Knockdown/Dragout AKA College Applications

My usually laid back and respectful teenaged daughter has lost her mind about this whole process.

She has the impression that she can go to whatever school she chooses to without regard for the financial toll it will take on the family and every time I bring up going to school in state, she acts as if I am undermining her dreams.

WHAT?

I paid for a private school education for the last 6 years of her life so that I wouldn't have to pay for college and she is acting like I am supposed to just shell out 35K for her to live this dream life she has in her head about living in NY as a college student. Not only do I not have that kind of money, I wouldn't do it anyway.

Acceptance Package with 21K Merit Scholarship Attached!

The school costs 55K for out-of-state students to attend with ALL costs considered and 35K without room, board, books or expenses. They gave her 21K, in merit aid but NEED based aid awards have been doled out yet....

We have gotten into several screaming matches (yes, I lost my cool) where she is accusing me of not caring about her, her education or what she has planned for her future...

Well, on that last one there - she's right!

I don't care particularly about what she has planned for her future, because her lack of wisdom or understanding about the world makes her unfit to plan more than what she thinks she wants to major in! And usually, that changes too after freshman year!

Don't get me wrong. I allowed her to choose her schools and she chose some really nice ones but she didn't choose the ones here in MD with the care she should have and as a result, she needs to apply for a few more - just two more. She wants the going away experience, but chose two school in MD that are 20 minutes from my home in the city?

No. Not going to work, (see above paragraph about the whole making plans for her future...)

Right.

So at this point, its war.

All out, knockdown, drag out - WAR!

What she doesn't know, is that I have allies and I am about to get them in on this so that a treaty can be put into place and two more schools can be applied for ASAP!

I am calling the College Counselors onto the battle field of College Applications!

They are going to have to counsel and cajole her into a thorough understanding of these facts:

1. I am her mother, and as such am responsible for her education, she is not
2. She may need to stay in-state (for undergrad) due to financial constraints
3. She needs to put more effort into the schools chosen for in-state as she may very well wind up there if the school she really wants to go to, doesn't give up the financial aid!

Emailing them right now...

Stay sane,

~Faye

BBS