<p>@Power4good + @Pootie,</p>
<p>I am a bit puzzled by your opion that parents should stay out of the process… I did that with my first child… he wanted none of my help whatsoever… and looking back, I should have had my hands(and feet lol) in every aspect. There are issues with FA/the ability to select classes etc… just to name a few things that he now faces. He demanded total independence and trust me… it is showing…how can we as parents expect 17 year old kids to make such a huge decision on their own? How can we expect teenagers to figure out the FA/scholarship gauntlet without our assistance? Especially when coming from a 1st generation/single parent household… I think the stakes are even higher. My gut told me to be more involved… but I wanted to give him a sense of independence… and now, looking back… thats BOLOGNA!</p>
<p>Last year, when DD14 was a freshman, I began to compile a folder of scholarships, we have begun to visit colleges and I have become well read on the college admissions process. And stumbinling upon CC has been a Godsend…DD14 will be in a better position in 20 months when she is able to fill out the commom app on 8/1/13. I have learned so much from the people who also frequent this site. </p>
<p>I do believe that there are kids out there who are completely autonomous in the college admissions process…but I believe that most are not. And parents who arm themselves with information are better able to assist their student with the knowledge they require.</p>