UPDATE : We moved before the academic year started. The kids wanted to be together as a family even after considering the downside of moving. Kids’ teachers, mentors, their friends (and their parents), our friends offered every possible help including keeping our kids at their homes; can’t thank them enough.
D has lost a lot in this move but still is very happy to see her dad every day. She really wanted to connect with him before moving out.
Thanks to this wonderful forum, and the experienced, insightful people who shared so many amazing details I could never have thought about, this experience of moving at this stage of our lives has become a lot more bearable. I can’t thank you all enough!
As always, @ucbalumnus 's insightful inputs helped a lot, especially, while making the decision for early graduation from HS. I really appreciate the fine details in all your posts. D was not ready for the early graduation and the next chapter yet. I will keep the college GPA requirements in mind as well. Thank you, ucb!
Thank you, @thumper1 for giving so many different options! I could not have thought of many of them. The practical aspect of ABET accreditation when people are hired stands out to me. It helps keep many options open.
I am still re-reading your post, @twoinanddone. The kids went through some of the experiences. They were mentally prepared. Thank you!
Thank you, @1518mom for the suggestion. We just can not afford the expenses for two different places. Also, we have lost too many years being as a family.
You hit it on the nail @AboutTheSame. This moving proved to be really harsh for D just the way you mentioned. She is paving her way through it. Thank you for sharing your experience!
@melvin123 ,there was a cultural shock for sure. Thanks to your post, the kids were prepared for it before we made the decision. Boy, it was not as easy in practice though. Thank you!
@Sybylla , it just boiled down to numbers in the end - the days left for us to be together, and the finances of keeping 2 places. I really see and did see at that time what you mean. Thank you so much for thinking of the kids’ interests first!
Your post regarding the possibility of scholarship in privates opened a new door for us, @mamaedefamilia . Thank you so much for sharing that information!
We did some research before we made the decision as pointed out by @HImom . Thank you for pointing out so many details!
The hardest part was to leave so many options behind at that in-state cost in terms of UCs/CSUs as @eandesmom pointed out. Thank you, @eandesmom ,for all your inputs, and especially, the very meticulous list of the admissions and the scholarships. It continues to help a lot!
Thank you, @Cheeringsection for pointing out that privates is not always out of financial reach!
Thank you all!!