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<p>In many cases, it can be through pointing out things that the OP (whether student or parent) may not be aware of but should be relevant in the decision making process.</p>
<p>For example, whether a given school’s degree program in the desired major has good breadth and depth or not is something that many students and parents seem to be poorly informed about for less common majors. Pointing the OP to more information can help the OP make a more informed decision, even if the responding poster otherwise gives no opinion on “where should I go?”.</p>
<p>Similarly, it appears that some students and parents are rather uninformed about the limiting effects of large amounts of student loan debt, or the job and career prospects at graduation in various majors.</p>
<p>But it is a good idea for the parents and student to discuss and set financial parameters and conditions before the application list is made, as the financial parameters and conditions need to be taken into account when making the application list.</p>