Reply to BTDT Parents: please recommend college app to-dos and timeline for a first-time app parent

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]Since we came back from campus tours, I have been asking DC to start looking at prompt questions and what each college asks for. We also asked DC to contact graduates from our high school who attend these colleges (this was CC's suggestion). DC now suddenly seems uninterested in college apps, so DH and I find ourselves nagging a bit because we don't know what we're supposed to do from this point on to keep making progress. DC has done nothing since coming home from campus tours.[/quote]
I would absolutely not be asking DC to contact grads from your high school who attend the colleges. Is there a particular purpose you have in mind with that? Unless there are very specific issues your DC needs answers on, I can see why a normal teen would not want to do this.

Right now, the most important thing for your junior to do is to finish out junior year strong, getting great grades and preparing for AP exams.

Some high schools have students ask for recommendations at the end of junior year. In summer, it will be time for essays and filling out the Common Application.

Your job is to figure out what schools will be affordable, if you have not already done so.[/quote]

OP: thanks for your reply (and other PPs above. very helpful). What's the harm of contacting our HS alum currently at colleges DC is most interested in? CC suggested it so DC can ask how they like it, how the culture is different or similar to our HS. It's a small HS (100 kids a year) and a tight-knit community, plus CC makes it sound like a routine thing to do so I assume the alums themselves did the same when they were applying to college.

DC is not taking AP exams.

College affordability already sorted out. [/quote]

Np: it seems weird and presumptuous to me, too, unless they’re already friends or have specific shared interests so niche-y that applying would hinge on finding out more. I guess my advice is apply broadly and get in touch once you get in.

The process is very anxiety provoking anyway and I think this would just make a kid more anxious. They have no idea where they’ll be admitted and it’s best not to get too attached to any school.[/quote]

Why?  Alums from the high school are more than happy to talk to kids and even give them a tour of the school when they visit.

My kid thought CMU would be tops for them, but met with HS alums who gave them some straight talk on the school and my kid just didn't even apply after the visit. We were all thankful this happened prior to applying and my kid's college list was better targeted.[/quote]

I don't get the hesitation either. I'd like to know if an alum from the same HS doesn't like their college before applying ED. [/quote]

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