Don't go into debt for undergrad at a school you can't afford. Stay debt free and choose a college that is strong in the major you want, and a college that values YOU. Find the best fit for you and your abilities and your goals that is within your price range.

I am always astounded at reading about kids that apply to every single Ivy - as if all of them are the same - because they are overly concerned with attending a "prestige" university, rather than one that will fit their own unique abilities and goals. And worse, the ones that go into extreme debt to do so.

You don't die if you don't go to Harvard-Yale-Princeton.

You can transfer.

"C's" earn degrees.

Anonymous wrote:Find a college your kid can get into and feels good about.

Expect that the first year will be a big adjustment. It is harder to get settled than it was when we went. Kids stay connected to their old friends and so it takes longer to make the new ones.

This is interesting. I hadn't thought about the fact freshman aren't forced to connect, because they can stay connected to their high school friends.

Anonymous wrote:Do you regret the choice your dc made? Do they regret it? Or did it work out okay?

It all works out ok;

Reaches are just that, reaches. Very few across the country make that reach. If your child isnone, recognize they won the crapshoot (many others are just as qualified, really)

Some of what you think are targets are actually reaches (really)

Make sure you're safety schools are schools your child is wanting and willing to attend, because very few make it in to a reach, and many schools you think are targets are reaches.

We have one attending their safety, one at their top choice (top 30 school), and one still in HS. Will be thrilled when we are done with college admissions

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, after five years of college, you should know that “a lot” is two words.

You don't get the real world. My brother is a multi-millionaire who would make that same mistake. Or add e at the end of the word potato. Getting into a liberal college doesn't guarantee success. It's much more than that. Many innovative self-thinkers didn't attend ivy league schools, in fact, some were drop-outs. It's what you do after college that counts, how you manage your money, and how successful your personal relationships are.

This is the truth.

Anonymous wrote:Go to the best college u can get into and can afford. In terms of peer network, respect for the college in the eyes of others, and opportunities yes it has worked out well.

We disagree with this common advice. The best college DC got into that we could afford ended up being a terrible fit; the college he wanted that was a little less 'known' was perfect. Happy, successful young man. That's the goal in our house.

I studied criminal justice and work in social services. The college I attended was low ranking but I had a full ride. Going into debt to get an entry level social work/ human services job is a really bad idea. I knew that at 18. A lot of my friends went into debt and work retail. Some even look down on me because I went to a low ranking college.

Find a college your kid can get into and feels good about.

Expect that the first year will be a big adjustment. It is harder to get settled than it was when we went. Kids stay connected to their old friends and so it takes longer to make the new ones.

Anonymous wrote:Go to the best college u can get into and can afford. In terms of peer network, respect for the college in the eyes of others, and opportunities yes it has worked out well.

I assume this is the path that you chose?

Anonymous wrote:Also, after five years of college, you should know that “a lot” is two words.

You don't get the real world. My brother is a multi-millionaire who would make that same mistake. Or add e at the end of the word potato. Getting into a liberal college doesn't guarantee success. It's much more than that. Many innovative self-thinkers didn't attend ivy league schools, in fact, some were drop-outs. It's what you do after college that counts, how you manage your money, and how successful your personal relationships are.