Did Your Parents Influence Your Decision on Which College to Attend (or Will They)?

by GMR Posted 2012/05/09 17:26:12

Related Topics: High School, Student, College, Facebook, School, students, Poll, Life, Future, Starting Over, Parent, The Future, Transition

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830 votes
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	Very much - We made the decision together	217 votes	26%
	Somewhat - I consulted them occasionally	233 votes	28%
	Barely - Their opinion didn't mean much	89 votes	11%
	Not at all - It was 100% my decision	291 votes	35%

It's about that time of year, when high school graduates prepare for the next phase in their lives: College. For many students, it's an uncertain and unpredictable stage. They're starting over in a big way, but know it will be more uplifting and exciting than the transition into high school. College is that ephemeral life-limbo where Facebook started, where "Animal House" took place, and where you (supposedly) decide what to do for the rest of your life.

Whether you're going into college, went to college "back in the day," or are hoping to go at some point in the future, take our 6-question Quick Poll when you get the chance and let us know what your experience was like, or how you expect it to play out.

+14

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LADY LIBERTY SILLY WORDSMITH 2012/05/10 01:25:16

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+5
I PUT MYSELF THROUGH COLLEGE. NO ONE HELP ME!
>> See Replies

More polls by GMR

Charmaine 2012/06/10 03:01:02

Barely - Their opinion didn't mean much

I picked my school and I am happy!!! It was not my first choice but I am still excited!!!

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Sweet Insanity 2012/05/16 03:48:30

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

They don't care as long as i am happy

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Fariborz-Zak 2012/05/14 07:53:42

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

no

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Kezzi Rose Lavigne Biersack 2012/05/13 17:27:41

Very much - We made the decision together

My mum chose to send me to the nearest college where we live

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dandieselonian 2012/05/13 15:00:52

Somewhat - I consulted them occasionally

Lowered expectations and apathy have derailed many smart kids who may have made big contributions for us as a country .

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T 2012/05/12 20:59:01

Very much - We made the decision together

I didn't want to break my mom's heart by moving to the other coast.

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Greenbay 2012/05/12 00:38:48

Very much - We made the decision together

They didn't let me go to the college I wanted

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La 2012/05/11 23:31:47

Barely - Their opinion didn't mean much

I ended up at the same one as my older sister. I like that, even though we were never there together. I chose it because it has a good, up to date law program :) There were pretty much three choices of which uni to go to and they're all pretty good, so no matter what I picked my parents would have been fine with it.

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Bob DiN 2012/05/11 21:55:56

Barely - Their opinion didn't mean much

The only input was what was affordable.

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Tere 2012/05/11 18:30:00

Very much - We made the decision together

+2
I LOST A 4 SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE BIA TO SDSU BECAUSE MY PARENTS WOULDN'T SIGN FOR ME TO GO, I WAS ONLY 17, I TURNED 18 AFTER THE DEADLINE AND IT WAS GIVEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. THEY WANTED ME TO GO TO A JR COLLEGE BY THEM SO I WOULD STILL HAVE TO LIVE AT HOME. I LEFT HOME ANYWAY AND "HID OUT" UNTIL I TURNED 18

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Infernogirl 2012/05/11 18:28:56

Somewhat - I consulted them occasionally

+2
My mum would never tell me where to go, but we talk about it. She kind of puts things in perspective, which is helpful. I know where I'm applying now, I just need to get offers and grades. This is assuming college and university is the same... over here a college is mainly more like high school

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POWERSHAKER 2012/05/11 18:24:39

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
Nope. I chose the college I attended and graduated from. :)

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TKramar 2012/05/11 18:00:13

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

My parents have had absolutely no input on my decisions since I left home at 17.

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MOMMA THOMAS 2012/05/11 17:33:32

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
THEY WERE HAPPY I DECIDED TO GO TO COLLEGE....

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Cat 2012/05/11 16:35:45

Barely - Their opinion didn't mean much

+1
I'm going to a community college and my mother helped influence my decision with that. I'm glad I went because I really need the money for a bigger university. I can't afford a community college without her. She's not influencing me with the bigger university. She tried too, but failed. In the end, I'm the one paying, so she can't choose for me.

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Jeremy Villa 2012/05/11 16:13:58

Barely - Their opinion didn't mean much

+1
Actually they asked me not to go to college at first.

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IamOjay 2012/05/11 16:12:19

Very much - We made the decision together

+1
Your're going 2 UNAM and thts tht young man!

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Aksana 2012/05/11 16:01:00

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
None, it was fully my decision:), thanks for a good question!

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Bali 2012/05/11 15:59:45

Very much - We made the decision together

+1
they said you will go into the marines or navy, no questions asked, and i asked no questions.

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ID51 2012/05/11 15:14:47

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
My parents didn't influence my decision because I paid for it 100%. Had scholarships and 2-3 jobs at a time. What loans I had, I paid off within the first 2 years after graduating.

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Link 2012/05/11 14:56:38

Very much - We made the decision together

+1
I am not IN college, but am in a management position at a college....

I'd be more than willing to bet that most of the college kids are influenced by their parents (many of whom are paying for their kids' education) as to what school they're going to... Maybe those who are paying for their own education have more say...

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~Jeffi <3 floats~ 2012/05/11 14:39:22

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
Neither of my parents went to college after High school.. I'm gonna put myself through it, no matter how hard it gets. I don't want to be stuck in the position they always end up in.. I want something better for myself and my future family.

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the judgebigdogeagle 2012/05/11 13:39:36 (edited)

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
I choice cause of famiy tradition,but something changed,now It is totally cause of my needs.

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alex 2012/05/11 13:39:32

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
Yet others may have a different experience. I feel for them.

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Laura Lovegood 2012/05/11 13:36:50
Shae 2012/05/11 13:15:26

Very much - We made the decision together

+1
My dad told me not to look at schools in New England, we couldn't afford it.
I went to WVU and got a great education, inside and outside the classroom.

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blackrings70 2012/05/11 13:15:04

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
Went and paid on my own.

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wgossett99 2012/05/11 12:55:36

Very much - We made the decision together

+1
I had never even heard of my school (US Merchant Marine Academy). My folks mentioned it and I applied and got in.

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AM 2012/05/11 11:44:56

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
Admittedly not a smart one,transferred 2 years later.

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blissful 2012/05/11 09:54:32

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
No I did it on my own..

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edlie 2012/05/11 08:48:58

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
my mom trust me a lot that she let me choose what i want..hapi mother's day mom..labyu!

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L1 2012/05/11 08:39:40

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
I worked my own way entirely, but kids that have the parenst paying thier college will course have to reach an agreement on it.

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..tisha... 2012/05/11 08:01:09

Very much - We made the decision together

+1
They also had a say in what I studied... since my older sibling blew away her chance at a prosperous future, all the pressure and eyes turned to me.

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"SennaKoshiba" 2012/05/11 06:12:56

Very much - We made the decision together

+1
They're the reason I even started. . . .f** you both DX
Just kiddin, I'm glad overall for the experience, but the possibility of failure makes me loath it. . .that, and I hate being around people that I think judge me. . . .and I hate class projects. . . .and etc. and etc.

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Somkey the Hores 2012/05/11 05:29:17

Very much - We made the decision together

+1
If THEY'RE paying, you betcha.

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aazeen 2012/05/11 05:14:47

Somewhat - I consulted them occasionally

+1
yea

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Karin 2012/05/11 04:30:32

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+1
They always respect my decision.

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Mrs. Kathy Arch 2012/05/11 04:20:52

Very much - We made the decision together

+1
Yes! I wanted to go to USC initially.

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Anariashki 2012/05/11 04:08:24

Not at all - It was 100% my decision

+2
I was already living with my best friend's family by the time I decided to go to college because of the final falling out I had with my parents, so no. And screw them, I got a full-tuition scholarship to a great college and now I have a full-tuition scholarship to a top-50 law school.

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Arianne 2012/05/11 04:01:13

Somewhat - I consulted them occasionally

+1
They mostly helped me try to find a uni that suited my tastes, but it was my decision in the end.

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