High School class of 2011

[golfgal]

I have always been willing ot be my kdis' secretary during the college app process. The school doens't know who is doing the emailing. Lots of these folks are only available duirng normal business hours and most kids are not available during normal business hours. Also, I was always very invovled in the scholarship application process..because I am payng, it matters to me a lot that my kid get the scholarship.

We did a lot of the paperwork stuff for DS but any personal contact (emails, phone calls, etc.) he did.

 

[golfgal]

Just a tip for next year, wait until they start classes to buy books. About 1/2 the books DS bought 1st semester he didn't "need"-used them a couple times but could have used the copy at the library vs buying. He started classes for 2nd semester today and online it lists 14 books for his Chinese class-in class he needs 2. The Prof just listed all the possible editions they could use (so if they found used ones which ones would work). That saved us almost $300 .

 

[missypie]

On the bookbuying front, see (if at all possible) if there is a "part two" of the class that your student will take that will use the same book. My son took Bio last fall and I'm so glad that we bought a used book instead of renting...because he needs the same book for the next Bio class and the cost of two rentals would have exceeded the purchase price.

 

[linnylu]

I have always been willing ot be my kdis' secretary during the college app process. The school doens't know who is doing the emailing. Lots of these folks are only available duirng normal business hours and most kids are not available during normal business hours. Also, I was always very invovled in the scholarship application process..because I am payng, it matters to me a lot that my kid get the scholarship.

Missypie, I am a pretty handson Mom and am kicking myself that I left up thinking college stuff should be done by ds. He had an online timed essay for a special medical program that I did not proof- I had proofed his other essays. He misspelled a word. We still haven't heard if he will be granted an interview or not.

I know for the common app there were a number of questions/items that ds needed my help with.

 

[kbeverina]

Well, I'm very glad I trekked through the snow to the mailbox. Dd found out two days ago she was accepted to state flagship and invited to join the Honors College. She got a letter today notifying her of a full tuition scholarship and a one time grant of $2500 to be used for enrichment. (Research, study abroad, internship, etc.)

She also found out a few days ago she was accepted to her number two choice, honors, with a half tuition scholarship. Dollarwise, it's much larger than the state school scholarship, but we'll have to see what the complete aid pkg. looks like. She'll have to wait until April to find about about her #1 choice, and also for her last-minute reach school application. She's got the stats for the reach school, but so do a million other kids, so basically it's a crapshoot, and I am not optimistic.

Anyhow, she has two good, affordable choices right now (the other is an out of state public with full tuition that would actually be cheaper than our in-state school). I'm very relieved and very proud of her.

Congratulations ctinct! That's great news

We got some great news right before Christmas too. My DS was awarded a Trustees Scholarship to his #2 school, full tuition. He was pretty excited. The school called to tell him before he got the letter in the mail. Then this week, the Honors College dean called to speak to him, he was at work at the time, but the dean and I had a nice chat. He didn't tell me outright, but I think this was the call inviting him into the Honors College, that letter hasn't come yet, but based on the invite to the honors mixer, I assume it will be here soon.
His 1st choice school is Penn State, with all the competition, I doubt we wil see money like this, so he will probably end up at 2nd choice.

Wow--great news--congrats!

I think it was me who mentioned the books originally and I also bought the naked roomate book for DD and unfortunately she has absolutely no interest in reading it. Or in anything else I have to say...Oh well.

Thanks--definitely going to order that.

This is my son. I got him a few Christmas gifts of things he could use in college. He asked if I was trying to push him out the door. Even my dh agreed that stuff for college was a poor Christmas gift. It ticket me off because dh doesn't help one iota in choosing gifts for the kids. He won't be the one helping ds outfit a dorm room either.

My husband and son just crack up at anything I mention buying. Shower caddy? Thought they were going to roll off the couch they were laughing so hard at that one.

On the bookbuying front, see (if at all possible) if there is a "part two" of the class that your student will take that will use the same book. My son took Bio last fall and I'm so glad that we bought a used book instead of renting...because he needs the same book for the next Bio class and the cost of two rentals would have exceeded the purchase price.

Great advice, thanks!

 

[ctinct]

Ctinct, that is awesome news- for both schools! Was the full tuition scholarship a presidential scholarship? That is great that she found out so soon and doesn't have to wait until March. I am hoping that my dd will get a scholarship like yours did. She will be a senior next year.

Yep. Strangely enough, she now has three "Presidential" scholarships. Another one came a few days ago to a school that's #3 or 4 on her list. It's the highest one they offer, but it's still slightly less than half tuition. We need to see how the rest of the financial aid pkgs. come in. She does have to wait until april to hear from her #1 school, though.

 

[ctinct]

Congratulations ctinct! That's great news

We got some great news right before Christmas too. My DS was awarded a Trustees Scholarship to his #2 school, full tuition. He was pretty excited. The school called to tell him before he got the letter in the mail. Then this week, the Honors College dean called to speak to him, he was at work at the time, but the dean and I had a nice chat. He didn't tell me outright, but I think this was the call inviting him into the Honors College, that letter hasn't come yet, but based on the invite to the honors mixer, I assume it will be here soon.
His 1st choice school is Penn State, with all the competition, I doubt we wil see money like this, so he will probably end up at 2nd choice.

On another note, call me a sap, but it hit me last week that my baby is going away to college, and it took all I had not to cry.


Wow, wonderful news! Is it a small school? Just wondering because the dean called him. That's pretty great to get that personal attention.

And, I haven't cried yet, but I will. It's my baby too, and I will be all by myself when she leaves. I keep telling her I can't believe she will be gone in less time than it took to birth her.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Wow, wonderful news! Is it a small school? Just wondering because the dean called him. That's pretty great to get that personal attention.

And, I haven't cried yet, but I will. It's my baby too, and I will be all by myself when she leaves. I keep telling her I can't believe she will be gone in less time than it took to birth her.

The school, Hofstra, is a mid-size school, but I think their honors program is only two or three years old, so the dean is very hands on, and very into making it a successful program.

I have to say, I got a shiver at the thought that they will be gone in less time than it took to birth them- love that line- I hadn't thought about that yet. College has been a far away ideal for as long as I had my kids. My DH have been working them toward this since they started school, knowing that these kids don't stand a chance in tomorrow's job market without the college degree. But all of a sudden, here it is! I'm not sure I'm ready. I want to take my baby back to Magic Kingdom and see him light up at meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time.

Besides linnylu, has anyone started making college purchases? Or thinking about it? I just started thinking about it (and naturally, what it will cost to outfit a dorm room). I mistakenly overbought laundry detergent- well, I bought some in Costco while my DH was picking up the big size bottle on a great sale in the supermarket. And we thought, what do we do with the extra bottle? Then I thought, maybe I should pick up some storage crates, and start throwing stuff like that in a little at a time.... next time razors or toothpaste or soap, etc is on a crazy good sale, to pick an extra one up to put into the crate. Am I jumping the gun here? I feel like I may be pushing him out while I am trying to hold him in.

 

[missypie]

And, I haven't cried yet, but I will. It's my baby too, and I will be all by myself when she leaves. I keep telling her I can't believe she will be gone in less time than it took to birth her.

When we left our son at his dorm, he cried, his dad cried, but I didn't. Why? Because I had cried all the way through his senior year. And with D....I hope I can get through the drill team competition season without embarrassing myself with sobs.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I find it comforting to know you didn't cry at drop off because you cried all year!

I had to fight back tears at his senior project - directing one acts. Nearly lost it in the car on the way home form the fall play. Wiped tears away at both the jazz band and the choir concerts at Christmas. Even started to tear up the other night at dinner when we were all at the table together for the first time since Christmas thinking how much I want more time. Not sobbing but more chocked up I guess. I am not one that allows myself to get too emotional - I tend to make myself hold it all in and I never cry in public but this year has been a test for sure. And I think it will get harder as the year goes on! Maybe that means I can actually leave him at the dorm with out completely losing it!

 

[missypie]

I find it comforting to know you didn't cry at drop off because you cried all year!

I had to fight back tears at his senior project - directing one acts. Nearly lost it in the car on the way home form the fall play. Wiped tears away at both the jazz band and the choir concerts at Christmas. Even started to tear up the other night at dinner when we were all at the table together for the first time since Christmas thinking how much I want more time. Not sobbing but more chocked up I guess. I am not one that allows myself to get too emotional - I tend to make myself hold it all in and I never cry in public but this year has been a test for sure. And I think it will get harder as the year goes on! Maybe that means I can actually leave him at the dorm with out completely losing it!

Do you have the soundrack of Wicked? I would do "scheduled cries" in the car, listening to "For Good." For example, Senior Breakfast just about did me in, because the speaker was a much beloved teacher who was retiring AND she brought out as a visual aide one of her own kids' baby sleepers. So I held it together, then got in the car, put on "For Good" and sobbed pretty much my whole 30 minute commute for work. (Might want to throw extra eye makeup in your purse.)

(Glinda):
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you


[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/for-good-lyrics-wicked.html ]

(Glinda):
Because I knew you

(Both):
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda):
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both):
And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda):
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba):
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both):
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda):
And because I knew you...

(Elphaba):
Because I knew you...

(Both):
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...

 

[minkydog]

Besides linnylu, has anyone started making college purchases? Or thinking about it? I just started thinking about it (and naturally, what it will cost to outfit a dorm room). I mistakenly overbought laundry detergent- well, I bought some in Costco while my DH was picking up the big size bottle on a great sale in the supermarket. And we thought, what do we do with the extra bottle? Then I thought, maybe I should pick up some storage crates, and start throwing stuff like that in a little at a time.... next time razors or toothpaste or soap, etc is on a crazy good sale, to pick an extra one up to put into the crate. Am I jumping the gun here? I feel like I may be pushing him out while I am trying to hold him in.

I have collected a few things over the last couple of years. Some large Rubbermaid containers for DS24 and DD17. DS moved into his first apt this year and he was very happy to get those boxes containing towels, cups, bowls, salt & pepper, pots, cooking utensils, and non-perishable foods. DD17s box is a little different. Hers has towels & washcloths, extra-long twin sheets, paper towels, mugs,& her special plastic "baby" plates. We have a small fridge which we will give her. And she has already requested a hot-pot and a small blender. I'm going to wait on buying her comforter until later. I need to get a few more containers so I will have enough to pack her shoes.

 

[HannaBelle]

Oh my goodness MissyPie! I cannot say you did not give a hankie warning...lol... We have not seen Wicked yet and it is on the "to do" list for sure...

Has anyone started planning a graduation party? I want to throw a big party with all the family invited (Dad's side and Mom's side) plus family friends. He is ify on whether or not to invite his friends.

I want it to be great, but not too cheesy. I am definitely bringing all of our family pictures and doing a power point. I looked into custom imprinted M&M's for favor, but they are pretty pricey. I plan on designing a custom candy bar wrapper for favors.

Is a "time capsule" too dorky? I am not planning on burying anything, but have a box that people can put notes/items in and then hang on to it for him for 20 years…that kind of thing.

Anyone have thoughts or plan for their grad’s party?

 

[linnylu]

I have also started to think about the grad party. My friend knows a caterer who brings a pizza oven to your home (wood burning), sets it up outside, and makes homemade pizzas to order. I was really excited about that idea- ds not really.

 

[minkydog]

We will probably have a joint grad party for DD17 and two of her BFFs. There are actually 5 of them who have been best friends since 5th grade. They are all having some difficulty with going off to college and leaving each other. Two of the girls are in 11th grade, so i imagine they'll all be back together next year for the 2nd half of the graduation party. Not sure how this will be themed, or if there will be a theme at all. It's not gonna be at my house, anyway.

It will be interesting to see how we all handle it. These girls have spent almost every weekend with each other for the last 7 years. They call all the parents "mom" and "Dad". Where you see one, you always see 2 or 3 others, and we love all these girls. We parents are going to have a hard time with this, i think. The girls have a "logo" that they use to identify themselves and they're thinking about all going together and getting it tattooed on their ankles.

 

[geffric]

College Purchases- no not yet, in late July the store have a college package with the extra long sheets, comforter , mesh laundry basket, carry thing for shower and laundry. I have thought about the shampoo, soap, detergent thing but not bought it yet. I have been saving quarters for washer and dryer..
Food will be bought just before he leaves..
Laptop, frig, printer, desk lamp, waste paper basket we will do in August before he leaves..

Party - i havent thought about a grad party, been busy planning his EAGLE ceremony and party..so i think he'll have a small family party for graduation as the EAGLE is very big party..

CRYing.. just a little bit at each major event - like homecoming and V Show.. as each one is the last.. boo hoo...As for ANDY in Toy Story 3.. at the end, when he talks about each toy and the personality of each one.. i sob.. working at TDS, i try not to cry everytime i hear the line that ANDY is going to college.. if i cryed it would be many times each time i am there..so i hold it in.. i am glad that we are taking a family trip this summer.

 

[agnes!]

I doubt we'll do any kind of party at all, the whole high school experience has been so odd for us plus around here it would be hard to keep it low-key anyway. Not sure if any family will be coming at all, they're all so busy and my sibling who's somewhat close-by won't be in town.

Sorry I'm so glum about it all.

agnes!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Our plan was not to do a party, just dinner out with immediate family. My DH and I figured we would save the party for his college graduation. But something my sister mentioned off handed got me thinking maybe we will- honestly, it's price driven.
My sister mentioned a new Chinese restaurant near her is very affordable, and has a nice party room (mentioned in reference to a party she had been to) So I looked into it, and we can give DS a party for extended family and friends for what the dinner with immediate family would have cost us.

My party related question to you all, is it tacky to register for dorm supplies at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and let invited family members know? I'd much rather he gets practical gifts than money from family members. I'd also like to avoid making large check deposits in his bank account, which is what would happen if he got money presents.

 

[missypie]

Contrary to what many retailers advertise, not every dorm bed uses extra long sheets.

 

[golfgal]

Contrary to what many retailers advertise, not every dorm bed uses extra long sheets.

I would wait to get most of your dorm stuff until you know the specifics of the room they will be in AND the roommate. The kids should coordinate what they are bringing, etc. Hindsight, we would have done our shopping in DS's college town and not lugged all that stuff home from the store, stored it for 1/2 the summer, lugged it to campus .

DS18 said the best thing we bought him was the USB hub