Reading through this post really interests me because my worries match @PadreDeTres rant pretty much exactly. I have a freshman in high school, and I’m already worried that the money we have put away won’t be enough. Watching her work SO HARD and studying so much…and knowing I can’t tell her it’ll all pay off in terms of college admissions…is so sad. Of course, it’ll pay off in terms of her learning, but there is the reality. SO, I’m wondering if any of the original posters from this thread can share any positive news or advice for this years crop of applicants, and for the terrified parents of California’s middle class.