<p>I’m constantly struck on CC by how many of the 18-year-olds who are heading to college in order to experience a wider swath of the world and sense of their own potential, already think they have their world and themselves categorized. They need a liberal or conservative school, the other students have to dress this way and not that, they couldn’t possibly cope with classmates who wouldn’t validate their current religious views, they won’t consider such-and-such a college because it doesn’t offer the esoteric concentration in a particular major which on this particular day seems like the foundation of their future. The honest truth is that very, very few 18-year-olds have the experience or perspective to limit their future options in that way, which makes the whole concept of a “dream school” fairly random. Bright kids usually surprise themselves with their capacities to bloom where they’re planted.</p>
<p>Our two Ds grew up in a small town and yearned for the bright lights and dazzling peers. They set their sights on an Ivy and subsequently got in, but both had non-Ivy “dream schools” at with they’d have certainly been just as happy. Our last, a 12th-grade S, has similar stats but his dream school is his present HS. He doesn’t look forward to leaving his friends and HS activities, so he’s never been interested in looking at colleges. Now that he needs to make choices, he’s looking at flagship honors colleges which would provide him the chance to continue in a top-level marching band, and it’s fun to see him light up at the realization of how appealing all the various options are. I’m enjoying the college visits this time around without the stress and angst.</p>