Frustration over LAC's

carolyn
Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:18:37 +0000

If it helps any, both of my kids went through the same thing with their guidance counselors. The truth is, LAC’s aren’t on the radar of most people, so if you feel the LAC experience is right for you, get used to having to explain why (or, just laugh off the blank stares).

I think that, to a certain extent, guidance counselors and high schools like to claim bragging rights to getting kids into the impressive and well-known name schools. When they see a well-qualified kid who wants to head in a different direction, they can’t help feeling a bit of sadness over losing the possible bragging rights.

However, I strongly agree with JohnWesley: this is YOUR college experience, YOUR life, and YOUR education. Your guidance counselor likely will never see or speak to you again after graduation. YOU are in the driver’s seat when it comes to your future.

It doesn’t hurt to consider the opinions of other people, and check out some of your counselor’s recommendations. I will caution you, however, that you’ll get a lot of pressure to attend “Top University XYZ” if you apply and get in. I have seen kids bowing to that pressure, and turning down schools that were perfect for them, because of the “Well, it’s Harvard/Yale/Stanford” syndrome that goes something like this"Yes, I know that Oberlin/Pomona/Amherst are perfect for me but, well, I also got into Harvard/Yale/Stanford and well, it’s Harvard/Yale/Stanford — how can I turn them down?"

Bottomline: consider all options and recommendations, but ultimately, trust your gut instinct about what path is right for you. That goes for LIFE as well as college. :)