<p>So mom didn’t too too bad, eh?! </p>
<p>My mistake, I must have read the line above wrong it clearly implies “we” didn’t do too bad. Thank you for helping define a family for me 
</p>
<p>Mom helped with the college list. How many colleges are there in the states? Mom did great at coming up with the right list of schools - financial and academic reaches, matches and safeties. College process is such a maze now, I don’t see how a 17 year old could navigate it without some sort of adult guidance, may it be a school GC, adult friend, parent or paid private counselor. I am not sure if OP son’s outcome would be as great if OP didn’t do all that research. Whenever a young adult mocks other parents involvement it is more due to his/her own parents’ lack of interest.</p>
<p>Or a young adult who listened with his parents as every admissions office said the most frightening thing they hear from a parent is “we are applying”. Who listened and decided work with them but knew when a form was missing I needed to call. We drove over 9000 miles in 2 years visiting and listening. There is a difference between guidance and cruise control. </p>
<p>TigerCC - I wonder what your parents say when they tell their friends about your college process. Would they say, “We are are visiting schools” or “My kid is visiting schools?” Would they say “We need to figure out my kid’s college list” or “My kid needs to figure out his college list.” “We need to decide which school my kid is attending” or “My kid needs to decide which school soon.” No matter how they say it, for most families picking a college is a family decision because of how much money it is involved. At the end of day if a kid believes he is choosing a school on his own, he is delusional. I don’t think a parent would ever give a kid 20K and say, “Sweeting, why don’t go and pick out a car you like.” I am sure the parent would offer a lot of advise on which car has better safety rating, costs less to insure, better gas mileage…instead of giving his kid a free rein to pick out the fastest, shiniest 2 seater. Not sure why a parent wouldn’t do the same when it comes to picking a college considering a college education could cost 250k+.</p>
<p>Fair enough. Perhaps I misunderstood the posters self congratulating for more than it was. In the end “we” do make the decisions together In fact we are planning our last trips these next 2 weeks. I just needed to be responsible enough to do the follow up my Dad would say or drive the bus as mom would say. Either way they were involved and will help me decide ( Gettysburg- St Oalf or Cornell College- ) perhaps it’s just a misread. No worries. </p>
<p>Oh wow, such passion!!! For clarification, the “self congratulating” was about mom coming up with a realistic and balanced list of schools to apply to while still reaching higher than his stats should suggest.</p>
<p>For the vets who “got it”, thanks for having my back!</p>
<p>And to be fair…the mom added her son’s final choice due to a suggestion ON this thread!! </p>
<p>So maybe we should say WE did well. Ask the kid to thank some of us at his award ceremony some day, “I would like to thank my mom, and College Confidential busy bodies, for helping me with my college process. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today.”</p>
<p>That would be true for many students. My own daughter had worked from the end of her Sophomore year narrowing her list down to about 10 schools, with a good balance of safeties, matches and reaches. I had been perusing threads here when I saw a list of schools offering diversity open houses, and asked her to add Colorado College to her list. She had taken a number of summer courses through JHU’s CTY program, and had always done well in them, so the block plan looked interesting. They flew us out for a visit in October, and encouraged her to apply early action (she already had her common app done for a couple of other early action schools anyway). She had several acceptances, but CC ended up as her first choice, and she’s loving it there, and even has her department head as academic advisor. Without College Confidential, CC wouldn’t have even been on her radar.</p>
<p>Good job OP, and good job to everyone who offered constructive advice!</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with suggestions from folks on this forum. The college our DD attended was suggested by a forum member also. We had never heard of it, and were happy for the advice! </p>
<p>Help Parents!</p>
<p>Just when I though all was said and done, we have now come to a financial conundrum (or blessing depending how you look at it). S was just awarded a scholarship at SDSU that brings our COA to ZERO! What’s a mom to do? I know S really wants CPP but how can you pass up a full ride? Tuition, room, board, everything plus extra! This was never factored into the equation and now I don’t know how hard to push for it. CPP has not yet awarded any scholarships or grants but I have a feeling they can in no way match this. S almost seems disappointed. Despite my “meddling” I don’t feel comfortable saying this is what you HAVE to choose. </p>
<p>Advice?</p>
<p>Hmmm. Is CPP affordable? He seemed to click with the school, and programs. The size was right and so were class sizes. How does that line up with SDSU? I know the finances are an issue…but I guess what I’m saying is IF the finances were not an issue, would he pick SDSU over CPP?</p>
<p>Also, what GPA does your son have to maintain to keep,that scholarship?</p>
<p>Why not politely tell CPP about this SDSU award and see if they can offer something.</p>
<p>CPP will cost slightly higher than my EFC so technically its affordable. He really connected with the school, and I guess you can’t put a price on that. I also felt the programs and offerings would be very supportive. If finances were not an issue it would be CPP no question. The GPA required to maintain the offer from SDSU is unknown right now. They say they are mailing a contract that will stipulate the details. </p>
<p>Free is just so hard to turn down. Or is it? </p>
<p>Good idea, M2CKs.</p>
<p>Any chance your son could visit both schools one last time…now as an accepted student? </p>
<p>Already scheduled to go back to Pomona for a faculty brunch, and math placement testing. Like i said, I thought this was done so we have already confirmed enrollment there. This latest event has just thrown me for a loop. </p>
<p>Another win for the CC vets! You have already talked me off of the ledge! My confidants in the “real world” all said SDSU no question. However, the choice may not be so clear. I think a trip to SD in the next couple of weeks is in order. </p>
<p>I’ll also be placing a call to CPP financial aid office. Should S call or should I?</p>
<p>If you can afford it, I say let him pick. You can certainly point out he benefits of free… But don’t force it.</p>
<p>Well, I have to say SDSU isn’t that thrilling to me, having graduated from there eons ago. However, San Diego is <strong>gorgeous</strong> and it’s a great city in so many ways. </p>
<p>Keep us posted!</p>