<p>I’m actually associated with admissions for a different college. I wholeheartedly agree with Alamemom’s approach. There is no way to “hide” assets in such a way as to lower exposure which is why so many colleges are using CSS and asking for actual copies of tax returns, and a form that allows them to get a copy directly from the IRS (for those of you thinking of fudging and amending at a later date).</p>
<p>Still - our process was this. She identified her choice of colleges. USC has been at the top of the list since she met them sophomore year at a college fair. She worked with her college counselor to identify others. Our issue was trickier because the schools had to offer film production as an option. She included a few reaches, some attainable and some safeties based on grades and scores and her school’s historical admissions rates as shown on the Naviance system. The schools asked us if there were any schools missing and as parents we added two.</p>
<p>Of the thirteen finalists, she applied to nine she felt she’d be happy attending.</p>
<p>Our criterian in order:</p>
<ol>
<li>Happy, healthy and fulfilled - how well the campus environment fit her needs and personality.</li>
<li>Fit - how she got along with other students in the degree program, similar interests, spark.</li>
<li>Budget although part of the equation wasn’t going to be the primary determining factor.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>Yes - there are a lot of colleges out there, and more than one place to get a great education. But it depends on the degree program the student wants. Not all schools will be equally comparable in terms of ancillary access to resources. </p>
<p>My feeling is - if a student is going to spend 4 years of their life at college, it should be at the most challenging place they can “afford.” and would thrive at. I have run into families who chose financials over “fit” and the students were miserable because the campus wasn’t a place where they could thrive. If colleges were interchangeable, our D was eligible for a full-ride locally. But we knew she wasn’t going to get the same intellectual stimulation there.</p>
<p>So have financial discussions now is good. We started early in high school mentally preparing her (and us) for the new reality at the top ranked schools and what “meets need” really means (limited merit, a lot of loans)</p>