Help, we can't agree on a college!

Throughout the country, seniors have received their admission letters and, often, decided on a college. While most have already selected the school they will attend, a few are still making their decision. Often times, there is a disagreement between parents and students on the final decision. Both parties feel stressed about the decision, but both have their own opinion. What can you do to resolve this disagreement?
First of all, rest assured, it is quite common. Most families find that the disagreement has roots in one of the three following areas: 1. Financial. 2. Location 3. Prestige. These critical factors become the albatross that parents and students can not navigate around. What can you do to resolve this and keep your relationship in tact? Here are a few places to start. . .

In the area of financial differences between two schools, this difference is often a key component. Some parents feel that there is no reason to select the more expensive school. This is not bad logic but, as a student, you should know if this is their primary concern, and make your case accordingly (more later). Some parents truly can not see how they can afford the more expensive school. As young adults, the students need to look at this from an adult perspective and decide if they can understand this position and a) go along or b) find alternative sources of funding that will offset the difference.

General advice: (Round 1) Make a list of why you like one school over the other. Have your parents do the same. Swap lists. Discuss.

(Round 2) Create a list that counterpoints their list (and have them do the same). Sit down with them - tempers cooled, perhaps over a night dinner at Outback, and review. See if you can understand, appreciate and listen to their position. Try to get them to do the same.

Parents need to remember that the student is the one that will be living/breathing/eating at this place for the next 4 years of your life. It will certainly chance the course of their life.

Students, at this point, you'll want to think to yourself "how far am I willing to go". Are you willing to pay for college on your own? If not, remind yourself that they are your parents and that they can sometimes be right. Then try to revisit the "lists" from above with the goal of coming to agreement. As them how far they are willing to go (are they willing to make you pay for college on your own if you don't go to the school of their choosing?). Once you both understand the positions, (again, this should be done in a MATURE, CALM conversation). Try again to come to agreement. While these are not surefire solutions, they will help facilitate a solution, minimizing the rancor and disagreement.