Should Parents or Students Make the Decision?

123mama
Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:54 +0000

I don’t think there can be a clear cut answer, there are too many variables. BS is a family decision, there can’t be true success if the child isn’t on board, but there also can’t be true success if the parents aren’t on board.

It isn’t solely a matter of trust, it’s also life experience.

I would imagine most applicants and families know more about the individual schools by the time a decision is needed (if you’re lucky enough to have a decision to make), and would factor that new info in when deciding. Yes, it’s the applicant who will live there for much of the next four years, but parents are adults, often able to see and understand the long reaching implications of these decisions better than kids of 13, 14, 15 years old.

Re post #19-- A knee jerk response that doesn’t consider the other side. BS is about taking opportunities to journey towards your fullest potential. Maturity is required, but maturity does not mean you’re “done,” no adult consideration needed, no more learning to be done.

Personally, I wouldn’t (and didn’t) unilaterally make this decision, but if there were significant differences btw schools (distance, cost, academics, opportunities, health care–the list can go on and on) I wouldn’t be ok with my kiddo making the decision without input.