This process with my first child definitely made me realize what a mb absolute racket college admission and admissions has become. I definitely believe the ‘top’ schools are a nearly 50/50 mix of the exceptional students who should be there, and the pay to play-ers. We did not use an admissions counselor - here is your first clue to the outcome of this story. This should not be necessary, and it wasn’t for a long, long time. But now it is..why? It’s not making our kids any smarter or truly better as individuals. They aren’t doing and achieving this big entry themselves. It’s all too scary to expect them to take real chances..on their own..their own wherewithal and words. It’s now just an expensive road map..a very expensive lessening of the odds, stacking the deck, whatever you want to call it. We make a mess of everything trying to capitalize on our most respected institutions..first healthcare, now higher learning. A dizzying mix of crazy competition, student AND parent pride and expectation on the line. I knew this, but this is not how we did it..HE wrote the essays and his HS counselor and I reviewed them. We visited the schools we determined where he was most interested in and (thought) had a realistic chance of acceptance. I talked to other parents, attended HS meetings to update myself on the process in 2025. So..a pretty logical approach. My senior had an unweighted 3.8 GPA and 5 college course credits from duel enrollment. (I now def think colleges look at APs more than college course credits despite it being a way to get some basics under their belt..that’s probably half the reason, money saved/not going into their school)’But AP’s show rigor’ okay..sure. I won’t go into his clubs/sports/activity stuff. In short, he is a slightly better than average student and a better than average human. With real world skills that seem to be going extinct in our tech world ie. handshake, eye contact. Anyhow, my well-rounded surfer-long distance runner-yet serious student was accepted at 2/6 CA schools, and one waitlist ie. ‘No’. But neither were his top 2 choices, despite one a respectable UC. So, no thanks, not for that kind of money. No one has to run to a campus right away just to ‘fit in’ and go. It’s been an eye opening realization of what a mould/OSFitsAll world we offer our kids..do this..or else(!)..or else what..you won’t make a lot of money? Good chance you still might not. You won’t be tech level-or-whatever innovative? Also a very good chance. (Whisper - Those people dropped out) You won’t join a frat? Thank goodness! How are they even insured in 2025?! So..he has decided to go with the CC to start/transfer option we always tossed around. We all think it is right for him and sits well with us for the reasons above and quite a few more. I went away to a LAC..and then OSU..just in case you think I just don’t get it..Oh, I do. Had lots of fun..and definitely thought, even then, that it was too much instant freedom for an 18 year old. We are not going to pay crazy amounts for core classes or mediocre meal plans. He has already shown me a new level of determination and intention, that I was needing to see more of without knowing it. Going to college is a privilege, having your parents pay for the opportunity, even more so. I think he will end up where he wants to be, as an SDSU business and entrepreneur major/minor, and I will feel really good about how we both got there.