Early this week the print and TV news media ran with the story of a mom who is suing her child’s pre-school for damaging her daughter’s chances of gaining an Ivy League education. Why are some people are so obsessed with a small group of schools that they don’t want or allow their children a normal childhood? Who or what factors create an environment where both parents and students think the value of education is in a name and will pursue actions that lead many to question their sanity? In some instances, this parental obsession gets passed down to their children who also do - dare I say it – stupid things. Take, for example, the teenagers in a suburb of New York City who allegedly hired others to take the SAT’s for them.
As an independent educational consultant I visit between 30 and 50 colleges each year, all over the United States, as well as some international schools. My visits have reinforced what I knew to be true – there are many, many wonderful institutions of higher learning. These colleges and universities have professors invested in teaching undergraduates, interesting and unique course offerings and spirited campuses. Most importantly, the students who attend these schools are happy to be there because they found the right environment for them to be successful academically and happy socially. So, instead of obsessing about a few schools, keep an open mind and help your child broaden his or her college search.
Tips for parents:
· Don’t believe everything you read or hear about college admissions.
· Don’t compare your child to your neighbor’s child or any other child.
· Don’t make your child’s college admission your hobby or your job.
· You are there for parental support, not parental interference.
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