Parents of College Class of 2018 (A.K.A., "Is this the line to the poor house?")

[Bluestars]

DD received her first major disappointment with the college process yesterday when she found out she wasn't accepted to the BA/MD program. She is wait-listed, but doesn't know where she is on the list. Those who were accepted have until May 1st to accept, then they move to the wait list.

I will keep my fingers crossed for her. At least it wasn't a solid rejection and there is still hope.

 

[JeannieNM]

IDoIdo- Sending big hugs and smiles.

DD got an acceptance yesterday to one of her top 4 schools!!!! with an artistic acceptance as well. She is over the moon. She has 3 more of her top schools to hear from. It is a roller coaster ride, this weekend she heard she did not get into one of the 3's dance programs but has not heard academically from that one, the other two she has not heard from at all, one she won't hear until the end of March.

Spring Break starts in 2 1/2 hours but whose counting! Two week so off then 4 weeks of classes. Last day for seniors is April 24. Then they have 3 weeks to do their senior projects then they come back for a week of celebration and graduate on May 24.

Now that break is starting we need to get a prom dress, shoes, graduation dress (they don't wear cap and gown but do wear white dresses), shoes for that, graduation announcements done, and the party planned. She is doing a group party with some other friends. These parties usually have between 200 and 300 guests. We will probably do a family cruise for graduation. She is already going to a 3 day concert with friends as her senior trip in the end of June.

 

[Bluestars]

JeannieNM, congratulations to your daughter for getting into one of her top schools with an artistic acceptance! That's exciting and must be such a relief.
The group graduation party sounds like a lot of fun.

It's hard to believe that in a little over two months my son will have graduated high school. This year has passed by much too quickly.

 

[disneymom2one]

Glad to hear everything is going so well with everyone.

We met with the director of the disability center today (the college is just an hour or so from our home) and the meeting went really, really well. In addition to directing the disability center, she personally runs the autism inclusion program and we were really happy with all that the program will provide. It looks like it will give her the support she needs.

Our schedule is pretty busy too. Prom is coming up and she really wants to go but it's tough navigating those social waters and I'm honestly not sure what will happen. For every high school dance, she's made plans with "friends" and they've fallen apart at the last second.

In the meantime we're headed down to Orlando and Tampa for a few days in about a week. We're doing four days at WDW and then three in Tampa. She loves the coasters at Busch Gardens and I like the more relaxed pace of those days. We get back to the district awards ceremony which could get very emotional as she was nominated by her school for an award for the senior in the county who has overcome the most challenges. I'm not sure if she'll be selected ultimately but it's a huge honor to even be nominated and that nomination honestly means more to me than any other award she's ever gotten.

We have another short Disney trip to meet family right before graduation followed by graduation on June 5 and then a family party in mid June. Her orientation is in late June - an overnighter. She has some volunteer work in July and is also flying to Austin to attend Rooster Teeth (her dad is flying with her).

Way too busy but we are cherishing these days.

 

[disney4us2002]

I hope no one minds that I'm late to the party. My youngest is set to graduate and head off to college this fall and I'm hoping someone has some insight into the whole FAFSA thing....

We never qualified before as we make too much with just one child in college but in '14-15 we will have two in college so we filled out the required FAFSAs for both sons and now I have questions. According to FAFSA, our estimated family contribution is $20K. Okay, the colleges for both sons together is $30K+$20K so I'm thinking we may get something. My youngest son received his financial aid letter today indicating that he would receive $5500 in "subsidized loan" - that doesn't sound free. It has to state "grant" or "scholarship" to be free or non-repayable right? We haven't heard from the older son's school yet, but I guess I'm not that hopeful now.

I don't understand. Do the schools know about each other and what our total college costs are? It's one thing to have an extra $2500 per month to send to one school but we can't pay double that.

 

[madge]

I hope no one minds that I'm late to the party. My youngest is set to graduate and head off to college this fall and I'm hoping someone has some insight into the whole FAFSA thing....

We never qualified before as we make too much with just one child in college but in '14-15 we will have two in college so we filled out the required FAFSAs for both sons and now I have questions. According to FAFSA, our estimated family contribution is $20K. Okay, the colleges for both sons together is $30K+$20K so I'm thinking we may get something. My youngest son received his financial aid letter today indicating that he would receive $5500 in "subsidized loan" - that doesn't sound free. It has to state "grant" or "scholarship" to be free or non-repayable right? We haven't heard from the older son's school yet, but I guess I'm not that hopeful now.

I don't understand. Do the schools know about each other and what our total college costs are? It's one thing to have an extra $2500 per month to send to one school but we can't pay double that.

yes -- loans need to be paid back. scholarships & grants do not.

as far the schools knowing about the other? they might. I don't know what's included on the actual FAFSA report with the EFC. It wouldn't hurt to contact the financial aid offices at each school and explain that you have 2 students in college, and ask if there's anything they can do to help. They may say no, but it never hurts to ask!

 

[sk!mom]

I'm now thinking of getting DD new laptop as a grad gift. She currently has a 2 year old Dell. She will be a Design major at the University of North Texas. I emailed the design department at UNT and they had no specific hardware advice. They only said that she will likely want Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software.

Anyone have advice on the best computer?

 

[tajz90]

I'm now thinking of getting DD new laptop as a grad gift. She currently has a 2 year old Dell. She will be a Design major at the University of North Texas. I emailed the design department at UNT and they had no specific hardware advice. They only said that she will likely want Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software.

Anyone have advice on the best computer?

I can't advise you as to hardware, but "most" of the kids at UNT carry apple computers. Of course, I don't have a breakdown, but that's what we were told so I'm passing it on to you. In fact, the school will have good discounts on computer items for sale. We bought our son his before school, but he did get a new iPad at a discount on campus.

 

[TLuvsD]

Disney4us2002 call both schools financial aid office and explain that you will have two students in college for the coming year...like a previous poster said it can't hurt.

A subsidized loan has to be repaid, but not all loans are the same. In some cases, there is no interest until after graduation, no payments until after graduation. In other cases, interest starts immediately, payments may or may not start immediately. Call the financial aid office for specific information about the loan that was offered.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Ok, I was not expecting this today...

DS17 came in and smiled.. hands behind his back... uh, ok.. what did you do....

He then hands me his cap/gown/stole/medallion and his graduation announcements!!

We usually are notified when these items are coming in so that if you owe any money (which we did not, I pay in full upfront) you can send the money in with your child...no notification this year.. This is my 4th graduate so the drill has always been the same till this year...

It's getting a little more real.. only 79 days till graduation!

 

[KATHINOWA]

I have a DS graduating this year. He has received many acceptances and some scholarship offers. We are still waiting to hear from his top choices. We do not qualify for need-based assistance. All scholarships have been academic.

We are being told to call the schools that didn't offer scholarship and tell them he has scholarship offers from other schools. Will that help? I guess it couldn't hurt any but has anyone had success in getting money from schools that haven't offered anything.

 

[madge]

I have a DS graduating this year. He has received many acceptances and some scholarship offers. We are still waiting to hear from his top choices. We do not qualify for need-based assistance. All scholarships have been academic.

We are being told to call the schools that didn't offer scholarship and tell them he has scholarship offers from other schools. Will that help? I guess it couldn't hurt any but has anyone had success in getting money from schools that haven't offered anything.

it can't hurt to ask, but you have to understand the offers you have vs. what you're asking for. specifically, what kinds of schools have the scholarships come from? public/state or private? are the schools that didn't offer a scholarship the same type of school, similar tuition, etc? each school has its own criteria for offering monies ... and it can be confusing.

I had success asking the financial aid office to review DS award package at a small, private school ... we had a change in our family finances not reflected on the FAFSA & I shared that with the school. DS was awarded an additional private grant to supplement what was already offered.

Good luck!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My son was accepted into 3 colleges and has no foreign language in high school.
Prom here is April 12th. Ds isn't sure if he is going or not. Graduation is Memorial Day Saturday. Ds isn't going to that.

Interesting. Around here, having 2 years of foreign language is a big deal and pretty much mentioned at every guidance counsel meeting that it is necessary to get into college.

All 3 colleges that DS applied to required it. I had no idea some colleges didn't require it.

It's good to know for when my DD hits High School next year.

I just paid in advance today for us to get a professional handshake picture when DS gets his diploma. We'll be sitting someplace in the bleachers of a stadium so I know that was the only way I'll get that picture which is a important to me. Paying in advance at least got me a small discount.

 

[Gina]

I just paid in advance today for us to get a professional handshake picture when DS gets his diploma. We'll be sitting someplace in the bleachers of a stadium so I know that was the only way I'll get that picture which is a important to me. Paying in advance at least got me a small discount.

If you don't mind me asking, what does that cost?? I hadn't even thought about that until you mentioned it... this is all uncharted territory for me. But I want that picture of my DS!! Haven't heard anything from the school about that option. Think I'll call right now!


-gina-

 

[sk!mom]

DD's announcements came today. They are beautiful. I'm so glad that we skipped the school announcements and went with Tiny Prints.

Any opinions on when to mail them out?

 

[Pembo]

Interesting. Around here, having 2 years of foreign language is a big deal and pretty much mentioned at every guidance counsel meeting that it is necessary to get into college.

All 3 colleges that DS applied to required it. I had no idea some colleges didn't require it.
It's good to know for when my DD hits High School next year.

I just paid in advance today for us to get a professional handshake picture when DS gets his diploma. We'll be sitting someplace in the bleachers of a stadium so I know that was the only way I'll get that picture which is a important to me. Paying in advance at least got me a small discount.

Here every guidance meeting they said it was required. He applied to 4 colleges and was academically accepted without any foreign language. One was state school, the other 3 are private. Not sure why but ds is happy about it.

 

[Chelley00]

Interesting. Around here, having 2 years of foreign language is a big deal and pretty much mentioned at every guidance counsel meeting that it is necessary to get into college.

In Indiana, you have to have 5 credits in "directed electives" (foreign language, fine arts or career/technical education) to graduate. They really push everyone here to at least take one year foreign language but if you have fine arts credits it's not required (because it makes the student seem "more well rounded"). To graduate with an honors diploma, you have to have 6 credits foreign language.

 

[JeannieNM]

I feel like we are about to hit another phase of this process. DD has heard from most but not all schools she applied to. While her first choice school has changed several times over the school year she has it narrowed down to two, one she is accepted in both dance and academically and one she will not hear from until the end of next week. She is happy with the one she has gotten into and it will be a tough choice if she gets into the other school. It is a super stretch for her with a low acceptance rate so time will tell.

We are now starting to deal with the party. Much to my surprise the venue we were interested in for the party is available. Now we just have to make sure it is what she and her friends want. She wants to do a group party.

We have not done anything when it comes to announcements yet. We also need to plan the family luncheon.

Hope everyone is coming along with their decisions. Is anyone else still waiting to hear from schools?

 

[SydSim]

DD got her last decision yesterday, so she's officially done. Fortunately, she got into her top choice and so far, has enough in scholarship money for us to afford it.

Move in hotel room and minivan are booked. Now, I am trying to figure out which two day orientation to send her to. There are several to choose from, and I need to find out about her summer plans so I can schedule orientation around them.

I must say that she did quite well, only because I guided her towards schools that were a great fit for her (academic matches, as well as social and financial), so she only received one "no", one "wait list" and eleven acceptances. Yes, she needed to apply to that many due to the audition process with acceptance rates of less than ten percent.

She didn't go for the big name schools that are usually known for her major because they weren't a good fit for her or us. I have to say, we had a great time during this process. The road trips for auditions made for some wonderful memories. Didn't like shelling out so much money for the applications though!

 

[madge]

Hope everyone is coming along with their decisions. Is anyone else still waiting to hear from schools?

we are still waiting for a scholarship package from one school -- it won't come until next week.

DS started the year with 6 schools on his list. He's down to 3. We visited one of those 3 schools for the first time on Monday, and he likes it enough to keep in on his list ... but it isn't his first choice. We are making a return trip to another school in the top 3 on Saturday. I'm hoping we get a little more clarity after that visit.

Our big excitement this week had nothing to do with the college process -- DS was selected to be part of the 25-member delegation to represent Kentucky at the Conference on National Affairs (student-led mock government program) this summer