Sharing College Info

[Sandy V.]

Fingers crossed. I hope it's good news!!

 

[Feralpeg]

Glad to hear things are progressing well for everyone. I know it will be a huge weight lifted when everything is finalized. I've got my fingers crossed for everyone!

 

[Lynn CC]

I was reading this thread and it's bringing back a lot of memories when DS was a Senior in HS last year. If I had anything to do over again it would be to NOT stress (or atleast not show it). It made things very tense in our house. Between SAT's and filling out all the applications, then the profiles, then all the Fiancial Aid and Scholarships, then waiting for those darn letters, which are enough to drive anyone crazy! DS was just trying to keep his head above water and get honor roll with all his AP classes, he barely had time to sleep between the homework and extra's that are all required of them to get into good colleges.
To tell you the truth it's really a family affair, the whole process makes it very difficult to enjoy their last year home with you. I don't think we miss those days at all!
It's not too bad, unless there is a lot of college aps. involved. I don't see how students can do it on there own, they need their parents help, especially if they are expected to keep up their grades for those Mid-Year Reports that they have to send to their colleges. A lot of them wait to see how they are doing before making a final decision.
to everyone...
I'd like to say it gets better, but moving them into college is a whole different post!!!

 

[DVCLiz]

Rats - no envelope in the mail today!!!! Oh, well, it will be available online tomorrow at 4pm.

 

[TimeforMe]

Hi--I just found this thread. Thanks for all who've posted--lots of good info here.

I have a DD who will be a music major and therefore will have to audition. Most of her auditions (she's applying to 4 schools) will occur in Feb. with one in March. She's already got acceptance letters from 2 schools, even though she hasn't auditioned yet. I'm assuming it's contingent upon her acceptance into the department as far as scholarships, etc. Her first choice, The Hart School, has not been heard from yet and I don't expect to hear from them until after her audition.

Anyone have any experience with auditions, etc? She is VERY stressed out about auditions themselves.

Ferlapeg: did you dd have to audition? If I remember correctly, she'll be a theatre major?

 

[Feralpeg]

Ferlapeg: did you dd have to audition? If I remember correctly, she'll be a theatre major?

No, she decided not to major in theatre. She will be a history/education major.

I'm sure your DD will do just fine in her audition. Tell I said to "break a leg"!

 

[FSUGrad97]

I thought I'd give a quick update.

DD sent in her acceptance to Florida State University today. I finished the FAFSA and applied for Florida Bright Futures. She applied for housing at FSU. Now, we need to sign up for the mandatory orientation.

I'm glad she finally made her decision. I would have liked her to accept UCF so that she would be closer, but she really wants to go to FSU.

I happened to see this thread again, and I am glad to hear that she's going to FSU!

 

[Caradana]

Phenominally good advice from Nik's Mom (page 2) - I could've used that long ago!

 

[Caradana]

Besides the Presidential Freedom Scholarship (federally funded) that I've already mentioned, you might also want to check out the Robert Byrd Scholarship (Robert S. or Robert C., I can't remember which) if your student has a high ACT/SAT score, very good GPA, extracurricular activities, and community service.

The Byrd Scholarship is also federally funded and is administered through the state department of education (at least it is in our state). It's worth $10,000 ($2500 per year). We found out about it by accident just days before the deadline (an article in the newspaper), and DD wound up being one of the students who received it. There are several awarded in each state.

I echo this, the Byrd was one of the scholarships that got me through college. I didn't realize it was federal. I thought it was just NJ. All the better!

 

[Caradana]

Keep your fingers crossed - today is Notification Day from UNC - Chapel Hill for those who applied Early Action. It's not DD's first choice, but I know she'll be disappointed if she's deferred or declined. Hope my alum status will help!!!

Liz, eagerly awaiting news! Did the letter come?

 

[Caradana]

I always discourage people who are looking for financial age from applying early decision, since acceptance means you're committed to the school. We're having that battle with my daughter now. She wanted to apply early decision to Cornell, but we wouldn't let her. She heard that three kids from her school who rank lower than her were accepted early decision and that lessens her chance of getting, because in her mind, there are less spots available.

Is your daughter a long shot to Cornell? If she is, I'd get her app in RIGHT NOW. If she's not - for example, SATs in the 1500s or 2200s+ on the new test, or valedictorian - wait. If not, get her in early. Negotiating position means nothing if she can't get into the school.

 

[jim and meesie]

My son was a National Merit Scholar, had 1600s on his SATs and 800s on 4 SAT IIs and 5s on 6 AP exams (and a 3 sport athlete, all league in one). Unfortunately the schools he was interested in do not offer merit scholarships. One excellent school offered a $200. cash award as a Presidential Scholar and another offered a $3,000. towards a summer abroad program and our state university did offer a full tuition state scholar. Since we did not qualify for Financial Aid and all scholarships were need based, no scholarship for him (he did get a couple of $500., local awards which were nice). He currently attends a top Ivy League school and is very happy there but no money for him. (we're not wealthy just "house rich")

There were some schools that offered him full tuition scholarships just based on his scores (and grades I guess) without him even applying but they weren't schools he was interested in.

 

[jim and meesie]

Is your daughter a long shot to Cornell? If she is, I'd get her app in RIGHT NOW. If she's not - for example, SATs in the 1500s or 2200s+ on the new test, or valedictorian - wait. If not, get her in early. Negotiating position means nothing if she can't get into the school.

Unfortunately for her most schools (even Ivy League) now allow you to apply early decision (even binding early decision) and not getting enough financial aid is a valid reason to chose to go elsewhere. Also, high sats and valedictorians are a dime a dozen at all of the top schools. Many perfect SATs, valedictorian, well rounded (good activities) suburban kids are rejected all the time at top schools, there is no such thing as a sure thing at any highly competitive school, almost every middle class, non-legacy, suburban kid is a "flip of the coin" or worse at these top schools. Unfortunately the only advantage you can give yourself there may be early decision.

 

[Swimnoid]

Anyone have any experience with auditions, etc? She is VERY stressed out about auditions themselves.

My DD went through this last year. What is your DD's specialty? My DD's is voice. The funny thing with her is she loves to audition so it was exciting for her but not that stressful. She also was accepted to the college before her audition. So if she did not get into the Music school she still could have persued something else. The professors at her college are all super friendly and very welcoming which also helped. Advice to your DD is to have fun with the auditions. And smile a lot!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Not sure anyone has mentioned this here, but DH and DD went to a AAA presentation on financial aid and FAFSA, and he found it very helpful.

 

[DVCLiz]

Liz, eagerly awaiting news! Did the letter come?

No, it should come today!!!! DD has a big day ahead - her letter from Chapel Hill comes and she's been elected to Homecoming Court for the first time, which is tonight. Whoooo Hoooooo!

 

[Sandy V.]

No, it should come today!!!! DD has a big day ahead - her letter from Chapel Hill comes and she's been elected to Homecoming Court for the first time, which is tonight. Whoooo Hoooooo!

Congratulations to your daughter about Homecoming Court! I also hope that the news from Chapel Hill is good.

I just made reservations for DD and I to attend a Georgetown Open House for accepted students at the end of February. She's still waiting to hear from 5 other schools, but it's nice to have a non-binding option waiting for her. I'm really excited for her and hoping that DH and I can figure all of this out and still keep our sanity. We're just starting to work on the FAFSA, and boy, my head is spinning!

 

[DVCLiz]

Congratulations to your daughter about Homecoming Court! I also hope that the news from Chapel Hill is good.

I just made reservations for DD and I to attend a Georgetown Open House for accepted students at the end of February. She's still waiting to hear from 5 other schools, but it's nice to have a non-binding option waiting for her. I'm really excited for her and hoping that DH and I can figure all of this out and still keep our sanity. We're just starting to work on the FAFSA, and boy, my head is spinning!

AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!! Still no letter today!!!!!!!! How long can it take - it's less than an hour away by car!!!!!

Oh, well, it's supposed to be available online at 4:00pm - of course, there will be thousands of kids looking, so I don't know how the site will hold up!!! But we should know something today.

Two of DD's best friends are hoping to hear good news from Georgetown - congrats to your DD!

Thanks for the nice thoughts about Homecoming - she is "super excited" as there are four senior spots and she's gotten one of them - she hasn't been on Homecoming Court before. Wish it counted for something in college acceptances!!!!!

 

[TimeforMe]

My DD went through this last year. What is your DD's specialty? My DD's is voice. The funny thing with her is she loves to audition so it was exciting for her but not that stressful. She also was accepted to the college before her audition. So if she did not get into the Music school she still could have persued something else. The professors at her college are all super friendly and very welcoming which also helped. Advice to your DD is to have fun with the auditions. And smile a lot!

She plays the viola. Thanks for the good wishes!

 

[gometros]

Hi--I just found this thread. Thanks for all who've posted--lots of good info here.

I have a DD who will be a music major and therefore will have to audition. Most of her auditions (she's applying to 4 schools) will occur in Feb. with one in March. She's already got acceptance letters from 2 schools, even though she hasn't auditioned yet. I'm assuming it's contingent upon her acceptance into the department as far as scholarships, etc. Her first choice, The Hart School, has not been heard from yet and I don't expect to hear from them until after her audition.

Anyone have any experience with auditions, etc? She is VERY stressed out about auditions themselves.

Ferlapeg: did you dd have to audition? If I remember correctly, she'll be a theatre major?

If the school is a university (as opposed to a conservatory), she can still be accepted into the college, wwithout being accepted to the music portion. My daughter is a music ed major and over the summer, transferred schools. SHe made the decision too late for the auditions for the fall semester, so she was accepted to the general portion and was able to take all her gen ed courses in the fall. She then auditioned for the spring semester and got in. So now she can take all her music classes.

Tell you DD not to sweat the auditions. If she's into music, I'm sure she has been through auditions before and will do fine.