Living in Pelham Park, discussions about children's education inevitably lead to college.

When the kids are young, it's about tutoring; in middle school, it's about grades; and in high school, it's the SAT. But the real question is, where do we send them?

This is what stresses parents the most. I'm currently in the middle of that dilemma myself.

My cousin who lives in Philadelphia sent her child to the University of Pennsylvania. The key was that it was possible to commute from home.

No dorm costs, the child can attend safely, and from a parent's perspective, it's manageable. At first, it was just nice that they were attending a prestigious university from home, but over time, I realized that was a significant advantage.

Thinking about it, Pelham Park isn't in a bad location. New York is close, and there are quite a few options in New Jersey.

So I started to realistically consider my options.

"How far can my child aim?"

And then the criteria emerged. Not too far away, reputable, and a school that opens doors after graduation. Narrowing it down, a few options stood out.

The first is Princeton University.

Well, to be honest, this university... it's my ambition, but it needs no explanation. It's the top school in New Jersey and an Ivy League institution.

They say that getting in can change a child's life, but getting accepted is as difficult as reaching for the stars.

Still, having such a goal helps the child find direction. It's just over an hour's drive, so it's not completely unrealistic.

The second is Rutgers University. This is a much more realistic option.

As a state university in New Jersey, the tuition is relatively less burdensome, and there are many majors to choose from. Many moms around here have sent their kids here. To be honest, if the child is diligent, they can achieve good results. Choosing this option might be wiser than chasing after a prestigious name and overextending.

The third is Stevens Institute of Technology.

This is quite good for kids aiming for engineering. Located in Hoboken, it has a view of Manhattan and many internship opportunities. Nowadays, even Ivy League graduates find it hard to get jobs in the humanities, so this practical connection seems more important. What you become after graduation is more realistic.

Looking at it this way, there are too many options, which is a problem. But the funny thing is, when parents talk, it ultimately boils down to one sentence.

"The child has to cooperate."

No matter how good the school is, in the end, it's the child who has to study. This is where the balancing act between parental ambition and reality begins.

In the past, it seemed like it ended with just the name of the university graduated from, like in Korea, but in the U.S., it's much more complicated.

Tuition, distance, majors, internships, living environment, and networks all need to be considered.

That's why it's more difficult. However, if you choose well, the rewards can be great. My cousin has shown that.

Seeing her child commute while attending the University of Pennsylvania made me think, "Oh, this is possible."

Ultimately, rather than sending them far away at great expense, the strategy is to aim for a decent school that can be managed from home. It's a way to make good use of the location of Pelham Park. Just looking at Princeton University, Rutgers University, and Stevens Institute of Technology, there are several options worth considering.

Now, there's just one thing left. How much will the child put in?

Still, thinking about it in advance like this makes it less anxiety-inducing.

I believe all moms in Pelham Park feel similarly. In the end, it's about how far our child can go.

Holding onto that question, I find myself opening Google search again today.