<p>I’m having a giggle because just yesterday I had to go back into the house to get things I forgot and still managed to leave the house without some necessary items. And this morning we had to all look for DH’s keys. My kids come by it honestly.</p>
<p>My D has done nothing on apps for a couple of weeks now. I am internally (mostly) freaking out because for several of her theater schools we can’t schedule the all important audition until the app is in. But I know the next few weekends are jam-packed and apps can easily slide. My plan is to sit with her and set some timelines because, aside from the rolling and priority apps she could be getting in, those theater apps are critical just for scheduling purposes.</p>
<p>hollie, your evening sounds lovely. Those moments are fleeting and its great you can appreciate them.</p>
<p>My H’s saying that kids like to quote is: "It tastes disgusting, give me more. " It wasnt my cooking that originated this response, it was some candy or snack that kids had in the house.</p>
<p>I thought we were through the worst of it when we got junior year finished! This fall is worse, though. D is making steady progress, but there is a lot to do! I know you can all relate. </p>
<p>What keeps me going is:
We really only have to gut it out for a few more weeks; then sit back and WAIT
This process will lead to exciting opportunities for our wonderful kids
Thankfully, we have an organized, technology friendly HS office and wonderful teachers/counselor that seem genuinely pleased to assist D
D’s essays are fun to read. They reflect her and leave me BURSTING with affection for D(which, of course, she finds very irritating)
This website/forum is so helpful; specifically, among many other tidbits, the advice to schedule a time to talk about applications has saved us a lot of stress (thank you!)</p>
<p>I now hope for a strong finish, continued good health for D, support - not competition - from peers at school, and some fun family time while we are all in the nest.</p>
<p>My daughter had several scholarship applications due October 1, so I am more conscious than I usually am of the dates, and I have just realized that this is probably the last September she will live at home. Of course I am happy that she is growing up, but she is still my sweet girl.</p>
<p>D2 was very positive about her interview. It inspired her to start working on more of her essays! She didn’t think there were any surprise questions but mentioned she was asked about what she liked to read.</p>
<p>Yay for her! The rough thing is when surprise questions stop you in your tracks, and then you’re kicking yourself later. It’s so helpful to hear about others’ experiences.</p>
<p>One of D’s application supplements asks her to list 4 books she read this year (presumably on her own). Darn my H for getting the kids interested in the Percy Jackson series!! (All huge Harry Potter fans, so they were interested, but not too impressive to be reading middle school fiction …) But she’s been reading other stuff on her own, predominantly plays, but some history and fiction, too. </p>
<p>mnmom - I feel like printing your list and posting it where I’ll see it every day. What a lovely way to put what life is like right now.</p>
<p>My d hardly ever has time to read for fun these days! She unfortunately has a bit of a tv and internet obsession so in her “free time” she occupies herself with electronic entertainment. (hmmmm, come to think of it, I haven’t been reading much these days myself!..although I seem to be up to date on Project Runway and what is going on here at CC!)</p>
<p>Well DH and I spent 2.5 hrs working together on the Profile–gathering the #s, projecting the end of the year, etc. And I have done about another 2 hrs.
There is no way a kid can do this–especially if you have parents who are self employed, have business tax forms, and SEPS etc…some interest income (taxable) some not etc etc…
And it has taken more than once pass at the instructions, detailed info per line,
and we both have multiple degrees!
YIKES</p>
<p>Thankfully we are nearing what seems to be pretty good #s and approximations to this years taxes etc…trying to be as accurate as possible so as to not get the wrong #s with a financial pre-read etc. I went online and read some things about common errors etc …
so we shall see.</p>
<p>The bad part–is eating warm tollhouse cookies while doing this thing! ARRRGG…wrecking the progress of the first part of the week!
Passing the warm cyber- cookies all around. ;o)</p>
<p>My big gripe with the Profile is that you can’t input changes online once you have submitted it to schools. You would think it should be possible, but no…
“It is not possible to make changes or to add to your online application now that it has been submitted. If your information has changed significantly, print a copy of this acknowledgment, cross out the incorrect information, and write the correct information in the same box. Explain changes on the bottom of the last page or attach pages as necessary. Next, photocopy this document and send copies to your colleges and programs.”</p>
<p>fogfog-looked at the profile today. I have done an early FAFSFA forecaster and found out that I will be getting no needs based aid other than the loans that everyone can get! OY. I am sure it won’t be any different with the Profile. Unfortunately one of D’s schools requires it. will be alot of work for nothing!</p>
<p>You would think that after visiting 6 schools that she loved, having two interviews that, per D, went really well, and getting several nice letters from several of said colleges encouraging her to get her application in, D would be making some progress. Unfortunately, she is really dragging her feet. The NMF packet is in, but only a draft of the CA essay has been done (which will be a variant of the NMF one). The CA isn’t close to being completed. Hasn’t even looked at any supplements. And when I bring it up (which I just did), I get “I know, I know” followed by a quick exit from the room. I am trying the suggestions (setting aside a specific time to discuss, small bits at a time, etc.) to no avail. The quality of what she submits is going to impact the amount, if any, of the merit money she gets, which directly impacts me. Deep breath. I am very happy for those of you (e.g., mosb) who are making good progress. I will be SO happy when the first application gets sent!</p>
<p>Speaking of PROFILE
The thing keeps telling me there is a problem with our real estate (like WE didn’t know that)
as in
purchase price, and debt owed are now BOTH more than current market value…
ah ha…yes WE KNOW that…</p>
<p>and so…the form keeps telling me to check it and fix it!</p>
<p>I have sent an email to Profile asking what to do with this…</p>
<p>Holliesue–I sympathize with the concept of the Profile as “a lot of work for nothing.” I have attempted to determine whether four schools I’ve contacted will require the Profile this year to be considered in future years, as we know we won’t get any need-based aid next year (our estimated FAFSA EFC is too high, and our Profile EFC will probably be higher). One said no, at two (large publics) I haven’t yet been able to get an answer from a real person and one said “oh, you should apply anyway, because you never know if you might get need-based aid.” I am frustrated that the financial aid policies of colleges we’re considering aren’t clearer.</p>
<p>Cooker, that’s great that the NMF app is in. That’s one big thing you can check off the list. I bet you’ll find that once your D gets the CA done, the supplements start to look more manageable. </p>
<p>Lest you think things are going too swimmingly at our house, I’ll confess I’m using all kinds of avoidance tactics instead of looking at the FAFSA and Profile. Even the sound of those names evokes the same kind of visceral reaction as the phrase, “root canal.”</p>
<p>Fog, those toll house cookies are sounding mighty good.</p>
<p>I worked on the Profile for a couple of hours today. I have doubts that we’ll get very much need-based aid for D’s freshman year, but the 2011-12 year is probably our only shot since our son will be a college senior. It may be a lot of work for nothing. If so, then I won’t bother for D’s sophomore, junior or senior years.</p>
<p>Morning all! Quiet out here, with the kids still in bed. I really should wake D and ask her to work on some ACT prep, but I don’t have the heart. She was up really early yesterday for a xc meet and then was working late into the night on essays for AP English.</p>
<p>We have a pretty busy day out here and of course, it is football day too. So doubt that much college related work will get done.</p>
<p>Profile/FAFSA - if we know that we won’t qualify for need based aid, do we still need to fill these out? I’ve been hoping NOT since I end up having to fill these forms out (H won’t do it!) …</p>
<p>I called D’s school of choice directly re the CSS Profile since like you, we are confident we wouldn’t qualify for FA but wondered if we still HAD to complete it. They said not if you know you don’t qualify. Fortunately she is automatically awarded Merit Aid if they deem her grades, scores and rigour to be good - naturally we are hoping for a little of that to ease the pain of the sticker price! By the sound of the form and time/effort it takes I am relieved since it would all be for naught!</p>
<p>D had decided (thankfully) that her first effort at the big essay was just ‘meh’ so we ate out last night at a funky local restaurant and brainstormed on the back of the paper menu/placemat! Fun times! Let’s hope they appreciate her humour!</p>
<p>EmmyBet, I got me and D2 hooked on Percy Jackson a few years back thanks to a review in the Wall Street Journal. I remember one family vacation where one of the books had just been released. I had to call around to bookstores in the area to find one with a copy. That was less work than the midnight Potter release parties…</p>
<p>The family game night meme had a long reach this weekend. Boggle for us on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. D2 took a quantum leap and is beating me some of the time. We haven’t done Settlers of Catan in awhile. </p>
<p>Allow me to highly recommend “Easy A”, which is a sorta kinda adaptation of “The Scarlet Letter” for modern teens. If you ever saw and liked what “Clueless” did with “Emma”, it’s the same deal–witty clever script that appeals to parents and teens, and core meaning and themes of the book preserved. Not just a chick flick. D1 went with a friend, and D2 went with the parents. Everyone loved it. </p>
<p>No applications completed here, though many supplements are in. NMSF is due next week. OOS public app almost finished, CA essays supposedly moving along. D1 needs to go back for a follow-up contact lens appointment. Since she drives, has access to a car, and since I do not know her schedule, she is supposed to be the one to make the appointment. Still waiting on that one. Also still waiting on hearing that she’s filled out the forms to take Health and Life Skills at a local CC. She has dragged her feet on this for years, and now the possible consequence (not being able to walk at graduation and having to take it over the summer after 12th grade) is looming. I told her we will have a celebratory grad lunch or dinner no matter what. </p>
<p>holliesue, sorry about having to do the Profile with no pot of gold at the end. I need to double-check on that for us. I do know that all of D1’s schools don’t require us to apply for FA this year in order to be considered in subsequent years. My current financial PIT@ research project is researching the health care plans and requirements at the list schools. It’s open enrollment season for our health insurance, and I’m comparing costs between the HMO option and the PPO option. For some schools, we may need to purchase supplemental insurance regardless; for others, the PPO option will serve, but the HMO won’t. Naturally, D1’s ED choice is impossible to figure out.</p>
I need to double-check on that for us. I do know that all of D1’s schools don’t require us to apply for FA this year in order to be considered in subsequent years. My current financial PIT@ research project is researching the health care plans and requirements at the list schools. It’s open enrollment season for our health insurance, and I’m comparing costs between the HMO option and the PPO option. For some schools, we may need to purchase supplemental insurance regardless; for others, the PPO option will serve, but the HMO won’t. Naturally, D1’s ED choice is impossible to figure out.</p>