4 College Money Talks

Talk #4: Let’s Talk About What Your ‘Dream School’ Really Is

🎯 Goal

Reframe the “dream school” narrative. Help your teen feel proud of choosing fit, financial freedom, and a future over prestige and pressure.

You’re standing at the edge of a huge decision… one that feels exciting, and probably a little overwhelming too. We know the pressure’s real. Everyone’s talking about “top schools” and what choice will sound the most impressive.

But here’s the truth: this decision isn’t just about ‘’getting in.” It’s about where you’ll thrive over the next four years. And it’s about what your life will look like after you graduate.

So let’s fast-forward for a second.

Imagine it’s five years from now… You’ve graduated. You’re ready to start your life. You want to move to your own place, take a job you love, maybe go to grad school, travel, or maybe launch your own business.

But instead of having a world of opportunities at your feet, you’re weighed down by massive student loan debts.

  • You have to turn down the job you want because it doesn’t pay enough to make your loan payments.

  • The apartment you love is financially out of reach.

  • You can’t go out with friends as often as you’d like because you don’t have the money.

  • You can’t afford to travel, so you’re stuck watching your friends’ vacations on Instagram.

Now picture a different future…

  • You graduate with little to no debt

  • Your future is wide open

  • You say “yes” to the job that excites you most

  • You move to a new city, say yes to opportunities, and go after big goals

  • And you do it without the constant worry about loan debt.

That’s not settling. That’s winning.

A debt-free future opens more doors than prestige ever could.

So today, let’s redefine what “dream school” means for YOU:

They’re the schools that offer scholarships, support, and opportunities — and show you how much they want what YOU bring.

They say:

  • We see your value.

  • We want you here.

  • We want to invest in you and help you thrive.

Our dream, as your parents, is for you to graduate feeling proud of your choice — and excited about your future, without limits.

Next Step

Take a little time to think about what matters most to you… both during college and a few years down the line. We’ll be here to help talk it through anytime.

Next up is a quick overview for your child. It sums up everything you've discovered in 3 minutes so you're all on the same page...

Check out the
No-Regrets Guide →

OR...

If you've already checked out the No Regrets Guide, you can skip ahead to...

Your DIY Guide to Finding Schools Where Your Child Will Thrive →