Class of 2023 Parents

[soccerdad72]

I can't believe how early your kids have to submit University applications! We had a meeting with DS's University guidance counselor this week and she told us that most schools in Canada have a December 31st submission date but that the one DS is likely to go to for his first year (in our hometown) is Jan 31st! We can't even submit his current grades until they come out in December.

They don't have to apply that early. Most schools "regular" decision deadline is either in February or March. But schools offer "early action" applications, meaning you can get your application in at an earlier date (usually November or December) and get an earlier admissions decision from the school. You usually have to have applications in earlier as well to be considered for scholarships. Schools usually have decisions out on those before the end of December.

There's also an 'early decision' application, but that's a binding agreement with the school to attend if accepted. You usually only apply in that manner if there is one school that is far and away your top choice and you know you want to go there.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I can't believe how early your kids have to submit University applications! We had a meeting with DS's University guidance counselor this week and she told us that most schools in Canada have a December 31st submission date but that the one DS is likely to go to for his first year (in our hometown) is Jan 31st! We can't even submit his current grades until they come out in December.

It is pretty wild & I don’t think most kids even do it. Early action/decision certainly wasn’t something I ever knew about when I went to college, so it was new concept to me as well. Our daughter’s a type-A over planner, so getting answers early allows her to set her course a little early & get ready for the next phase of her life. There’s also a school of thought that there’s a better chance of acceptance at the more competitive schools because the admission percentages are higher during the early action period, but I think that’s only because more of the higher achievers typically apply early. That said, I believe only one school she’s applied to, Michigan State, has rolling admissions & admits students as applications come in, so it’s the only one she’s been accepted to at this point. She expects to hear from the rest of her schools sometime around the holidays

 

[soccerdad72]

Tonight might very well be my son's last soccer game. They were able to upset a team on Saturday in their last round of the playoffs but they'll need another upset tonight to keep the season going. Hopefully it's a good game. At least if it's his last game, he'll be going out on a high, as Saturday he scored a goal directly from the 2nd half kickoff. Hit it from the center circle right over the goalie's head to make the score 1-0.

He came home the other day saying he was thinking of playing lacrosse this spring. Our team must not be very good if he will be able to make it - he's never played lacrosse before. He figured he could play defense - he said give him a stick and let him run into people and hit them with the stick.

 

[RangerPooh]

Both of my sons play lacrosse, there's plenty of stick hitting. lol. Although they're in 6th and 7th grades and just started last year.

DD shared that she wants to go winter guard, so it looks like we'll be back into that realm. She took off marching band season due to her knees, and I know that this will take a toll as well, but she misses it. I understand.

She's submitting her Eagle Scout packet to approval today. Hoping that her reviewers are a) open to girls in scouts...there are some good ol'boys in our council, and b) that if it needs to be amended that they are kind. Her proposal is solid compared to a few that I've signed off on in her brothers troop.

 

[Boski]

As far as SATs go, it’s no secret that some kids just don’t test well. I think it’s way too much pressure to put on 15-17 year old kids. Their grades & activities are a far better representation of who they are as individuals. It’d be nice if they changed it at some point going forward.

Agreed and its crazy how scores can swing just by taking it on a off day vs a on day. My oldest is a class of 23 as well and he increased his score by 220 points from the Oct 1 test vs his spring score. He really didn't do a ton of extra studying in-between.

 

[princesscinderella]

Tonight might very well be my son's last soccer game. They were able to upset a team on Saturday in their last round of the playoffs but they'll need another upset tonight to keep the season going. Hopefully it's a good game. At least if it's his last game, he'll be going out on a high, as Saturday he scored a goal directly from the 2nd half kickoff. Hit it from the center circle right over the goalie's head to make the score 1-0.

He came home the other day saying he was thinking of playing lacrosse this spring. Our team must not be very good if he will be able to make it - he's never played lacrosse before. He figured he could play defense - he said give him a stick and let him run into people and hit them with the stick.

It so sad to think about these last times they will do things as our babies. There’s always intramurals in college for him but not where we can easily be a spectator. My son wanted to play lacrosse his freshman year of HS but the coach required 6:15 gym training leading up to tryouts. He did that for a week and decided he’d rather sleep than add another activity to his plate as he was already in marching band and robotics where would stay after school til 5 for those.

Our DS just got his first college acceptance to UCF yesterday which is his third choice behind UM and UF. He doesn’t want to leave the state of Florida and qualifies for the full Florida bright futures scholarship paid for by lottey proceeds. I’m happy he has put in the effort to do all the early application deadlines so he can relax and enjoy his last half of HS, especially since they missed so much due to covid.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

It so sad to think about these last times they will do things as our babies. There’s always intramurals in college for him but not where we can easily be a spectator. My son wanted to play lacrosse his freshman year of HS but the coach required 6:15 gym training leading up to tryouts. He did that for a week and decided he’d rather sleep than add another activity to his plate as he was already in marching band and robotics where would stay after school til 5 for those.

Our DS just got his first college acceptance to UCF yesterday which is his third choice behind UM and UF. He doesn’t want to leave the state of Florida and qualifies for the full Florida bright futures scholarship paid for by lottey proceeds. I’m happy he has put in the effort to do all the early application deadlines so he can relax and enjoy his last half of HS, especially since they missed so much due to covid.

So true. Even some of my DD's friends who were applying Early Action were scrambling to get their applications finished before yesterday. It takes a bit more organization, but it's so much easier to apply long before the deadline & just enjoy the dances & other senior festivities going on at school.

That said, I've been amazed at how cutthroat some of DD's friends have gotten coming down the wire here. DD just applied to Georgetown a week ago & had her interview this past weekend. One of her girlfriends who's #1 choice is Georgetown & knows it's not one of DD's top choices was actually mad at DD for getting an interview before she did. DD just chalked it up to nerves & frustration, but the friend snipped at DD all last week. Funny thing is, her friend hadn't even turned in all of her paperwork yet. Kids...what are you gonna do?

 

[princesscinderella]

So true. Even some of my DD's friends who were applying Early Action were scrambling to get their applications finished before yesterday. It takes a bit more organization, but it's so much easier to apply long before the deadline & just enjoy the dances & other senior festivities going on at school.

That said, I've been amazed at how cutthroat some of DD's friends have gotten coming down the wire here. DD just applied to Georgetown a week ago & had her interview this past weekend. One of her girlfriends who's #1 choice is Georgetown & knows it's not one of DD's top choices was actually mad at DD for getting an interview before she did. DD just chalked it up to nerves & frustration, but the friend snipped at DD all last week. Funny thing is, her friend hadn't even turned in all of her paperwork yet. Kids...what are you gonna do?

I think it’s just such a stressful process for them especially for the most competitive schools such as Georgetown. DD’s friend probably is worried that now she won’t get in since your daughter is ahead of her. My son struggled most with writing the essays, especially in such a concise manner since they have word requirements.
Filling out the CSS profile was the worst, the Fafsa was a breeze in comparison, especially since we have our own business. My middle daughter just started HS and she’s started a word document just to keep track of all her activities and honors so that way by the time she’s a senior she doesn’t have to think about it is already organized to help with applying.

 

[anjuan]

So true. Even some of my DD's friends who were applying Early Action were scrambling to get their applications finished before yesterday. It takes a bit more organization, but it's so much easier to apply long before the deadline & just enjoy the dances & other senior festivities going on at school.

That said, I've been amazed at how cutthroat some of DD's friends have gotten coming down the wire here. DD just applied to Georgetown a week ago & had her interview this past weekend. One of her girlfriends who's #1 choice is Georgetown & knows it's not one of DD's top choices was actually mad at DD for getting an interview before she did. DD just chalked it up to nerves & frustration, but the friend snipped at DD all last week. Funny thing is, her friend hadn't even turned in all of her paperwork yet. Kids...what are you gonna do?

My daughter has faced a little of this. At the last minute yesterday she decided to change her top choice from early action to early decision. My daughter really loves this school- we have even visited it twice even though it's in Florida and we're in IL. Her friend also applied early decision to this school and her comment to Lauren yesterday was, "Are you sure you can really afford this college?"

The poor kids are worried that they're being compared to other kids at their high school. Things were sure a lot easier when I went to college.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I think it’s just such a stressful process for them especially for the most competitive schools such as Georgetown. DD’s friend probably is worried that now she won’t get in since your daughter is ahead of her. My son struggled most with writing the essays, especially in such a concise manner since they have word requirements.
Filling out the CSS profile was the worst, the Fafsa was a breeze in comparison, especially since we have our own business. My middle daughter just started HS and she’s started a word document just to keep track of all her activities and honors so that way by the time she’s a senior she doesn’t have to think about it is

My daughter has faced a little of this. At the last minute yesterday she decided to change her top choice from early action to early decision. My daughter really loves this school- we have even visited it twice even though it's in Florida and we're in IL. Her friend also applied early decision to this school and her comment to Lauren yesterday was, "Are you sure you can really afford this college?"

The poor kids are worried that they're being compared to other kids at their high school. Things were sure a lot easier when I went to college.

Ugh, so snarky. It’d be nice if their parents would explain that it’s not a zero sum game where if one friend gets in, no one else can. These schools are putting together a community of students of diversified thought, culture, ethnicity, etc, not picking & choosing from individual friend groups. The kids might not understand but their parents sure should

 

[DisneYE]

Question for those with students on this or other classes:

Once your kid is accepted to x university, if they agree to go to that university, can they back out if they get accepted to another one later on? I'm ok with paying the admission fee and potentially lose it later on.
My DD says no, that once you agree that's it.
She says there's a button on the common app that once you click agree on it, the other apps are nullified

I wanted her to agree to go to said university that accepted her early mainly so she can try to get the best possible housing/dorm options - this particular university insisted during the tour that if/once you get accepted you should start going thru the housing process asap to access the best options.

She wants to wait until March/23 when her preferred school makes their decision - I think that's too late to secure good housing options.

Anyone with experience on this? feedback is much appreciated.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Question for those with students on this or other classes:

Once your kid is accepted to x university, if they agree to go to that university, can they back out if they get accepted to another one later on? I'm ok with paying the admission fee and potentially lose it later on.
My DD says no, that once you agree that's it.
She says there's a button on the common app that once you click agree on it, the other apps are nullified

I wanted her to agree to go to said university that accepted her early mainly so she can try to get the best possible housing/dorm options - this particular university insisted during the tour that if/once you get accepted you should start going thru the housing process asap to access the best options.

She wants to wait until March/23 when her preferred school makes their decision - I think that's too late to secure good housing options.

Anyone with experience on this? feedback is much appreciated.

Interesting question, I'd love to hear the answer from someone who dealt with this IRL as well. The nullification of other applications seems unusually harsh, has no 17 yo ever changed her mind? Obviously universities can't force anyone to attend their school against their will, but I do know that if a student retracts their admission after applying Early Decision, it's see as a huge ethical red flag that can follow them forward & negatively effect their chances at other universities. I think otherwise under normal admissions, common sense would dictate, say, if she received a better financial package from another school, that if she sat down & explained the situation, most universities would be pretty forgiving & the student might, at most, lose any deposits already paid. That said, that'd be my assumption

 

[mjkacmom]

Interesting question, I'd love to hear the answer from someone who dealt with this IRL as well. The nullification of other applications seems unusually harsh, has no 17 yo ever changed her mind? Obviously universities can't force anyone to attend their school against their will, but I do know that if a student retracts their admission after applying Early Decision, it's see as a huge ethical red flag that can follow them forward & negatively effect their chances at other universities. I think otherwise under normal admissions, common sense would dictate, say, if she received a better financial package from another school, that if she sat down & explained the situation, most universities would be pretty forgiving & the student might, at most, lose any deposits already paid. That said, that'd be my assumption

ED is binding, unless there is a change in your financial situation, or the EFC is way off, you get the easier admission because you are forfeiting the ability to see other financial offers. I’ve heard it can hurt future applicants from your high school. EA is not binding.

 

[princesscinderella]

I was told by a friend that if there’s even a chance you think your kid is going to go to a school put down a deposit for the dorms even if you haven’t fully agreed to go there yet. My son did this when he got into UCF (rolling admission). Only early action is the the binding one where if you back out it’s a problem, because you are agreeing to go there even if you get no scholarship money because it’s your first choice dream school. Early action is where a lot of the schools give out their larger scholarships to applicants because they have shown initiative to get their applications done early.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Talk about room & board, there’s an issue I’ve heard at Michigan State that I wonder is happening after COVID at other universities. Applications/admissions were down the past couple years so they overcommitted to the ‘22 freshman class & now they have far too many students for available housing. They mistakenly assumed that many who actually applied would’ve eventually elected not to attend. Now I’ve heard in some cases they’re putting a third student on a cot in a room that typically holds two. COVID threw off their normal projections & they’re scrambling to make it right. Is this an issue happening elsewhere?

 

[mjkacmom]

Talk about room & board, there’s an issue I’ve heard at Michigan State that I wonder is happening after COVID at other universities. Applications/admissions were down the past couple years so they overcommitted to the ‘22 freshman class & now they have far too many students for available housing. They mistakenly assumed that many who actually applied would’ve eventually elected not to attend. Now I’ve heard in some cases they’re putting a third student on a cot in a room that typically holds two. COVID threw off their normal projections & they’re scrambling to make it right. Is this an issue happening elsewhere?

Forced triples are common at many colleges, they usually add another bed/desk and loft the beds. Over enrollment is just one reason, old dorms needing to be torn down is another (pretty much all have 50+ year old worn dorms that need to eventually be replaced).

 

[RangerPooh]

Talk about room & board, there’s an issue I’ve heard at Michigan State that I wonder is happening after COVID at other universities. Applications/admissions were down the past couple years so they overcommitted to the ‘22 freshman class & now they have far too many students for available housing. They mistakenly assumed that many who actually applied would’ve eventually elected not to attend. Now I’ve heard in some cases they’re putting a third student on a cot in a room that typically holds two. COVID threw off their normal projections & they’re scrambling to make it right. Is this an issue happening elsewhere?

It's a combination of over-admittance to make up for the covid enrollment decrease and rising outside housing costs that is reducing the amount of available on-campus housing. My husband and I both work in higher education, but at a health professions campus that primarily caters to graduate students, with no on-campus housing. My husband's colleagues on other campuses have been commenting on the lack of available on-campus housing on their campuses since last spring. We were advised that once our daughter commits to a school to submit her housing deposit ASAP. Schools are seeing older (junior/senior undergrad and grad students) returning to on-campus housing or renewing their on-campus leases rather than moving off campus like they usually would. It's cheaper with locked in rates.

 

[mikehn]

Im glad this thread popped up to the front page, now Im watching for a while. Im a 2023 dad and just completed the CSS profile a couple weeks ago. My son applied to about a dozen schools, mostly in the northeast, one down south. Im gonna do my best to steer him down south, but we'll see what happens.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

Talk about room & board, there’s an issue I’ve heard at Michigan State that I wonder is happening after COVID at other universities. Applications/admissions were down the past couple years so they overcommitted to the ‘22 freshman class & now they have far too many students for available housing. They mistakenly assumed that many who actually applied would’ve eventually elected not to attend. Now I’ve heard in some cases they’re putting a third student on a cot in a room that typically holds two. COVID threw off their normal projections & they’re scrambling to make it right. Is this an issue happening elsewhere?

That is exactly what happened at my daughter’s university this school year. Triples in double rooms, students housed in local apartments and hotels, upper classmen offered incentives to move off campus. It was quite a mess and there were a lot of unhappy parents.

 

[anjuan]

I've read of hosing issues at both University of Miami (FL) and Arizona State University. I know at U Miami they tore down one of the dorms and the construction of the new one has gone slower than anticipated because of COVID. They are guaranteeing housing for freshmen but not beyond that. Then at ASU I saw a video where they were having to house some new students in hotels. It sounds like a really good idea to apply for housing as soon as possible.