<p>Oregonianmom, I’m wondering if i should take my S to see Swarthmore b/c i think it would be a perfect fit for him and he could switch it out w/ another LAC on his list. (most of his list is mid-sized universities w/ 2 LACs). what did you think of the school? curious to know your reaction to macalester as well. did you fill out CC visit thread?</p>
<p>RenaissanceMom-- We were both very impressed with Swarthmore as well as Macalester. They’re very different schools from each other. Swat is a much larger, sprawling campus in a suburban location, while Mac is a compact, urban campus. Both were nice in that it would be easy to get off campus. Swat has a train station at one end of campus, which is very convenient. There is also a little village across the street with a few shops and restaurants. Mac is within walking distance of lots of shops and restaurants - they’re literally right next door. And you can catch a city bus along the main streets that border the campus and easily go into downtown St. Paul in just a few minutes. </p>
<p>The students at both colleges seemed very nice, smart, and down-to-earth. Both schools are a good fit for my D.</p>
<p>I should fill out the visit reports while the information is fresh in my mind.</p>
<p>HI All</p>
<p>I spent a good bit of time yesterday on a FinAid site and also the CCS Profile site…printing out instructions etc about both FAFSA and PROFILE.
If you go to the college board site where you registered your student for the SATs etc–you can go get the instructions etc without starting the PROFILE.</p>
<p>Also the FinAid part was helpful because there are still errors in the FAFSA.</p>
<p>I spent last night highlighting things to watch for–now to pull the tax records, and docs…run quicken for the health expenses etc etc…
I think I will try and enlist hubby to an economic summit to help fill in the blanks :rolleyes: as its quite alot of numbers to pull together and really not straight forward.
I cannot imagine my student trying to complete the FAFSA alone…
Our student has not had to file a tax return so its all foreign stuff so to speak…</p>
<p>My son didn’t like Swarthmore (admittedly it was a half day summer visit so not sure how meaninful any impressions are). He thought that it seemed like a “no fun” place where everyone studied all the time and when they weren’t studying they were off in Africa saving the world. He goes to a pretty nerdy school and is trying to avoid that vibe in college, which I guess he felt Swarthmore represented. Too bad as I (and others) thought it may be a great fit. He did agree the setting was beautiful (literally an arboretum) and close and convenient to Philadelphia, so not nearly as rural as comparable LACs.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any input on holy cross in Worcester? How religious of a school is it? Would a non- catholic be happy there? Do they offer any merit aid?</p>
<p>It is an unusual LAC that has good city access. Aniger - I’m sorry your S had that reaction and had to take Swarthmore off his list. Maybe he’d like Macalester!</p>
<p>But this kind of self-knowledge can be useful. I’ve told how my D, through visiting Bard, Hampshire and Sarah Lawrence (in that order) found out just where she sees herself on the “intellectual vibe” scale (only Bard has stayed on her list). She wanted to like Hampshire and SLC, but felt that for her they went too far - and this is from a kid who goes to a small-town Midwest HS where she’d LOVE a higher nerd factor.</p>
<p>As for my “good idea” on whittling down the list, I’m not sure she’s read my e-mail about it yet. I’ll let you know if she buys into it. Still not getting the essays done … but she’s moving into tech week for the fall play, so I’ll cut her a little slack. It’s just that every week seems to have some reason for slack. One of these days she’ll find things have tightened considerably!</p>
<p>D1 toured Swarthmore last year as an example of small highly intellectual LAC. We always had an agreement when we did an info session + tour that if she didn’t like the vibe from the info session, we would bow out of the tour. She seemed enthused, and we had a great personal tour with a tourguide from our part of California, but afterwards said it wasn’t her kind of place. The big turnoff was apparently when the adcom said there could be as few as two students in a class. Some kids would love that. I was blown away by the breadth of coursework available. On the other hand, I was thoroughly bored by the adcom’s lengthy background talk about Quaker philosophy. </p>
<p>She’s not toured Macalester yet, but it certainly exudes a quirky vibe in their mailings, their website, and their presentations. Friends in Minneapolis tell us that the students are known as intellectual. Swarthmore seems more intellectual, more of a pipeline into grad school. Macalester has a more worldly/international feel, and with a bit more emphasis on internship opportunities, especially as it’s in a state capitol. Oh, and if you go to a ballgame, there are deep fried cheese curds as the regional junk food. </p>
<p>I can certainly see how some students would keep both on their lists, or just one. The students who go to each both seem very happy to be there.</p>
<p>From what I can tell they do not give merit aid. Too bad, I would have liked S to check it out. I do think it is pretty Catholic though, but not to the point where a non-Catholic would be uncomfortable.</p>
<p>Good evening to all. So melancholy tonight. Just a reminder that we all know, but I somehow need to say…hug your kids. Hug them tight. Tell them scores and acceptances do not matter in your love for them. Let them know there is nothing they could ever do to change that. No matter how young, or how old yor child is, reach out and hold them tight.
I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know…just what I need to say tonight. Thanks.
Peace and blessings to all.
BI</p>
<p>Thanks, blue. It can never be said enough.</p>
<p>I think BI has a vested interest in either Villanova or Wyckoff?..my heart goes out to you, BI…</p>
<p>^^ or Rutgers…not a good day all around for college students…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I’m going to admit I am totally out of the loop on this one…?</p>
<p>My mood, and post, was based on the loss of a local high school student yesterday. We have a fellow CC member who knows the family personally and has a student at the school. I know the member has appreciated everyone’s support as she navigates helping her son cope with the loss.</p>
<p>I will catch up on obviously tragic news at Villanova, Wyckoff, and Rutgers tomorrow that I missed today.</p>
<p>I do thank you Rodney for your kind words.</p>
<p>EDIT: I just caught up on news. It is such a sad day. I did read about the young man at Rutgers very early this morning. How selfish to get so wrapped up in my own world that I didn’t even remember… So much pain for so many people. I’ll admit, I rarely take the time to get down on my knees. This will be a night I make time to ask for mercy for those in pain, and gratitude for the blessings I could never deserve.</p>
<p>It has been a sad few days. BI, thanks for reminding us of what’s really important.</p>
<p>Some shocking losses in my small town over the weekend as well. It puts things in perspective.</p>
<p>Also - during all of this hoopla it doesn’t hurt to spend some time talking with or at least thinking about kids who don’t have it together, who don’t have that crucial urge to move forward in their lives, who are making risky decisions that may keep them from finding their best path. I’ve found new patience with and appreciation for my kid because in the last few weeks it’s been very clear to me that by any standards she is doing absolutely wonderfully and I have NOTHING to complain about.</p>
<p>Morning All</p>
<p>I am so sorry to read about alot of sad sad events in recent days. So many families dealing with so much.
Sometimes I just take time to remind our kids that we love and appreciate them for who they are, who God made them to be and for just being them…
trying to remind them that they are not defined by class rank, tests and sport etc etc…</p>
<p>Well today our student leaves for another school visit. A busy day with school --has a couple of tests etc. This is good practice for next yr and beyond when kiddo will be handling taxis, airports, etc etc alone.
As Dh left with kiddo2 this am for school, I’m reminded that next year we will have only one at home (sniff)…I can’t believe October is upon us!!</p>
<p>Hugs all around.</p>
<p>Despite a wealth of bad news every day on the news, somehow the Rutgers story really struck a chord with me. I am just so sad that people can be so mean.
If there is anything to be gained from the tragedy, maybe it’s that kids will start to get a better idea of how important it is to use the internet judiciously.</p>
<p>On a lighter note–
here is a smile…My kids had one of these…did yours?</p>
<p>[Valley</a> Life : Flying in style - Frontiersman](<a href=“http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2010/09/24/valley_life/doc4c9c4a983c0c0681145217.txt]Valley”>http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2010/09/24/valley_life/doc4c9c4a983c0c0681145217.txt)</p>
<p>How cute is this ;o)</p>
<p>I can’t even imagine what the parents of the Rutgers student must be going through. And the parents of the kids who videotaped him- to learn that your child could do something so cruel and hateful. Their lives are potentially ruined- and a young man is dead. Absolutely senseless.</p>
<p>The football player’s death is nearly inexplicable. Makes me nervous for all students playing contact sports. </p>
<p>I truly feel for all the families touched by these tragedies. Makes me very thankful for what I have. Like EmmyBet said, I have nothing to complain about.</p>
<p>blue, thanks for the reminder. Too many of these tragic and horrifying stories in the news recently. In extreme moments, it kinda makes you want to bubble-wrap your kid and keep him at home…where it’s safe.</p>
<p>Of course we can’t do that, and wouldn’t really want to anyway, but that is my knee-jerk reaction when I hear stories like these. That and so much sympathy for the grieving families. My grandmother lost a much beloved son at 11. My aunt and uncle, a beloved daughter at 17. I learned growing up, through gentle conversations with them, that this parents’ nightmare is one you never awaken from. You can learn to go on, but you are never the same again, and your heart never truly heals.</p>