<p>Great post, kristin! I told my girls many times that there’s no single “right” or “perfect” school for anyone, that one could create one’s own happiness–and success–at just about any good college or university. Sounds like you’ve done extremely well. Bravo! :)</p>
<p>I have posted a lot since D1 went to college, so most regulars do know how D1 is doing. But there were many other kids who had to make some tough decisions. Now two years, it would be nice to know how things have turned out for them. I enjoyed reading Kristin’s post. If there were any regrets, maybe people wouldn’t mind sharing them either.</p>
<p>Thanks, 07DAD, for getting the old gang back together. It’s wonderful seeing familiar names (if not faces ;)) and hearing how everyone’s doing.</p>
<p>My S is another Carl, like Hindoo’s D, and he loves his choice. This summer he’s interning in Chicago (paid, but without the exclamation point). He’s majoring in history, but his interests are primarily transportation policy and urban planning. He went to London on a Carleton English program last winter and loved it. He’s doing great academically, taking advantage of opportunities and making some for himself. We miss him when he’s gone but are so happy that he’s doing so well.</p>
<p>limner! It’s so delightful to hear from you! :)</p>
<p>Hi everyone!
Just thought since everyone one else was doing it, I would update also. I spent my first year at McDaniel College and for various reasons decided to transfer out. It just was not the right “fit” for me. I transferred to Earlham College. I really like it a lot. I declared as an English major and am involved in the Equestrian program and various musical endeavors including choir ( which I love). It is completely opposite from McDaniel is almost every way and I really like it ( even though it is farther from home).</p>
<p>DefyingGravity–Thanks for the update! I’m not familiar with McDaniel College, but know Earlham pretty well. It’s an absolutely wonderful school and I’m so glad you’re happy there. My older daughter, a rising senior at College of Wooster, had it in her top few colleges, but ultimately chose Woo, in part because of money. Good luck to you! :)</p>
<p>DefyingGravity- McDaniel was one of my 07 son’s options. He ended up deciding to stay in Ca. I would love to hear about the Equestrian team. My D who will be HS class of 2012 has an equestrian team as her main criteria for a school.
My 07 grad had planned to take a GAP year and was all set. Come late July he changed his mind and made some phone calls and 3 weeks later was moving in for freshman orientation. It was his choice. He had a fun freshman year with mixed grades. He has ADD and LD and had the option for some strong support but often did not take the extra step to use it. He continued his pattern from high school of making B’s in classes that should have been A’s and C’s in classes that were not his strength. He still had issues with giving himself enough time. He made one huge error that cost him some merit money, He had a class that we all knew was going to be difficult. It required lots of writing and strong memory skills. Both areas that he is extremely weak. He struggled all semester and was barely passing. After talking with someone who told him that he didn’t need this class for his major he made the bright decision without consulting us to skip the final. He got an F in the class. To make matters worse he was wrong and does need the class and will have to retake it. The best thing we did was make him take out a loan to make up for the missing merit aid. 2nd year was better. Some A’s but still B’s and C’s at times just due to messy work or poorly managed time. But the maturity growth was huge. He also has become an extremely good artist.
This past summer he is home attending the CC for summer school and working in a deli. He is more mature and I see some huge growth in areas of weakness.
He was 17 when he left home freshman year. He could have definitely used the GAP year as a time to mature.</p>
<p>This is my kind of class reunion-- no dieting necessary! My rising junior has been very happy with his school choice and will have enough credits to graduate after the coming school year but will stay for a fourth year to complete a double major. He currently has a paid internship in his field as well as two “externships” that have resulted in interviews for an internship for next summer. So at the moment, all’s right in his world. Knock on wood!</p>
<p>Thanks Hindoo and mom60! Hindoo if your D. plays any sports at Wooster it is likley we have played her over at Earlham . Good luck to her in her senior year.
Mom60- While I am not on the equestrian team I have friends that are. They compete in about 10 shows a year and practice once a week. And even if you are not on the team you can still be involved with the horses by joining the student run barn co-op. If you go to the Earlham website and click on athletics, equestrian, you can read more about the whole program, which is a really wonderful program and the facilites are very impressive for a school of 1200.</p>
<p>My rising junior is home for the summer and we’re thrilled to have him. He has a paid internship with the City of New York (our tax dollars at work, yay!) and is lucky to have it. He’s looking forward to returning to Virginia to school though. He has moments (okay, apparently entire sleepless nights) worrying about what to be when he grows up and if he’ll be able to find work he’s passionate about.</p>
<p>He’s grown to love his school, but it took about a year and a half. I was always kind of jealous of those parents whose kids were over the moon about their choices, but ultimately I’m glad S is happy, if not ecstatic. I guess he’s just not the ecstatic type.</p>
<p>DefyingGravity–My daughter plays Wooster soccer–they played at Earlham last fall. :)</p>
<p>Hey y’all, long time no talk to! My rising junior has recently been accepted into the concurrent BBA/MPA (master of public accounting) program at UTexas, McCombs School of Business - woohoo! It’s what he’s been working toward the last 2 years, so we’re really psyched for him!</p>
<p>He loves Austin, we hardly see him, and now he’ll be there for 3 more years, instead of 2.</p>
<p>Great news, ag54! Glad his efforts have paid off.</p>
<p>Hindoo- Very cool. I am pretty sure we are playing them again over parents weekend.
ag54- Congrats to your son!</p>
<p>DefyingGravity–Are you a soccer player? … Did you know Ed Joyce? He went to high school with my daughter. Graduated this year, I think.</p>