90 percent of parents choose their kids' colleges on the web

[MiamiDAP]

"It took YEARS of research? And there are fewer Med schools than UG"
-You missunderstood. It took at least couple of years to research UGs.

Med. School research was close to nothing, maybe couple days the most, it is all based on primarily on their stats, college GPA/MCAT score and then they apply having 50% chance of success in mind, pretty straight forward..

[MiamiDAP]

Oh, my process was very complicated because D. was planning to apply to very selective programs that have to be found to begin with as lists are not kept updated. That alone took a while. It is as complicated as you want it to be. I had fun, I was not sure at all if D. will use my list. She happened to like it, she could have refused, it did not matter to me, it was primarily a game on my part. I was so proud though when we talked to her counselor. I knew so much more, he started looking at me with very unsure eye, asking for the names of programs.....I was feeling as a pro.

[momreads]

When my oldest son started getting lots of National Merit offers with big scholarship money, I spent plenty of time researching universities and what opportunities they offered. Since the economy was tanking (October 2008), we instructed our son that he needed one financial safety in case other schools, namely the Ivies (which he researched), did not work out. He ended up at the financial safety and has done so well, had lots of opportunities for additional scholarship monies and chances to research and travel abroad.

My younger son is a HS junior. He wants to attend the same school as his brother, but I instructed him to seek options. We've toured three schools, and he liked all three. We have plans to see a few more in the spring and summer. He has never had a list per se. He just wants a big school with good football. Like I said, we'll be seeking options.

[MiamiDAP]

^Yes, the same, D. was on full tuition Merit and she was not even NM finalist or anything like that, but all schools that she applied offerred her substantial Merit, including one private.

[dansmoaustin]

Parents are doing most of the research because they have more time. My junior son is so buried with school work, ECs (primarily varsity sports) and test prep, that he has very little time left for college research. I told him to give me some basic parameters ie size, location, etc and that I could at least do the busy work and then he could start narrowing it down. If it wasn't for the internet, this would be so much more work. Our challenge: he is 17 and yes....its true, he does not know what he wants to be yet. Makes the college search a little more interesting.

[nwcrazy]

Although it's a long ways away, when the time comes, I'll let my child pick a school, as long as it's between Stanford and Caltech

[ecouter11]

Interesting article. I'm in the same boat somewhat as llazar in that my parents really don't care about 'finding' schools for me. They are happy to finance things that help my education but they don't play much of a role in this. They expect me to apply, get in places and choose. We haven't gone on college visits, namely because of our location and nor do I expect to visit until getting admitted.

That being said, they will probably influence my decision somewhat. My mom doesn't really think too much of the value of campus visits because she thinks that if I get into places I like, I'll be happy one way or the other an admit weekends aren't exactly like the real deal. I think there's some truth to it but I don't 100% agree.

[lexi418]

My parents have never really contributed to the decision making process at all, even though finances are a pretty big deal for us. I guess they just figured I'd figure it all out on my own. The only they have done is tell me where NOT to go, which really isn't that helpful. I suppose it could be cultural too, considering my mom is from a different country and only came to the US after getting a full ride to grad school.

I do my own research and take advantage of college prep at school and online. I think I've exhausted just about every major college planning site out there. haha. The good thing is I have found schools that match everything that I want; even though my parents might object to some factors of the schools I pick out, I know that I have at least found the things that work best for me, which is ultimately what matters.

[charlieschm]

I'm always amazed at colleges that are not widely known mailing out postcards and one page letters that tell you almost nothing about their college. Some even intentionally seem to hide their location. Why waste the postage? If you are going to contact people, at least tell them something about why your college is unique.

[scoop85]

I've done the significant portion of the research for my daughter, who really deferred to me. I started with the Fiske guide to get some baseline ideas, then turned to the internet for further refinement. Daughter has a lengthy list, but she'll make final decision.

[SerenityJade]

My parents left it up to me to find the college I wanted to go to...

[toledo]

I'm always amazed at colleges that are not widely known mailing out postcards and one page letters that tell you almost nothing about their college

I totally agree with you, charlieschm. We're being bombarded with "apply now" postcards, but never got a decent brochure or even a decent picture of the campus.

[2PathsMom]

To quote my students, DUH,YEAH! I am involved. I pay, I play. It is a family decision as the choice of a college and the financial costs will affect everyone in the household and everyone's lifestyle. Considering the cost of colleges today, even the cat should be permitted a vote as she may end up eating a cheaper cat food.

[charlieschm]

There is nothing wrong with a parent doing much of the research on colleges - as long as it is a continual INTERACTIVE process with the student.

What did you like about that college we visited? What didn't you like? How important is X to you? How important is Y? How about if we visit college Z, which is very good for X?

[Sophia7X]

My mom doesn't even know where I'm applying to.