<p>After over a year of being a CC “addict”… doing research, asking for advice and lurking in all the posts, we are all signed up at a great school and couldn’t be happier. But what do I do with myself now? This process has been so all-consuming with auditions, visits, deadlines, paperwork, and CC has been the lifeline.</p>
<p>Now, I find myself still logging in here everyday, but we don’t have any wise experience to add (yet) and we don’t need any more advice right now. I really have no reason to be “in here” but I just can’t stop!</p>
<p>Anyway, what a great forum…how would we have done it without you? Just had to share!</p>
<p>I feel JUST LIKE YOU…kind of lost now that the deposit is in and there’s nothing to do! I almost want to begin the shopping phase just to continue the process! :)</p>
<p>My brain was on total college info overload for SO long and it’s still really hard to let it go! I’m still on here way too much! I do expect that will change at least for the summer come Memorial Day weekend when the beach club opens! But it HAS been a pleasure getting to know everyone through their different perspectives whether they are prospective students/parents, current students/parents, college counselors, etc. Everyone has contributed their sometimes very different opinions to really help each person form their own. What could be better than that?!! </p>
<p>I think you are mistaken though that you don’t have any wise experience to add! You’ve just been through this competitive auditions and admissions process with your S. Surely you have thoughts about it that might help future applicants! I find it fascinating the different thought processes that went into each person’s individual college list and also their final decision. Of course, there are many similar stories but that is also truly helpful! </p>
<p>My newly enrolled S is the oldest so the college thing is a very big deal for us not having gone through it before. I think it will still be a big deal when the baby gets there but different. For one thing we will know so much more than we did. And yet his process will be vastly different then his brother’s being interested in the military. I know, couldn’t just have 2 kids filling out applications and waiting on decisions, right?!! But I have time for that, he’s not in HS yet.</p>
<p>I definitely plan to stick around CC because I enjoy the community and because there doesn’t seem to be anyone on here with a kid at Fordham LC Theatre so I think that once my S gets there, I’ll have some good info to share. I’d encourage you to do the same! I also plan to get a job because I really do have too much time on my hands at this point and now that we have monthly college bills beginning next month, the extra money would be nice. </p>
<p>As far as CC goes, one thing that makes the community great is that those who have been through the process stay on and pay it forward to those who come after. Just like others helped us, we now help others. </p>
<p>As a parent, my kids’ college processes overlapped and so there was no break in the action for me. My kids are two years apart but D2 decided to graduate HS a year early and all of a sudden we were looking into her schools when D1 had not yet even gotten her admissions results. It was crazy. They entered college one year apart. Then, not too long after that, came grad school admissions for D1. And believe me, we are constantly in some sort of “process”…summer job situations, jobs after graduation, casting…it is always something! (just had a long call with one D last night over such matters!)</p>
<p>Anyway, even when your kid is IN college, there are plenty of CC parents in the same boat and so it is fun to share here. Not sure if you guys realize it, but CC is much more than the MT Forum. Have you visited the Parent Forum or Parent Cafe? There are lots of CCers, like myself, who came to CC when our kids were in HS, stayed while they were in college, and are still here after they graduated college! Many topics come up for these various stages in the game…if you visit those forums.</p>
<p>This is definitely addicting. Even though my daughter has committed to a program now, I still log on just to see what other people are up to. It is also a great place to get information about travel deals, moving in, specific info about the town where your child will live, and also a good way to meet local parents who may have a child at your OOS school. I probably won’t be on as much, but I will continue to check in frequently. I also feel like since my daughter went thru this process straight out of school, and then again as a transfer student, that we might have some info. that could help others in the future. There is so much wonderful information here from some of the parents who have been around for a while that it is an invaluable source if info; especially in such a specialized field as MT. Thank you so much to all of you who take the time to keep the rest of us well informed! Good luck to everyone in your new ventures!</p>
<p>Congratulations, parents, it is indeed a wonderful (and somewhat surprising!) experience to be done with the process and happy with the results!! I was where you are a year ago, and I spent the days after my son committed to a school coming back to find out where the rest of his class was going to land. You will have much fun and excitement over the next week or so watching the list of final decisions grow.</p>
<p>Having been through the drill now, yourselves, you become invaluable to the people who are following behind you. I’ve already noticed lots and lots of juniors and their parents starting to check in. With your experiences so fresh in your memories, you can be a tremendous help to them.</p>
<p>At the same time, please feel free to give yourselves a little break and simply enjoy this period between now and high school graduation. It is a most special time in your lives and those of your children. Relish every single “last” they will have during the next month or two. Embrace the time left that you have them home. Live for awhile without the pressure of wondering what is coming next.</p>
<p>Then…come back and be veteran regulars on the boards. Answer questions about applications and auditions. Participate in the forums for the schools where your kids are. You will have a wealth of information that really can’t be found anywhere else. The perspective you can offer WILL make life a whole lot easier for the classes to come. Theatre kids and their parents are among the most giving I have encountered anywhere in my life. We form a very special community, and you are proud, card-carrying members! Enjoy the ride!!!</p>
<p>I went through this process with my son in 2006 and guess what? I am still here! Please stick around there will be “newbies” who will definitely need your help and sometimes a little hand holding! So many helped me and hopefully I have been able to help others. I also
pop over the the parent cafe on this board, if you haven’t been there give it a try, lots of old hands over there.</p>
<p>Enjoy the break but start saving BB&B coupons- they are good even if they expire! You can pre-shop for the dorm this summer and have them scan your order and pick it up in your child’s college town if there is a store. Start putting together a list of what your child will need for school- MT stuff and regular stuff! Lots of ways to keep busy. And give back to next year’s parents as they start to post in the late summer or fall. Happy spring!!</p>
<p>For those of us just dipping our toes in the process (mom of a h.s. junior) please stick around to help! You were where we are a year ago, and I know I can’t say how much I have benefitted from your insight and information as you go through the whole game. Many warm congratulations to your talented kids and pat yourselves on your parental backs. It is okay to rest on your laurels…as long as you promise to answer all the questions I am brimming with! ;-)</p>
<p>LOL! I must admit, shopping for the stuff for college was fun. I recall telling each D something along the lines of: “Enjoy this now…it’s the last time you’ll get all this sort of new stuff until your wedding day!”</p>
<p>I feel the same!! I’ve committed to my dream school, and yet I can’t stay away from CC!</p>
<p>I live in a small town where no one has ever gone through this whole college MT process before, so CC has been a lifesaver for me these past several months. And now I have two friends who are currently juniors beginning to embark on their MT journey…it feels really good to be the one giving the advice rather than asking for it! I’ve told both of them about CC, and I hope they’ll find it as helpful as I have.</p>
<p>I second, third and on and on my appreciation for everything I have learned on CC. Our story is just one of so many, and I will be happy to share with all as the the future unfolds. (DS accepted early decision to NYU / New Studio MT.) I’m sure a lot of people will be specifically looking for insights into the New Studio, so I promise to come back and illuminate! Best!</p>
<p>BB&B=Toys R Us for moms! Oh my! Hysterical!</p>
<p>I am on to my new project already. Making packing lists and giving him handy hints about maximizing his college experiences, and class schedules. And advising him to about being involved in SOMETHING besides theatre. (First person that says “Helicopter Mom” is a dirty rat!)</p>
<p>It has been (challenging but) fun, and I will hang around to give what insight I can. I’m so glad you all did. That is the beauty of CC.</p>
<p>sitting in a hotel room now after a LONG week of final college visits, sitting in on classes and seeing performances. I think his choice is made…Thank Goodness!! We will give him a few days to be sure then send in the deposit. It has been a long journey and so happy he has a clear decision. I could not have guided him through this process without the help of this forum. Thanks to all :)</p>
<p>I am right there with all of you wondering how to wean myself form CC MT forum!</p>
<p>D is on her own right now at her final college visit and arrives home tomorrow night. She is sitting in on classes today and hopefully will arrive home with some clarity. I am keeping quiet so that she can determine for herself without my influence where she wants to spend the next four years.</p>
<p>Everyone here has been so helpful since I found this forum when D was a freshman. I don’t think I could have made it through this process without all of the wonderful advice and support I received here!</p>
<p>This year has been a journey for D and she has grown up so much through this process. I really enjoyed all of the time I was able to spend with D as we travelled to her auditions and I will always have fond memories of this time together. I know that she is ready for the next step in her journey and I am anxious to know the placel the next step will begin!</p>
<p>Congrats to all who have made their decisions!! It has been a long, sometimes strange, almost always fun and exciting journey here as well. My D made her decision on Saturday and I am absolutely thrilled with her choice! But it does seem strange not to be stalking the various school forums to see if decisions are out. I am so glad I found this site last year and I will definitely hang around to lend whatever support I can to the class of 2011 ;)</p>
<p>Austinmom, best wishes to Alexa as she goes off to Coastal Carolina. Both of you have been a great help on this site, and I hope you do hang around over the next year.</p>