Interesting thread, thanks for posting OP. I find it interesting to see the different approaches people are taking with this process. We have 3 kids and my oldest is graduating high school this year (in NC) and it has been quite the learning process. My others are in 9th and 6th and they are all very different, in stats, ECs, type of school, and major.
Oldest is what OP would probably call high stats, however, not Top 25 high, and not quite high enough to get much merit aid from out of state universities, if any, in his major anyway. No hooks. We can afford in state tuition, however his major (linguistics, psycho or computational) is only offered at 2 schools in our state, and they are Duke and Chapel Hill. Sigh. It’s been a long process and everyone has worked hard. He applied to 14 schools, 3 of which he is a legacy but all 3 out of state. His friends teased him, but he doesn’t care, he tried to hit those reach, match, safety schools and it’s all playing out now. He does not have a dream school so in that sense he’s just waiting to see what all his options will be.
My 9th grader will have more mid range stats but will be more well rounded, and wants to do Geospatial Science and Technology, totally different path. My 6th grader has multiple learning disabilities and has an IEP, she is very creative and loves art, so a 3rd very different path.
It’s always quite a ride for everyone, and I read posts on here thinking just that way, hoping to learn something new, no judgment. Good luck to everyone.