@Trixy34 Wow! Sounds perfect
@blossom Thank you for your honesty. We could most likely cover 10,000 a year max. We have been saving up a little each year for her since she was born. Luckily my other daughter at Hofstra University got a nearly full scholarship. :).
Where is your college counselor in all This? Concord Academy is an elite private school-was a counselor assigned to this process?
Since you state that D suffers with a depressive disorder, does she have a 504 plan at her current school, which allows her extended time on exams, breaks if needed, a reduced course load? This is why I @compmom in, she would be really great at letting you know what information you would need to gather now so when your daughter does a=go to college she can register at the office of disability services.
@ElleLakes I was a student at Hamilton last year and have since transferred to another NESCAC. Not sure what your daughter’s fit preferences are, what kind of support (academic and/or emotional) she might need, or what her interests are, but if she liked the feeling of Brown, I’m not sure about Hamilton. If you want more details feel free to message me.
I do think a small environment might be good for her. Check out those LACs without supplements.
We are a family of seven, one income, not eligible for financial aid, one in college, one just out of college, and a high school senior. Dd17 has pretty good stats (34 ACT, 4.1 GPA , 9 AP, the rest honors, varsity sports, theater, tons of EC), and with the exception of one Ivy (where my dad went), she only applied to schools with much lower stats because she needs merit scholarships. So far she’s received the highest scholarships they offe.
I have been told some exclusive private high schools view acceptances to Brown as the ultimate success over any other college.
@ElleLakes - what program is your kid applying for at Tisch? There may be more than an application to complete, a variety of programs require an artistic supplement as well. Also, if you are counting on merit aide- that is not a strong suit of NYU’s
Not sure where that idea comes from, websensation. The top preps want all kids to find their place.
OP, in case a college adits and the aid isn’t enough, please prepare your daughter. Not sure why the GC let some aid poor colleges on that list.
I was rejected from Stanford REA for Fall 16. I was upset and really couldn’t see why I wasn’t at least deferred. The next day I applied to a bunch of safeties just cause I didn’t think I’d get in anywhere after that. At the moment it seemed like it was over but it’s not. Now I’m attending a public state school and loving it. I’ve made lifelong friends, had some incredible memories and learned a thing or two. And guess what, I wouldn’t trade it for the world if tomorrow you gave me the chance to transfer to Stanford. Tell your daughter it’s gonna be ok no matter what school she gets into. Brown is very difficult to get into so she shouldn’t expect to get in even though it’s still in play. Give it a day to sulk but after that it’s time to get up, brush off the dust and carry on with life. In high school there’s an obsession to get perfect grades. College has ironically taught me there’s a lot more to life than straight As, perfect test scores, and prestigious colleges. 30 years from now I won’t care that I got ___ grade in this class or that final I’ll remember going to football games with friends, winning that IM championship game, or even just exploring campus and “hidden areas” late at night. Don’t worry too much she’ll end up happy in the end!
It is hard to get into Brown.
Registration with college offices of disability services happens after acceptance of the offer. I wonder if Concord Academy is offering any supports.
From her second choice list:
Emerson- deadline 1/15 and top notch for film
Cornell- deadline Jan. 2 (financial aid deadline 2/15)
UCLA- too late
Harvard- January 1 deadline
UMass- January 15 deadline- she is willing, keep it!
Boston University- Jan. 2 (for FAFSA and Profile too)
Take out all schools with Jan. 1 or 2 deadline. Impossible.
Did she do an arts supplement with a sample of her work, a resume (including awards) and letters of recommendations specifically for film? For some schools her stats are good enough without but that would be essential for a top college.
Here is a chart for deadlines for many colleges:
https://www.stoodnt.com/blog/fall-2019-ug-freshman-college-application-deadlines-for-top-us-colleges/
Wellesley, Oberlin, Macalaster, Grinnell, Carleton, Colgate, Colorado College (one class at a time), Kenyon and Smith all have January 15 deadlines.
Skidmore and Dickinson have Jan. 15 deadlines. Too late for Purchase. Too late for Barnard. Too late for Bard.
Sarah Lawrence is Jan. 15, close to NYC and very artsy.
Ithaca is Feb. 1- keep it!!
Hampshire is also Jan. 15. Ken Burns went there. It is excellent for film but requires a lot of independence.
So, UMass, Emerson and two others- all of the above are GREAT schools. If she wants a women’s college, three top choices. If she wants urban versus country, look at that. Make sure she submits her film work and her awards.
THIS is the problem with living high school years to GET IN. Even the kids who do get in suffer emptiness because their goal is gone. I am sure her environment contributed. The point of high school is to learn and grown, not college admissions. She is maturing and will transition to better motivators but right now her “external motivator” has been snatched from underneath her and there is no internal motivator to rescue her.
Try to get this across to her, or get her therapist to discuss. Life is not empty without Brown and her hard work was not for nothing. She has incredible stats and accomplishments and if she loves to do film, she needs to focus on the best way to do that. She can read my post if she wants.
These are all fantastic schools for the arts and she has plenty of time. She just needs to choose so that the number and expense is not overwhelming.
If she KNOWS she wants to do film, Emerson is a must but expensive, check aid out.
If she liked Brown I would suggest Oberlin, Macalaster, Skidmore, Ithaca and maybe Smith. Keep it simple and give her time, but not much 
At the same time make sure you meet financial aid deadlines.
Good luck.
Oh and UMass is a great school but if she attends bitterly that is too bad. If you are a MA resident it is affordable too. They might even give her a free ride due to merit.
Muhlenberg is Feb. 1.
Just want to add that if she doesn’t want to apply to other schools, leave her alone. Give her the info, and it’s up to her. Tough situation for a parent, so sympathies. I also feel for her and hope she feels better.
@10s4life Incredible, I am so happy. I will share your story with my daughter.
Lookingfoward, Bet the poster meant among the kids-that Brown is the “in” school among the elite private school set.Not surprising right. The very reason another school may be better to help this student shed a certain mentality-Brown’s “you can do whatever you want” for a major/courses (yes, this is an exaggeration-I agree with you), etc. may not help this student in the long run.
@compmom Very well said (“THIS is the problem with living high school years to GET IN. Even the kids who do get in suffer emptiness because their goal is gone. I am sure her environment contributed. The point of high school is to learn and grow, not college admissions. She is maturing and will transition to better motivators but right now her “external motivator” has been snatched from underneath her and there is no internal motivator to rescue her.”).
I agree completely. Back when I was a kid we had chances to make mistakes, but now, this whole college process is really taking freedom away from our children. I remember when I was younger I could just run around the block, study a little, go out, and be a kid! Now, my children are rushing around from one activity to the next without stopping. What a crazy time we are living in. That is why I just want my kids to be grounded and happy.
Yesterday we crammed and completed UMass and Muhlenberg. The essays are completed and very well written! I am so proud of my daughter. Plus, I work in a publishing house so I can help her edit her essays. 
Perks of the job!
@websensation Why is that? I would think some other Ivies are more difficult to get into? I am a little clueless about this whole process though…
Here is her new list:
Submitted
Brown (ED - deferred)
NYU Tisch School
Emory
UMass
Muhlenberg
Left to complete:
Emerson
Hamilton
Yesterday was an all-day cram to complete UMass and Muhlenberg. I think this looks good. I hope she gets in…
“THIS is the problem with living high school years to GET IN. Even the kids who do get in suffer emptiness because their goal is gone.”
And also, these top schools are looking to exclude the students who lived their high school years to get in. A paradox students and parents should take seriously. The schools want kids who are actually enthusiastic and who pursue their various pursuits because of inherent interest and a keen curiosity about the world-not because their parents staked out what schools are looking for and started to groom their offspring at birth.
Many people want the admissions process to schools they perceive as “top schools” to be “transparent”. Well this is exactly why those schools are reluctant to make it so. They don’t want to give parents even more help shaping a successful “top school” applicant to their school. They’d like to say instead 'Parents, raise kids not applicants".