Reply to "Outside of financial constraints: the kid should fully decide w/out parental influence"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Parents who think kids can apply to college and choose among options completely by themselves are delusional and headed for a subpar result. Can some students do this? Probably, but not most. Eighteen year olds do not have the perspective, knowledge, or life experience to make good judgments on such large decisions. Of course, a student’s interests, opinions, etc. are important, but most are massively overwhelmed by the process and decision.

As for OP’s specific question, I wouldn’t leave the final decision solely to your kid. For example, if your kid gets into UVA and Michigan, he doesn’t just get to say “Michigan” with no regard to the cost difference, unless the parent cares less about the price difference. [/quote]

This^^^

One kid got into two schools ranked 30-45, very "similar schools" academically.  One gave my kid $35K/year merit award. Other school gave no merit.  Both schools cost the same (~$80K before merit).  Our kid had a hard time at first making a choice, but deep down I knew that they liked the "no merit" (and higher ranked ) school better---their private counselor kept telling them, "it's hard to turn down merit like that--_$140K over the 4 years especially when the schools are so similar otherwise".  I had to tell the counselor---Look finances do not matter, we can really easily afford it, so while I get that for 99% of kids, it's a no brainer, they are going to the school that is only $45K/year vs $80K.  For our kid it is NOT an issue, so help them make the choice based on other factors.  Counselor was shocked, but I had to impress upon her that it truly was not an issue for us.  We wanted our kid to pick whatever is the best fit for them.  
They picked the full price school and love it.  Yes, they would be fine and happy at the other school, but I know they are likely happier where they are now.

However, had we not had the money/if finances were an issue, my kid would be attending the cheaper school.  It's a no-brainer. $140K is alot of money.  And in reality, is the school worth that much more?  Probably not, but we can afford it and our kid is happy

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