Anonymous
01/14/2026 12:25
Subject: Re:Just so stressed in this climate
I feel stressed and sad because my junior kid puts a lot of pressure on himself. He has a few family friends’ kids that are seniors now and they are all ‘high stars’ and headed to Ivy and Ivy plus schools that they got into ED and REA etc. He feels like he would be a disappointment if he can’t get that too. We try to tell him it is ok but the kids at his school constantly go on and on about this too. So I feel bad.
Anonymous
01/14/2026 12:21
Subject: Just so stressed in this climate
Anonymous wrote:I just have a perfectly nice regular kid. Not a stellar athlete nor a drama maven nor a superstar all APs academic - just a regular old good kid.
I am feeling just - tense - with so much college noise. Hooked/unhooked, legacy, etc etc - just - it's all so much. I do not remember it being this way when I was growing up. I'd been coming to this board and just seeing the posts make me feel geared up. Is anyone else feeling like me? I wouldn't call my kid "awesomely average" (I know that's a Facebook group) but just not like - "special" in the way it feels like you need to be now either? Like he's just a well-rounded kid who does some clubs, plays a sport at a decent but not standout level, and is nice with plenty of friends? Where are these parents, where are my people?
Your people are not on Dcum. Your kid will be fine, could go to their instate flagship or second or 3rd instate option, or to any number of T30-75 private or publics. Or T20-40 LACs. They will find many other above average 1200-1350 SAT level kids there and have a path to jobs or grad school. The rat race to elite/ivy that the 1450s chase and the 1550s own is not for most kids or parents. Ignore it.
Anonymous
01/14/2026 12:12
Subject: Just so stressed in this climate
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My neighborhood (typical UMC) publishes these graduation announcements every year, and the vast majority of the high school grads, who I know to be good, nice kids with typical teen activities and good grades (even the ones in AP classes) do not go to "top" universities. They go to good schools that are a good fit for them. I think it is only stressful if you're setting your sights on low acceptance schools when they not a good fit.
The enrollment cliff is here, and except for the very tippy top ranks, most colleges in this country will be very eager to enroll students.
Your neighborhood does this? Why?
Ick. Cringe.
Anonymous
01/14/2026 12:10
Subject: Just so stressed in this climate
Anonymous wrote:My neighborhood (typical UMC) publishes these graduation announcements every year, and the vast majority of the high school grads, who I know to be good, nice kids with typical teen activities and good grades (even the ones in AP classes) do not go to "top" universities. They go to good schools that are a good fit for them. I think it is only stressful if you're setting your sights on low acceptance schools when they not a good fit.
The enrollment cliff is here, and except for the very tippy top ranks, most colleges in this country will be very eager to enroll students.
Your neighborhood does this? Why?
Anonymous
01/14/2026 11:27
Subject: Just so stressed in this climate
My neighborhood (typical UMC) publishes these graduation announcements every year, and the vast majority of the high school grads, who I know to be good, nice kids with typical teen activities and good grades (even the ones in AP classes) do not go to "top" universities. They go to good schools that are a good fit for them. I think it is only stressful if you're setting your sights on low acceptance schools when they not a good fit.
The enrollment cliff is here, and except for the very tippy top ranks, most colleges in this country will be very eager to enroll students.
The enrollment cliff is here, and except for the very tippy top ranks, most colleges in this country will be very eager to enroll students.
Anonymous
01/14/2026 10:46
Subject: Just so stressed in this climate
I also have an average kid who is awesome! Her grades are a mix from C to A. We see her do the work and are ok with that. Participates in ECs she loves. AND she is happy and kind kid.
We are also psyched about the GMU auto admit program. She should have no trouble meeting that GPA. Since GMU is practically in our backyard, we would prefer she spread her wings and go else where BUT to have that admit right at the start of Sr year means she can go to college and will cut the admission craziness in half!
We are also psyched about the GMU auto admit program. She should have no trouble meeting that GPA. Since GMU is practically in our backyard, we would prefer she spread her wings and go else where BUT to have that admit right at the start of Sr year means she can go to college and will cut the admission craziness in half!
Anonymous
01/14/2026 10:45
Subject: Just so stressed in this climate
I have an average kid and a standard strong. Average so much easier! There's a list of 50 great schools they can get into NP. No lottery. No luck
Anonymous
01/14/2026 10:43
Subject: Just so stressed in this climate
Anonymous wrote:I just have a perfectly nice regular kid. Not a stellar athlete nor a drama maven nor a superstar all APs academic - just a regular old good kid.
I am feeling just - tense - with so much college noise. Hooked/unhooked, legacy, etc etc - just - it's all so much. I do not remember it being this way when I was growing up. I'd been coming to this board and just seeing the posts make me feel geared up. Is anyone else feeling like me? I wouldn't call my kid "awesomely average" (I know that's a Facebook group) but just not like - "special" in the way it feels like you need to be now either? Like he's just a well-rounded kid who does some clubs, plays a sport at a decent but not standout level, and is nice with plenty of friends? Where are these parents, where are my people?
As long as you are expecting a top 40 university, you will have plenty options. The college process is first about whether or not your child will be accepted. The next part is the price. Will it be doable. You have to look into both parts.
Kid 2 has grades that are ok or as the kids say "mid". That takes some options off the table. No way are we paying sticker for Kentucky or Bama. He applied to a lot of regional publics and some less competitive SLAC that are known for merit. He has numerous options in the low 30's. If you are reasonable, you will have lots of options.
Anonymous
01/14/2026 10:26
Subject: Just so stressed in this climate
Anonymous wrote:I just have a perfectly nice regular kid. Not a stellar athlete nor a drama maven nor a superstar all APs academic - just a regular old good kid.
I am feeling just - tense - with so much college noise. Hooked/unhooked, legacy, etc etc - just - it's all so much. I do not remember it being this way when I was growing up. I'd been coming to this board and just seeing the posts make me feel geared up. Is anyone else feeling like me? I wouldn't call my kid "awesomely average" (I know that's a Facebook group) but just not like - "special" in the way it feels like you need to be now either? Like he's just a well-rounded kid who does some clubs, plays a sport at a decent but not standout level, and is nice with plenty of friends? Where are these parents, where are my people?
I have an "average" kid, probably a lot like yours. Doesn't play a sport, not much in the way of ECs, works a part-time job after school.
So far, she's been accepted to GMU, ODU, CNU, UMW, Radford and Longwood, some of them with merit $. Wants to study business and is happy with the choices she has.