<p>Congrats on those getting apps in. ShawD completed an application for merit aid at her second of two first choice schools. She’d completed the online application and had her transcript and scores sent, but there was a second online personal statement of experience that she hadn’t completed because the software was being revamped. It is some kind of short essay or short answer questions. However, we learned by reading the fine print that those who are nominated by their schools for the scholarship to which she is applying don’t have to submit the personal statement of experience. So, she could be done with applications. The award, if she were to get it, would exceed her tuition and would be renewable for the next 3 years if her grades stay high.</p>
<p>Her GC, who has been something of a pill all along, was unhappy that she needed to get this out the door by Federal Express tomorrow. She’s right that ShawD asked her at the last minute (the 11/23 for something that needs to be at the school on 12/1) but it sort of snuck up on ShawD as the school has rolling admissions. She sent ShawD a very snippy email. All that is really required of the GC is a) signing the nominating form, which she is happy to do since no other kids are applying to that school; b) attaching her letter of reference (a bit of modification might be good, but OK); and c) throwing in another transcript (and probably a statement saying that the school doesn’t have November grades). I’ll supply the FedEx envelope and voucher.</p>
<p>If she send in the application tomorrow, it looks like ShawD will be done (although she’ll check with the schools admissions office just to be sure).</p>
<p>Cooker, I can sympathize. I too thought that the expression “putting the pro in procrastinate” was funny, but with an edge. My S has a Dec. 1 merit aid deadline. He was planning to get a lot done this weekend, but social outings took priority on Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday he was very sick all day. He did a lot on Sunday, but having one day is different than having four days.</p>
<p>Anyway - some thoughts about your D’s essay situation… she can always check “topic of your choice.” Most students I know do that, even if their topic could fit into one of the suggested ones.</p>
<p>Also, one of the bright spots in doing essays on the late side is that the essays will be expressed in her own voice and they will clearly be her own work; they won’t be over-edited by teachers and friends. I’ve been giving essay feedback to a friend of my son’s over the past few weeks, and he’s clearly getting a lot of help from someone else too. He is not a strong writer, but he has his own fresh ideas, and I feel that his voice has diminished with every draft I’ve seen. I’m sorry to see that happen.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quote FLMathMom (and the encouragement from others). The December 1dates are deadlines for the 2 EA schools which are her true financial safeties; if she gets the expected merit awards from either school, she won’t have to apply to our state flagship (which she really doesn’t want to do). They’re probably not her top two choices (although that’s still up in the air - she likes all the schools she’s applying to). But I would love to have a couple of awards in hand - to schools she likes - just in case her top choices don’t come through with $$.<br>
I plan on checking in here again on 12/1 with a “pushing the submit button” report!</p>
<p>I’ve got to say that the downside for students like my son that got applications in early and now have some acceptances, is that it’s hard to motivate them to finish any other applications, especially if those are those individual, extra essay ones. Son had a busy weekend with family, cousins, GF and homework. Here it is, cyber Monday and it’s hard to get back to applications. Our schools all have off today for the first day of hunting season. I guess it’s really for traveling now, but I still think of it as a hunting day.</p>
<p>cooker–
In your earlier post, you said that “this is her problem, not mine.” But if these are your family’s financial safeties, then I think that characterization is not entirely accurate. The ability to pay is your problem, and if she does a less that stellar job on these applications, it may have a real bottom line impact on your finances. I’m sorry, but if I am paying, I have a say in how things like applications and scholarship applications get prioritized.</p>
<p>The version on my office wall changes the final part to “and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those people I had to kill because they pi$$ed me off.” Though maybe this doesn’t really work for college applications? </p>
<p>Glad to hear about medical crises averted or successfully conquered, submissions buttons successfully pushed, essays successfully completed, merit aid successfully snagged or applications successfully submitted, tax documents successfully pulled together, and diets not to drastically gone wrong. My family told me on Thursday morning that we had far more pie than needed, but all of the pies were MIA by Sunday morning. There were complaints–“what, all the pie is gone?” Clearly, we need more pie next year. </p>
<p>Two more alumni interviews for D1, which did not go optimally. The first one was for her ED school. She was expecting something tough, and it was softball–she felt overprepared and wound too tight. The second was for an RD reach school. She figured it would be similarly softball, and it ended up being a very tough interview with lots of tough questions. She was totally underprepared. Silver lining–it’s a life lesson. I feel a bit of guilt because I thought she’d been researching interviews for each of her schools, and she clearly didn’t do it for this particular school. I’d fed her some questions on earlier interviews for other schools, didn’t bother in this instance. So it goes. Unfortunately, she’s now in one of those “I’m not going to get into college ANYwhere” moods. :rolleyes: Who coined the term that a parent is only as happy as their least happy child? Because it is so, so true. </p>
<p>On the positive side, the UC button finally got pushed before their server goes south on the deadline date so yay for that.</p>
<p>Fun reading how everyone is doing as these deadlines approach. D and I played “commerical application” during amazing race last night. Her major scholarship application (deadline Dec 1) has a ton of 150 character response questions. Many that you want to bang your head against a wall. So last night during Amazing Race she had her laptop on her lap and together we brain stormed those responses during “commercials only” and finished them right up. One essay left to write for said application and it will be on its way.</p>
<p>On the health note…spent 1/2 the morning between doctor’s office and Lab. Doctor basically tossed out some “maybe” scenieros…many which were meantioned here. But she is very concerned. Now we are just waiting for the blood panels, antibody tests, etc. D is still fighting fatigue and stomach pains weight loss is continuing and now at 14 pounds…I guess at this point, any answer is better than not knowing.</p>
The only thing we hunt for in South Florida are BARGAINS.</p>
<p>STove - so sorry to hear about curve balls on interviews. It is just ONE piece of the puzzle, so hopefully the other pieces will more than balance it out.</p>
<p>Collegeshopping - keep us informed. Our prayers are with you hoping for an easily fixable remedy.</p>
<p>Hello all – Wow! A lot happens in a few days here. Just getting back online after a break for Thanksgiving. I’m hoping that all of the sick are now well. Congrats to those who have hit “submit”!</p>
<p>Cooker --We’re right there with you in the procrastination camp. I’m tired of complaining about it. S2 has 2 applications due Dec. 1 – and they’re not done yet. He told me he was waiting to be “inspired” to write the additional essays. I asked him what he was going to do if the “inspiration” never arrived – at this stage, he just needs to start writing something. He has 10 colleges on his list and has submitted 2 applications, but one of those has a significant merit scholarship application that he has not done. I’m tired of nagging. I told him that it is his list and that if he choses not to apply to any more, that’s okay with me. I did suggest that he might want to apply to the financial safety school so that he has somewhere affordable to go next year. That night he stayed up until 4 AM working on essays. It was not my intention for him to stay up all night when I discussed this with him, but it did seem to light a fire, so maybe it’s okay. He made some nice progress, but still…the 2 apps due 12/1 haven’t been submitted. I’m hoping that the homework load is light tonight so that he can finish them up. Fingers crossed. I’m not enjoying the process – wish it was over so we could just wait. At this point, I think I’d enjoy that more!</p>
<p>Hello all – Wow! A lot happens in a few days here. Just getting back online after a break for Thanksgiving. I’m hoping that all of the sick are now well. Congrats to those who have hit “submit”!</p>
<p>Cooker --We’re right there with you in the procrastination camp. I’m tired of complaining about it. S2 has 2 applications due Dec. 1 – and they’re not done yet. He told me he was waiting to be “inspired” to write the additional essays. I asked him what he was going to do if the “inspiration” never arrived – at this stage, he just needs to start writing something. He has 10 colleges on his list and has submitted 2 applications, but one of those has a significant merit scholarship application that he has not done. I’m tired of nagging. I told him that it is his list and that if he choses not to apply to any more, that’s okay with me. I did suggest that he might want to apply to the financial safety school so that he has somewhere affordable to go next year. That night he stayed up until 4 AM working on essays. It was not my intention for him to stay up all night when I discussed this with him, but it did seem to light a fire, so maybe it’s okay. He made some nice progress, but still…the 2 apps due 12/1 haven’t been submitted. I’m hoping that the homework load is light tonight so that he can finish them up. Fingers crossed. I’m not enjoying the process – wish it was over so we could just wait. At this point, I think I’d enjoy that more!</p>
<p>Hee hee - I can bet the parents of HS '10s are laughing at us, because they probably said the same thing now, and then said, “I can’t stand it until this waiting game is over!” in the spring. It is a RIDE!!!</p>
<p>CS - thank you so much for updating us. Best wishes to your D. Sounds like a good doc.</p>
<p>Sorry for the double post – not sure how that happened.</p>
<p>As far as the merit scholarship applications, our position is that it is S2’s responsibility to get them done. If he doesn’t get them done and therefore doesn’t qualify for merit $$, he might end up at his financial safety – which might not be his absolute favorite school. So, while it impacts the family, he already understands that it will only be possible for him to attend some of the schools on his list with some merit $. Not doing the scholarship applications won’t necessarily mean that DH and I will “find” more money – it might just mean that he can’t go there. It’s in his best interests to get them done if he has a a serious interest in the schools.</p>
<p>Good philosophy, if you know you can stick to your guns! I, on the other hand, fear I would crater (knowing that D likes her #1 school so much more than her #2 school) and I might let her go, sufficient merit aid or not.</p>
<p>H just bought in the mail. D received a large envelope from her #1 school…on the OUTSIDE, in big letters, it says, “WELCOME. YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO XXXXX!” Isn’t that considerate of them? No steaming required!!!</p>
<p>Back in the day, I applied to and was admitted to one school. The big envelope came and it actually had a *smiley face *and said “Good news from XXXX!” I wondered if the rejections had a frowny face and said “Bad news…”</p>
<p>missypie: Woo hoo! And no need to steam!! Gotta love that school! Huge congrats to your daughter!</p>
<p>As far as merit money, while I’d love to be able to come up with the difference for S2’s #1 choice, we probably just won’t be able to do that. So far, I’ve encouraged him not to have a #1 choice – to wait until he sees where he has been accepted and what the $ looks like. I’d love to be able to tell him that he could go anywhere he wants to without regard for the money, but that just won’t happen here. So, he really does understand that if he wants to go to these schools, he needs to work a bit to make it happen. Even putting forth his best effort might not be enough – who knows if he’ll be chosen to get merit $?</p>
<p>Happy hour starts at 6 pm CST. There is a cheer booster club meeting tonight and the only way to get through the event is with one glass of wine (more than one would loosen my tongue too much.)</p>
<p>@collegeshopping - I’m sorry it was an exhausting day for your daughter. I’m sure the reality of all the ‘poking and prodding’ makes her very aware that something may actually be wrong here, not just a tummy-ache to ignore. As parents we are used to the battery of testing, especially the mom’s here. I’m sure it added to her stress. You are very correct, an answer is better than not knowing. You can deal with almost anything once you know what it is and have a plan, it’s the not knowing that is very worrisome. Hopefully you will have some answers, and a direction very, very soon.</p>
<p>@missypie - whoot-whoot!! How exciting! Congratulations to your daughter. What a wonderful early holiday gift. This is cause for great celebration!!</p>
<p>@STove - Sorry to hear about the interview woes. As Flmm pointed out, it’s just one part of the equation. The interviewer may not have viewed it in the same way your daughter did. I totally agree with your thoughts regarding mothers drawing on their students emotions. I am an emotional sponge and have a hard time drawing away from what they are feeling. I have boys which as a generalization tend to be more even keeled, but every joy or frustration I feel tenfold. It drives my DH nuts…mars/venus.</p>
<p>I hope all the 12/1 deadlines are met. Bluejr didn’t have any, thank goodness. I don’t think I could have taken much more, and he didn’t have a fraction of what most students put together. What he did send out, he spent a good deal of time on. So fingers (and toes) crossed. I’ll be thinking of you all…the emotional sponge that I am, hoping that everything gets done on time with as little frustration as possible!</p>
Though maybe this doesn’t really work for college applications? </p>
The first one was for her ED school. She was expecting something tough, and it was softball–she felt overprepared and wound too tight. The second was for an RD reach school. She figured it would be similarly softball, and it ended up being a very tough interview with lots of tough questions. She was totally underprepared. Silver lining–it’s a life lesson. I feel a bit of guilt because I thought she’d been researching interviews for each of her schools, and she clearly didn’t do it for this particular school. I’d fed her some questions on earlier interviews for other schools, didn’t bother in this instance. So it goes. Unfortunately, she’s now in one of those “I’m not going to get into college ANYwhere” moods. :rolleyes: Who coined the term that a parent is only as happy as their least happy child? Because it is so, so true. </p>
so yay for that.</p>
This is cause for great celebration!!</p>