Thanks @lucky18 – I feel like your first bullet point describes my situation exactly, and I hope that the later ones will as well!
@gallentjill Congratulations for your daughter, that’s spectacular! And you’re right, no student should have to get those responses, especially since other people probably don’t know/understand what amazing things make that college a great fit.
I’m trying to combat the “oh, ok” response in my family (and myself, if I’m being totally honest) as well. About 75% of my HS goes to the same group of public colleges but some of them still catch a lot of flack from certain people as being “bad” schools or “defaults,” and while some people choose them for the wrong reasons, the majority love their future schools and thrive at them. I think going through the process myself alongside my friends and classmates has given me a greater appreciation of a variety of colleges (except the one a friend chose with a 9% graduation rate; I don’t think I’ll ever understand that).
My sister actually chose the same school I will be attending but without the same scholarship offer, so I try to mention it judiciously. I didn’t consider it that way, though – thanks.