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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm the ADHD mom and I *wish* I had shared what I had known with a friend: Their son is graduating from a private high school on the west coast. The parents are educators and they have some money for college but also very real financial limitations. Their son was advised by the college advisor at his school to apply to a wide range of schools that... was heavy on out-of-state flagship public universities.

We all know where this is going, right? He got into some of the top programs in the country for his major -- and his parents had to tell him that he wouldn't be able to attend. Luckily they ended up with one (just one!) solid and affordable option, but WOW they got terrible advice from the school counselor, who was focused entirely on where he could get in and not at all on what they could afford.

My friend is kicking herself for not getting a second opinion and for so thoroughly trusting this highly-regarded private school professional. But just didn't know what she didn't know, and felt that she was already paying for this service and should have been in good hands.

Anyway, she didn't want to second guess a fellow educator, and I didn't want to drop unsolicited advice. But... man. Just because people get paid to do a professional job of things or have certain credentials really doesn't mean they know what tf they're doing, and that some of us couldn't really provide valuable service.

For what it's worth, I have a friend who does this on the west coast and does very well. SHe also got into it after her first two teens successfully (on their terms) went through the application process. She came at it from a background first in personal fitness coaching, and then in small business coaching. So while the knowledge base came later, she had a solid foundation of working with with clients to develop clarity on their own goals, priorities, challenges, etc. And because she has that experience and focus, and not just a tendency to default to some generic "what's best," people love working with her and her business is thriving. [/quote]

Look, with all due respect, sure you did a nice job with your kids, but it makes you an expert on nothing. Many people do a nice job with their kids. It’s all about economics. Recognize your privilege. Unless you’re talking about doing this for poor kids for free, you’re not adding anything of value that isn’t already there.[/quote]
NP. Look, with all due respect, stop yucking someone else's yum. Four-year-olds can get that; I'm not sure why you can't.[/quote]

New poster: i am guessing most people look at the cost of attendance at some point. This is in no way a secret nugget  you imparted. It’s like telling someone to make sure they can afford: organic food, a home, a vehicle, a vacation, private school, designer items, etc. hopefully people get that along the way of life (to investigate large aNd/or ongoing expenses) and if they don’t, it is usually them being an ostrich (choosing to ignore the $ issue), not actually having zero idea to investigate costs and ability to pay.

This is not about yucking or yumming. It is providing you feedback because it appears you need it. [/quote]
People don't know what they don't know. [url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/1jsb020/going_to_a_great_school_but_turning_down_my_1st/]Here's one who didn't know that UCs don't give OOS aid.[/url] Oops? [url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/1jp5dbd/my_sons_college_decisions/]Here's one who "only" got into a top LAC and was depressed because they didn't get in to Harvard.[/url] Oh well? [url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/1jxp3to/i_cant_go_to_my_dream_college_anymore/]Here's one who only learned late in the game that they couldn't afford to go to their dream school (that they had already accepted the offer to, thinking they could afford it).[/url] Must be an ostrich, right? [url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/1klcm45/got_off_yale_waitlist_happy_but_stressing_out/]Or here's one who gets into Yale, but whose parents just expect a full ride to show up, and the poster's contemplating taking out 300K in loans vs. taking a free ride elsewhere.[/url]

All of the necessary info was out there to avoid those heartbreaks. None of those posters should have been surprised. And yet there they are. Each of these people would have been better served by having someone who could lay things out for them, to help them understand the process, to set up realistic expectations, and to develop some reasonable fallback options. If OP can do that (whether paid or pro bono; I don't really care), and enjoys the process? Great. I'm glad she's exploring making it happen, and I can't understand why people here are dissuading her from it.[/quote]

1. No proof the apps submitted out outcomes would be different

2. No proof these families didnt know the list was too reach heavy or the dream one was too expensive

We are talking about different things. You’re equating those posts with people being ignorant. I completely disagree. None say, “gee, I had zero idea what the schools cost. If only I knew beforehand!!!”[/quote]

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