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

[Gina]

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

That sounds so cool! Congrats to your DS on being chosen!

Trying to work on party stuff lately. My mom is just hosting an open house sort of thing at hers and my stepdad's place, immediately after the graduation ceremony. Mostly family -- DS said he only cares if his girlfriend and best friend are there. We're just going to do some finger food type things, some maroon & white cupcakes, and I found some individually-wrapped A&M mints I'm going to put in a big bowl. Just simple stuff.

The one thing I'm trying to decide on is whether or not to have some sort of card box. I've never been to a graduation party in my life... do most people do a box? Or just have like a gift table and have people toss cards there in a pile?

 

[elgerber]

That sounds so cool! Congrats to your DS on being chosen!

Trying to work on party stuff lately. My mom is just hosting an open house sort of thing at hers and my stepdad's place, immediately after the graduation ceremony. Mostly family -- DS said he only cares if his girlfriend and best friend are there. We're just going to do some finger food type things, some maroon & white cupcakes, and I found some individually-wrapped A&M mints I'm going to put in a big bowl. Just simple stuff.

The one thing I'm trying to decide on is whether or not to have some sort of card box. I've never been to a graduation party in my life... do most people do a box? Or just have like a gift table and have people toss cards there in a pile?

We just did a basket for my son. No one brought actual gifts, but almost everyone brings a card. It was nothing fancy, just a regular little wicker basket.
The one unique thing we saw last year, that my dd liked. One party had the graduation gown hanging up with a sharpie, and the kids were signing the gown. I thought it was rather clever, it's not like anyone will ever actually wear it again.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

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-

Ours was 39.95 and that was after the discount. It was the same photography company who took the senior class picture.

Definitely call your school and ask about it. Your senior may have heard about it and forgot to tell you.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

The same company that did our senior photos for the yearbook takes photos at graduation... We get an email and can order the photos we want at that time. I think they were like $13 a piece. They actually took one shot in 2012 from the 2nd level of our gym so that you saw the entire graduation class in their seats. I also got one photo with her shaking hands w/ the superintendent as she received her diploma... and the best one was the one they took as the kids stop at the end of the stage w/ their diploma in hand and smile like they had just won a million dollars!

We also just put a wicker basket out for cards. The only people who actually bought gifts were/are the family members that called DD directly (and have called DS this year) and asked exactly what they wanted for their dorms! Love my parents as they bought their TVs!

 

[Gina]

Definitely call your school and ask about it. Your senior may have heard about it and forgot to tell you.

WHAAAT..?? My son not tell me something important?!? Inconceivable!!


I was afraid y'all were going to tell me it was the same company for you that took the Senior pics... that means I will be taking out a second mortgage to buy a little wallet-size pic of him getting his diploma, lol.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

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

Congrats to your DS!! That is awesome news!!! What a cool experience he will have!!

 

[madge]

Congrats to your DS!! That is awesome news!!! What a cool experience he will have!!

thanks! of all the things he's applied for ... dealing with the rejection letters & disappointments ... THIS is the one that mattered to him. I'm so proud of him!

if only it came with a little scholarship money. that would've been nice.

 

[coinkc]

Update on my senior... she was accepted to all the colleges she applied to (but that wasn't a surprise as she didn't apply to any ultra-competitive ones).

We have received financial aid packages from 2 out of her top 3 choices so far. The school she thought she really wanted to attend sent a better than expected package but the cost is still quite high.

The other school we have heard from has become her top choice. We didn't know much about the school before starting the college search process but keep hearing great things about it so we went for a visit in the fall. We went back for a second visit last month and I think we have a winner! They sent a great scholarship/financial aid package so I think her decision is made. Someone asked her the other day why she picked that school and her answer made me tear up...she said "I just feel like it's where I'm supposed to be."

We are still waiting for the financial aid package from the third school but I think at this point it's just a formality. It's been such a relief to have the decision made that we are all happy with. She is not much of a planner and it's been a long process getting her to start thinking about the future and figuring out what she wants to do next year so I'm just thrilled that she found a place she feels comfortable at. For the first time, she actually seems to be getting excited about college.

It's so hard to think that in 8 weeks my "baby" will be a high school graduate!

 

[Bluestars]

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

Congratulations!! That is exciting.

 

[Pembo]

Congrats to madge's ds. Love your dd's reasoning coinkc!

Good news from here today. We rec'd the financial aid awards today and ds got 2 great scholarships/grants. He was excited and said this is definitely where he is going. Now we get to send in the deposit, pick an orientation day, and fill out the online housing form! Prom is in 3 weeks, graduation in 2 months...the time is flying.

 

[Bluestars]

That's great, Pembo. It sounds like the major decision has been made.

Graduation will be here in no time at all. This year has flown by.

 

[elgerber]

Final performance today of my dd's final high school musical! I am already a mess, on my way to Target to get some waterproof mascara. It's always so stressful I couldn't wait for it to be over, and now of course it will be, and I'd give anything for a few more shows.

 

[pammypooh]

We are awaiting the financial package from my DD first choice. It should arrive tomorrow or Wednesday. They were mailed out from the school on Friday. She has received nice packages from two of the three she has already heard from. Should be an interesting couple of days here.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

We got our financial aid package for DS17.. Everything was what we expected based on the older kids..

Now, we just have to wait for the older kids to get their info... DD who is already attending the school DS17 will be attending did not have her info yet but she did check. They are usually really good about sending a campus email saying.. "financial aid awards are out, check your account."...

 

[IDoDis]

We just did a basket for my son. No one brought actual gifts, but almost everyone brings a card. It was nothing fancy, just a regular little wicker basket.
The one unique thing we saw last year, that my dd liked. One party had the graduation gown hanging up with a sharpie, and the kids were signing the gown. I thought it was rather clever, it's not like anyone will ever actually wear it again.

I think that's a great idea and may steal it if DD decides to do a joint party with friends.

I was afraid y'all were going to tell me it was the same company for you that took the Senior pics... that means I will be taking out a second mortgage to buy a little wallet-size pic of him getting his diploma, lol.

Sad but true! I could buy a nice zoom lens for my camera and take my own picture for what the yearbook photo company would gouge me for.

DD and 26 other high school seniors from across the district were honored at a Selfless Seniors reception this past week for their selflessness and volunteerism in the community. It was a wonderful ceremony. Each of the 14 high school principals introduced the 2 students from their schools and gave them their awards. DD's principal's introduction for DD was very sweet. She said she thought that this recognition was more honorable than being valedictorian. The students were also given a mounted half poster-sized print of the professional photo that was taken of them for the malls and airport displays, some money, and a few other gift cards and trinkets. DD is going to put the money towards a MacBook for college.

DD is all signed up for orientation in mid-June. It's mandatory for all freshmen and includes an overnight stay. Cap and gowns will be given out this week. There's two more weeks until spring break. We are all hanging on to our schedules by a thin thread and can't wait for a breather. I can't believe that March is almost over!

 

[Bluestars]

iDoDis, the Selfless ceremony for your daughter sounds like it was very nice.:good vibes

My son's graduation is in 1 1/2 months. Gosh, how did this year pass by so quickly?

We are going to wait until after his new student conference in June to start getting his stuff for his dorm. Since he will be in the Corps of Cadets, they have their own list of things and they are pretty strict. As freshman, I don't think they can have a TV, microwave, or a dorm frig. That makes it easier though.

 

[IDoDis]

iDoDis, the Selfless ceremony for your daughter sounds like it was very nice.:good vibes My son's graduation is in 1 1/2 months. Gosh, how did this year pass by so quickly? We are going to wait until after his new student conference in June to start getting his stuff for his dorm. Since he will be in the Corps of Cadets, they have their own list of things and they are pretty strict. As freshman, I don't think they can have a TV, microwave, or a dorm frig. That makes it easier though.

Wow, that is pretty strict. DD's dorm comes with a microwave and a fridge. There's a TV stand that is in between the two beds that will hold a 32" TV for sure and maybe a 42". I guess the roommates have to decide if they want a TV and who would be the one to bring it. There's a wall in the dorm room between the beds, so there is some privacy at least, but the TV stand is right in the middle where it can be seen from both beds. DD doesn't watch much TV at home except for movies which she could watch on Netflix on her laptop, although I've heard the wifi is sketchy. It could be bothersome if the roommate watches TV a lot, so I'm hoping they will decide not to have a TV.

Speaking of laptops, DH just read today that Apple is expected to come out with it's new MacBook in September. DD needs a new one by mid-August though! So now she has to decide if she wants to wait for the new one. There will also be a price drop on the current version, so it would not be a good idea to pay full price for the "older" model when a new model is coming out a few weeks later. With Apple though, it's always a mystery with regards to actual release dates until like 2 days before it happens. Decisions, decisions...

 

[TLuvsD]

Keep in mind you can get a nice discount on the Apple products once they are enrolled and have a ".edu" address. You can get the same discount at the school or your local store, you just have to be able to show you are a student when you pick up the computer.

And low price Amazon prime with the .edu email, too.

 

[elgerber]

New MacBooks are usually released in June, so unless they are delayed this year, she should be fine. We will be needing one as well. Apple knows kids need them for school, and delaying them until September would not be a wise marketing move on their part.

 

[JeannieNM]

Final performance today of my dd's final high school musical! I am already a mess, on my way to Target to get some waterproof mascara. It's always so stressful I couldn't wait for it to be over, and now of course it will be, and I'd give anything for a few more shows.

How did the musical go? I know exactly what you mean about the stress and wanting it over then the flood of emotions when it is over. My DD has two more shows, a one act she is in for her theatre 4 class and one she is directing for the same class, plus a different one she is directing for the one act festival then she is done with high school theatre. She has two more regional dance competitions and except for dance nationals in June she is done with dance competitions. It is amazing how fast it is all going.

Spring break ended today and we are back at school. 18 days of classes left.

DD has heard from all her schools and I am hoping she will make her final decision this week.

Happy Spring