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

[Sanchez]

Several of my co workers are GT grads, the school is actually not far from my job.

The women that DO attend are aware of the imbalance and work hard to stand out. Funny you mention about the Miss Georgia competitors because the school is somewhat known in town for having lesser attractive females, glad to see it's a myth!

I assure you it is not a myth.

 

[marcyinPA]

My nephew had a choice between West Point and the Naval Academy and chose the Naval Academy. On Monday night at the Senior Award's Banquet, a representative from the U.S. Naval Academy presented him with the official appointment by the U.S President Barack Obama and Congress, the scholarship which is valued between $400-450K and a blue and gold medallion engraved with his name and the Class of 2017!

We are SOOO proud of him!!!

That is really impressive! My inlaws live in Annapolis- my FIL volunteers a lot of time at the Naval Academy restoring their model ships. It is a neat place to be- we enjoy going to that area!

 

[Robinrs]

That is really impressive! My inlaws live in Annapolis- my FIL volunteers a lot of time at the Naval Academy restoring their model ships. It is a neat place to be- we enjoy going to that area!

I hope it's nice... it's his Mom's FIFTH child to go thru college and the only one to leave the state. He's the baby of the family and I know she's nervous. Great young man!

 

[Robinrs]

I assure you it is not a myth.

Based on the graduates I know I can bet on that...

 

[corpcomp]

Based on the graduates I know I can bet on that...

Fortunately he is going there for the educational opportunities. Then again Google the GT cheerleading squad.

He is shy (but smart and a varsity athlete) and is going on his first date to the Senior Prom. A girl asked him. Now we just have to tail him. She is obviously an aggressive party girl with low morals who just wants to trap him in a failed marriage.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Fortunately he is going there for the educational opportunities. Then again Google the GT cheerleading squad.

He is shy (but smart and a varsity athlete) and is going on his first date to the Senior Prom. A girl asked him. Now we just have to tail him. She is obviously an aggressive party girl with low morals who just wants to trap him in a failed marriage.

I'm sure he'll thank you for your diligence in this matter. No guy wants a girl throwing herself shamelessly at him. At least, that's what my husband tells me!

 

[spima3]

Your EFC through the FAFSA is the same, but colleges decide if they want to meet the need. Our straight A student at the state flagship has always gotten nothing, but our 3.5 student at a less selective state school got some money to bring it to his EFC. He had also applied to the other big state school and got nothing from them.

The first college she applied to awarded the mid range amount for Fed grant, no state grant, and offered no merit scholarships at all. The "highest" of the state schools.

State school #2 offered the highest awards for fed grant, a state grant, and offered merit scholarships as well as subsidized loans. So this is the one she will be attending, as the aid package covered all but a couple of hundred dollars, which we will pick up.


So the colleges decide the amount of the Pell Grants? state grants?
And the timing of the application can affect the award?
The SAT, GPA, & activities can also impact the $$ amount of the Fed & state grants? or
The colleges can chose not to award a Pell grant/state grant even if qualified?


Sorry again for the questions, but first time out, DS will be graduating soon, so want to be more knowledgeable next time.

 

[Christine]

Okay, so I know this is a bit off topic but I thought I'd post some of my son's Prom pics here. It's always nice to put a face to the kids we talk about!! Sorry they are so big, but I keep resizing in PhotoBucket and they aren't getting smaller!

[/URL][/IMG]

With his big sister...

 

[ugadog99]

Lovely pictures! The dress is so pretty! They make a cute couple.

 

[Deb in IA]

Coming late to this thread - but keeping up with ugadog99 on our "Les Miserables" thread!!

DS graduated on Sunday. A HUGE wave of mixed emotions, since he was so involved in lots of school activities AND this is our last child to graduate from this high school. We will miss it so much . . .

He had a great senior year. His singing really blossomed this year. He was chosen for multiple honor choirs and his high point was being in a men's quartet that was named "Best of Day" in our regional solo/small group contest. All "Best of Day" performances were invited to a special recital at Iowa State in Ames. Best of all, two of his very best friends were also in the quartet with him. It was so special to share this wonderful experience with them - and they are all seniors. Here is their performance, if anyone is interested - it still gives me goose bumps . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZDmCjPJjuM

He is going to University of Iowa - hopefully. All the application stuff is electronically submitted these days. He did all this last fall, and was accepted. Then he was told there wasn't anything else he had to do. So we waited and waited. Finally, a friend, whose son is also entering UI next fall mentioned that they had signed up for Orientation/Registration months ago!! So we get on DS to find out what happened. He spent all day yesterday trying to get on to the student website, even calling the Help Desk multiple times, to no avail. Finally, DH calls them today, and after much confusion, they finally find out - SOMEHOW, it is all screwed up and the University had DS enrolling in SPRING, 2013 (while he was still in high school), not FALL, 2013!!! So now we have to get his final transcript to them ASAP, and try to find an Orientation/Registration day that is still open! ARRGGGHHH!!! So frustrating and upsetting, and DH and I are both faculty here!!! And no, we still have to pay full tuition for him . . .

Anyway, back to graduation - I have to ask - did anyone else end up a sobby, teary mess? I sure did.
The choir always has a "Senior Song" - only the seniors sing it. This year they chose "Home" sung by Phillp Phillips in American Idol and used by the US Women's Gymnastics team in the Olympics last year. So appropriate, and moving:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoRkntoHkIE
Then the entire choir sang "Homeward Bound" by Marta Keen. So beautiful - I was a blubbering mess: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVWy1ENiPIg

And finally, the seniors do a slide show - they show a baby picture, and then the senior - oh, those precious little faces!! I was a fountain . . .

 

[mom2rtk]

Coming late to this thread - but keeping up with ugadog99 on our "Les Miserables" thread!!

DS graduated on Sunday. A HUGE wave of mixed emotions, since he was so involved in lots of school activities AND this is our last child to graduate from this high school. We will miss it so much . . .

He had a great senior year. His singing really blossomed this year. He was chosen for multiple honor choirs and his high point was being in a men's quartet that was named "Best of Day" in our regional solo/small group contest. All "Best of Day" performances were invited to a special recital at Iowa State in Ames. Best of all, two of his very best friends were also in the quartet with him. It was so special to share this wonderful experience with them - and they are all seniors. Here is their performance, if anyone is interested - it still gives me goose bumps . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZDmCjPJjuM

He is going to University of Iowa - hopefully. All the application stuff is electronically submitted these days. He did all this last fall, and was accepted. Then he was told there wasn't anything else he had to do. So we waited and waited. Finally, a friend, whose son is also entering UI next fall mentioned that they had signed up for Orientation/Registration months ago!! So we get on DS to find out what happened. He spent all day yesterday trying to get on to the student website, even calling the Help Desk multiple times, to no avail. Finally, DH calls them today, and after much confusion, they finally find out - SOMEHOW, it is all screwed up and the University had DS enrolling in SPRING, 2013 (while he was still in high school), not FALL, 2013!!! So now we have to get his final transcript to them ASAP, and try to find an Orientation/Registration day that is still open! ARRGGGHHH!!! So frustrating and upsetting, and DH and I are both faculty here!!! And no, we still have to pay full tuition for him . . .

Anyway, back to graduation - I have to ask - did anyone else end up a sobby, teary mess? I sure did.
The choir always has a "Senior Song" - only the seniors sing it. This year they chose "Home" sung by Phillp Phillips in American Idol and used by the US Women's Gymnastics team in the Olympics last year. So appropriate, and moving:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoRkntoHkIE
Then the entire choir sang "Homeward Bound" by Marta Keen. So beautiful - I was a blubbering mess: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVWy1ENiPIg

And finally, the seniors do a slide show - they show a baby picture, and then the senior - oh, those precious little faces!! I was a fountain . . .

Congrats on an emotional end to what sounds like an amazing year.

What a "back to reality" slap in the face though to then find out there were problems with his college application. YIKES! I hope you have it all straightened out and can enjoy your summer with him.

I was tempted many times to let the waterworks flow, but my 12 year old daughter was sitting next to me monitoring my progress.

"You aren't going to cry are you?"

"Don't start"

"Just checking to see if you're crying yet".

Oy vey. I've been crazy busy since that day and haven't fully processed it all yet. I have a good cry or 2 in me still. You know.... when the 12 year old is out of the room.

Our local cable station is running graduation on a loop today so I've seen it a few times. I called my girlfriend and watched it with her too, which was a lot of fun.

Anyway, congrats to all the parents of Seniors out there who made it through their own emotional days.

Here's my Salutatorian:


IMG_0319 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[ugadog99]

Hi Deb!

There is no sadness here in being done, no tears, nothing, just a huge, huge relief at being OUT of the high school and way from the "drama." We are both so ready for her to find a new group who lives and breathes theatre the way she does. We are rejoicing at being finished!

 

[mom2travel]

Congrats on an emotional end to what sounds like an amazing year.

What a "back to reality" slap in the face though to then find out there were problems with his college application. YIKES! I hope you have it all straightened out and can enjoy your summer with him.

I was tempted many times to let the waterworks flow, but my 12 year old daughter was sitting next to me monitoring my progress.

"You aren't going to cry are you?"

"Don't start"

"Just checking to see if you're crying yet".

Oy vey. I've been crazy busy since that day and haven't fully processed it all yet. I have a good cry or 2 in me still. You know.... when the 12 year old is out of the room.

Our local cable station is running graduation on a loop today so I've seen it a few times. I called my girlfriend and watched it with her too, which was a lot of fun.

Anyway, congrats to all the parents of Seniors out there who made it through their own emotional days.

Here's my Salutatorian:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28159731@N02/8757289197/
IMG_0319 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

My DS graduates next Saturday and I can totally see my DD13 monitoring my progress as well! I too shall try to control myself. I'll probably find myself a puddly mess in a few weeks - having a teary breakdown while watching Toy Story 3

 

[marcyinPA]

I am loving hearing your stories and seeing some grad pictures!

My DS graduates on Tuesday, and we are ready I think. He has practice tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday. He has been done with finals since last week, though- and has been doing NOTHING since (LOL).

I am very proud of him. He ended up (according to the Parent Portal- because we haven't received his actual report card yet) ranked 215 out of 625. This is a huge accomplishment for the kid who had so much trouble his freshman and sophomore year. He was diagnosed with late stage Lyme Disease, which wreaked havoc on him. Once he was treated, he was like a new kid, and his grades improved unbelievably. He has pulled a 4.0 every quarter of Junior and Senior year!! This is a big deal for him!

So, anyway- he graduates on Tuesday, goes to orientation at his college on Thursday, and leaves for camp counselor training on Sunday. He will be gone for 2 weeks straight, and then gone every week, home on weekends, until August 10. Phew. It will be a long summer- but he is so excited!! This has been his "dream job" since he started going to this camp in 2nd grade

I will check in (with a picture, hopefully), next week! Pass the tissues!

 

[mom2rtk]

My DS graduates next Saturday and I can totally see my DD13 monitoring my progress as well! I too shall try to control myself. I'll probably find myself a puddly mess in a few weeks - having a teary breakdown while watching Toy Story 3

LOL, I still haven't watched Toy Story 3. My oldest graduated in 2011, so it was right as we were starting to think about graduations down the road. So I just refused to go there.

Good luck controlling your own waterworks next week. We'll be with you in spirit.

I am loving hearing your stories and seeing some grad pictures!

My DS graduates on Tuesday, and we are ready I think. He has practice tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday. He has been done with finals since last week, though- and has been doing NOTHING since (LOL).

I am very proud of him. He ended up (according to the Parent Portal- because we haven't received his actual report card yet) ranked 215 out of 625. This is a huge accomplishment for the kid who had so much trouble his freshman and sophomore year. He was diagnosed with late stage Lyme Disease, which wreaked havoc on him. Once he was treated, he was like a new kid, and his grades improved unbelievably. He has pulled a 4.0 every quarter of Junior and Senior year!! This is a big deal for him!

So, anyway- he graduates on Tuesday, goes to orientation at his college on Thursday, and leaves for camp counselor training on Sunday. He will be gone for 2 weeks straight, and then gone every week, home on weekends, until August 10. Phew. It will be a long summer- but he is so excited!! This has been his "dream job" since he started going to this camp in 2nd grade

I will check in (with a picture, hopefully), next week! Pass the tissues!

Congrats to your son. It sounds like a remarkable comeback. So glad he's healthy and on his way to great things.

 

[Christine]

It was at 10AM and, I swear it was 95 degrees on that football field. OMG. It was awful. We had the bishop from the archdiocese there and, well, it got long!!!

It was a nice event, though, but I am happy that we are done with it all. It will be nice to have nothing planned for awhile!!!

 

[Deb in IA]

FINALLY got the registration straightened out, and he is enrolled for the correct semester!!

Now we have to hear what orientation day he gets.

 

[disykat]

I'm jealous of those who are done! Tonight is prom, so I've got kids coming over for after-prom. This weekend is the "easy" weekend. Next weekend is Baccalaureate on Sunday afternoon. The following weekend is graduation, and I'm knee deep in grad night committee plans, along with his graduation party.

Meanwhile, we're shopping and packing since he leaves for the summer right after graduation, then he's got to be ready to leave for college shortly after he gets back.

It's going to be a crazy couple of weeks followed by a very quiet summer!

 

[mom2rtk]

FINALLY got the registration straightened out, and he is enrolled for the correct semester!!

Now we have to hear what orientation day he gets.

I bet that's a huge weight off your shoulders! Glad he has it all worked out. Orientation for us is 2 weeks away.

I'm jealous of those who are done! Tonight is prom, so I've got kids coming over for after-prom. This weekend is the "easy" weekend. Next weekend is Baccalaureate on Sunday afternoon. The following weekend is graduation, and I'm knee deep in grad night committee plans, along with his graduation party.

Meanwhile, we're shopping and packing since he leaves for the summer right after graduation, then he's got to be ready to leave for college shortly after he gets back.

It's going to be a crazy couple of weeks followed by a very quiet summer!

Enjoy the homestretch. I know it's crazy busy, but it's a great time to enjoy as well.

 

[Katy Belle]

DS graduated 9 days ago! No tears for me at the ceremony. I'd cried them before, because DS lost our rain out tickets for Graduation! Luckily, we had beautiful weather and a beautiful ceremony. DS was the only Senior Tuba player this year, and highly loved by the other Tubas. They all taped a letter "J" to their backs, his first initial. So sweet! I did tear up seeing that!

Thursday and Friday we had orientation at Oklahoma State! DH and I attended only Thursday, we left DS there for the night and he drove himself home Friday. Leaving him felt like leaving him at Pre-school, all those years ago! Friday morning, without us, he met with his adviser and enrolled! He's got 15 hours, but due to several labs and one class that is only 8 weeks, its closer to 18 hours of class/lab time. Fingers crossed it will go well!