I fully admit I've gone overboard on college prep as a result of my own college circumstance,
DS and I started looking at colleges Freshman year. His interests have changed and programs have changed but all things being equal he's okay.
But it bugs him. People who haven't done a lot of research.
The girl who will ED to NYU "Of course I don't have 70K a year, but I will get aid. Everyone gets aid at NYU."."
The boy who is convinced that his numerous siblings means he won't have to pay anything at elite schools. (Dad owns company, mom also employed- they are not poor)
The teacher who says, go ahead and ED. If you can't afford it, they'll let you out.
The boy who can totally afford his top college but has not such great test scores, but figures money talks more than scores (he may be right)
The guidance counselor who says admissions is MUCH more important than ability to pay. If a college wants you, they will find a way. Also, loans.
My son gets judged - frequently because he is choosing a school that will result in little to no debt. Also, that he is interested in a less common career path. And loans horrify him (I've linked too many articles...)
His classmates responses is typically - "You got a 1550 - **** would you apply there?!?"
I HAVE told him to stop volunteering information. Unless someone asks, or misspeaks egregiously, smile and nod.
But maybe it's the future educator in him? I don't know. But the process (not his own - others) is REALLY bothering him. He sent me a text with notes from the GC speech and then said "he had to say something - what she was saying just wasn't right!" I've told him to leave it alone. Other families problems are not his. And yet, he is REALLY concerned about his classmates. Perhaps more than himself since he is confident in his own plan. Nevetheless, I worry that his concern will snowball into a bigger problem.
So for those who have been through the process and been conservative about it, how do you keep you kid from making his classmates crazy. Even if he only does so because he cares.
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