I don't understand this "one true love" mindset for college. there are probably 100+ colleges that would provide an excellent education for your child and they would have an amazing time -- and the one they got into ED is definitely one of them.

Very happy both DCs applied ED. So nice to have it resolved early and it helped admission chances. One ended up being a bad fit but not an ED issue and took a few years to figure out. Regret the school but not the ED.

Perhaps your family and student are more feeling another stage of the college application and admittance process? There is often a high about getting an acceptance and then about committing to a school. The buying family members the t-shirts and the this-crazy-process is over type of thing. Every senior goes through something similar at one point or another. It is all about the excitement and promises of what is ahead. And then ... it really hits some: what is exactly ahead? That is another stage completely.

At some point most rising college freshman switch from "I can't wait!" to "what the heck have I done" as in they wonder what it will be like? will they make friends? what if their classes are too hard? what if I miss home or my high school friends (or both)? Even if they don't admit these feelings those feelings are lurking.

I sometimes think that those who get in ED enter this stage sooner than the rest as they are simply on an accelerated path through the entire process. It can easily manifest as buyer's remorse.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“We” should focus on loving the ED school so that your DC does not have feelings of remorse. You seem entirely too involved in this process. Let your kid enjoy the journey and be supportive rather than destructive.

My actually brought it up (after seeing some of her friends' acceptances). I didn't realize she was unhappy with her ED decision (b/c she was truly excited, as was I). However, nowadays, she kind of wallows a bit - and yes, I have done everything to get her to love the ED school.

So glad to hear this, OP. Hoping she becomes more enthusiastic after attending admitted students day — it’s a great way to meet future classmates and fall in love again.

Oh - that's true about admitted student's day!

She will love it. Stop worrying about other people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“We” should focus on loving the ED school so that your DC does not have feelings of remorse. You seem entirely too involved in this process. Let your kid enjoy the journey and be supportive rather than destructive.

My actually brought it up (after seeing some of her friends' acceptances). I didn't realize she was unhappy with her ED decision (b/c she was truly excited, as was I). However, nowadays, she kind of wallows a bit - and yes, I have done everything to get her to love the ED school.

So glad to hear this, OP. Hoping she becomes more enthusiastic after attending admitted students day — it’s a great way to meet future classmates and fall in love again.

No. He remains very, very pleased with the ED

Anonymous wrote:
My DD chose a top 25 SLAC to ED to and was admitted. She has had kids at her school saying "congratulations, but it is a safety for me."

Wow! I can't believe kids would say things like that to each other! Incredibly rude! However, clearly your daughter made the right choice.

Anonymous wrote:“We” should focus on loving the ED school so that your DC does not have feelings of remorse. You seem entirely too involved in this process. Let your kid enjoy the journey and be supportive rather than destructive.

My actually brought it up (after seeing some of her friends' acceptances). I didn't realize she was unhappy with her ED decision (b/c she was truly excited, as was I). However, nowadays, she kind of wallows a bit - and yes, I have done everything to get her to love the ED school.

We? I think that's the main problem. Give your kid some space.

I think it's normal to have some buyer's remorse. However, keep in mind that this is another very competitive admissions cycle, and there is a good chance your child would not have been admitted to this school had they not applied ED. And most likely, they would not have been admitted RD to any school higher with higher rankings. I would encourage you to focus on the aspects of the school that drew your child to it initially. There is a reason he/she chose ED.....try to embrace it.

My DD chose a top 25 SLAC to ED to and was admitted. She has had kids at her school saying "congratulations, but it is a safety for me." Rude, I know, but it made her second guess her decision as well. Guess what....NONE of them were admitted. I said to my child, "well, I guess it wasn't really a safety school after all!" She has been able to enjoy her senior year and has known since December where she is attending, which has been great. Congratulations to your child for their acceptance. Give it a chance, and bloom where you're planted. Good luck!

“We” should focus on loving the ED school so that your DC does not have feelings of remorse. You seem entirely too involved in this process. Let your kid enjoy the journey and be supportive rather than destructive.

You’d have regrets either way. We regret wasting our ED on a reach that was a rejection.

Why waste time thinking about “what ifs”? Your kid is going to the ED school. That’s it.

Both my kids did ED and never gave it a second thought. It was and is their first choice.

I realize it's binding and initially, we were very excited and relieved to get in. However, after that initial excitement wore off, we started thinking about the "what ifs." Also, as much as we try to focus on all the positives of the school, we keep seeing some negative things as well. I know that there is not much we can do at this point and I'm sure my child will be fine, but just wondering if anyone else can relate?