<p>The stakes are too high to put all this solely on the shoulders of a 17 year old kid, who is already completely maxed out trying to keep up with test scores, gpa, ec’s, community service, etc., etc., etc. Plus, this is clerical work, not some noble enterprise that is going to teach the kids ethics and leadership for the future.</p>
<p>I tracked all the college deadlines and paperwork stuff for my son. Yes, whenever possible I made sure HE contacted the teachers and guidance counselors. But I was handing him the papers on the way out the door and reminding him who to talk to, and when necessary I talked to the counselor. </p>
<p>HE did the schoolwork, the essays, the classes, the EC’s, the community service, the leadership activities, the test scores, the gpa, the college selection.</p>
<p>I cleared the runway, put the gas in the plane, and tossed him the keys. He flew.</p>