High School CC Class of 2007: News

Parent Cafe
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<p>Congrats CC Class of 2007!</p>

<p>WashDad,</p>

<p>Thanks for the update. I enjoy your wit and hearing about your son’s process, or lack thereof as you often note. Best wishes to your S, he sounds like an interesting and confident young man. And best wishes to your family as you make the journey in August. </p>

<p>(Our second S sounds very much like your first, and I always marvel at the inordinate amount of time and energy fighting “the system” in order to create their “own way.” So who does your S take after, you or your W?) </p>

<p>Berurah & Doubleplay,</p>

<p>Congrats to your D & S, respectively. Thanks for sharing their stories. B, you have much to be proud of with that one of yours. DP, that love of baseball is hard to give up for the players and the parents. We’re enjoying watching our son’s former teammates play in the college world series and a few being drafted. </p>

<p>UCDAlum82, </p>

<p>Wow, just wow! You have an impressive and mature daughter. My S has many friends in UCLA’s engineering dept, and they are wrapping up finals and having a great first year experience there. Best wishes to your entire family.</p>

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<p>I know I am not a parent, but I have been on this board since 2005 and have followed the many journeys of everyone on CC. Even though I have not ever “spoken” to many of you I feel like I know you all.</p>

<p>I will be going to McDaniel College in Westminster Maryland in the fall. I am from NYC so this will be a big chance, but a much needed one. I originally intended to audition for a BFA in Musical Theatre , but ended up doing only one audition for Lawrence University in classical voice. I got rejected and realized that even though I may be a good singer I have a long way to go, so I opted for a soild theatre and music dept and a musical theatre non audition school. McDaniel was originally not even on my list, but my mom felt I needed a safety and SoozieVT recommended it, not only as a good theatre school but a good academic school that I could get into with my very lopsided SAT of 450 math, 660 verbal and they had a very good support services for learning disabilites. At first I was convinced I would not get into any colleges because of my low grades in math, chem, physics and spanish, but I got into a couple, even though I got rejected more than I would have liked and put on the waitlist at Elon. When I went to the accepted students day at McDaniel everyone came up to us and asked us if we needed anything, the presidents speech was warm and welcoming and the acadmic teachers really seemed intersted in us as people. The campus was beautiful and it was an unseasonably warm day for March and I just came away with a really good feeling. As of now I will be a Music Theatre Arts Dual major and I will either minor in English or Psychology, and I just found out I got into my first choice freshman seminar :)</p>

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<p>DefyingGravity,
Sometimes I feel like things do happen for a reason, don’t you?. You seem to have found a wonderful place to learn! Congratulations! I’m sure you’ll find your place in the spotlight…Break a leg!</p>

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<p>DefyingGravity~</p>

<p>First of all, I must tell you how very much I love your username! :slight_smile: Defying Gravity is my oldest D’s cell phone ringer!!!</p>

<p>Congrats, sweetie, on your graduation and best wishes for a fabulous and exciting next four years at McDaniel!! It sounds like a wonderful place, and I’m sure that the hospitality that you experienced during accepted students day revealed just the tip of the iceberg of the wonderful people at your new home away from home. </p>

<p>I’m so very happy to hear that you will be double majoring in areas of such passion for you, and I wish you all the best! Glad, too, that you got your preferred freshman seminar. That will make your first semester just that extra special! Please keep us updated, ok?? We’ll be looking forward to some reports from McDaniel! :)</p>

<p>3Ks~</p>

<p>I thank you so very much for your kind words about and congrats for my oldest D. Your kindness is very much appreciated! :)</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>I have nothing better to do, so here’s my story.</p>

<p>I’ll be going to Penn in the fall. I know, stereotypical CCer going to an Ivy. It’s a strange story of how I decided to go to Penn. I am a very strong student who stood a chance at getting into most any University/College in the country but didn’t know what I wanted in a school. My top choice a year ago was Stanford, but it was a really really far reach and on the other side of the country. My mother was verymuch against applying at all and called it a waste of time and money. I think she just wanted me to be close to home (Georgetown where I really didn’t want to go). Because my dad went to Penn it was one of the few colleges I visited, and the only college that I didn’t hate from the visit. In the end I decided to apply early to Penn instead of Stanford because 1. It’s binding and no more apps (my parents made my 8 college list 15 schools) 2. It’s close to home and 3. I stood a very good shot at getting in. Now to my parent’s financial burden, I’m a very happy kid going to Penn. At the Penn Preview I met a bunch of really nice kids and I think I made the right decision (I hope).</p>

<p>I don’t know what I’ll be majoring in and hope to figure that out these next 4 years. I think I may want to major in math or econ (both?) and minor in chem, computer science, or south asian studies. I really need to figure out the academic side to this whole college thing.</p>

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<p>So many wonderful stories here!! Congrats to all of the 2007 Grads and Parents–these are terrific and inspiring kids, who have parents setting great examples for them to follow!!</p>

<p>Special thought and prayers go out to you, UCDAlum82~may your husband and all of your family receive the strength you need to move forward and enjoy life!</p>

<p>Our baby (S2) is a rising senior and I dread being at the end of the proverbial road next fall, sending him off to wherever he will be going.</p>

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<p>Hugs to you UCDAlum.</p>

<p>Our story is pretty simple. Mathson is twice as smart as either parent, but he’s never been a people pleaser. He coasted through high school with high marks, (but not the highest ones). He refused to do activities just because they’d look good on college applications. He spent inordinate amounts of time doing computer programming, but far less time on his applications talking about it. The results were mixed, but it boiled down to Harvard or Carnegie Mellon. For him the choice was pretty obvious. For my husband it was a little more problematic. At one point he accused me of selling my son on CMU when I’d forward him info I’d found via CC. Then my husband started comparing the departments himself, and realized Mathson knew what he was doing. We are all looking forward to taking son to Pittsburgh next August.</p>

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<p>DefyingGravity, I live about 25 minutes from McDaniel. If you, or your parents, would like an emergency contact in the area just PM me. I would be happy to speak with them if they have any concerns about a person from a messageboard offering assistance. Welcome to Maryland!</p>

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<p>Aww thank you so much everyone! Yes I am very excited! Thank you for the generous offer cmbmom! Berurah, I love Wicked, that was actually my ring tone also for a while. Congrats on your D. role in Seussical! Sour Kangaroo is a great role, my friend who lives in Kansas City Kansas recently played it. I would love to play Gertrude.</p>

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<p>WashDad, My rising junior sounds an awful lot like your S. It is VERY reassuring to hear happy endings about stubborn slackers! Bravo to John. And thanks for starting this great thread.</p>

<p>UCD: In my opinion, the greatest joy we can have as parents is to see we have raised a competant, good human who can function well without our help, who can step up in a difficult situation, who can be a great sibling and a great person, and who has all the tools to be happy. Sounds like you and your husband have done an exemplary job. More than any single event or milestone, that’s what is to be celebrated!!</p>

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<p>Here is a story of 2 young girls born a day apart, who have never met. They are connected because of their uncle - my brother-in-law(sister’s husband) is an uncle to both of those girls. I spoke to the other girl’s mom 18 years ago when they were born, but not since(different states, no direct family ties). </p>

<p>This year, because of the college process, we would get a bit of news about each girl through my sister or her husband. We found out both girls were deferred from their ED schools last Dec. Both girls were very disappointed and couldn’t complrehend how that could have happend. Fast forward to March 29, both girls were shut out from their top choices. We then found out both girls had very similar stats and applied to similar schools. They were waitlisted at the same 2 schools. It was a very tough April for both girls and parents. They were not excited about their options. They both felt their hard work was wasted and they thought they could have done less and still got into those schools. My sister and her husband got an earful from both families. Miraculously, in May both girls got off the waitlist from both schools, and decided to take their offers. Most of us know how tough this year’s waitlist was for schools, that’s why I said “miraculously.” It would have been very funny if both of girls would have decided on the same school, but they didn’t. </p>

<p>Now, it could have end right there. But a week after my daughter’s prom, the other young lady got on my daughter’s Facebook page and said to her mother, “Does that dress look familiar to you?” My daughter was wearing the exact same dress they have just picked up for her prom!</p>

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<p>bump–</p>

<p>Well, 07SON is starting his 3rd year at college. He’s already talking about “after graduation,” GRE’s and what he is going to attempt as part of a career. Double major and he is going to try to pursue the more “risky” one because its his passion. </p>

<p>He says that the GRE’s score are accepted for 5 years so he has a Plan B if the passion doesn’t work out. I really don’t know and he’s handling his life. Ah, to be young and passionate and willing to take risks. Seems he and I have rubbed off on each other a bit.</p>

<p>S’s really excited because he has a class in Taiwan at the end of Spring 2010 and the course includes airfare with an open ended return ticket. We’re talking about meeting in Vietnam and spending 10 days just father and son.</p>

<p>S turns 21 this Sept. Thank goodness I’m not getting old!</p>

<p>HOW IS YOUR RISING JUNIOR DOING?</p>

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<p>My rising junior is back to full health, thank God. She’s still back at the local CUNY and starts a paid internship teaching at the middle school where she hopes to someday make her career, earning academic honors, getting the attendant perks and saving buckets of money. We get a huge kick out of her attention to money now that she earns it. She sits down every Sunday after she gets paid and allocates her money for the week. She’s planning to buy a condo when she graduates and gets a job (God willing) with benefits. She’s very well on her way to the downpayment. This isn’t the plan we all expected, but after the major detour with her health, we’re grateful that it has worked out so well. </p>

<p>Next?</p>

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<p>My, this tread brings up some familiar old names! I hope some more of them see this and catch us up!</p>

<p>Our '07 grad elected to stay in her small college town for the summer. She has an internship (paid!) with one of her professors and another part time job on campus. She moved into the house that a group of friends will be sharing for the coming year. Four are there over the summer - in the fall all four will move out to either go abroad or complete RA duties - then in the spring the original 4 will move back in while the fall residents all go abroad. Ahhh, can you tell they’re juniors?
It’s been fun to watch from afar as they learn to handle all the additional aspects of living in a house instead of a dorm. Lawn-moweers… veggie patches… weighing the environmentlal/economic impact of using the A/C vs. not. (Got to 102 this week, I hope they chose to use it a bit!) We visited a couple of times over the summer and were amazed at the wide variety of interesting friends she has. The small town aspect hasn’t limited her in any way.<br>
In the fall she will be studying in Central America. I can’t believe thse kids are half done with their undergraduate work already!</p>

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<p>Fun update thread!</p>

<p>My rising junior D has remained 110% confident that the smallish, private school she chose is exactly the right place for her. As a rising junior, she will be working 2 part-time paid jobs pertinent to her field (PR) on campus this year both worthy of putting on her resume. Add those to the initial paying job she was offered her freshman year through her prof/advisor AND her internship this summer in a marketing/communications department, she has minimum 4 work related positions to beef up her resume for prospective jobs come graduation in 2 years. </p>

<p>At her college, she has made an awesome “second family” - a group of friends-for-life that fit perfectly with her personality and who are wildly supportive of each other. For them, I am very thankful.</p>

<p>She survived a major breakup with BF of 4 years and is a more confident, social person because of it. Will celebrate her 21st b-day with a trip to San Diego and a National PR conference with her PR cronies at her school. </p>

<p>Can’t complain. :)</p>

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<p>This update thread is a cool idea. </p>

<p>Well, my rising junior is seriously considering graduating at the end of this year and starting law school next. I hope he’s making the right move because, even in this bad economy, I assume law school admission will be very competitive and being young-ish may not be a plus (he’ll be graduating at 20). </p>

<p>He hasn’t changed his career plans, his major or his girlfriend since school began – so I’m not sure he’s having the “typical” college experience. But he seems happy, so that’s what’s important.</p>

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<p>DS is living this summer in a great duplex-house only a few blocks from campus, with three other friends - he’ll continue to live there this school year. He spent the summer as a research assistant under a prof/mentor that he really likes. He was flown to Boston for two weeks to learn how to use a very expensive piece of equipment that is being used in the research project. He did just decide to change majors, but assures me that he will be able to graduate on-time. (He knows that the parental bank closes at the end of 8 semesters!) He is thrilled to be working as an advisor for the incoming student orientation, and co-captaining his club sport team in the fall. Although I have missed him awfully this summer - the first summer he hasn’t lived at home - I am very proud of the man he is becoming, and am so glad he had the good fortune to attend his university. :)</p>

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<p>My daughter is a rising junior at Carleton College, out there in the middle of the Minnesota cornfields. While she is quite the happy girl there, by the end of each school year, the serenity gets to be a bit much for her! Thus, she’s spending the summer in the Twin Cities, living with friends from Macalester, volunteering at an Alzheimers residential home, interning (alas, unpaid) at The Jungle Theater, and joyously navigating the metropolis by bus, train, foot, and bike. She’s independent and resourceful, very different from her mother back in the day. … She’ll come home to Kentucky in August, but only long enough to celebrate her 20th birthday, then its off to England where she’ll study theater this fall as part of Boston University’s London Internship Program. … Thanks, 07DAD, for re-introducing this thread. I hope bethievt sees it and joins in–her son should be a rising junior at Grinnell.</p>

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<p>After several internships fell through mathson got one through the word of mouth CMU network and is out in California. The company paid for his flight and gave him a housing stipend on top of a good salary. He’s making more than I do. GRRR. </p>

<p>If he put his mind to it he could graduate early, or get a master’s in four years. He thinks there are plenty of courses he’d like to take to stay the full four years and he doesn’t want to write a master’s thesis - so that discussion is on-going. He’s definitely not interested in the academic side of computer science. </p>

<p>He’s found a core group of friends just like him - including finding kids to play D and D with on weekends this summer. He got invited to join an off campus house this year. He seems more comfortable with who he is. Even though he was never the most communicative kid we find we miss him - and not just to have a fourth for bridge!</p>

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<p>I was way more active on these threads during the tumultuous times of deciding between debt/dream school, or no debt/safety. It was down to UVA (former) or University of Missouri (my in-state flagship).</p>

<p>Ended up at Mizzou, and I can confidently say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I spent Freshman year joining a sorority, going to football games, taking leadership classes, muddling through pre-med stuff, getting involved with research, making new friends, and finding my niche at Mizzou.</p>

<p>Since then, I’ve taken on leadership positions in my house (planning all our major fundraisers and raising $8000 for local women’s shelter) and school (exec board for spring break service trips, serving as a camp counselor type for formal rush this year), continued with researched, explored the pre-med thing (by shadowing numerous oncologists), gotten a job (tutoring athletes), gone to some leadership conferences, made Dean’s List each semester, and earned some extra scholarships. </p>

<p>I also studied abroad this March (Costa Rica for a medical mission trip) and June (Italy for a Renaissance art history/photography class)–both trips were phenomenal and life changing.</p>

<p>I’ve begun the tough process of narrowing my interests to hopefully end up with some sort of career, which was made easier after my trip to Costa Rica. Now, I plan to go to graduate school before (ideally) or during medical school to get a Master’s in public health or public policy because I’m interested in community development and health care reform on a global level. Hopefully I’ll get to spend time abroad running or opening clinics in rural areas, likely in Central America. After some time off attempting to do good for both myself and the world, I think I’ll go to medical school and would like to specialize in OB/GYN so I can both see patients and do surgeries and complicated procedures. </p>

<p>In the mix of all that, I definitely plan on meeting the man of my dreams and having a gorgeous family.</p>

<p>It’s been a great run so far, and it’s hard to believe I’m halfway done with undergrad. My biggest accomplishment though is that I have a phenomenal core of support from both my friends and my family, which I have worked hard to cultivate and it’s been worth every second and tear. </p>

<p>If your kids think they’ll waste away at a state university–force them to reconsider! Mizzou was my last choice, “I’ll never go there!,” end of the list safety…and now it’s home. No regrets.</p>