Some families justify having their student apply to schools with no reasonable chance of admission with the phrase, “You just never know.” As unrealistic as those hopes often are, I don’t begrudge them their optimism as long as they use it responsibly. Encouraging an under-qualified student to apply to all of the Ivy League schools just assures maximum admissions disappointment. But allowing that same student to take her best shot at the one school she’s wanted to attend since she was a freshman just to know she tried? I don’t see much harm in that.
But while “You just never know” can feed your optimistic side, I encourage all families to consider it for your cautious and conservative side, too.
What would happen if you lost your job? What would happen if the schools you thought were good choices all said no? What would happen if you didn’t get the financial aid or scholarships you were counting on?
The admissions process is injected with enough anxiety, and I don’t want to exacerbate that fear by encouraging you to consider every negative outcome that could befall your family.
But if you make sure that your student applies to at least two colleges that (1) your counselor believes are sure to offer admission, (2) are financially realistic without large financial aid awards or loans, and (3) the student would feel comfortable attending, you’re seriously addressing the other side of “You just never know.”
It might seem unnecessary, especially if times and life are good right now. But there were a lot of families whose kids applied to college in the fall of 2008 who no longer had the money to pay for it by the time the recession hit in full force in early 2009. Those who’d embraced the pessimistic side of “You just never know” were more likely to have some viable options.
It’s fine to hope for some good surprises. But make sure you plan for the bad ones, too.