High School Class 2013: Picking Colleges..Check in Here!

[BuzznBelle'smom]

One thing I am finding interesting in this college process is the time frame in which some schools notify you of acceptance. My daughter has gotten into numerous schools at this point. All want deposits to hold her place and start the housing process. Some of those deposits are refundable and some aren't. One school she is interested in doesn't let anyone know until December 19th and two other schools don't let you know until late March.

I can't see my dd waiting that late to decide on a school. She is very happy with her current choices. I think she is ready to choose and wants to end this whole process. I wish all colleges reported acceptances in the same month.

That's the way it used to be. When I was applying (in the Stone Age), most acceptances went out 3/1, and you had until 4/1 to decide. The only exceptions were, some schools had rolling admissions (state universities and some less select schools), and Early Decision. Nowadays, Early Acceptance adds another level of stress, but can also be good for students who want to get through the worry early on.

For my DD, as I stated, she's doing regular acceptance for one of her schools, and it's a top choice. So, we know she won't decide until spring. But, I'm hoping that a couple acceptances in Dec. will make her life less stressful (because she'll be going, somewhere), and we'll use the winter to visit again. Due to her schedule, we only spent 1 summer day at each of her top school (#1 and 3 out of her top three). Before she chooses, I want her to be able to attend a couple classes, talk to faculty, get the campus vibe.

 

[LisaR]

That's the way it used to be. When I was applying (in the Stone Age), most acceptances went out 3/1, and you had until 4/1 to decide. The only exceptions were, some schools had rolling admissions (state universities and some less select schools), and Early Decision. Nowadays, Early Acceptance adds another level of stress, but can also be good for students who want to get through the worry early on.

I thought that was the way it was done back in the day, as well. Of course, it was so long ago, I barely remember!

For my DD, as I stated, she's doing regular acceptance for one of her schools, and it's a top choice. So, we know she won't decide until spring. But, I'm hoping that a couple acceptances in Dec. will make her life less stressful (because she'll be going, somewhere), and we'll use the winter to visit again. Due to her schedule, we only spent 1 summer day at each of her top school (#1 and 3 out of her top three). Before she chooses, I want her to be able to attend a couple classes, talk to faculty, get the campus vibe.

We are going to visit one of the universities DD was accepted into next Friday. DD had them arrange a class in her major to sit in on. We'll take the tour and we are meeting with an admissions adviser and an adviser in her major. This school has moved up to her first choice. The huge scholarship helped! I hope she likes it. We've never set foot on the campus before and I really don't know much about it except what I have read online. DD only knows one person who went there. She loved it, but was only there for a year because of finances.

 

[marcyinPA]

My DS got his first acceptance letter in the mail yesterday- from East Stroudsburg University of PA. It is his last choice, but I'd say it's a 'safety" now. At least he knows he can go somewhere!

It really was a bright spot for us, though- we were without power for 72 hours and it came mid- day, just as we were ready to kill each other. Power came back on last night- so he could post on Facebook! lol

 

[LBAK]

Congrats to all who are getting early decision acceptances already.
DD will be going to Florida and playing soccer so some of the stress is off of us.

Common app deadlines were extended 2 weeks due to Sandy. We were in town at a charging station 2 days ago and the amount of seniors trying to get online to submit their apps was crazy.

I guess this storm is preparing my DD for school down south.

Stay safe all and again Congrats to all that are hearing already.

 

[LisaR]

My daughter received a scholarship offer in the mail today from one of the state universities where she has already been accepted. It says she has to let them know within 30 days if she is accepting the scholarship. I'm guessing that by accepting the scholarship, she is committing to the school, but I don't know that for a fact. She is definitely not ready to commit, but this school is in the top two. Ugh!

 

[ugadog99]

Congrats on all the new acceptances!! It is a terrific feeling!

I'm sending my thoughts and best wishes to those reeling in Sandy's aftermath.

It's going to be an early night tonight here. We have to be up at 4:15 to get ready for our super long day.

Have a wonderful Saturday everyone!

 

[Christine]

Senior year will be filled with great experiences in the new theatre group.

Did everyone here do Senior pics? If you did, what do you do with the pictures?

My eldest never did Senior pics, other than what the school required for the yearbook, and youngest wasn't going to do them, but I guess 4 years between children makes a big difference in Facebook picture posting popularity! All the younger DD's friends seem to be putting up their Senior picture albums, and now DD wants to do one, too. Unfortunately, the weather here is getting yucky, so it isn't a good time for those lovely outdoor shots, therefore we may have to wait until spring.

The only problem is, I don't know what to do with the pictures?

Both my kids did senior pictures. They were done by the photographer the school hired. Now, I will tell you, I *never* know what to do with any of the pictures I have done. We don't have a large family. If you just order four or five prints, you pay through the nose. So, no matter what package I get, I always have a ton of leftover pics.

Senior pics were no exception.

My kids did not do the whole deal where you change your clothes a million times and pose with props. Most of the kids' friends did not either. I'm getting the feeling that senior pics are not a big deal in the area where I live.

We did one of the most basic packages. They take several shots of you in a graduation cap/gown, poses in the jacket (or drape if you are female), and then we did a casual shot. They took three poses of that and both my kids just wore a casual outfit that they liked (both wore jeans).

I will probably frame the casual shots and give them to the grandparents at Christmas.

Then for the true grad shots, I will save those for the graduation announcements and send some of the smaller prints out to family. Again, at graduation time, I will frame the grad photos for the grandparents.

I was kind of pleased with my son's cap and gown photos. My DD and even me only got a headshot in the cap and gown. He got a head shot plus a few standing shots where he's holding a diploma. They were nice.

 

[MerMom60_94]

I love the thoughts of the pictures in cap and gown. How nice. My DD had pictures done by the school photographer. A lot of her friends hired a photographer and we had contemplated it but then the pictures taken at school actually came out really nice. I come from a big family and she is the first grandchild / niece on DH's side so we will hand out pictures to family. Frankly, I think about half the people I give pictures to will frame them or hang them on their refrigerator or something and the others will just stick them somewhere. My oldest sister and one of my brothers in particular would be disappointed if they didn't get a picture. I also have siblings who live far away who might like to see a recent picture.

For those of you who have received acceptances already. How long did it take from the time your child applied? I feel like a couple of you just posted that your child were applying and it feels like it has only been a couple of weeks. I cannot wait for her to get that first acceptance!! Congratulations to you all.

 

[mom2travel]

I love the thoughts of the pictures in cap and gown. How nice. My DD had pictures done by the school photographer. A lot of her friends hired a photographer and we had contemplated it but then the pictures taken at school actually came out really nice. I come from a big family and she is the first grandchild / niece on DH's side so we will hand out pictures to family. Frankly, I think about half the people I give pictures to will frame them or hang them on their refrigerator or something and the others will just stick them somewhere. My oldest sister and one of my brothers in particular would be disappointed if they didn't get a picture. I also have siblings who live far away who might like to see a recent picture.

For those of you who have received acceptances already. How long did it take from the time your child applied? I feel like a couple of you just posted that your child were applying and it feels like it has only been a couple of weeks. I cannot wait for her to get that first acceptance!! Congratulations to you all.

I bought a package of DS' senior pictures. It was cheaper than piecing together the sheets I would need. But now we have like 200 wallets. And a beautiful plastic trading card case!

I will hang up prob an 8x10 and a 5x7. both grandparents will put one up too. And I'll give them to the aunts/uncles. And I bet DD puts one in her room


No idea how fast acceptances come in. The one EA school notifies in Dec that DS applied to. He submitted to one rolling admission school last week and says he's going to finish the other one this weekend. Hopefully if his school gets his transcripts in this week he will hear back by the end of the month.

Then he just needs to finish the rest of his apps by Dec 1

 

[LisaR]

For those of you who have received acceptances already. How long did it take from the time your child applied? I feel like a couple of you just posted that your child were applying and it feels like it has only been a couple of weeks. I cannot wait for her to get that first acceptance!! Congratulations to you all.

My daughter applied to all the schools she was interested in in late August and was done applying by mid-September. She heard back from the ones that had rolling admission by the end of September, first few weeks of October.

Of the schools she hasn't heard back from, they have set dates that they notify students. A few places are in December and a few are in March. Good luck!

 

[Christine]

Some of the people who already have acceptances may have posted to a school with rolling admission.

The schools in our area that do Early Action/Early Decision require submission by November 1st with notification occuring on or about December 15th.

The one rolling admission school that my son applied to gives a 4-6 week timeframe for notification. So, had he applied to that school in August, we would know by now. As it stands, he applied in November so it will be mid-December at the latest.

For all of his regular decision schools, he won't hear until March or April.

 

[marcyinPA]

For those of you who have received acceptances already. How long did it take from the time your child applied? I feel like a couple of you just posted that your child were applying and it feels like it has only been a couple of weeks. I cannot wait for her to get that first acceptance!! Congratulations to you all.

My DS applied to the two state schools he is interested in on 9/19. He got his first letter this past Thursday. The other one is still showing on-line as incomplete. I'm pretty sure this is a guidance counselor issue. That one accepted a recommendation so we asked her to write one. I'm fairly certain she hasn't sent it or his transcripts yet. The one he was accepted at did not accept any recommendations, so they sent that one out right away.

The other school he is applying to has a free app until 11/15. He just finished his essay and it was reviewed, edited, and he was told it was good to go. We were going to send the app and the essay on line last night, but we ran out of time. We will do it before the weekend is over. He will turn the folder in to the guidance office on Monday, and hopefully his transcripts will get there before the 15th. That one has rolling admissions, so he should hear something relatively soon. He has been in contact with his admissions counselor and has met her face to face when she came to his school, so at least there is a relationship there.

 

[LisaR]

The one really cool thing about applying during the internet age as opposed to the dinosaur age of my day, is that the colleges all have access that allow you to see the progress of your application. It shows if they are missing any letter of recommendations, transcripts, etc. That is such a great tool!

 

[mom2travel]

The one really cool thing about applying during the internet age as opposed to the dinosaur age of my day, is that the colleges all have access that allow you to see the progress of your application. It shows if they are missing any letter of recommendations, transcripts, etc. That is such a great tool!

Yes, definitely!

 

[ugadog99]

Morning all! We survived the 22 hour day of State One Act competition. The results weren't so great. Apparently this year the judges were looking for comedy. Oh well, the kids performed one of their best shows and had a great time. It just stings a bit since this is the last one act and, as far as I can tell, the last show my D will do at school. The worst part of one act is the results are totally subjective.

We're moving slowly this morning and thanking the stars that this was "set the clock back" weekend. She has a little school work to do then the bulk of the afternoon will be used to finish up the prompt books. Our system is off Tuesday for elections, so I'm taking her for her first college visit and interview/portfolio review. I know it seems a little late in the game for a first visit, but since all of her schools require auditions, we are holding all the visits until the interview dates.

Regarding acceptances, the two schools my D has heard from are both rolling admissions. Of course, in her case, we have to have two acceptances per school, so part of the celebration is on hold here.

 

[5 at disney]

My DD was accepted into Indiana University- Bloomington. She has already decided that is where she will go. Her #1 choice.

 

[LBAK]

My DD was accepted into Indiana University- Bloomington. She has already decided that is where she will go. Her #1 choice.

Congratulations! This is getting exciting now that kids are starting to hear from schools.

 

[marcyinPA]

Another application submitted last night. This one was to Messiah College, a small Christian college outside of Harrisburg PA. The free app period ends on 11/15, so he just made it (considering it takes a few days for the guidance office to get the transcripts together).

He has one more to submit. He doesn't really want to submit it (I presume because he has to write another essay...), but I really want him to. That would make four apps. I think he needs to keep all of his options open. What do you all do? Do you "strongly encourage" your kids to apply to a school that you believe would be a fit for them? I just don't want him putting all of his eggs in one basket, so to speak.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Marcy--I've been really hands-off on the college process with my DD. But, she knows what she wants and is very motivated--just wait two years, then you can here me crabbing about using a cattle prod on DS15!

I did convince her to do a third round of SATs (this past weekend), and she needs to interview for a full-ride scholarship and DIDN'T SIGN UP!!!!! She's supposed to be looking into that today, if it's not too late. She seems to have a good handle on what apps still need to go out, and by when.
What I find works with my DD is, rather than say, "XU seems like a good fit for you, I really think you should apply", I go with a more subtle approach. You know, talk about what the child is looking for, that XU happens to fit--campus size, location, important extra-curriculars, whatever.

 

[Christine]

Another application submitted last night. This one was to Messiah College, a small Christian college outside of Harrisburg PA. The free app period ends on 11/15, so he just made it (considering it takes a few days for the guidance office to get the transcripts together).

He has one more to submit. He doesn't really want to submit it (I presume because he has to write another essay...), but I really want him to. That would make four apps. I think he needs to keep all of his options open. What do you all do? Do you "strongly encourage" your kids to apply to a school that you believe would be a fit for them? I just don't want him putting all of his eggs in one basket, so to speak.

I "strongly encourage" because, to be honest, my son knows very little about how things can go in the state of Virginia. Like many states, we have a lot of wealth and we live in one of the wealthier areas (which makes *his* competition much harder than someone from the rural part of the state). I told my son that you can never be to careful and you want to have some options.

He knows the school that he absolutely wants to go to. Based on his GPA and test scores and the fact that he is situated in the most competitive area of the state, I'd say he has about a 70% chance to get in.

I have "strongly encouraged" him to apply for two other schools that I'm pretty sure are "safeties" for him, and one more that's a shoe-in but has it's pros/cons.

Then I pushed him for one REACH school. He does not want to apply there but knowing what I know about the school and him, I actually think it is a good fit for him. He's got about a 30-40% shot of getting in there but I think it's worthwhile for him to try.

I struggle sometimes with how much I should involve myself with these things but I tell myself that he's only 17 and he's not aware of how competitive this can be. Sometimes parents do know better and, there's certainly no harm in applying for an extra school. But, yeah, the whole essay thing. His so sick of it.