I agree with much of what’s already been said, but I’ll add my perspective, having gone through this with both an athlete and a non-athlete.
First, have fun with the process and make it as long or as short as you want. I truly enjoyed traveling the country with my girls and exploring campuses. For us, sports opened doors to places we may never have visited otherwise — a wonderful side benefit.

It’s true: your child is probably not as unique or exceptional in the admissions process as you think. That’s not a knock on them — there are simply a lot of highly motivated and talented kids out there, especially in this area. Coaches and admissions officers can be brutally honest. In the end, they will land where they are meant to be. Don’t get caught up comparing your child to others.

If you can afford it, consider hiring a reputable college counselor by the end of sophomore year. They can help keep your child motivated and on track, and manage the many moving pieces of the process. Let your child take the lead — with guidance from the counselor — and try to step back.

Have open conversations early about what you can afford without relying on financial aid, since aid is never guaranteed. Overpromising only sets your child up for disappointment.

Most of all, have fun and savor the experience. It goes by quickly.

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is also going into 8th, and I started looking at this sub when thinking about college savings. I also work at a state flagship, so I have some general interest in colleges. The main takeaway I have gotten (from both this board and my job) is - the cost benefit analysis has changed a lot since I went to college in 2000.

I grew up in a prestige-focused NY burb, and it was a no brainer you would attend the highest rank school you got into. I now live in the midwest, where our flagship is decidedly mediocre, but plenty of bright and talented kids attend anyway. After they graduate, their parents can pay for their grad school or a down payment or new car and basically just launch them comfortably into the world. There is little need to get caught up in "prestige." Also - tuition prices have dramatically outpaced inflation. If you are in the "donut hole," it is really tough to justify a 90K/year school over a 50K or less school. 25 years ago, the math was different.

How so?

25 years ago no one was chasing prestige. Ivy acceptance rate was in 40% range, everyone went to their state flagships.

Bingham at that time had a real pipeline to Wall Street, sent droves.

Chill out. There are thousands of college choices. Your time and energy is much better spent teaching your child study habits and how to write well since public school really doesn’t do either.

My oldest is also going into 8th, and I started looking at this sub when thinking about college savings. I also work at a state flagship, so I have some general interest in colleges. The main takeaway I have gotten (from both this board and my job) is - the cost benefit analysis has changed a lot since I went to college in 2000.

I grew up in a prestige-focused NY burb, and it was a no brainer you would attend the highest rank school you got into. I now live in the midwest, where our flagship is decidedly mediocre, but plenty of bright and talented kids attend anyway. After they graduate, their parents can pay for their grad school or a down payment or new car and basically just launch them comfortably into the world. There is little need to get caught up in "prestige." Also - tuition prices have dramatically outpaced inflation. If you are in the "donut hole," it is really tough to justify a 90K/year school over a 50K or less school. 25 years ago, the math was different.

DCUM is probably the least informed forum when it comes to college applications. It’s full of bigotry, disinformation and copium. It’s okay to come here for entertainment but you’ll be a fool to believe anything pushed by posters and probably deserve any outcome.

College admissions landscape changes very quickly. A couple years ago everyone believed that the standardized test was over, college board would go bankcrupt. This year it is shifting back.

Anonymous wrote:DD is a student-athlete entering 8th grade at a DMV public school. Will be public for HS as well. Currently 4.0 (but it’s middle school…). Started having general convos about college and been to a few campuses, but a lot has changed since I did it as a student. Looking for any advice you wish someone shared about the current process. TIA!

Your "high stats" are a dime a dozen for the top 50 schools. Don't be presumptuous and have a balanced list.

Don't believe a lot of what you read by posters on this board.

The only reason to get you DC interested in colleges before 9th grade is if they are a poor student who needs motivation.

Anonymous wrote:My rising 8th grader is also an athlete travels around the us for tournaments. She’s not interested in playing in college, but the tournaments provide opportunities to walk through nearby campuses. We checked out all 3 schools around Raleigh. Easy, no stress way to introduce campus differences to get a feel of big/small, urban/suburban, etc.

We did this a lot in high school during soccer tournaments - big, small, city, rural to get a general sense. Made a few targeted trips during junior spring break and summer. Was very helpful.

Dcum advice to apply rolling to Pitt also very helpful to work out kinks and jumpstart process. Also did mcgill and a handful EA along with REA. Worked on common app essay during junior summer. Went through many many drafts and took time. Supplementals are a separate beast!

To treat the college admissions message boards as entertainment and not a reputable source of information.

Anonymous wrote:DD is a student-athlete entering 8th grade at a DMV public school. Will be public for HS as well. Currently 4.0 (but it’s middle school…). Started having general convos about college and been to a few campuses, but a lot has changed since I did it as a student. Looking for any advice you wish someone shared about the current process. TIA!

In 5 years, the "current process" may not be relevant. In short, it is too early to focus on college admissions for you & your 13 year old child.

Anonymous wrote:HS is a long road. Don't get your kid hyperventilating about colleges in MS.

Ban the phrase 'dream school' from your vocabulary. Encourage your kid to figure out their own interests, skills, and preferences over time.

And yes, budget. Absolutely critical.

This

I found this very helpful
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1251044.page

My rising 8th grader is also an athlete travels around the us for tournaments. She’s not interested in playing in college, but the tournaments provide opportunities to walk through nearby campuses. We checked out all 3 schools around Raleigh. Easy, no stress way to introduce campus differences to get a feel of big/small, urban/suburban, etc.