<p>“After they get their first job no one ever asks about their college” - Very true. But… they college has to be a good enough fit that they survive AND they do need to get that first job.</p>
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<p>It’s true that not all grandparents who offer money will also offer opinions. But the OP started this thread because she was getting opinions from “everyone.” Sometimes there’s a “family college” or there can be a college rivalry within the family. These are some of the pressures that a high school student can feel, from grandparents or others. The OP doesn’t tell us that the grandparents are giving their opinions, but it seems the rest of the family has already entered the fray.</p>
<p>Paying for someone’s glasses or shoes isn’t quite the same thing as paying for someone’s college. Many people are emotionally invested in their alma maters, or invested in their descendents going to a famous or prestigious college. If those people are helping to foot the bill, it’s hard to tell them they can’t express an opinion.</p>
<p>The question was how to deal with differing opinions on where to go. We started with offspring’s college major choice and desired school and greatly tempered it with financial concerns. Then we added a heavy dose of job prospects after graduation (all that ranking stuff). And then we all rooted for our favorite team!</p>