What have you learnt from years on CC?

Parents Forum
101

<p>I learned a lot about scholarships / funding college. </p>

<p>I learned a lot about selecting schools. </p>

<p>I learned a lot on how to be a much more successful student; i never knew anything about AP books, self-studying APs, or how to be more efficient at doing homework. Thanks so much.</p>

<p>I learned how to write college essays/how to be successful in admissions. Whenever I had a question, I could get it answered here. </p>

<p>I learned to realize there are many many more amazing kids in the world; it made me strive to be even better than I was before. </p>

<p>Sadly, there is one negative about CC: It really made me look down upon the students at my school; I feel my expectations are now so much higher when I meet people, that I’m sometimes disappointed. The only SAT score that impresses me now is 2200+. The only GPA that impresses me now is a 3.9+. :-&lt;/p>

<p>Overall, all the time I spent on CC was so helpful. though this forum has perks, it’s one of the best sources of information and knowledge on secondary school / college education in general on the internet.</p>

102

<p>I’ve learned so much info on here, I don’t even know where to begin. CC kicked everything off for me, and over the years has been practically my college counselor every step of the way. My school is pretty disadvantaged when it comes to resources that are pretty much second nature to some, so CC I felt really leveled the playing field and taught me many tricks of the trade I wouldn’t have known otherwise. From helping me on AP tests to simple nuances, like arranging AP test scores in an order that’s more appealing psychologically, and to being “well-focused”. I think one of these days I’ll write down everything I’ve learned from CC and bring it to my school’s college center to help future kids out. This place has been invaluable to me.</p>

<p>And I doubt my mom has any idea about this site.</p>

103

<p>First I learned how complicated is the college admissions process is for competitive students (son).</p>

<p>Then I learned (or rather I got reassured) that a certain B- high school student (daughter) would find a good college to attend.</p>

<p>Finally, like many other posters, I learned that this site is addictive. I joined the old forum back in 2002 (I think) when my son starting to look at colleges and I am still here. Don’t ask me why.</p>

<p>Fittingly, I am writing this post from a hotel room anxiously waiting for a 10:30 AM commencement ceremony where the aforementioned B- high school student will graduate college with honors. What in the world happened to the last 4 years?</p>

104

<p>artiesdad, many, many congrats to your D. Another lesson learned: kids DO grow up and find ways to be successful, on their terms.</p>

105

<p>Congrats, artiesdad! (and artiesister!!!).</p>

106

<p>I learned that the high school guidance counselor probably does not know best.</p>

107

<p>– Check the transcript before it gets sent anywhere.</p>

108

<p>^^Amen. And the corollary: Follow up with the GC to verify that the transcript and the rest of the SSR have actually been sent.</p>

109

<p>

</p>

<p>This can never be said enough, especially on CC !</p>

110

<p>I learned what ‘bump 10 char’ means.</p>

111

<p>^It’s a lot easier however to type a bunch of spaces and a period.</p>

112

<p>^ Agreed.</p>

113

<p>^ !</p>

114

<p>Notacook - I loved your story about the acceptance letter tip! It brought tears to my eyes.
What a great first post!</p>

115

<p>Like pugmadkate, I have learned you can become very involved in the hopes and dreams of parents and kids you have never met.</p>

<p>I have learned that there are parents who post her a lot and kids who post here a lot, but that these don’t come in pairs. In each CC family, there is either a parent or a kid who has become addicted to CC.</p>

<p>I have learned to make the amused and somewhat embarrassed face.
:o</p>

116

<p>another one</p>

<p>I have learned that I can root super hard for kids I’ve never met, and be more sad for them when they get bad news than I am for myself.</p>

<p>I’ve learned that the parents here are like my family, and are ALWAYS there for me</p>

117

<p>I learned that Barack Obama is the first URM president.</p>

118

<p>I learned that:</p>

<ul>
<li>a 15% acceptance rate means that 85% are rejected</li>
<li>that early decision was primarily for URMS, legacies and athletes</li>
</ul>

<p>and that you can never repeat the above two truths too many times.</p>

119

<p>vicariousparent, I have NOT learned to do that…</p>

120

<p>

Oh, yes. I can’t even count the number of times my friends have turned to me for college counseling advice…</p>

<p>I’ve learned that between parent and child, the more obsessed one is with CC, the more flabbergasted the other will be regarding said addiction.</p>