<p>S could have walked into honors program at state U honors with full $$$ and junior status. However, 3 times they asked for SAT scores and transcript.They took months to accept him.</p>
<p>Several private schools he liked went out of their way to schedule interviews (he applied after deadlines, in Dec of jr y HS), called with questions, etc.</p>
<p>I've never regretted his choosing the private route. It was hard to imagine him handling the redtape of state U, nor do I think he would have found the same peer group.</p>
<p>There were many fine colleges that I wanted S to apply to, but as we never had time to tour, he went on preconceived notion of "fit".</p>
<p>We agreed to tour after acceptances. Only at last moment did I share my opinions, e.g giving up some merit money, or attending a school that accepted AP or prior college credits. These are difficult decisions. Even spending a day or 2 at the campus, attending classes, meeting current students, can narrow choices, but ultimately, it can feel like a leap of faith.</p>