@TomSrOfBoston I do believe part of this entire process at the end of it is the pride that goes into a student going to college. College Confidential is a place full of pride at the great students and world class institutions that fill this site. I don’t like to think of it as boasting only because I don’t believe that is the true intent but I can see how it can come off that way. I know I was always quite embarrassed at the attention brought my way as a young student (quite a lot although no newspaper articles), but the pride that I felt overcoming obstacles on my path to college was immense and I know that people in my neighborhood looked up to my example as a way forward, just like I looked up to my neighbor’s son (Morehouse student who was 3 years ahead of me). Those articles for me just show what is possible (although a lot of us believe in a more modest approach). I agree with the research aspect of the college process, but I believe students are not necessarily always being advised about that aspect of choosing a college.