Immediate PP here -- just want to add that much of the information you'll need to start putting together a list of schools won't be available to you until mid-way through junior year. This includes SAT scores and junior year grades -- critical factors in determining your child's range of schools.

I have to disagree with the last PP. Every family is different, but we have gone through the college application process 3 times, each time starting junior year. Each of our 3 kids was accepted at his first-choice school in the early round. The folks who started earlier just seemed to prolong the stress, with no better results. In most cases kids -- even very good students who are mature for their age -- are really not ready to think about this in a productive way until junior year.

Maybe you're worried about this a little early but you're wise to stay on top of the college admissions process. I wish we had started looking at schools freshman year (while on vacation or visiting friends/family). Starting the college search process Junior year is a mistake. The process (applying, testing, interviewing, early decision vs regular decision) has become way too time-consuming to wait until that time.

What's a lifetime member of an alumni association? Doesn't that apply to anyone who graduates?

I think small donations won't hurt, and I believe in giving back to the colleges/schools that provided me with the opportunity the get where I am, but doubt that a couple of hundred will make a real difference in admissions. I'd focus on your child's education instead.

Legacies are a controversial issue in higher education and very few policy makers believe that there will be any legacy preference once your child is old enough to apply for college.

I've heard it rumored that legacies don't matter at UVA. (IDK whether this is true or not. It sounds unlikely, but there may not be a space on the application that asks the question. Easy enough to check online.) Donating a few $ each year will establish an ongoing relationship with the school and make them take a look. I would do it. Every little bit helps. DC may not choose to go there or even to apply, but to keep that option available, if it helps, I would. In the worst case, you are supporting a school which helped you and DH get your educations, which isn't a bad thing, right?