High School Class of 2016/College Class 2020

[coneeny4]

We went to the Admitted Students Day yesterday and did a tour of the campus and saw my DD future dorm. My DN's apartment is only a 5 minute walk away so I am happy about that. My DD and her friends met with other Honor's Program students and they are excited to go.
Next is the Freshman sleepover night and a placement test the Monday after graduation.

 

[dragonflydoll2]

DD picks her dorm room on Monday and has found a roommate who lives in a nearby town who is also in the honors college. They seem to enjoy the same things...I am hopeful that this all works out for the best.

 

[punkin]

I am envious of everyone who made a decision. My DD is driving me crazy. She's not in love with any of her choices. I'm tearing my hair out.

 

[magsmum]

We are getting close. We've been to two admitted students days and cancelled a third. DS has made his decision emotionally, but we are appealing our financial aid package and merit aid award. The school he would like to attend gave him the least amount of merit money- four other comparable schools gave him either more than double or more than triple what his chosen school offered. His second choice school gave him lots of merit plus financial aid grants and has the cheapest overall cost for us. He just received his last acceptance in the mail yesterday and it included a Presidential scholarship of 22,000. So, DS and DH have met with both admissions and financial aid and we are busy putting together a package of information for reconsideration, including information about the other offers. We are adding midyear and third quarter grades (which is looking to be his strongest quarter yet) plus additional information about awards and leadership positions since he put in his application. We are hoping that we see an increase in aid as this school's comes far below others. Hoping we see the numbers we need for DS to attend this school. We all can see him at it. Wish us luck!

 

[zoemurr]

I am envious of everyone who made a decision. My DD is driving me crazy. She's not in love with any of her choices. I'm tearing my hair out.

Right there with you. DD really wants to go to Carnegie Mellon for Computer Science but we are waiting for the merit appeal. Not expecting the $$$ she would need, so that is pretty much off the table. Her next choice is Northeastern, but even after $17k merit it's still almost $50k a year. Now it seems to be down to RIT and Binghamton. Both very good schools and affordable, but obviously no comparison to CMU, and both very close to home. I feel terrible after all of her hard work and so many acceptances that money knocked out most of her options. She did like both schools a lot and now can't decide between the two. Bing gave her scholars and a Freshman research group so she was excited about those. RIT has a better co-op program and a whole "geeky" vibe that she really likes. Might come down to a coin toss..

 

[punkin]

I think we're coming down to a coin toss too. Our decision matrix comes down to cost, urban/rural and reputation. Of course, she's still hoping to get off a wait list, which would mean NO merit money, even if she did get in. Praying for some clarity.

 

[jetskigrl]

Wow - I'm so far behind on this thread. Congratulations on everyone making their decisions and hugs to those struggling with it!

We attended Admitted Students Day at DD's college on Saturday. It was geared more towards those that have not decided but still fun for us. Because it is an art school, one of the free gifts was an art apron that the kids were able to add their own graphics to. Of course, DD added the school logo and "Class of 2020" to hers (OMG - reality hit hard, LOL).

We have paid the tuition deposit and housing deposit so we are just waiting for the registration instructions to come. The priority deadline for housing is May 1 so shortly after that we should hear if she was accepted into housing (they have limited dorms and first priority goes to out-of-country and out-of-state students). But the housing director said she has a good chance since they just adding their new dorm this fall and have more rooms now.

But I have to share this with my fellow Disney parents Sunday was a cool experience for DD at her art program. It is a program called Ryman Arts (scholarship program that she applied to last year where they provide up to 3 semesters of Art training, all expenses paid). It was founded in memory of Herb Ryman (Disney Legend). Well, the president of the foundation is Disney Legend Marty Sklar and he was there on Sunday to speak to the Advance classes (DD is in Advanced/3rd semester) so DD was able to meet him and get a couple of her books signed. She said it was amazing to meet him and hear about his time working with Walt Disney and Herb Ryman. It really reinforced her decision to follow her dreams and attend an art college.
It was a very exciting weekend for her

 

[dragonflydoll2]

DD and her roomie are officially locked into a dorm and room....so excited for her

 

[punkin]

Now DD is talking about taking a gap year.

 

[MomofKatie]

I think sometimes, the parents have to have a frank talk with their kids about finances, academics, and expectations. We subscribe to the theory that college is what you make of it. A student can go to their dream school, pay a lot of $$, and end up unhappy. They can also end up at their safety school and be very happy. They can make of it what they want by getting involved in campus life, reaching out to professors, making the most of opportunities offered- just really throwing themselves wholeheartedly into whichever school they go to.

Kids (and some parents) are buying into the idea that there is only *one* perfect school out there for them. I believe they can be happy at virtually any school if they let themselves be happy and not dwell on "what could have been" if only for money, grades, test scores, acceptances, etc.

 

[teller80]

Now DD is talking about taking a gap year.

Did she say why, or what she wants to do for the year? Unless she has a pretty firm plans, I would discourage it. However, if she wants to do major league volunteering, travel, wwolfing or something similar then I can see it.

 

[punkin]

Did she say why, or what she wants to do for the year? Unless she has a pretty firm plans, I would discourage it. However, if she wants to do major league volunteering, travel, wwolfing or something similar then I can see it.

She has no plan other than maybe getting a job. I think it's fear talking. She has no viable option close to home (because she didn't want one when she was applying) and she doesn't feel ready to leave.

 

[luvsJack]

I think sometimes, the parents have to have a frank talk with their kids about finances, academics, and expectations. We subscribe to the theory that college is what you make of it. A student can go to their dream school, pay a lot of $$, and end up unhappy. They can also end up at their safety school and be very happy. They can make of it what they want by getting involved in campus life, reaching out to professors, making the most of opportunities offered- just really throwing themselves wholeheartedly into whichever school they go to.

Kids (and some parents) are buying into the idea that there is only *one* perfect school out there for them. I believe they can be happy at virtually any school if they let themselves be happy and not dwell on "what could have been" if only for money, grades, test scores, acceptances, etc.

This is so true. There can be so many good things at any school. But I think we as parents want our kids to have their dream school or to be able to do their dream sport/activity at said school and the kids start getting the idea that anything less is not worthy of their time.

There are so many opportunities out there for them, many (not here just thinking about so many kids that I know that have been banking on a certain school or a certain scholarship) just need to be open to them all.

 

[WVMomof3]

I think sometimes, the parents have to have a frank talk with their kids about finances, academics, and expectations. We subscribe to the theory that college is what you make of it. A student can go to their dream school, pay a lot of $$, and end up unhappy. They can also end up at their safety school and be very happy. They can make of it what they want by getting involved in campus life, reaching out to professors, making the most of opportunities offered- just really throwing themselves wholeheartedly into whichever school they go to.

Kids (and some parents) are buying into the idea that there is only *one* perfect school out there for them. I believe they can be happy at virtually any school if they let themselves be happy and not dwell on "what could have been" if only for money, grades, test scores, acceptances, etc.

I keep telling my DD this same thing. She is choosing between 2 schools, one more "prestigious" and a state school. She has it in her mind that the prestigious school will be better, although it will end up costing us at least 15K more a year. She feels like the state school is a let down after working so hard for 18 years. I keep telling her wherever she goes, it will be what she makes out of it. I feel like she can "shine" more at the state school leading to more opportunities. She has recently talked to 2 of her friends that ended up choosing state schools over ivies and they are still happy with their decision, so I hope that helps her decide.

 

[OceanStateKelly]

Hi All,
Just wanted to say Hi, my last one DD will be graduating in June from high school. She was a gymnast turned All star cheerleader. She was recruited by Quinnipiac in CT to be on there Acro and Tumbling team. Really not sure how will pay for it, not a full ride. She'll be studying radiology.
Next week is her last cheer competition - worlds in Disney.. cant wait for some nice weather

 

[Hikergirl]

Well we are excited, dd just got her letter in the mail saying to make an appointment to schedule her classes so she going up to the CC tomorrow to pick her classes. Its not as exciting as opening a letter of acceptance but it just made the whole thing real. I can't believe my first born is a college student, when did I get so old

 

[Monykalyn]

Hi All,
Just wanted to say Hi, my last one DD will be graduating in June from high school. She was a gymnast turned All star cheerleader. She was recruited by Quinnipiac in CT to be on there Acro and Tumbling team. Really not sure how will pay for it, not a full ride. She'll be studying radiology.
Next week is her last cheer competition - worlds in Disney.. cant wait for some nice weather

What school is she at? I hope it is televised on ESPN-I like to watch the competitions!!

Still waiting on full financial aid package from DD school, but she did get approved for 90% instate tuition-makes going to an out of state school much much more affordable!. Plus she found out nearly all her college credits she has accumulated past couple years will transfer-now here is hoping they work with her major and that is nearly a year less of school to pay for!
Her Lunar research team made the final four - so now she and the team have to go in Friday (no school for students as it is a teacher work day) to present. She hasn't made the end of her senior year easy...

 

[Mom2DDs]

My DD finally committed to Temple - Honors Program at Fox Business School! So happy! She'll come out of her undergraduate years with no debt between the scholarship and the 529.

If she would have chosen is her dream school she would have had to borrow between $15,000-$20,000 per year and that's after their offer of a Presidential Scholarship. So she's decided that she'll do her Masters there.

OceanStateKelly - my youngest DD (a high school sophomore) was an All Star cheerleader for many years (I miss the cheer moms & traveling but love having the extra money ) but when she got to high school decided to just do the high school cheer team but lots of her friends are in World Cup teams (we're in NJ) and they're going to Worlds. Wish your DD good luck!

 

[Tinijocaro]

I think sometimes, the parents have to have a frank talk with their kids about finances, academics, and expectations. We subscribe to the theory that college is what you make of it. A student can go to their dream school, pay a lot of $$, and end up unhappy. They can also end up at their safety school and be very happy. They can make of it what they want by getting involved in campus life, reaching out to professors, making the most of opportunities offered- just really throwing themselves wholeheartedly into whichever school they go to.

Kids (and some parents) are buying into the idea that there is only *one* perfect school out there for them. I believe they can be happy at virtually any school if they let themselves be happy and not dwell on "what could have been" if only for money, grades, test scores, acceptances, etc.

I 100% agree with you. Well said.

 

[Mom2DDs]

I think sometimes, the parents have to have a frank talk with their kids about finances, academics, and expectations. We subscribe to the theory that college is what you make of it. A student can go to their dream school, pay a lot of $$, and end up unhappy. They can also end up at their safety school and be very happy. They can make of it what they want by getting involved in campus life, reaching out to professors, making the most of opportunities offered- just really throwing themselves wholeheartedly into whichever school they go to.

Kids (and some parents) are buying into the idea that there is only *one* perfect school out there for them. I believe they can be happy at virtually any school if they let themselves be happy and not dwell on "what could have been" if only for money, grades, test scores, acceptances, etc.

I agree with you 100%. We had that conversation with my DD a couple of night ago. She really, really wanted to go to GW but even with a Presidential Scholarship and the college savings we have for her she would have had to take out a loan for thousands of dollars and knowing that in the field she wants (Economics/International Business) she'll have to get a masters we couldn't get her into debt for her BA/BS. She looked at the numbers and decided on her 2nd choice and her safety, Temple. She's already gotten in touch with a few potential roommates in the Honors Program/Business School.