OP's heart is in the right place; even one app fee of $100 is a lot of money to most families. 7 in 10 American families don't have $1000 to blow: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2016/10/09/savings-study/91083712/

That said, they won't listen to you. Stupid is as stupid does.

As long as she has a safety school in there that she would be happy attending, it's their money to spend on application fees.

I have a son with mostly As and a few Bs. His SAT scores were good, but not spectacular.
He played football all 4 years and did no other extracurriculars.
I can't tell you how many people in the past six months, when talking to him about college, told him how "uninteresting" he was.
It's an incredibly hurtful thing to say to a teen. And mean. Cruel.
Mind your business. The kid will find his way like every other kid, without your "help".

You sound jealous. Kind of like you think she won't get in, but you're sweating the slight chance she will. The issues here are deeper than just the applications, I dare say.

Why do you care? could be a good lesson for the child either way ... leave it alone. Not your money, your kid, or your business.

It doesn't hurt anything for her to apply. It would likely hurt a lot for you to discourage her.

Anonymous wrote:"Not a national merit semifinalist" = "mediocre"?

I think op was just trying to clarify that the girl's scores would not qualify her for Harvard. I assume, along with op, that a Harvard admit would have scores high enough for National Merit finalist status. That was true even way back when I was applying, when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harvard looks for geographic diversity. She might be a stronger candidate than you think. Regardless, MYOB.

Where did OP say the girl lives in a geographically diverse state?

I must have missed that.

FYI...The girl lives in Pennsylvania

Anonymous wrote:Harvard looks for geographic diversity. She might be a stronger candidate than you think. Regardless, MYOB.

Where did OP say the girl lives in a geographically diverse state?

I must have missed that.

Anonymous wrote:"Not a national merit semifinalist" = "mediocre"?

Apparently if you are not in the top one half of one percent of PSAT takers, you are mediocre nowadays. Who knew?

Anonymous wrote:I think at best you can suggest schools you think would be a good fit for her personality and stats, especially if they are schools the family might not be familiar with.

+1 Just throw in a few schools that you think would be a good fit for her and that she has a decent chance of getting into.

If they are spending $1000 on apps they might have some safety schools included in the mix already.

"Not a national merit semifinalist" = "mediocre"?

I think at best you can suggest schools you think would be a good fit for her personality and stats, especially if they are schools the family might not be familiar with.

Your guidance will not be appreciated. Let it go and wait for March results.

Anonymous wrote:Harvard looks for geographic diversity. She might be a stronger candidate than you think. Regardless, MYOB.

lets call this for what it is.

geographic affirmative action.

and it needs to go away.