@ dsheinem - I think you misinterpreted my statement, of course I want my kids to go to college on a career of their choosing. I would hope any parent would want this for their kids. As parents we can offer advice and guidance to our young adult children; the final decision and especially responsibility is theirs.KalessinDB wrote:Even if they were, 2+2 is a great way to take care of those, and honestly something I wish I had done myself. Your first 2 years are often taken up just doing standard curriculum, general ed stuff, so where you're going there really doesn't make that huge of a difference. As someone who went to a private university for 2 years, dropped out for 6, went to community college for a year to get back in the swing of things, and eventually got his bachelor's from a state university.... I wish I had never wasted the money on the private university.dsheinem wrote:Hope they weren't interested in pursuing a degree in a top program in some field that wasn't in driving distance.CRTGAMER wrote:I actually insisted my kids attend college locally since there are more then enough to select from all driving distance to the house.
I just find the idea of insisting your kid goes here or there or does this or that after graduation to be distasteful. IMO, the world should be their oyster when they finish up their high school education and you should do everything in your power to encourage them to pursue their passions in whatever way they'd like. If finances or other issues limit what you can do to help them, then you should be up front about that and tell them what you can and can't do...but "insisting" they do X or Y because "I think it is best" robs them of some well-earned agency.
FWIW I have the same issue with parents who will "only pay for Christian college" or who insist "you must serve your country first if you want future financial help from us" to be equally as distasteful.
I mean, my freshman year roommate *IS* my best friend to this day, 15 years later, so I definitely got SOMETHING for all my money, but still.
KalessinDB got it right. Pretty silly to travel far away when there are so many colleges locally to start out or even major in later on. Of course if there is a career path that ONLY is available out of state, by all means. Not really an issue in this big city, so many colleges locally. Reality is someone has to pay the bill, my kids know the primary focus is their education and not be burned out on a full time job to help pay for room and board too. A Finals week is enough to convince anyone not to have a full time job and be a full time student too. This is why I also insisted on just a part time job on just weekends to get that job history and work ethic.
Just got back from my Fish Camp (kind of a more extensive freshman orientation at A&M) and now I'm sure I made the right college choice. It was so accepting, and easy going. I felt so comfortable, that's the first time off the internet I've really talked to people about my low self esteem and everything, and it all went so good.
: I didn't expect my last comment to blow up so much was just venting in the heat of the moment and had to rush out since my brother had a hole in his radiator so I didn't get to censor myself. Anyways I just have to blow off some steam sometimes and that was one of those case. 
