@PrepDad2018 Similar situation over here. Really good LPS, but it simply cannot compare to what BS can offer her. Local PDS not worth the $ difference to us. Upper middle class (according to BS standards), so I am worried that we will get no FA. But without it, we cannot send DD to BS without compromising major things like retirement or doing something drastic like moving. Plus, we have 4 kids – so we can’t just eat ramen and decide to put all of our resources behind one kid. What about the other kids’ dreams and educations?
These are the things we are thinking about.
When we first decided to apply, we were clear about needing both an admission and some money behind the admission. But truth is: somewhere along the way, we’ve gotten so swept up in the momentum that I think this message kind of fell to the wayside. Suddenly, none of us pictured DD in our LPS anymore for next year.
So yesterday I sat down with DD to discuss options if we don’t get both admission and money, just as a gentle reminder before M10 arrives. Also, I’m anticipating M11 to be an emotional time, either way, so I felt like a conversation now was better timing, so that I know how to proceed come M11. (And this conversation a month ago would have been even better timing!). But – It was a really helpful, productive conversation where we – logically and unemotionally – considered options such as trying to find schools with second wave admissions and merit money still available, going to LPS for a year and trying again for 10th grade (which would reduce total cost by 25%, making our FA need lower. also would give her a chance to take a prep course and put out a better SSAT – she is at 80), and looking at all-girl schools. I was pleased that she agreed and understood about the various tradeoffs. If we end up with bad news on M10 (or good admission news but bad FA news), I think I know what to do behind the scenes while she mopes for a week or two. (Because M11 is when someone – me! – would need to spring into action if she wants to go to BS next year.)
My one lesson learned: I think I would have added 1 or 2 all-girl school options. Even though she still says she wants co-ed, I do wonder if she might have become more flexible depending on M10 options. And I believe that if we had visited some of those fantastic all-girl options, she probably would have fallen in love with at least one of them.
Really feeling good about our list – we carefully crafted it (thanks to many of you here on CC – THANK YOU!), and DD chances. Her applications were really solid outside of the softer test score. But, as the mom, I think it’s my job to be ready for what comes next, no matter what the result is.