Been here since the summer before S1’s junior year (2006). Don’t go on the college threads much any more because whatever I knew then has become outdated, but hang out here on the Cafe. LOTS of good chat and advice here. Have met about 20 CCers IRL by now.
I was obsessively checking the admissions thread for D’s top choice, though less so now. Still I’m here. I’ve already wondered what I’ll do with all the spare time and energy once this process is over. It reminds me of planning for a big (and very expensive) vacation. I love the “research” part and reading the thorough answers here.
My D 17 and hubby found CC when they were researching D’s colleges. I stared reading CC when she was accepted ( talking about late arrival)!!! D and hubby have moved on to other things. I am still here, checking it often including while waiting (in line for anything).
I like the fact that I can learn about many other things besides colleges. People here are generous with their knowledge. I tell myself I have a good “reason” to hang around here many more years since D wants to go for
a Ph D.
I typically learn something new every single day on CC. I also rarely visit the college boards anymore. I mainly stick to the Cafe, and occasionally the Parent Forum.
I lurked for awhile, then joined in January of 2009. D was a HS senior at the time but due to ED was already accepted. S graduated college this year, so my kids have aged out- but not me. Like others here I mostly post in the cafe.
I do miss a number of long time posters who are no longer active here.
Oh…so addicted. I keep it off my phone to avoid wasting even more time. My kids are almost 30 and 34. Most here seem to have a wide ranging curiosity and knowledge base, so there is always something to learn and these sorts of discussion are hard to find IRL on a regular basis. The real life connections that have resulted are immensely enriching.
ha ha @“great lakes mom” I am TOTALLY keeping it off my phone. In doing that I’m going to pretend that I’m not TOTALLY addicted ; )
As for meeting CCers IRL, not there yet, but I definitely wish I was able to give all the homesick, lonely freshman working through being away for the first time and struggling with making friends the biggest hugs…
I think some people came to CC to help their kids get into college, then stuck around to get them into grad school, and now are probably hanging around waiting to help their grandkids when they apply to college.
I’ve learned really important stuff on CC, such as the existence of ABLE accounts for disabled people (the funds in these accounts do not account as assets for people on Social Security). I set up an ABLE account for my son and it’s helped him feel much more secure! And then another user, a doctor, gave me advice not to get a procedure recommended by my PCP. In the past, I would have just done anything the PCP suggested. This time, I asked the doctor to refer me to a sports medicine doctor, who agreed that the procedure was not necessary! So CC saved me a lot of money.
I joined in 2009 for S. The family knows that much of my information comes from the Parent Cafe.
We bought a car recently because my question here resulted in a specific car that I don’t think we would have truly considered otherwise. Such interesting people.
I just looked at my post # — now how did that happen. ?
Living in a rural somewhat remote area, I find it very helpful to hear varied opinions. I’ve been here since 2010. (When I changed my password it was impossible to login with out accessing an obsolete email I used in 2010 to register, hence the rockymtnhigh2.) That said, I don’t use it waiting in line as much as reading at the end of the day for enjoyment. I too am addicted. I also have H say ‘ask your CC friends about it’. Have not met IRL yet but I am hopeful some day that will happen.
Um, in about 1999 when my kid1 was in HS I was reading the Princeton Review forum (talk about snark) and CC was nascent, with very few posters, I checked it now & again, but by about 2003/4 it had really taken off to be incredibly helpful. My kids did not always take the usual path and I found great resources to help with all their pursuits; I stuck around to give back for a while, but it’s the parent forum which is my favorite. I’ve met a few CCers and am online friends outside of CC with a dozen posters.
This makes me feel better b/c I thought I might have a problem. 
Well, at least if you do have a problem, you’re in good company.
:-h me too!