Orientation - Parents Still in 'competitive' mode

apple17
Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:52:08 +0000

We just got home from my son’s orientation and I cannot believe the amount of energy that parents had about ‘where did your kids apply’ / ‘where did they get accepted’. I thought we were past that. They were also very into talking about how smart their kids are. At one point, at a lunch table, when they turned to me, I simply said that perhaps my son didn’t fit in with all their brilliant kids (apparently their kids never studied, were all valedictorians, have patents, etc.). I know that’s probably inappropriate, but geez oh man, we’re supposed to be about getting ready to launch our kids into college, the selection process is done. I’m busy reading ‘Letting Go’ and figuring out my life after he leaves.

Also, I learned that many students still were unclear as to where they were going to college. Several had ‘double deposited’ or were waiting on ‘wait lists’. I didn’t get into whose decision it was to delay the process (student or parents), but it sure seems to me that this would make it even more difficult for the student to transition to college.

Have others had this experience? When we go back for the drop-off and the parents reception, any advice on what to say when this comes up again?

FYI, this is a college that is probably listed on USNWR in the #40 - #60 range, not one of ‘the best of the best’ but not a slouch either.