We discussed a "dream school" from acceptances in hand. Otherwise, it's just stress and tears.

My alma mater

Anonymous wrote:

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

Which are the hardest to get into? UCLA and Michigan?

Ha! MyDD former dream school Michigan. Going to UCLA. Didn’t wait to see if she’d get off Michigan waitlist.

Notre Dame for both of my kids. My oldest did get in during early action a few years ago. My youngest is "dreaming" of admission there and has the stats (4.0 unweighted GPA, 35 ACT, strong Catholic HS). Having an older sister who attended will hopefully tip the scale in her favor. She's realistic about her chances, and we try to downplay it with the exception of reminding her that if she wants that school, she needs to keep working hard for top grades, etc. Because our family was immersed in ND during our older daughter's time there, we "get" ND, so we will be sure her essays communicate that. No parent legacy, but a grandparent attended. Fingers crossed.

Just graduated senior but when my son was a junior, he showed a lot of interest in UChicago. Was it his dream school? I would not go that far but it was enough of a school to keep him motivated and got him through the slog of senior year. He had high hopes but zero expectations.

Mine had one (Bowdoin) and is attending this fall! Excited for my parent trips to Maine

Mine did ('24), but she was realistic about it, knowing it was an ultra reach. We talked a lot about how great her targets other reaches and safeties were. She lucked out early.

USC School of Cinematic Arts

I know of many who dream of attending an Ivy League school--any Ivy league school.

Several others for whom Stanford is their dream school.

Also many who regard the University of Florida or the University of Georgia as their dream school partially because they are state residents and qualify to attend tuition free.

US Naval Academy or West Point for many others.

NYU for some.

NYU - Tisch

Anonymous wrote:Most high school kids don't have such thing.

How would you know this?

My kid dreams of Penn.

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

Which are the hardest to get into? UCLA and Michigan?

Most high school kids don't have such thing.

I have heard a few people use the term “heartbreak school” instead of “dream school.” I think some college counselor uses it and I hope it catches on. It conveys the reality that pinning hopes on a specific school is a bad idea.