Forgive me for not reading through all the responses, but just adding that my daughter was in this position last year with a hurting heart about the whole admissions process and unexcited about options. The first thing I'd say is that the college admissions process continues to not just feel random but also to be BONKERS. And please do ignore people harping on GPA and parents puffing themselves up for their children's grades.

After visiting IU Bloomington, my daughter fell in love with the campus, and she's had an incredible year. Quintessential college town, people from more parts of the country than I'd expected, great school spirit that extends far beyond the college years. (There are active IU alumni groups in the DMV.) Lots of kids go abroad, and there are targeted programs for that according to school.

It's also worth looking into *minoring* in the business school. Getting into Kelley if you're not a DA is really really hard, and they've done some not so great last-minute changing of expectations and requirements after overadmitting last year (which I wouldn't surprise if that continues to happen). Lots of kids actually end up happier in O'Neill or the Media School; they can still take classes in Kelley.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but my kid is having a hard time as well. They are lukewarm about all their options.

I know it’s first world problems, but how can I support them in making the best choice as a parent?

Have them visit some low-ranked local colleges to make them see how good their options are.

Seriously! Not seeing the issue here.

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but my kid is having a hard time as well. They are lukewarm about all their options.

I know it’s first world problems, but how can I support them in making the best choice as a parent?

Have them visit some low-ranked local colleges to make them see how good their options are.

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but my kid is having a hard time as well. They are lukewarm about all their options.

I know it’s first world problems, but how can I support them in making the best choice as a parent?

Help them learn as much as possible about the top choices. Visit. Talk to current students. Think through school calendar and travel. Talk about cost differences. Research likely majors at each place.

Not OP but my kid is having a hard time as well. They are lukewarm about all their options.

I know it’s first world problems, but how can I support them in making the best choice as a parent?

Picking a college is hard. It not about being spoiled.

It’s a hard decision. What you study and where may determine your future.

Anonymous wrote:All of these schools are great choices. Why did she even apply to them if she wouldn't be happy attending? So spoiled.

Because she knew she couldn’t get into more competitive colleges, and she didn’t want to take a gap here or go to community college, or get a job. They were the least worst option. I don’t blame her, she’s just a high school kid and doesn’t really know what she wants.

All of these schools are great choices. Why did she even apply to them if she wouldn't be happy attending? So spoiled.

Anonymous wrote:OP appears to be long gone.

I don’t know that we need OP to keep replying. They got some good advice and insight, now OP’s kid will need to sit with the options and make a decision. I do hope OP eventually returns to let us know what the student decided.

Anonymous wrote:It would be helpful to know what schools rejected OP's kid and whether any of them were her "dream" school.

This.

What outcome was she expecting? I think Indiana and Michigan State are both good outcomes for her grades and test score (or lack thereof). Is she waiting for more results in the regular round?

It would be helpful to know what schools rejected OP's kid and whether any of them were her "dream" school.

OP appears to be long gone.

My kid has had an amazing experience at Indiana U. Nice group of kids and all employed in this terrible job market. Tons of school spirit esp with recent football success. Give it a look!