<p>Champs, we are in a similar boat. DD has not seen many schools yet, and I am waiting for that “I love this school” moment or at least an “I like this school”. Neither of us have found the school that would be the best fit yet… still looking.</p>
<p>Thanks momjr and pennylane. We had friends over last weekend and their D is all excited over her first choice. It was so nice so see her enthusiasm. (I realize that maybe this can set one up for disappointment, but knowing the family, I think it’s probably a realistic goal for her). And I felt kind of bad for my S, who certainly does not feel that way yet.</p>
<p>We were very glad our daughter didn’t have a first choice. She felt that each of the 5 schools she applied to had some distinct advantages and that she could be happy at any of them. (Except UMCP–she really didn’t think she would be happy there, but it had a top-notch program of interest to her, and it would have cost us, in the end, about $40K over four years, and she was able to appreciate those advantages.) This meant that it wasn’t the end of the world when she was wait-listed at one school, or didn’t get a scholarship that we’d expected at another. I guess I’d have been concerned if she had been equally lukewarm about all of her choices, but since she was, instead, equally enthusiastic (in her own, non-gung-ho, way) about them, it worked out very well for her.</p>
<p>Yes, it is good to not be heartbroken, and there are several schools that are possible fits for DD- and we won’t know the financial/acceptance end of it until it all comes together in the end. Much of it is due to not having visited.
Her classmate was visiting a college and texted us with an " THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!". So yes, we have seen that enthusiasm. Hopefully DD will feel that way about several places.</p>
<p>I need some help from the wise people on here:</p>
<p>Can someone explain Bright Futures to me? We live in Nj; I am helping a student who apparently has Bright Futures and the mom thinks the kid automatically gets free tuition in a Fla public U, regardless of grades…doesn’t it depend on GPA and SAT/ACT?</p>
<p>I went on the website but need a layperson’s explanation…</p>
<p>I thought that was only for Florida residents.</p>
<p>Here is a link to the current brochure, which lays out the GPA/SAT requirements for the various awards.</p>
<p><a href=“Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs”>Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs;
<p>here is a link to the current award amounts</p>
<p><a href=“Home - Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs”>Home - Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs;
<p>Yes, she is considered a Florida resident…thanks for the links…</p>
<p>Does anyone know what the changes have been for the last couple of years? (I.e. did test scores always count for the scholarship?)</p>
<p>no personal knowledge, but found this through googling</p>
<p>[Changes</a> to Bright Futures scholarship surprise some students](<a href=“http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2012-07-12/Changes-to-Bright-Futures-scholarship-surprise-some-students]Changes”>http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2012-07-12/Changes-to-Bright-Futures-scholarship-surprise-some-students)</p>
<p>[Changes</a> to Gold Seal Scholarship will affect some college freshmen | firstcoastnews.com](<a href=“http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/263744/483/Changes-to-Gold-Seal-Scholarship-will-affect-some-college-freshmen]Changes”>http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/263744/483/Changes-to-Gold-Seal-Scholarship-will-affect-some-college-freshmen)</p>
<p>[Bright</a> Futures shouldn’t onlyb e for STEM students - Sun Sentinel](<a href=“http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-07-08/news/fl-gscol-oped0708-20120708_1_bright-futures-liberal-arts-rick-scott]Bright”>http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-07-08/news/fl-gscol-oped0708-20120708_1_bright-futures-liberal-arts-rick-scott)</p>
<p>[As</a> funding falls, families carry heavier tuition load | TBO.com](<a href=“http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2012/jul/22/as-funding-falls-families-carry-heavier-tuition-lo-ar-438248/]As”>http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2012/jul/22/as-funding-falls-families-carry-heavier-tuition-lo-ar-438248/)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120224/ARTICLES/120229690[/url]”>http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120224/ARTICLES/120229690</a></p>
<p>and a discussion of recent changes on CC UF <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-florida/1218957-bright-futures-cut-eliminated.html?highlight=bright+futures[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-florida/1218957-bright-futures-cut-eliminated.html?highlight=bright+futures</a></p>
<p>Champs, my son hasn’t had a “this is the place for me!” moment either. A little disappointing but I guess he has a few options where he can be happy then.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the warmth and words of wisdom! Choc Chip, dd is our only child, which I think is partially why I am so sad. I have loved the high school years and the kids at this age (although not always my dd’s snotty behavior) and I wish I could do it again. So much of our time has been spent at the school, behind the scenes, so I am pondering my changes as I celebrate my dd’s new experiences. I am sure that a few days after our return, I will pop back into my old self! Dd is so excited!</p>
<p>For the new senior parents, as far as favorites… It seemed to me that each time my dd found a school, it became a new favorite, except when she went to see Ringling; she never found one after that that she loved as much (but that did not take place until last summer), so don’t worry if your child does not have a feeling for a favorite. We also knew kids that flew under the radar in this experience and then picked at the last minute from the schools where they were accepted, and they are just as happy as all the other kids. Good luck and hold on, it is an exciting but nail biting time!</p>
<p>My nails are already bit off…</p>
<p>Just wanted to pop in and say good luck to everyone! For those about to bring their son or daughter to college to begin their freshman year - my best advice for move in day - bring lots of patience and a cold drink! Actually - that is probably valid advice for those with hs seniors as well! </p>
<p>Hope everyone’s move-in goes well - and my thoughts are with those of you doing college apps. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy to have that process over and done with. Have a plan - meet weekly to review - try not to micro-manage and hover too much (always my weak spot) - and apply chocolate/ice cream/alcohol as needed!</p>
<p>Thanks RVM- I like the plan for once a week so we are not constantly bringing it up and they know they have a once a week appointment to keep us up on the plans. </p>
<p>Yes, move in day and move out day can get crazy…</p>
<p>Thanks Rockvillemom! Also thinking of all of you as you prepare your birdies to fly the nest. I’ve learned a lot from this thread over the past few years. I’ll be continuing to watch and learn.</p>
<p>All of you College Freshman Parents - when do you bring your kids to school? Looking forward to hearing about it! Makes me nervous for you, just thinking about it.</p>
<p>I guess my S is not alone regarding his lack of “first choice dream school”. I guess I was hoping that something would really feel perfect. Oh well. Maybe this is more common than I thought.</p>
<p>champs, be careful what you wish for. My DS has found a dream school, which terrifies me, since it’s one of the reach schools for everyone.</p>
<p>I understand what you mean, Sop14. I suppose that’s the “up” side of S’s predicament. Good luck to your S!</p>
<p>Hi ya’ll, S2 is home from camp he is doing great and is at his heaviest weight ever. BTW that is good news, He lost 12 pounds at the start of the year and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Phillyartmom, having gone through that experience, so far I cannot be sad about him leaving. I am thrilled that he is in remission and able to go and just pray that he stays well enough to be away. It is a joy to for kids to be able to get out there and pursue their goals. I know I will miss having kiddos at home but it would be sad if they could not get out there and do what they wanted to. I’m not saying that I won’t shed any tears when he leavesbut that this experience was so profound for me that any longing for the old high school days is more than made up for by the joy and appreciation in knowing he can get out there and do what he wants to. </p>
<p>Champs: I wonder if it would help if you looked at each college from the perspective of what your son likes abou each of them and use that as a stepping stone to narrowing the field in a specific direction. There is a lot to be said about not having a hands down favorite but it is also nice to have the excitement about what is to come.</p>
<p>Ok now that I have gushed about how well S2 is doing his next hurdle is getting his wisdom teeth out tomorrow. Oy always something.</p>
<p>BTW for those of you who gave your opinion on his sidetrip after camp, he did end up taking it but came back a day early and yesterday and today has been a marathon of shopping at appointments. His comment on that is, “Doing all of this prepartation is making it seem more real.” :)</p>
<p>Spectrum–so very happy for you and for S2’s remission. What a joy! As for the wisdom teeth extraction, make sure to ask him really really personal questions as he is coming out of the anesthesia. He’ll tell the truth and never remember talking about it.</p>
<p>Haha, thanks Vitrac…I hadn’t thought of that, this could be fun.</p>