absweetmarie

You guys are very wise. And I appreciate how gentle you're being with me! This is all very helpful feedback.

Thanks for the feedback and cautions! My goal right now is to do some general research than hand over the packet to my D. I have a few very basic questions upon which I'd like to do some crowdsourcing. Then I'll bow out unless/until I'm asked. I've talked with parents who take a hard line with their kids (once you graduate with a bachelor's, you're on your own) and others who are much more willing to continue support (room/board, funding) for a protracted period. I expect I'll be somewhere in the middle. I am the sort of person who needs to gather facts and tidbits in general. I don't intend for this to be a long-term obsession. I just need to do an overview of the scene to get it out of my system, as it were.

I'm the mother of a rising senior who's evaluating English graduate programs. Okay, I get it, she's 21. But she's also busy with her studies. And I'm an academic manqué, so I'm really enjoying the research process. All that said, should I just lurk on this site and not participate in discussions? I want to be respectful of the community norms. I appreciate any feedback from seasoned users of this site!