Reply to Stop asking student tour guides where they're applying to college

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I guess I am a boomer, because it never occurred to me that this is an inappropriate question.  without being sarcastic or snotty, can someone explain what is wrong with asking this?[/quote]

The college application process is much less straightforward than when any boomer applied.  With the introduction of binding early decision, it can be complicated and fairly personal, as a kid may be putting all their eggs in one ED basket.  It is not the same process as applying to 5 or so schools regular decision and seeing where the chips fall. The admit rates are much less predictive bc the sample size can be so small, so that feels different too: it feels easier to say, I am applying to a school where I have a 50% chance of being admitted than one where the admit rate is 7%.  College is more expensive than a generation ago, so it can feel like talking about personal finance as well (how a family comes up with $83k a year, which is what we are paying for our college student this year, is different than how you will pay for $14k, which is what it cost in 1989, even accounting for inflation).

College counselors often advise kids they don't have to share lists, so it is not unusual for a kid to default to keeping his list private.

Personally, I wouldn't ask it of a high school kid who I just met. I don't even ask it of my kids' friends unless they offer and want to discuss.  When my kid was asked, he replied with generalities: "I am interested in going into the healthcare field, so I am looking at biology programs around the country."  If he was pressed, he would say he hadn't finalized his list.

A more helpful question for everyone might be "how is the school's college counseling office?  what is the process for seniors as they apply to schools?"

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