<p>...when your son and husband very politely ask you to organize them for the next college trip (commensing this evening after play practice!). Envelopes with viewbooks, interview times, etc. for each college. Labeled, in large print, by name of college AND day (if its Friday it must be Macalester). Another envelope for transcripts and resumes. The Kaplan writing book. Food (pop tarts and V-8 juice among other things). And, I get to log in to Collegeboard to pick up the Math IIC score. </p>
<p>To continue - you retrieve SAT II score for son who is off interviewing and derive inexplicable pleasure over the CB site being over-accessed. Poetic justice, somehow.</p>
<p>Yes, pop tarts (for the husband) and V-8 (for the son). Bizarre, I admit. However, they did get into and out of Chicago ok despite getting lost (both directions). The UChicago adcom that interviewed my son talked to my husband afterwards and said he seemed like a good fit (or vice versa). I sincerely hope this is a GOOD SIGN.</p>
<p>Actually, I've become so enlightened by the folks on the Parents Forum, that I really have to bite my tongue when talking to other parents, who would think (and probably do already) that I'm a know-it-all. Granted, I have a smart & gifted kid, so I have a lot to work with when guiding D towards her choices. </p>
<p>The overriding factor, the reason I throw all the 'college advisory' service mailings in the garbage (instead I read the great advice on here) is because time spent on CC is money in the bank. How to find universities with scholarships, generous financial aid, how to approach the admissions, all are invaluable tools & hopefully when all is said & done, will save me a few bucks.</p>
<p>So if this is my obsession, I'll gladly accept that...</p>
<p>As I was flipping through another thread on the college selection forum (about midwestern LAC's), I realized another way you know you're obsessed...when you're following this year's seniors on this board as anxiously as you did your own! Specifically thinking of Carolyn's daughter and trying to think of more schools that fit her and wondering where she'll apply and where she'll get in and where she'll go and then next fall - how she's doing!!</p>
<p>Fredo and Mstee - LOL!!!! :) (Mstee's right Fredo but I do appreciate any suggestions)</p>
<p>Have to report on the college fair at my daughter's school last night: 120 colleges showed up, out of 1200 9-12 grade students, there must have been 800 kids plus double that number of parents jammed into the school's gym. You could have cut the panic in the parents' eyes with a machete. So, we're not the only ones out there...</p>
<p>When you open the CC and "you know you're obsessed" is a featured link so that all the work can see how dysfunctional (in a good sense) we have become</p>
<ol>
<li>When you find yourself correcting your own guidance counselor</li>
<li>When your guidance counselor is only there to mail out your transcripts and sign a form (he obviously doesn't know what's up)</li>
<li>When your friends consider you the first source to any college application answer</li>
<li>When you have a book in your room entitled Rock Hard Apps</li>
</ol>
<p>My name is Mike, and I'm a college admissions addict</p>