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[quote=Anonymous]Times are so much different now than when those who entered college in the late 80s/90s had to go through this process. It's like comparing apples to oranges.

There was no internet, no Naviance, no DCUM, no CollegeConfidential, etc. The ability to research ANY COLLEGE across the US alone is substantial knowledge that nobody had all those years ago.  And let's face it...it's mostly parents who are researching/posting here on DCUM and CollegeConfidential. It's extremely hard not to when it's all at your fingertips and especially in the DCUM region filled with helicopter parents (of which I admit I have been at times).

Did my parents (who came from another country) help me?  Well, I was a first generation kid to go to college so with their limited knowledge of the process and limited financial means....no, I did not have any SAT tutoring/prep and no tutoring at all in HS. I don't even recall meeting with my school counselor at all regarding the process - which was all by paper back then.

My parents simply insisted that I do go to college no matter what.  I didn't really do any college visits except for one....for some odd reason I had it in my head that I wanted to go to school in NC. A good friend was looking at Elon and because my mom loved me and wanted to humor me, she took me to visit Elon.

My stats were not great and I'm certain I had/have ADD -- GPA was 3.2 and my SAT score was disastrous as it didn't even reach 1000. Again, no tutoring ever and I only took the SAT once. I only applied to 1-2 schools and was denied.  I went to Marymount Univ. for 1 year and then transferred to JMU. So it all turned out ok.

My parents sacrificed and paid for the college applications and all 4 yrs of college.

Now...fast forward to a time with internet access and the ability to research any colleges in the US...access to Naviance, DCUM, CollegeConfidential, etc.

I wanted to help my kids the way my parents could not - so, yes, I paid for tutoring for DC (also having ADD) and paid for SAT prep classes for both kids (and actually Grandma helped pay half). Paid for them to take multiple SATs and/or ACTs. Took both on many college visits - planned during Spring Break and Summer. Helped them research all colleges of interest to them. Paid for all college applications and transcripts - but mainly because I wanted them to save their money to go toward college expenses.

Also plan to pay for majority of college for both with minor loans needed though...which I plan to help pay off.

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