<p>Andi: So sorry to hear the news from Swarthmore. I echo what everyone else has said: Your son is a smart, talented young man. He’ll have a wonderful college experience – just a slightly later start than anticipated. Here’s to an exciting, enriching gap year! And here’s to you – you’ve maintained a sense of humor and a sense of balance throughout this crummy episode.</p>
<p>I’m sorry too, Andi, but now you’ve got to look ahead, not backwards. As I’m always telling my kids, it’s not the setbacks in life that hurt you, but rather the inability to get thru them quickly and move forward. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Excellent advice, mchs. Add my harmony to the chorus of disappointment, andi… and my energies to the belief that the coming year can be one of great enrichment if he’ll approach it that way. Your spirit will help guide him, and it’s pretty clear you’re up to the task.</p>
<p>Sure does stink, though, to be going into this enrichment opportunity not by one’s own choice. Make lemonade.</p>
<p>I am so sorry to hear this end result, Andi!! It is their loss!! I know your son is going to end up on both feet after this experience!! Our nephew just did a gap year, and it was FANTASTIC!! He did three different “trimesters” of activity, and each was better than the one before. I was so jealous to hear about all that he was doing, and was worried all of our kids would want to do the same thing!!</p>
<p>We will be keeping you and your son in our prayers–keep us posted on what he decides to do!! and how he is enjoying it, cause I know he will have a great year!!!</p>
<p>Andi-
What else is there to say? This is not what you, Andison or any of us out here in the Peanut gallery wanted to hear. I am so sorry. But, that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. And I guess Andison has a great theme for his upcoming essay, should he consider rewriting it. With luck, things will go better with early admission, and he’ll know in just a few short months. Please know our thought are with you and your family.</p>
<p>Ah Phooey about Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Well, I don’t know what the back up plan is, but sending my wishes for an enriching and rewarding gap year for andison!</p>
<p>I like that. Ah phooey on college for 18-year olds anyway! I am starting to think I may encourage my S to take a gap year. He told me yesterday he doesn’t want to work in an office he wants to work outside. A gap year could be the best possible way to get some real understanding of the world.</p>
<p>Andi, I keep posting because I keep thinking of you. Disappointment is just the worst feeling but luckily is easy cured by setting up a replacement for the disappointing loss.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>There was a movie called Clockwise with John Cleese. He is a teacher at a school in England. He just finds out he won an award and has to get across the country in like 5 hours…it is a series of mishaps that keep delaying him…at one point he collapses in a field, dressed as a monk (you have to see the movie) and proclaims to all “Its not the dispair, its the hope!” </p>
<p>In the end, he makes it, a bit dissheveled, a little frustrated, but not lasting damage. I see that for your son. I am wondering if he can take a couple of courses locally just to keep his hand in. Another thing to do, is intern. If he doesn’t need to work, it is pretty easy to find an internship in local government, with coaches, with camps, with whatever his interests are. I volunteer at City Hall in our City, and a huge number of volunteers are college kids between semesters, taking some time, getting that experience. Its fun and rewarding.</p>
<p>Andi, It’s 6 AM here and this was the first thread I looked for. Sorry it had to turn out this way. I hope that getting the bad news in increments will make the recovery faster and your son can full speed into his GAP. </p>
<p>Next year, after he is safely enconsed in the school of his choice, he and you should think about writing a book ala Take My Kid. I’m tellin ya it would be an instant best seller. Look how you’ve gripped our hearts and minds! </p>
<p>I’m looking forward to talking to you about his Gap and list for Class of 09. Godspeed.</p>
<p>andi, count me among the folks wishing your son a fruitful gap year. We’ll all, and that “all” includes you and your son, have a good run for the '10 class. Hopefully you will be there to keep us all on the straight and narrow through the process. Good thoughts headed y’alls way.</p>
<p>andi, maybe your son could do part of his gap year in Calif tutoring my 14 year old, as we resist Ritalin & delay HS for HIS gap year? </p>
<p>I am only half joking!</p>
<p>Andi, I’m so sorry to see that the story for this year ends this way. If it helps at all, if I am in you son’s position next year, I have already decided to choose a gap year. I’ve decide not to apply to any really “safe” schools. I would just feel like I settled if that’s where I ended up. So I really believe fate has brought andison to a good place. I just know the wisdom he has gained will land him where he wants to be next time 'round!!</p>
<p>That and a year off sounds so great to really pursue passionate pleasures! Good luck, I know he’ll do something great!!</p>
<p>I am so sorry to hear your news, but I firmly believe that such a talented, wonderful young man has something fantastic in his future - not only the school of his choice, but maybe even a different and better one! This year will only make him more special than all the other '10ers out there. God speed!</p>
<p>This whole saga feels like a prequel in Albom’s “Five People You Meet in Heaven” story—I just know there is more to it than the obvious. I am sure you have aroused humility and gratitude and a multitude of other emotions in those who were admitted to super reach schools or “settled” for the state school,etc. There is purpose to all of the outcomes for all of the young students in CC- some more obvious than others. Thank you for sharing your story- it REALLY has given me a new attitude as I am beginning to help my first of 3 off to school after next year. Take care Andi and Andison.</p>
<p>Correction, I meant class of '10. (I’m such a loser with numbers.)</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking of titles for Andi/Andison’s book about the experience:</p>
<p>For Whom the Bell Didn’t Toll
The Beautiful and the Damned Unlucky
Great Expectations (Can’t improve on that one)</p>
<p>Awwww thanks so much friends. Just consider me one of the gang of '10 parents now. I don’t want to be the story that just won’t go away…</p>
<p>citygirlsmom we’ll have to get that movie. S can practically recite the entire Holy Grail by heart… and we won’t even talk about some of the songs…</p>
<p>suze NO DON"T DO THAT!! It’s not worth it. Do the research now and find some schools you like that you can get into. They ARE out there. </p>
<p>
I think my h might want to be the author of that one…kinda looking forward to being an empty nester…</p>
<p>I believe that anything that happens has a reason. I think this gives you the opportunity to take a little break and attack this process with a full force this fall. Don’t look at this as a set back, look at it as a period to reboost your energy. I wish you all the best.</p>
<p>Andi, though I’m only a rare poster, I’ve followed your son’s story and was so hoping for the Swarthmore acceptance. This is such an unbelievable process and I am sorry that your son’s outcome was not the one he hoped for. You have received so much great advice and so much support here. I’m sure that this year and his future will be very bright. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Hi Andi,</p>
<p>One more for the list as I was hoping for a differenct outcome. I am a firm beleiver that we are where we need to be. The good think is that now your son can put his plan in action. I think andison will be next year’s nonpoisonivy’s S - remember he took a gap year and came back to a wealth of great offers.</p>
<p>You have given new meaning to grace under pressure, and it is that grace that will help you lead him to his destiny.</p>
<p>all the best.</p>
<p>“grace under pressure” - exactly Sybbie, beautifully put.</p>