Class of 2012 Results: Celebrate, discuss, support here

[binx]

je_ne_sais_quoi - I'm glad you found your way here. Your feelings are actually incredibly common, I think, and probably struck home for many. It's hard to post negative feelings in the middle of a bunch of congrats (and likewise, it's hard to post good news following folks who are struggling.)

Someone reminded me today of a thread I started 3 years ago when my oldest graduated from Penn and started working. Now he will be starting grad school next fall (while still working). Success all around. And yet, in 2001 Duke waitlisted him, and I still bear a grudge. (S1 doesn't. He would say, "Duke? Who's that?") Your D has the thick skin many of us wish for. As she matures, I think she will develop more of a social awareness, but that thick skin has it's benefits. My S1 also has a pretty thick skin (aka social cluelessness) which keeps him going forward when the rest of us are reeling. I hope your D lands in a place where she is accepted for who she is, and will thrive and blossom in ways you can't even imagine.

[DonnaL]

My son J. made his decision -- UChicago over Johns Hopkins, Macalester, and the Rutgers honors program. (Yale was his only rejection. At this point, he couldn't care less.) He's already sent in his "yes," and his housing form, and I sent in the deposit ($350 down, $50,000+ to go, oy!), and have already started looking at the lists of "things we supply" and "things to bring," and the daily menus in the different dining halls, etc. Not to mention the snow boots I already ordered for him from L.L. Bean! I know, I'm nuts, but I wouldn't want my baby to starve or freeze, now, would I?

Seriously, I have a strong feeling that he'll be very happy there. He's a brilliant, sweet, loving, kid, and has been incredibly enthusiastic about learning anything and everything (related to humanities and social sciences, anyway!) since he was a tiny child; I always hoped he would never grow out of his enthusiasm and become jaded or burned out -- and he hasn't, not a bit, so I think he'll fit right in at UChicago.

Even though I'll miss him terribly; he's an only child, and I've been divorced since he was 10, and he's been pretty much the focus of my life for eight days less than 18 years now! But I promise not to be a helicopter parent. Chicago's too far from New Jersey for that, anyway.

Donna

[CountingDown]

jnsq -- I am still angry at DS's third grade teacher, who actively sabotaged him at every possible turn -- just because she didn't know what to do with a shy, socially awkward, quirky 7 yo who knew more about Fibonacci sequences than she did. I hope she is alive and well in southern Florida, reading the school system's weekly newsletter, which has included some of his successes this year. It's not rational, but the emotions are still there.

DonnaL, My S may be joining yours! He is still wrestling with his decision and I expect will be for some time to come. He's going back out there in a week and a half.

BTW -- if your D likes math, there is a fabulous math prof at Smith who my S adores. She got him out of his shell and on his path to success through a summer program two years ago. It was a life-changing experience for him.

[jmmom]

jym - I'm late to the congrats, but I'm chiming in on yours in particular because of my Tulane love affair. Dean Altiero of the School of Science and Engineering, is just the best. He headed up the Engineering School when it still existed and created the same atmosphere, along with his faculty, when DS and I visited Engineering Scholar Days a few years ago.

Such a great place and a parent could have a worse city to visit, couldn't she?

Enjoy.

[je_ne_sais_quoi]

Donna -- you are so cute! Your son sounds perfect for U of C , and an awful lot like my daughter whom they stupidly rejected (her only outright rejection, but it was her first choice so it felt like ten). FYI: We had 93 inches of snow in Chicago this year, so his L. L. Bean boots will definitely come in handy.

My daugther is going to visit Smith in a week so we'll see what she thinks. One of her options ought to feel right, so that's what I'm hanging onto for now.

And, yes, the thick skin does come in handy. It's about the only time not being completely aware is actually adaptive.

Counting down: My daughter does enjoy math, she's taking AP Calculus B/C (Is that right? I get the AP Calculus a/b b/c mixed up with AP Physics a or b or c. She knows what she's doing, that's all that matters.) right now, and getting the top grade in her class. Could you send me the name of your son's math teacher at Smith in a private message?

[soozievt]

I don't think anyone has a son at Smith, do they?

Smith is a great school. My D got in there and liked it very much but didn't end up attending. Best wishes.

[Chedva]

I don't think anyone has a son at Smith, do they?

No, but guys from UMass, Amherst and Hampshire can take classes there!

[soozievt]

Yah, I know but I must not have followed the posts well and maybe Counting Down had a son in the five college consortium? I know Paying3tuitions son attended Amherst and could take classes at Smith.

[smile dog]

Je_Ne_Sais_Quoi:

I don't know what is was about your daughter's story, but for some reason I have been aware of your postings for some time now. I think it's because you always seemed to have such a good grasp of your daughter and her interests, predilections, etc.

Anyway, I was sorry to read about the events of the last couple of weeks as they unfolded...HOWEVER!! I just wanted to check in at this point to say that I know Smith very well (our family lives in the area) and I have got to say that I have been impressed with so many things about the school (the professors, the beauty of the campus, the intellectual and personal quality of the students, the FOOD!, I could go on and on), but perhaps at the top of my list of "Things to Love About Smith College" is the fact that it truly does exist to educate young women in a way that a coed school could never do. It is a very special place and I hope your daughter will feel that when she comes to visit.

[je_ne_sais_quoi]

Smile Dog: Wow, what a ringing endorsement! Thanks so much for sharing your positive impressions of the school and environs. Who could ask for anything more than what you describe!

We especially enjoyed Herrell's ice cream when we visited last June, but, contrary to little sister's opinion, that is no way to judge the suitability of a college!

I'm looking forward to hearing what my daughter thinks of her choices after she visits each of them.

[2blue]

Oh, I don't know about that. I think we need to get right to work on the CollegeConfidential Campus Ice Cream ratings. CC-IC for short. Hmm, let me think... Categories should probably include first and foremost, taste, of course. Then perhaps number of flavors, hours open, average distance from dorms. Why, we could rank them on a five scoop scale. I bet it won't be too difficult to get volunteers for this project.

Seriously, je_ne, Smith is sounding like an absolutely amazing school.

[mythmom]

I follow Buddhist practice. I need to. And it has convinced me that life is suffering. If not in one way, then in another.

Our kids let go of slights because they are loved, as several posters pointed out.

I don't bear a grudge to the schools that rejected my kids. They sent them forward to their destinies.

I don't even bear a grudge to the girls who semi-tortured my beautiful son or the guy who really tortured my beautiful daughter.

I really do believe that life is about learning.

jnsq: My D specifically chose a women's college to learn to "Play nicely" with girls. Most of her close friends have been guys and she didn't want to go through life without women at her side. And it has worked out that way. No one could believe she chose this because she gets along so well with guys.

Well, she now has several close women friends she adores and who adore her. She got the result she was looking for.

Both Smith and Mt. Holyoke are bliss for women who "haven't fit in."

And I don't think your D was the only one of our children who was excluded from things. It's happened to my kids too. Thank goodness it hurts us more than it hurts them.

But the woman next door who allowed your D to be excluded -- shame on her. A parent's job is to teach that kind of compassion, something I'm sure your D has in abundance.

Good luck to her. And to you.

[mom2three]

You know, the flip side of suffering our kids' pain so terribly is our joy in their joy.

My DS didn't aspire to the heights of some here, but he is so happy where he is. He has really come into himself, and reinvented himself to some extent post-high-school. Honestly, my satisfaction as his freshman year comes to a close completely eradicates the anger I felt at the (I felt unfair) rejection from his 1st choice school. My son is happy, successful, engaged, and has a great number of new friends.

Nice result for a mom, yes?

So, to all, get ready for some ups and downs as the reality of college life (no matter where it is) sets in, and some emotions that will eclipse the current joy or sadness.

Trust me.

[jym626]

jmmom-
Thanks!! I want to hear all the important info (dorm selection, where to buy stuff, best places to stay, eat, etc). We ate lunch at the Camelia Grill on our way to the airport. Great sandwich and chocolate freeze (gave me a brain freeze!). We are excited, and looking forward to the next big step!!

[jym626]

Oh my- momof3sons and soozievt!
Didn't mean to overlook your kind comments! Sorry!!! I just had a chance to read backwards on this thread. It fills up quickly. Such a volley of great news all the way around!!

Edit** Sooz- CONGRATS to your dau on all the incredible acceptances and offers !! You should be proud!!