Q&A with my Parents about the College Search
Five years ago, my dad and I embarked on a tour of colleges in New England, and this was just the beginning of the college application process! Picking where you want to go for four years is a daunting task, not only for the student but also for the parents. I sat down with my parents to learn more about the process from their point of view.
1. How did you first hear about Dartmouth, and what were your initial impressions of the school?
Like most people, I had known about Dartmouth from an early age but did not really appreciate how it stood apart from its peers. I had visited Hanover long before becoming a parent, and the beauty of the campus and the Upper Valley always stuck with me. When I visited the campus many years later with you, that first impression was immediately validated.
2. What were some of the most important factors you considered when looking at colleges?
As parents, the most important factor for us was fit—looking for a college that matched what she wanted to study and what she hoped to become personally and professionally. We also considered the size of the college, though we weren't sure what size would be the best fit. Other factors included safety, distance, and accessibility.
3. Do you have any recommendations for other parents whose student is currently making a college decision?
I would recommend not relying too heavily on first impressions, positive or negative. Whether it's a delightful campus weekend where everything goes smoothly or a visit spoiled by inclement weather, you need to be careful not to let first impressions dominate. This is the first consequential decision your son or daughter will make largely on their own. What we can do as parents is to help them determine the criteria that they should rely on to make the right decision and let them go about the process.

4. Is there anything you would change if you were to go back to the college search process?
Relax! This was our first time, so every step along the way seemed consequential. Like others in our shoes, you received overtures from colleges across the country, and she cast a wide net. The sheer number of options opened our eyes to the need to bring the process to a close and go the route of Early Decision. Receiving the good news early certainly made the holidays and her final semester of senior year more enjoyable.
5. Just for fun—how would you compare your college experience to your child's?
My college experience was very different because I attended a large state institution in the Southeast. On its face, the two schools are polar opposites. However, in the end, our experiences were more alike than different. Both were shaped and enriched by the connections we made and sympathetic professors who had a significant influence on our academic journey and worldview. College is a time of profound change, and I've always found that the stories we hear and tell about those four years are more alike than different, regardless of the institution.
6. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
When we were considering potential landing spots for you, Dartmouth immediately came to mind as an option because it stands in sharp contrast to its academic peers in almost every respect. All that to say that we should be mindful of the need to consider a wide range of options and guard against the risk of developing a list of interchangeable colleges from which to choose.
Fun fact: my parents met while studying abroad in England, so they were huge fans of Dartmouth's emphasis on studying abroad! I think I've made them proud by going abroad three times!