That's an extra 3K per year! That's a short trip to WDW! 
lots of good news here! congratulations!
although, I think I may start a thread for parents of high school seniors who did well, but not well enough for any kind of major award. LOLOLOL
lots of good news here! congratulations!
although, I think I may start a thread for parents of high school seniors who did well, but not well enough for any kind of major award. LOLOLOL
). And she made it abundantly clear she had no desire to be, as she put it "the stupidest kid among the smartest kids". Too much pressure. She didn't want that kind of stressed out experience. So while I think she could have gotten into "better" schools, it wasn't worth it financially or emotionally, although I'll always wonder "what if".
lots of good news here! congratulations!
although, I think I may start a thread for parents of high school seniors who did well, but not well enough for any kind of major award. LOLOLOL
) I didn't realize that was the HUGE deal in the process that it is because it's not stressed at all. at the end of the day, it's his grades, his work, and his scores. He's worked hard & believed he had a shot because he met the criteria to apply ... in the end, it would be better if a school would say not to bother to apply if you don't have a 4.0 and not a NMSF. Don't tell kids they'll accept applications from students with a 3.5, or even a 3.8 because they simply don't have a chance.
no! no! no! this is all me.
ultimately, it's all my son. Had he not gotten a B in geometry and pre-Cal, or written a stronger scholarship essay ... then we would likely be having a very different experience. and even then, maybe not. our school does not focus on the PSAT/SAT for National Merit (there's no money in that for the school. welcome to Kentucky.
I need to push past the rejections and focus on what's good in our situation. And I need to not dull other's sparkle. That's not fair to anyone else.
they're so rare and yet, the University of Kentucky makes sure we know they have 100 National Merit finalists in the current freshman class. also big here, Governor's Scholars Program. DS did not make the cut from his school ... mainly because he has a brag sheet that's a mile long, but does not include one sport. That's VERY important at our school.
one of the B's was frustrating because it was a 94. the other (pre-Cal), we were over the moon thrilled to get because that class nearly killed DS. he worked himself silly last year for that B. which, BTW, was an 88. one point lower would've been a C.
our major disappointment has been with the school where DS attended a summer program last year. it was for students who are targeted for honors program, best & brightest, blah blah blah ... he went for a group interview 2 weeks ago and will not be considered for the top scholarship. it is our understanding that none of the kids who chose to attend from the summer program are being considered. they were passed over in favor of NMF and Governor's Scholars students.
the majority of the scholarship offers come out March 1. hopefully we'll get some encouragement then.
He's been in contact with the college and school of business where DS has direct admit. We were afraid he'd lose the direct admit since he will no longer qualify for an academic honors diploma, but we were told that wasn't the case as long as his grades stay up. It's taken such a load off of poor DS as he's no longer trying to take 5 AP classes and deal with all the health issues.
I love coming here to read all of the good news!
DS is having SUCH a crappy senior year it's just not even fun anymore. I'm surprised he's even still trying honestly. First his car accident last year, then he got expelled over something amazing stupid and small for first semester (thanks to a new principal trying to make her mark). As if that wasn't all enough, we get him back in school last month and he's doing great, on target for academic honors, and then on his MRI check they found a growth on his pituitary (common after head injuries apparently) and now we are looking at surgery in March which will take him out of school again for 3-6 weeks)
Thankfully he has the most amazing guidance counselor. This poor man has worked his tail off to make sure DS will graduate on time. We're going to have to buy HIM a graduation present
So now, we're just looking for the good stuff. He's going to Florida over spring break with his best friend's family and some of their other friends will be in the same area so they can hang out. They are starting to make plans for prom.
He really doesn't care for a party so we will discuss this weekend what he wants to do....
was the verification a big deal? in Kentucky, you have to file early because state grant money runs out early ... so, I filed based on last year's return, which increases your chance of being chosen for verification. out of 5 schools, we were chosen at 2 of them. waiting for the IRS to activate the data retrieval tool on our return so I can get everything in order.
PS. regarding my comment earlier? while I celebrate with everyone in this thread, it's been a disappointing time for DS. 2 rejections from 2 schools AND a no news is bad news response from a 3rd ... all within a week. well, it sucks. and it's hard. and when you read post after post of good news, it makes the bad news harder. does that make the good news any less good? of course not. but as the parent of the one getting turned down ... it makes me want to stomp my feet, whine, and for a brief second, create a thread for the rejected parents like me.
