Should tuition be a factor in college visits?

gregsmom
Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:18:02 +0000

Hi all,

My son is a junior at a competitive high school, where he has done reasonably well (3.5, many activities). He’s done very well on the SAT (650/720/660). We’re just now starting to tour colleges. He’s my oldest, so this is all new to me (at least since I went to school myself!).

Cost is definitely going to be an issue for us although we are highly unlikely to qualify for any need-based aid.

In choosing colleges to visit, however, we have not given any thought to cost–only whether they might fit my son’s academic profile and interests.

Is this the best strategy, or should I be limiting his visits to the public universities we are sure to be able to afford?

Thanks for any help or insight.