<p>Speaking of a party…I woke up to the news that I had to be out of the house by 2pm and must be back by 5pm! My H and S have already started cleaning the house while I’m doing nothing but trying to decide what to do…book store or yarn shop? </p>
<p>I wish everyone of you and your kiddos could be here tonight!</p>
<p>have fun tonight pmk, great that they are doing something special for you!!! Give us a report tomorrow!</p>
<p>PMK -
I’m so impressed - Congratulations on your wonderful achievement!
Party on…</p>
<p>I left college after 2 yrs. (Marriage, Korean war & Military husband for 4 yrs. & by the time Military time was up, there was a child and a house mortage). (Civilian) Life was hectic with 4 children by my 25th birthday! </p>
<p>I did try night school for a semester and thought often about finishing those required last credits - I never did it! </p>
<p>No excuses, just caught up in the detritus of life…</p>
<p>I still might have years left to finish and get a degree! </p>
<p>My GS calls me his ‘college counselor’ LOL! It’s a time consuming
research’ job to help along…maybe next year for me???</p>
<p>PMK, sorry I am so late to this thread but wanted to join in on the virtual standing ovation you have been given. What an accomplishment! Hope you are enjoying whatever “surprise” your family has in store for you! :D</p>
<p>Bubbe - if you’re seriously interested in finishing your degree, you should see if your local public U offers that option for free or low cost to senior citizens. I know when I was in college, the school I attended let seniors attend for free, but that may have been just to audit classes, not get credit - I’m not sure, and that was a long time ago. Either way, if you’re going to be helping your GS in his college app process, then you’ve got your work cut out for you this year.</p>
<p>PMK - enjoy your celebration tonight. What a thoughtful H & S!</p>
<p>Small mommy brag…</p>
<p>We attended the track team picnic this afternoon and each kid came home with an award. '10Son got MVA (most valuable athlete) for his performance at one of the meets. And '12Daughter got the “Lion Pride” award. That seems to be something like dedication/team spirit.</p>
<p>(I wonder how Son feels about his freshman sis lettering two years earlier than he did. 
)</p>
<p>Okay, here’s back to when the kids were in utero!</p>
<p>I went to a baby shower today for a mother expecting twins. The hosts had the most fun themed activity I’ve ever seen at one of these. They purchased different sized white onesies and burp clothes, plus a lot of colored fabric markers. Each guest was asked to let their creative juices flow (spiked on with great sangria, food and friends) and design something on these cloths.</p>
<p>What fun! The true artists were in their realm, while the artistically challenged like me had to be more thematic. Since the motto of our city is “Heart of Screenland” I made a design with a movie camera, a strip of film and the words “Hearts of Screamland.”</p>
<p>You get the gist. These boys will be for the class of … 2026!</p>
<p>FindAPlace - I love the onies at the baby showers! The first time I saw this was when DD and I were watching an episode of Gilmore Girls. I think your design is very appropriate for the babies. Class of 2026 sure makes me feel old!</p>
<p>Dougbetsy, congratulations to you and your 2 fine kids! </p>
<p>CC is a great place for mommy brags.</p>
<p>Congrats to you and your S & D, DougBetsy.</p>
<p>I thought this was clever of Son… </p>
<p>Rather than just throwing a $20 bill in his friend’s graduation card before going to last night’s party, he added a nickel and four pennies. </p>
<p>A gift of $20.09. :D</p>
<p>that is clever DB. Maybe next year we can do the $20 plus a dime.</p>
<p>Now to see which thread should have the honor of my 1000th post. I admit I have not been reading many of the others as closely these days, too busy.</p>
<p>Jackief - this thread should absolutely have the honor of your 1000th post, especially since you started it.</p>
<p>since you insist LIMOM, here it is 
I did catch up on the 09/13 split personality thread, but didn’t have anything significant to add. I am enjoying all the grad prep over there.</p>
<p>Big Band strikes up “Hooray for Hollywood,” jackief approaches the podium, the band tapers down, she steps up to the mic and says, “I want to thank the members of the the Academy, uh, I mean the members of CC…” Congratulations to jackief on her 1,000th post and resultant Senior Member status! Now, back to your regularly scheduled college discussion…</p>
<p>On another thread, A Persona posted a interesting list of underrated college criteria that I thought might be interesting to discuss.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/717975-silliest-reasons-why-your-child-chose-college-apply-3.html#post1062650001[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/717975-silliest-reasons-why-your-child-chose-college-apply-3.html#post1062650001</a>
</p>
<p>An interesting list, IMO. Having recently cut Barnard from consideration because the good folks over at the Barnard board told me that I wouldn’t be happy there–because I hate cities–I’m not sure what to make of #5. How close is close enough and how big must said city be? #4 is no problem since I’m looking at LACs, although it does make another mark against Bryn Mawr (would take many classes at Haverford, by bus).</p>
<p>It is an interesting list, one that I’d quibble with a bit or at least add some other thoughts to. No one right answer necessarily.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Dining Halls - one advantage of my undergrad college was that everyone was required to have a full meal plan who lived on campus. It’s very easy to meet new people and cement friendships in dining halls, especially one with big tables. I saw many campuses with tables for two or one and a very scattered approach to dining. People who like pizza vs mexican may end up in a different location from each other for example. My favorite dining hall so far is Tufts. Two dining halls, great food, lots of choices.</p></li>
<li><p>Flexibility in programming is great. I disapprove of ditching Friday classes. I think it encourages extending weekend behavior.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes the people matter, but most colleges really do have a diverse crowd. Probably more important at the smaller colleges.</p></li>
<li><p>Campus size. I can see that a spread out campus could be an issue. I can only speak for Harvard, but it’s about 1/2 an hour on foot from the Radcliffe dorms to the River dorms, and a 15 minute walk from either location to the furthest away classroom buildings, I never considered this much of an issue.</p></li>
<li><p>I like cities. My son is in Pittsburgh (city!) but when applying for internships did phone interviews nearly everywhere. But a decent career office that sponsors job and internship fairs is worth looking for. In my day Harvard couldn’t offer me more than job listings shelving library books or cleaning houses for the summer. I think (hope) it’s better now.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I like cities too. (especially LA, lol). I decided on USC for my graduate degree in journalism based on the strength of its job listings board.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I definitely like the one-dining-hall approach, a la Swarthmore and Haverford. But quality of food is important, too.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, people are definitely more important at small LACs.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I agree with the importance of dining halls and also campus centers (especially in schools where the dining halls and/or bookstore and/or snack shop are in the campus center). You spend much more time there than you would originally imagine.</p>