Parents of the HS Class of 2012 - Original - Page 1853

saintfan · 07-16-2012, 03:42 PM

I emailed D's school and the registrar said that they are all on her report for now which gets distributed to her advisor and the department heads

so everyone is on board with where the student is starting from. After the student meets with the advisor in early week they will decide what to apply. In her case she will not use IB at all but get 6 AP credits (their allowable max). I would definitely send an emial or call the registrar.

On another note - that's one more reason not to slack on senior year APs even if you don't plan to use the credit.

tozubri · 07-16-2012, 04:59 PM

So, I just found out that my daughter's school is not refunding her deposit for her first tuition payment. The fine print says that they are holding it for the entire 4 years and will give it back after she graduates if she doesn't owe the school anything?????? Anybody else seen this? This school also insists that the kids must rent refrigerators instead of purchasing and bringing one, and of course for each year it's going to cost more to rent one than to buy one. That needs met tuition did sound good initially. Wondering what will be next. Anybody know what else I should be watching for?

boysx3 · 07-16-2012, 05:15 PM

tozubri,

I don't know what school your student is matriculating at, but some schools have reputations of nickel and diming their students.

Things to watch for:

when your student moves into the dorm room, carefully document every nick, ding, scratch, stain on the carpet, etc.....photos/video/ and email to the administration. Save that documentation. You can bet you will need it at move out time.

fees for printing, etc. might be higher than realized....at some schools there are printers all over for free, at some schools students get a certain number of pages per semester, at some there are printers but not free at all.....and at all schools kids can usually swipe their student card when they need to print. Your student may not be immediately aware of how much is being spent on printing because it's small amounts at a time but it adds up. And yet you don't want your student not to print when s/he needs to.

health insurance....how to opt out if your student is staying on your health insurance, and what is the deadline to opt out? And what hoops need to be jumped through?

How will any financial aid be distributed? I have heard some schools put it on a debit card, and that that debit card has all kinds of fees and charges. Is it possible to have any FA distribution made directly into a checking account?

mathinokc · 07-16-2012, 05:16 PM

Wow! Our deposit was pretty hefty ($1000), but it was credited on her first tuition bill.

Remember that even if she stays on campus all 4 years, she'll probably split the fridge rent with her roommate(s). Renting means she won't have to pay for storage over the summer (or haul it home).

rushedmom · 07-16-2012, 05:24 PM

A little frustrated, D's roommate said she would bring the microwave could we please get the refridgerator. I looked into renting $150 for the year, or $128 to purchase. Just seems a little unfair on the price difference. I told D it would be ok so we can start of on a happy note but frustrated.

itsthatime · 07-16-2012, 05:54 PM

rushedmom- target has a fridge on sale right now that is $89 I think - looks decent to me. Also as it gets close we have seen fridges go as low as $69. Just keep your eyes open for sales (also with a BBB coupon you can get one for under $100 easliy)

geogirl1 · 07-16-2012, 06:07 PM

DS's school also did not deduct our $550 down payment from the first tuition bill. They said it would come off the Spring bill. Addtionally, we budgeted based on last year's tuition as we were doing the calcs in April. Tuition went up $1600 this year; as in between April and July. Ok, so I assumed higher for the last 3years, but the first year I did not. I know that is my fault, but still. We will make it work, and DS may have to take a small loan over the next 3 years, but for now, we will make it work.

We are also buying the refrigerator and room mate is buying the microwave. DS asked if we could also buy the microwave since room mate was bringing the TV for his xbox. My DS doesn't really play with an xbox and I don't really care if they have a TV or not, so I said no. Mean mommy, but I think I'm done paying for stuff now!!

eyemamom · 07-16-2012, 06:23 PM

creekland - if you look on the facebook page of ur the dean of admissions and others "in charge" commented on the news. However, roommate stuff got mailed out today. He could very well see this boys name and info in his roommate package. Brace yourselves for that, or at the least call them tomorrow morning and ask. Let them know they were actually in touch and your son is having a tough time. I imagine they will break up a triple, but that info may be at the most awkward time where it's already been done.

I'm still sad just thinking about it.

vlines · 07-16-2012, 06:46 PM

eyemamom-what a nice heads-up for creekland..

woody35 · 07-16-2012, 08:31 PM

Interesting about Big Lots. Their web page shows four different 14-piece "all-in-one dorm kit" sets for $39.99. Well, some of the pieces included are a photo frame and a water bottle but if you're looking for a good deal for a student who truly isn't very picky on the bedding issue, Big Lots and Target have some good bed-in-a-bag deals going on right now.

Creekland · 07-16-2012, 08:36 PM

eyemamom - thanks. We thought about being in contact with UR, but at this point are just going to wait and see what happens. On a normal schedule, we'd get our stuff in the mail on Wednesday. If they catch it first, I expect it later. If not, we're prepared. Life is getting better here. Time is healing things somewhat.

Middle son did get more info from friends in Rwanda. Emmanuel had been swimming with friends and his sister. They were ready to leave when his sister suggested just one more swim. He dove in. No one thought anything about it. He hit his head on the bottom (autopsy showed bleeding on the brain) and drowned (cause of death). His companions just assumed he was staying down longer, so didn't worry right away. By the time they worried it was too late. There was even a lifeguard there, but that person didn't see/do anything either. Apparently 4 people have died in that pool. It's too shallow for diving, but tell that to teenaged boys.

An ironic thing? Emmanuel was planning on trying out for the swim team at UR.

We had a discussion (not lecture, but discussion) about pools, diving, etc. Middle son told me teen guys were doing the same thing at a birthday party he went to last Friday even though there were plenty of signs saying "No Diving." I don't know that the pool in Kigali had signs, but kids are kids everywhere. It could have happened to anyone. We can't change the past. We need to learn from it.

It's sad. I really, really feel for his sister (not Patricia - the other sister). She must be tormenting herself with whys and what ifs. They were going to be leaving except for her suggestion of one more swim. My prayers are really for her right now. What we're going through is nothing in comparison. We have no contact with her - heard this all from other friends and there was a newspaper article they sent.

We've made plans to go shopping Wednesday afternoon. We're going to try to keep life going. Thanks for the tips on sales. We're inexpensive lovers...

ReneeD7 · 07-16-2012, 09:21 PM

Creekland, so sorry to hear about your family's tragedy. You son must be very sad, hugs to you all. (We had a young man from South Africa live with us for 10 days last fall, my thoughts immediately went to what a small world this has become thanks to educational exchange programs. It's a good thing. I understand how you already felt connected to him.)

5boys · 07-16-2012, 10:18 PM

Hi Everyone!! Just checking in and giving you an update. DS hit the 1000 mile mark on the PCT!!! He is doing fantastic.. talked to him today and he sounds so incredibly happy. Our local newspaper wrote a big article about him and he has been getting a lot of publicity.. even from some TV news shows LOL... they want to interview him when he finishes. I guess not that many 17-18 year olds have taken on this endever. I have been trying to stay away from my crack addiction..i.e. CC, and have been getting so much more accomplished.. LOL.. I plan on starting up full force soon to find schools for my DS14 who may or may not want to audition for conservatory based schools... I know, OMG.... REALLY??? I have been reading and catching up when I can.. but can't really get into the" moving in" stuff at the moment.

MizzBee · 07-16-2012, 10:22 PM

Glad to hear from you 5boys! I am glad to hear your DS is doing well! We will still be around when the time comes, so don't be shy about jumping in. We will actually have lots of experience, so you will be able to trust our advice.

But what will you do when DS comes back and says he wants to apply to different schools, using his adventures for his new essay?

5boys · 07-16-2012, 10:30 PM

Hi Mizzbee.. Ya. he is already saying he may reapply to some schools.. NOT CC though.. I think maybe Whitman and Midd, but it is totally up to him.. I told him what does he have to lose, as he is totally happy going to SLU.. but just has so many of his Mountain School friends at Midd that are pushing him, and he just really likes Whit. We will see.. I am loving reading all your posts on the big move in and am going to have all the best expert advice on hand when it is my DS's turn in 2013.