Are you a parent sending their first child off to college this fall? What did you learn from this application experience? And what will you do differently with your next child?
For me I did not realize there are some great merit opportunities if you look for them. I will help my other children Find them.
And second my son went out of the gate looking for the highest ranked school he could attend. But when decision day came it was the fit that was most important to him. And he did not choose the higher ranked or better known schools.
I learned not to listen to my daughter when she says she has it covered. She did NOT research all appropriate dance BFA programs and was hell bent on staying in New York. Turns out the programs that are a better fit are in PA. I also should have had longer discussion on what we can afford for college. After my eldest went off to college, we learned to keep a minimalist approach to getting stuff for their dorm rooms. Overall, it has not been too bad an expeeience.
That you have to know your kids…I could tell the oldest one “Make a list of college options” and she would be cause she likes to research things on the internet. She came up with a reasonable list of matches/reaches. The youngest one this did not work for and with her blessing I helped her come up with a list.
Listen to your kids and make suggestions…both of my kids ended up at the “parent pick”…I listened to what they wanted in a school and suggested good value schools that met their criteria.
Don’t assume your student knows what “fit” means, or that his/her definition will remain consistent throughout. Also, prepare to feel insulted, as your ideas will be considered stupid and your motives suspect. Knowing all of this in advance will save your sanity.
Based on what you know about your child and financial situation, select one or two “parent pick” schools, and stand firm on your suggestions, no matter what the kid says. DD did not want to apply to my two parent picks, and only did so under sustained parental pressure, dragging her feet and questioning my motives/wisdom every step of the way. The biggest surprise? Accepted at an overwhelming of her applied schools, she’s attending parent pick #1, a school she didn’t even want to visit a year ago.
Check and make sure your application is complete by the date necessary including receipt of scores from College Board. Document if the college says they are behind in logging in materials they have already received.
Surprised to receive an email from a couple of schools in March, well past the deadline, that we still have not completed their internal financial applications. Check which schools have their own FA applications.
@Regretful From other posts, it looks like you perhaps regret your S not applying to more “prestigious” schools, going to a college not everyone heard of etc. Please don’t let these feelings trickle down to your S.
It also looks like your S may be going to Lafayette. If so – rejoice! My D is a recent Lafayette graduate and absolutely loved her 4 years there. From what I can tell as a parent, Lafayette has found that secret sauce where students are challenged academically and also find time to be involved in activities they care about, do research with professors etc. She has a number of friends who were engineering students there and they are doing great. If I am correct that your S will be attending Lafayette and you want any more information, please PM me. (And FWIW she is now in grad school at Columbia living with two friends from Lafayette who are also attending grad school there – all in various disciplines.)
You are correct my son is going to lafayette and is very excited. I think I am mirroring some of my son’s initial regrets. But he is now all in for Lafayette.
I wish I would have looked for a few more schools where D could have been competitive for a full tuition scholarship as finances are a concern and dad is paying nothing. D is a great student but was too busy and not very interested in researching schools, so I really did most of the work in coming up with the list and organizing when she had to have each aspect of the applications done. Overall, I guess I did well with advising her, as she got into some wonderful colleges (several with significant merit) and had only one waitlist. In the end it came down to a choice between a selective LAC and the honors program at our state flagship. She decided the LAC is a much better fit and is willing to work hard in the summers (has two jobs now) and take loans, but it will still be somewhat stressful financially. I am happy and excited for her opportunity, but for my son, who is an upcoming junior, I will encourage him to look for schools where larger merit is possible. It will be a challenge to get him to open his mind a little.