No, DS does not, but I do. I am really rooting for Georgia Tech.

Mine did. Nail biter until RD decision came in in late March. It worked out for DC, but I do not recommend it! (I also think if a DC has a favorite or two, there is little that parents can actually do about it no matter how much talking up you do of other schools)

Yes, the 2 hardest state flagships to get into. Neither of which is our home state.

Not really. They do have a favorite where they would ED if it weren’t so expensive, but they also don’t want us paying full price, so it’s a top choice. Luckily, they have other top choices.

He did and he was rejected. He went to the next best for his major, and found out that uni offered a concentration within his major that he's very interested in, and that the first one doesn't have. So now he's relieved things worked out the way they did!

Parent of newly graduated high schooler here. A “dream school” doesn’t serve anyone well. This is not the time to be pinning hopes on one particular place, or to build up one school to almost mythical proportions.

Having a top or preferred choice is great. Having a collection of schools the student is excited about is even better. But please help your child approach applications, admissions decisions, and their final enrollment choice in a healthy, open-minded way.

My DC did and devastated when rejected even though stats to get in. I highly discourage promoting a dream school.

No, not at all. They are planning to go to community college and work a little at the same time. Possibly take a break after graduation or continued to state school.
No interest in dorm/college life luckily.

Mine does. It is a T20 and the likelihood of acceptance is very low.

DC also is realistic about it and has a few other schools they she would be happy to attend. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having lofty aspirations. In fact, it is a good thing. You just have to be realistic about it.

Please no Dream Schools
Responsible parents do all they can to avoid that

No and current favorites are both safeties

Anonymous wrote:For my rising high stats senior, I’ve been actively discouraging a dream school and encouraging a list of must-haves, nice-to-haves and must-not-haves. It seems to be working so far, and they have a nice list of schools at differing levels of selectivity. If they end up falling in love with a school over the summer, they may choose to ED, but otherwise I’m happy for them to wait and get excited about a school that wants them.

same. No "dream school" here.

No thankfully.

For my rising high stats senior, I’ve been actively discouraging a dream school and encouraging a list of must-haves, nice-to-haves and must-not-haves. It seems to be working so far, and they have a nice list of schools at differing levels of selectivity. If they end up falling in love with a school over the summer, they may choose to ED, but otherwise I’m happy for them to wait and get excited about a school that wants them.

If so, what is it?