High School class of 2011

[Pinkpony]

Same boat here as well. Still waiting to hear from 1 school regarding the financial aid package, but suspect it will be like the others. DD applied to 4
schools -3 private, 1 state public. All offered merit scholarships, but even
with those the best choice is the state public where we will have to pay room/board/food. It so happens it's the school she wants to go to and feels
most comfortable at

Lucky you! I wish my DS would pick the in-state school as well. Also fueling the fire is I don't think he wants to be at the state school with his identical twin.

 

[geffric]

I hope everyone is doing great! Prom is tomorrow, so it's getting even crazier around here. My DS and DD are both going, and I am excited about it, but I'm also ready for it to be over. TGIF!!

Prom is today! really?? Your DS must graduate early too.. DS's pron is in early June and his graduation is too..

it sounds like all of the seniors are getting settled rearding schools..

Financial Aid is a joke in ILL.. with a broke state , they expect you to pay and pay some more..

 

[ctinct]

Warning! Shameless mom brag coming up. And it may seem weird, because I'm not bragging about an acceptance, but a waitlist. This school took no one from the waitlist last year, and the 10 year avg. is 21 students from a list of 500, so there is very little chance of her getting in, but I am tickled pink that she got waitlisted and not rejected....at AMHERST. Wow.

We also just got the aid pkg. for our state University. I have to look it over carefully this evening. She already has free tuition, and they gave her a few grants I wasn't expecting. She does not want to go there, so I hope when I analyze things, it is not too much cheaper than her first choice, which is twice the cost but gave her a huge scholarship and a pretty darn good grant. I really the private school would be a much better fit for her, too, as it is about 2600 students vs 15,000 students, and it seems to have a very welcoming campus.

Just a quick question....is a perkins loan in the student's name or the parents? State school gave her the standard $5500 in federal loans, but only $266 of that is the subsidized loan. They also have a $1600 Perkins loan on there. The school she wants to attend has only a $3500 subsidized loan and a $1500 Perkins loan. It seems the private school is a much better choice for HER financially....it is me that will have to come up with more money at the private school. Like I said, it's going to take some analysis, because the state school gave her $1800 a year in work study, while the private school is only $1250. To my mind, the smaller amount is a good thing. It's actually less that I will have to pay up front, since it is not *really* taken off tuition; it's more or less spending money. Keep your fingers crossed that the private wins out for us!!!! To me, it seems like a better pkg. overall, albeit more money for me. Since I will be an empty nester, though, I am considering getting a part time job when she leaves, which would help make up the difference.

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

Prom is today! really?? Your DS must graduate early too.. DS's pron is in early June and his graduation is too..

it sounds like all of the seniors are getting settled rearding schools..

Financial Aid is a joke in ILL.. with a broke state , they expect you to pay and pay some more..

His graduation is May 22 and his last day is May 13th. I have never understood why but most Seniors in Arkansas get out before the other students. Even when I graduated we got out about 2 weeks earlier than the underclassmen. This year both my DD's last day is June 3rd.

Warning! Shameless mom brag coming up. And it may seem weird, because I'm not bragging about an acceptance, but a waitlist. This school took no one from the waitlist last year, and the 10 year avg. is 21 students from a list of 500, so there is very little chance of her getting in, but I am tickled pink that she got waitlisted and not rejected....at AMHERST. Wow.

We also just got the aid pkg. for our state University. I have to look it over carefully this evening. She already has free tuition, and they gave her a few grants I wasn't expecting. She does not want to go there, so I hope when I analyze things, it is not too much cheaper than her first choice, which is twice the cost but gave her a huge scholarship and a pretty darn good grant. I really the private school would be a much better fit for her, too, as it is about 2600 students vs 15,000 students, and it seems to have a very welcoming campus.

Just a quick question....is a perkins loan in the student's name or the parents? State school gave her the standard $5500 in federal loans, but only $266 of that is the subsidized loan. They also have a $1600 Perkins loan on there. The school she wants to attend has only a $3500 subsidized loan and a $1500 Perkins loan. It seems the private school is a much better choice for HER financially....it is me that will have to come up with more money at the private school. Like I said, it's going to take some analysis, because the state school gave her $1800 a year in work study, while the private school is only $1250. To my mind, the smaller amount is a good thing. It's actually less that I will have to pay up front, since it is not *really* taken off tuition; it's more or less spending money. Keep your fingers crossed that the private wins out for us!!!! To me, it seems like a better pkg. overall, albeit more money for me. Since I will be an empty nester, though, I am considering getting a part time job when she leaves, which would help make up the difference.

Congrats to your DD!! It's our motherly right to brag on our kids!

 

[golfgal]

Warning! Shameless mom brag coming up. And it may seem weird, because I'm not bragging about an acceptance, but a waitlist. This school took no one from the waitlist last year, and the 10 year avg. is 21 students from a list of 500, so there is very little chance of her getting in, but I am tickled pink that she got waitlisted and not rejected....at AMHERST. Wow.

We also just got the aid pkg. for our state University. I have to look it over carefully this evening. She already has free tuition, and they gave her a few grants I wasn't expecting. She does not want to go there, so I hope when I analyze things, it is not too much cheaper than her first choice, which is twice the cost but gave her a huge scholarship and a pretty darn good grant. I really the private school would be a much better fit for her, too, as it is about 2600 students vs 15,000 students, and it seems to have a very welcoming campus.

Just a quick question....is a perkins loan in the student's name or the parents? State school gave her the standard $5500 in federal loans, but only $266 of that is the subsidized loan. They also have a $1600 Perkins loan on there. The school she wants to attend has only a $3500 subsidized loan and a $1500 Perkins loan. It seems the private school is a much better choice for HER financially....it is me that will have to come up with more money at the private school. Like I said, it's going to take some analysis, because the state school gave her $1800 a year in work study, while the private school is only $1250. To my mind, the smaller amount is a good thing. It's actually less that I will have to pay up front, since it is not *really* taken off tuition; it's more or less spending money. Keep your fingers crossed that the private wins out for us!!!! To me, it seems like a better pkg. overall, albeit more money for me. Since I will be an empty nester, though, I am considering getting a part time job when she leaves, which would help make up the difference.

The Perkin's Loan is in the student's name.

His graduation is May 22 and his last day is May 13th. I have never understood why but most Seniors in Arkansas get out before the other students. Even when I graduated we got out about 2 weeks earlier than the underclassmen. This year both my DD's last day is June 3rd.



Congrats to your DD!! It's our motherly right to brag on our kids!

Our seniors get out earlier too because they don't take finals.

 

[DisneyCrazy2]

My daughter chose a state school and our financial aid package was nothing but loans. Thankfully, she has a full-time job lined up for the summer. I am a single mom but somehow we will make it happen!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Are everybody's seniors going to prom? DD has got her dress ($482 originally marked down to $49!!!), shoes and makeup all set. Prom is in May. Are you giving your kids curfews? Approving after prom activities? Just letting them do whatever? How are you handling it?

The graduation announcements are due to be delivered next week.

Grad Bash is the end of this month.

Lots of "senior" stuff going on here in the next couple of months as the end of the year approaches.

 

[johnsontrio]

Are everybody's seniors going to prom? DD has got her dress ($482 originally marked down to $49!!!), shoes and makeup all set. Prom is in May. Are you giving your kids curfews? Approving after prom activities? Just letting them do whatever? How are you handling it?

The graduation announcements are due to be delivered next week.

Grad Bash is the end of this month.

Lots of "senior" stuff going on here in the next couple of months as the end of the year approaches.

DD is going to 2 Proms, hers and DBF's. They haven't made concrete plans for either as of yet. For his they don't even know which group they are going with. They are going to hers with the swimmers. Neither has arranged transportation or made plans for the after-party. I think they will most likely end up chipping in on a limo or bus with whatever group they end up going with. I don't really have to worry about approving the plan because DBF's mother is a "super micro manager" and her restrictions will likely be greater than mine, meaning I never look like the bad guy. In a way that's kind of funny because most people think I'm pretty tough on DD and she makes me look like a negligent parent, but it's kinda sad for him.

They will likely go to an afterparty for a couple hours and I'm guessing have about a 1-2am curfew. They both are against drinking so I don't worry too much about that. Lots of kids here do a party up north in someone's cottage kind of thing the weekend after prom, but they will not be doing that. Lots of parents around here allow drinking in their homes for high schoolers so we have to be careful who they are making plans with. Several years ago, a couple girls on the party bus for Prom had alcohol and all the girls on the bus got in trouble. The end of the year activities are all on the line if there is a behavior problem at Prom. Not the way we want to end 4 years of high school.

 

[cruisnfamily]

DD is going to 2 Proms, hers and DBF's. They haven't made concrete plans for either as of yet. For his they don't even know which group they are going with. They are going to hers with the swimmers. Neither has arranged transportation or made plans for the after-party. I think they will most likely end up chipping in on a limo or bus with whatever group they end up going with. I don't really have to worry about approving the plan because DBF's mother is a "super micro manager" and her restrictions will likely be greater than mine, meaning I never look like the bad guy. In a way that's kind of funny because most people think I'm pretty tough on DD and she makes me look like a negligent parent, but it's kinda sad for him.

They will likely go to an afterparty for a couple hours and I'm guessing have about a 1-2am curfew. They both are against drinking so I don't worry too much about that. Lots of kids here do a party up north in someone's cottage kind of thing the weekend after prom, but they will not be doing that. Lots of parents around here allow drinking in their homes for high schoolers so we have to be careful who they are making plans with. Several years ago, a couple girls on the party bus for Prom had alcohol and all the girls on the bus got in trouble. The end of the year activities are all on the line if there is a behavior problem at Prom. Not the way we want to end 4 years of high school.

Here the prom is from 8 to midnight. Most kids have no curfew at all on prom night and many don't even go home. We haven't completely ironed out what we're going to allow .......

 

[johnsontrio]

Here the prom is from 8 to midnight. Most kids have no curfew at all on prom night and many don't even go home. We haven't completely ironed out what we're going to allow .......

Here's the dilemma... After the Christmas formal the girls had a sleepover here and their dates drove home at 2am. DD's BF was very tired that night from a crazy soccer schedule so my DH drove him home and I didn't have to worry about him on the road. The boys did the same thing after their Homecoming but DD didn't go to that so I didn't have to deal with it then. My issue is with the boys having an all nighter after their school Prom. I do not want my DD driving herself home in the middle of the night because the boys are sleeping over somewhere. Since most of the boys go to the all boy school and the girls all attend the girls school, the parents (because they only know either the boys or the girls) usually only host the boys or the girls all night. That leaves either the boys or girls driving home without their dates. Do the parents of the coed schools host the couples overnight? How does that work out? Are the kids up all night with chaperones? If there is no sleep involved, how do they drive home safely in the morning? Since I haven't heard of any plans for DD's prom, I'm sure she's not too far away from asking me to host.

 

[Bearvet]

We have an official after prom party held at the local YMCA. The kids must arrive by midnight and can't leave until 5:00 AM. There are all kinds of activities - inflatables, magician, hypnotist, DJ (who is doing minute to win it games too), swimming, photo booth, food and lots of prize giveaways. The kids LOVE it and it's worth all the effort the parents put into it - the cost is around $10,000 and we spend all year raising money for it.

This keeps our kids safe that night and they have a great time. The theme this year is Las Vegas and the party supplier has a "Vegas" package with slot machines, poker tables and a pit boss. We're also getting a cash "box" where paper (money or prize tickets) are blown around and kids(one at a time) have a certain amount of time to grab what they can. I think they'll love it!

 

[Jedana]

Dd graduates in June!

She is heading to Gainesville, to Santa Fe college. She is doing 2 years there, then switching to UF for her junior year. The program she wants doesn't accept until junior, so going to SF will make it a bit cheaper on everyone, as they have the same beginning classes as UF. She is eligible for several grants, and then will have to get loans to cover the last bit.

If she could figure out how to do flag at UF, she would be in heaven!


For prom: She is staying at a hotel with her friends. They are getting two rooms (one for boys, one for girls) and no alcohol is allowed. One parent is staying at the hotel, but in their own room, so there will be someone close just in case.

We didn't allow it the last two years, but she is almost 18 now, and we have been allowing her to make her own choices this year, with just a little guidance. They wanted a limo, but everyone backed out when they found out it was going to be between $50-75 a person (depending on how many rode).

The hotel is only costing them $25 a person, and they are doing a picnic by the pool instead of a fancy dinner. They are checking in, going swimming or whatever, then the girls have appointments at the hotel to do hair and nails about 6. Prom starts at 8, and they want to be there right as it starts, to get their pictures done while they look good.

 

[Jedana]

We have an all-night lock-in type of thing after prom, but not after graduation. Our graduation is at 8am on a Saturday morning so it's more typical to have family cook-outs that the kids make their rounds to that day and early evening.

DD's graduation is on a Friday at noon. She isn't having a party, just some family and close friends over for a BBQ. She will probably go hang out with her cousin that night, and go with them to WDW the next day. Her cousin and her husband have never been to FL, so DD is spending the week before graduation going to the beach, St. Augustine, etc.

Dd's grad bash is the end of April, at Universal. They meet at teh school around 4pm, ride the buses down and are locked in until 5am-ish.

 

[dhcoffey]

Prom here is next Friday night. My DD's friends have reserved a party bus to take them around, so they'll be picked up here at my house. All the parents are doing dinner for them here and then they'll go take pictures, do the Senior Walk, then go to prom. Afterwards, they'll be back here for breakfast and then as many of the kids that want to will stay the night here in our "party hut" out back. Lots of work for us coming up!

Heather

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

Hi everyone, DS just texted me, he just got his cap and gown and invitations today at school. I just can't believe that it's almost here. He goes on Saturday to register for classes and get his student id made for this fall. Hope everyone is doing well, we are busy with baseball now. And next week is Sr Night, his last home baseball game. I know I'm going to be a wreak for that.

 

[geffric]

That would give me heart failure armomof3lvsdisney.. yikes it is too soon..

DS is just going along as "normal".. but i imagine that will change real fast..

regarding Prom.. the dinner/dance is held 6 to 11.. then they board a bus that takes them downtown to Navy Pier for several hours of dancing and "hanging" in the ball room.. then bus back to NW burbs at about 3ish in the morning.. the police would not give them curfew tickets that night as they need to drive somewhere. and the dates somewhere.. the next day is fuzzy.. as to where they will go,and then graduation is that Sunday..

we wont be hosting a party that weekend..

But DS will see what his plans are.. at this point, now his Eagle Court of Honor is done, he is focused on AP tests in may.. and going down state for Pole Vauling competition..

but we did get the laptop yesterday.. a loaded HP.. well it will last him for undergraduate and graduate work..

 

[cruisnfamily]

Hi everyone, DS just texted me, he just got his cap and gown and invitations today at school. I just can't believe that it's almost here. He goes on Saturday to register for classes and get his student id made for this fall. Hope everyone is doing well, we are busy with baseball now. And next week is Sr Night, his last home baseball game. I know I'm going to be a wreak for that.

DD is supposed to pick up her announcements during lunch today! Cap and gowns, not for another month or so.

What classes is he registering for? at a community college?

That would give me heart failure armomof3lvsdisney.. yikes it is too soon..

DS is just going along as "normal".. but i imagine that will change real fast..

regarding Prom.. the dinner/dance is held 6 to 11.. then they board a bus that takes them downtown to Navy Pier for several hours of dancing and "hanging" in the ball room.. then bus back to NW burbs at about 3ish in the morning.. the police would not give them curfew tickets that night as they need to drive somewhere. and the dates somewhere.. the next day is fuzzy.. as to where they will go,and then graduation is that Sunday..

we wont be hosting a party that weekend..

But DS will see what his plans are.. at this point, now his Eagle Court of Honor is done, he is focused on AP tests in may.. and going down state for Pole Vauling competition..

but we did get the laptop yesterday.. a loaded HP.. well it will last him for undergraduate and graduate work..

What kind of curfew do you have? DD is 18 and as far as drivers licenses go she has full privileges, and if our town has a curfew, I don't know about it.

We're still unsure on after prom plans....probably some sort of party hopping followed by breakfast at Denny's with arrival at home around 4 am

Our prom is May 14th and graduation is not until the first friday in June...the 3rd I think.

Anybody else have a kid going to Grad Bash or Grad Night? DD's Grad Bash is April 30th at Universal.

 

[golfgal]

Did you have your kids take the SAT subject tests? Did they do "anything" for the college acceptance process? If they are helpful, we would want the twins to take the Biology and US History ones this year since they have those AP classes now but if they are not really all that helpful for the application process, we won't bother.

 

[sharbear]

I was advised to have the kids take SAT II tests the spring after the corresponding class. For instance take the Math II test after precalc.

My kids did not prep they just went in and took the tests. They should be in good shape after the AP test.

Don't have them take any more than two.

For college admission, one child needed them, one didn't. It was nice to have them done. They had so many other things to do, it was nice to have them out of the way.

 

[golfgal]

I was advised to have the kids take SAT II tests the spring after the corresponding class. For instance take the Math II test after precalc.

My kids did not prep they just went in and took the tests. They should be in good shape after the AP test.

Don't have them take any more than two.

For college admission, one child needed them, one didn't. It was nice to have them done. They had so many other things to do, it was nice to have them out of the way.

Why only two? Around here most of the schools prefer the ACT over the SAT but we don't know where all they will apply yet either. They did take the ACT test in the fall and did well on that (the school has sophomore honor students take the ACT and the PSAT for practice). They could get into most schools on that score so I am not worried about that-but want them to take it junior/senior year to get as high as possible for scholarships, etc.