<p>Although it’s in my nature to obsess about things, I didn’t want that to bleed over onto my son and ruin HIS experience. As a result, I churned away in my own little world, learning lots about the process and options, but more to satisfy my curiosity and to be available as an educated support person.</p>
<p>I decided to hire a well regarded consultant to shepherd him through the process. They communicated via email and Skype. She did three things. She helped him find great fit schools. She guided him through the application process. Most importantly, she kept me from being the “heavy” (“is your essay done?” “have you done your SAT prep?” “when is the deadline for college X.” Etc.). She was a very experienced, properly detached, unemotional guide. Most parents aren’t.</p>
<p>If you’d like her name, PM me.</p>
<p>As a side note, there are three types of consultants out there, the mom or dad that took a kid or two through the process and now fancy themselves as experts, the consultant that will promise to get your kid into an Ivy and the consultant that fully assesses the student to guide them towards schools where they will thrive and be happy. Stay away from the first two.</p>