What do you wish someone had told you when you started your college search with DC?

[Anonymous]

DD is a student-athlete entering 8th grade at a DMV public school. Will be public for HS as well. Currently 4.0 (but it’s middle school…). Started having general convos about college and been to a few campuses, but a lot has changed since I did it as a student. Looking for any advice you wish someone shared about the current process. TIA!

[Anonymous]

At this point in time, you should be looking at your possible budget for college costs. Colleges have Net Price Calculators that can give you an estimate for how much aid they would give for your financial situation. This helps you determine what types of colleges may be affordable without merit scholarships, or conversely, whether most of the colleges on the list will be ones that offer a lot of merit.

[Anonymous]

Pursue your interest and passion. Back when DC was in middle school, CS was hot as hell. A lot of parents wanted their kids have CS related ECs. Now that some of them have regrets.

[Anonymous]

Definitely look at budget & up savings if necessary.

For my DC, 8th grade ramped up expectations. I’d also focus on developing good study skills & organization, if they haven’t already.

Additionally, the summer between 8th & 9th grade is technically high school so anything they do then can be put on an application. Mine DC was at loose ends that summer—bored often & with too much screen time—and I wish I would have encouraged volunteering, being a CIT, etc. It wasn’t on my mind.

[Anonymous]

Do not talk to an rising eighth grader about college.

[Anonymous]

Look hard at that sport and how much time commitment it requires. May want to dial it back if there is no realistic prospect of playing in college. Definitely keep doing it if she enjoys it, it is a good EC. However, can't let it interfere with classes and grades.

[Anonymous]

What I wish someone had told us…..

It will be more expensive than you think.
It will be less predictable than you think.
Your child is not as special or will stand out as much as you think, regardless of their grades or test scores.

All that said, we think DC1 did it right, although not without some regrets about HS course selections. Would’ve coasted a bit more, stressed a bit less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look hard at that sport and how much time commitment it requires. May want to dial it back if there is no realistic prospect of playing in college. Definitely keep doing it if she enjoys it, it is a good EC. However, can't let it interfere with classes and grades.

You also may want to avoid it if there is a realistic prospect of plain in college. Omg it takes over so many things and then they're stuck doing the same thing in college that they've done for years and years of high school and earlier. College should be for exploring pursuits, not the same old same old. I didn't really see it coming and I wish I had.

[Anonymous]

HS is a long road. Don't get your kid hyperventilating about colleges in MS.

Ban the phrase 'dream school' from your vocabulary. Encourage your kid to figure out their own interests, skills, and preferences over time.

And yes, budget. Absolutely critical.

[Anonymous]

let them go where they will be happy, forget about the academics and worrying that they will be a failure if they don't go to a top school.

[Anonymous]

Sports are not the admissions ticket you think and they’re certainly not a good financial investment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not talk to an rising eighth grader about college.

This. It's way too early for all this pressure.

[Anonymous]

You don’t need to be having “general convos” about college with an eighth grader.

A lot will change in the coming years.

His grades now are nice but mean little in the long run. Ditto for his sports as they will get harder and a lot more competitive.

Slow down and enjoy the ride.

[Anonymous]

Several posters (or perhaps the same one) mentioned sports. A lot of kids do sports NOT for college admissions.

Yes, they take up a lot of time. Yes, it might affect your GPA. DC would definitely do it again.

No regrets!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is a student-athlete entering 8th grade at a DMV public school. Will be public for HS as well. Currently 4.0 (but it’s middle school…). Started having general convos about college and been to a few campuses, but a lot has changed since I did it as a student. Looking for any advice you wish someone shared about the current process. TIA!

It's only as 'difficult' as you make it. Let them enjoy life.