ensure.</p>
<p>That was our parenting style, to avoid high expectations and undue pressure. All we ever asked was that he take school seriously and do all work expected to the best of his ability.</p>