<p>Having heard some of the outlandish reasons that 17 year olds state as reasons they like or don't like a college, on their "Blinkish" first impression, we will definitely not be leaving those decisions in our kids' laps.</p>
<p>My niece shared that she didn't like one school because there were "too many trees" and it looked like "summer camp". While I suppose this is as valid reason as any to add or dismiss a school, it struck me as odd. What about the academics? The students? There are so many other factors than the trees!</p>
<p>Another said she didn't like a school because she saw a girl with a piercing. A single girl; now, there were possibly more than that, given the school, but dumping a school because of a kid with a piercing?</p>
<p>We plan to go on initial visits, and send DS back alone for auditions, because by that time his list will be sufficiently narrowed, and I will also be privvy to the nuance of his choices, having seen them myself.</p>
<p>I can understand why some parents send their kids alone, but I think snap judgements that one makes at 17 may not hold at 22. Just my opinion though....</p>