High School class of 2011

[missypie]

Some of the dorm rooms are really tiny. Really. Tiny. You really need to know where you're going to be before you buy much.

 

[minkydog]

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.

No, I would not. To me, that just seems like a gift grab. My family and friends will either ask me what DD17 needs or they will send money. She would rather have the money, anyway, although she will never say it to anyone but me. College students have so many expenses, I would really rather she have the money than a bunch of stuff she may or may not even be able to use.

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

I already checked with DDs college. They have extra-long twins in her dorm.

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

This what i plan to do. We'll bring her clothes and her mountain of shoes and boots. We'll coordinate with the roommate regarding the fridge, microwave and toaster. Once we get to the school, we'll figure out what kind of storage she needs and go get it at Walmart nearby. No need to transport that stuff 200 miles.

 

[golfgal]

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.

Why don't you want him to get money or make large deposits to his account? No, I would not register for graduation gifts. DS got a sizable amount of money for graduation gifts and it is still sitting in his savings account to be used for school. He used most of his summer earnings to pay for first semester and he will use the rest of that and some of his grad money to pay for 2nd semester.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Why don't you want him to get money or make large deposits to his account?

My DS currently has his bank account with my credit union, which has proved to be nothing but a pain. At his age, they do not have debit cards, he won't be eligible for one until he turns 18 in November, and the nearest branch is a state away (ok, it's not as bad as it sounds, but it is a 25 minute drive and a $6 toll every time we go there) and withdrawals are holy pain; my banking with them is great, and never a problem, but my kids banking is a major hassle.

He'll be opening a new account with whatever bank is on or near campus where ever he goes to school- but we won't know until April or May where he is going. I was going to just wait until he starts school to open the account. Unfortunately, we have some family members whose checks have gone rubber between my kids getting them on a birthday, and depositing them a few weeks later Sometimes I think they are happier to buy some token gift than to give a monetary gift, but they just don't know my kids taste ( I have the only boys on DH's side of the family, they like to say they don't know how to buy for boys)

On another note, I didn't think about extra long sheets vs regular sheets. I'm hoping that where ever he chooses to go, they have the package plan my friend's daughter had... she was able to order a pkg with sheets, comforter, towels, shower caddy, pillows and some other assorted items- and it was shipped direct to the residence hall, it was a little more expensive than shopping around, but my friend said the convenience was worth it to her. I'd love to be able to do that too. What I'm trying to pick up now are little things that my son will need no matter what- razors, hairbrush, hairdryer, schools supplies, extra socks, pajamas, things of that nature.

 

[golfgal]

My DS currently has his bank account with my credit union, which has proved to be nothing but a pain. At his age, they do not have debit cards, he won't be eligible for one until he turns 18 in November, and the nearest branch is a state away (ok, it's not as bad as it sounds, but it is a 25 minute drive and a $6 toll every time we go there) and withdrawals are holy pain; my banking with them is great, and never a problem, but my kids banking is a major hassle.

He'll be opening a new account with whatever bank is on or near campus where ever he goes to school- but we won't know until April or May where he is going. I was going to just wait until he starts school to open the account. Unfortunately, we have some family members whose checks have gone rubber between my kids getting them on a birthday, and depositing them a few weeks later Sometimes I think they are happier to buy some token gift than to give a monetary gift, but they just don't know my kids taste ( I have the only boys on DH's side of the family, they like to say they don't know how to buy for boys)

On another note, I didn't think about extra long sheets vs regular sheets. I'm hoping that where ever he chooses to go, they have the package plan my friend's daughter had... she was able to order a pkg with sheets, comforter, towels, shower caddy, pillows and some other assorted items- and it was shipped direct to the residence hall, it was a little more expensive than shopping around, but my friend said the convenience was worth it to her. I'd love to be able to do that too. What I'm trying to pick up now are little things that my son will need no matter what- razors, hairbrush, hairdryer, schools supplies, extra socks, pajamas, things of that nature.

I have to say, a couple kids on DS's floor got that package plan and the sheets and towels were HORRIBLE-one step up from sandpaper. As for school supplies, they are MUCH less expensive in the late summer when they are all on sale for back to school.

I tried to color coordinate DS's clothing, sheets and towels so laundry would be easier We got him navy sheets/towels so he could dump them in with his jeans and dark shirts.

 

[geffric]

I have to say, a couple kids on DS's floor got that package plan and the sheets and towels were HORRIBLE-one step up from sandpaper. As for school supplies, they are MUCH less expensive in the late summer when they are all on sale for back to school.

I tried to color coordinate DS's clothing, sheets and towels so laundry would be easier We got him navy sheets/towels so he could dump them in with his jeans and dark shirts.

me too.. lol navy sheets, comforter, towels etc..

at DS#1 school, he said those with the package spent twice as much for 1/2 the quality..

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

Today I'm working on selecting pictures for DS Senior yearbook ad. I'm enjoying looking through pics but at the same time it's sad, time has gone to fast. It's hard to pick which pictures to put in and what to say.

On a different subject, DS got his Scholars Day invitation from his #1 choice yesterday. It will be Feb. 25 and 26. They are putting parents up in a hotel and providing meals for the weekend. He has already been accepted and offered the presidential scholarship, but this is for their top scholarship. He will have to write an essay and have an interview during the weekend.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

 

[ctinct]

Today I'm working on selecting pictures for DS Senior yearbook ad. I'm enjoying looking through pics but at the same time it's sad, time has gone to fast. It's hard to pick which pictures to put in and what to say.

On a different subject, DS got his Scholars Day invitation from his #1 choice yesterday. It will be Feb. 25 and 26. They are putting parents up in a hotel and providing meals for the weekend. He has already been accepted and offered the presidential scholarship, but this is for their top scholarship. He will have to write an essay and have an interview during the weekend.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Fingers and toes crossed for your son!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Today I'm working on selecting pictures for DS Senior yearbook ad. I'm enjoying looking through pics but at the same time it's sad, time has gone to fast. It's hard to pick which pictures to put in and what to say.

On a different subject, DS got his Scholars Day invitation from his #1 choice yesterday. It will be Feb. 25 and 26. They are putting parents up in a hotel and providing meals for the weekend. He has already been accepted and offered the presidential scholarship, but this is for their top scholarship. He will have to write an essay and have an interview during the weekend.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Sending some pixie dust and good vibes to your son, I wish him the best of luck, I hope he gets that top scholarship.
Do you feel like it's going by too fast? I think we'll all blink our eyes and the fall will be here, and they will be off to their new lives at college, whether we're ready for it or not.

 

[geffric]

Do you feel like it's going by too fast? I think we'll all blink our eyes and the fall will be here, and they will be off to their new lives at college, whether we're ready for it or not.

so true..


armomof3lvsdisney -good luck on the top scholarship..finger crossed for you and DS.

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

Thank you guys so much for pixie dust and well wishes!
I'm really nervous about it and it's still over a month away.

I just want to rewind back to the first of the year or farther back would be even better. I'm not ready for all of this.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I found this when doing a scholarship search for my son, just thought I'd share.

Carolina Rice Scholarship, if you live in or attend high school in the metro areas of: New York/ New Jersey, Chicago, Miami Dade and Broward Counties, Los Angeles and Orange County, or San Francisco/San Jose, you are eligible. If your child is willing to write an essay he/she will have a chance to win.

 

[agnes!]

I have to say, a couple kids on DS's floor got that package plan and the sheets and towels were HORRIBLE-one step up from sandpaper. As for school supplies, they are MUCH less expensive in the late summer when they are all on sale for back to school.

I tried to color coordinate DS's clothing, sheets and towels so laundry would be easier We got him navy sheets/towels so he could dump them in with his jeans and dark shirts.

me too.. lol navy sheets, comforter, towels etc..

at DS#1 school, he said those with the package spent twice as much for 1/2 the quality..

Today I'm working on selecting pictures for DS Senior yearbook ad. I'm enjoying looking through pics but at the same time it's sad, time has gone to fast. It's hard to pick which pictures to put in and what to say.

On a different subject, DS got his Scholars Day invitation from his #1 choice yesterday. It will be Feb. 25 and 26. They are putting parents up in a hotel and providing meals for the weekend. He has already been accepted and offered the presidential scholarship, but this is for their top scholarship. He will have to write an essay and have an interview during the weekend.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

NAVY sheets...that is BRILLIANT. Can be washed with jeans *and* don't show the dirt!

Maybe with our snow/ice day today DD will have time to put together her yearbook ad...if she doesn't do it it's not getting done.

DD still hasn't heard from any of her schools. I'm being good and not asking if she's checked her e-mail.

agnes!
PS - Dang, we're not in the correct area for that Carolina Rice Scholarship, but thanks for posting DisneyNutMary.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I found another scholarship opportunity if any one here is a union member, But it's a very short deadline, must be postmarked by Jan 31, 2011. Union Plus Scholarship at first I thought it was just ,y union UFCW, but going through the site I saw there are hundreds of labor unions listed as participating in Union Plus.

I hope someone finds this useful. My DS can't do it, with mid-terms this week, there is no way he can write an essay, and get the college advisor to put together a letter of recommendation by 1/31, last I heard she is backed up by three weeks with transcripts, hardly anything is moving out of her office in less time than that

On another note, are we in for the long winter stretch here? It seems like nothing goes on between FAFSA in January and accpetance letters in March. There are no senior activities at school coming up, and I hardly see my DS with him working extra hours everytime there is a snow scare, and locking himself in his room to study when he is some. I wish the spring thaw would get here.

 

[geffric]

HI

DS had 1st semester finals this week.. then starts his last semester of HS.. boo hoo.. It is his last finals for high school too.. BOO HOO..

but he is off to pole vaulting practice and then to the city for a meeting of the bands that play at the METRO later this month..

He still has not decided between Indiana and Illinois.. but he is going to several events that Indiana is hosting..
\

time is going too quickly..

 

[MichelleVW]

Heading to Stephen F Austin today for college visit number 3. After the visit tomorrow I'm giving her about a week until she has to make a final decision. I wish she would pick Tarleton which is about 2 hours away, but right now I think she really wants to go to West Texas A&M which is in Amarillo.

 

[kbeverina]

On a different subject, DS got his Scholars Day invitation from his #1 choice yesterday. It will be Feb. 25 and 26. They are putting parents up in a hotel and providing meals for the weekend. He has already been accepted and offered the presidential scholarship, but this is for their top scholarship. He will have to write an essay and have an interview during the weekend.

Wow--very exciting!

Heading to Stephen F Austin today for college visit number 3. After the visit tomorrow I'm giving her about a week until she has to make a final decision. I wish she would pick Tarleton which is about 2 hours away, but right now I think she really wants to go to West Texas A&M which is in Amarillo.

How far away are Stephen F Austin and West Texas A&M?

 

[MichelleVW]

How far away are Stephen F Austin and West Texas A&M?

West Texas is about 5 1/2 -6 hours away and SFA is right at 4 hours. But the decision has apparently been made!! I wanted her to go to Tarleton since it was only about 2 hours tops away from here, but she hated it so she has decided on SFA. I really liked the campus and the town. It wasn't a huge town, but it wasn't crazy small like where Tarleton is.

So, I just signed her up for orientation in June and applied for housing in hopes that we are early enough to get one of the rooms in the new dorm that is being built.

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

West Texas is about 5 1/2 -6 hours away and SFA is right at 4 hours. But the decision has apparently been made!! I wanted her to go to Tarleton since it was only about 2 hours tops away from here, but she hated it so she has decided on SFA. I really liked the campus and the town. It wasn't a huge town, but it wasn't crazy small like where Tarleton is.

So, I just signed her up for orientation in June and applied for housing in hopes that we are early enough to get one of the rooms in the new dorm that is being built.

Congrats to you and you Daughter thats wonderful news!!

 

[missypie]

My son's GF is a junior at SFA. She really likes it.