<p>OWM, MOSB and PHB: Congratulations the NMSF results! You must be very proud.</p>
<p>Kinderny: It sounds like your daughter has had to deal with some rough things this winter. I’m glad that she’s doing so well.</p>
<p>National merit finalist letter finally came. Also he is in at his safeties -McGill and U of Michigan. Both are great schools so we definitely breathe a sigh of relief, though stress about the schools higher on his list continues…</p>
<p>FiMath and Ami - so sorry also to hear of your losses. FiMath, I had a good friend who died a number of years back suddenly, pretty young (50), unexpected and we were all thrown. Her service, which was hugely attended, loud, even I’d say raucous and her dd all of 17 spoke strong and proud of her mom, it was the most moving things I was a witness of. The strength of people I’ve seen deal with stuff gives me something to try to emulate. I fall quite short of course, but always good to have a goal!<br>
Owm, Phbmom, mosb and aniger - Congratulations!!! It’s good to know some people’s kids get it right the first time and don’t linger all through senior yr to bring those numbers up, taking that stupid test countless times…never studying…oh, sorry I got off track. Ds did retake SATII for chem (if you recall way back a number of pages) - results come back tmrw. Now of course he doesn’t care because the only college who wanted them (Cornell) is not on his love list. Not mine either since they still don’t have record of the FAFSA being sent to them over a month ago.
Ds is cruising along into senioritis, used the sympathy plea to get an extension on a project and is now leaving that to the very last minute, why did he have to get a week’s extension when he wasn’t going to do it until a few hours before?
Thank you all for your hugs, prayers and concerns. I’m doing alright, much better this week, much less wine consummed. :)</p>
<p>Such great news about National Merit. You should all feel very proud. Make sure to notify the schools! Leave nothing to chance.</p>
<p>To those who have suffered losses recently, please accept my heartfelt condolences. It’s never easy.</p>
<p>We moms are like the Little Engine That Could…I think I can, I think I can…</p>
<p>[james</a> altucher’s 8 alternatives to college: Tech Ticker, Yahoo! Finance](<a href=“http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/james-altucher’s-8-alternatives-to-college-535903.html?tickers=COCO,APOL,ESI,DV,EDMC,STRA,^DJI]james”>http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/james-altucher’s-8-alternatives-to-college-535903.html?tickers=COCO,APOL,ESI,DV,EDMC,STRA,^DJI)</p>
<p>It’s been a bit, but not quite ;), like Christmas at our house. It seems as if every other day new positive developments come rolling in. I suppose that’s to be expected when applying to too (oops!) *so *many colleges and scholarships. My D has been able to add USC (the one in California) and Duke (likely letter) to her list of acceptances. She has also received her NAF and NMF certificates, aced her mid-year grades, and has made it to semifinalist in a big ($10,000/year) scholarship competition.</p>
<p>But, it is not all roses here. With the real possibility of not being able to attend any of her tip-top favorites without a great financial aid offer, she’s stressed, slightly irritable and in need of many hugs and words of encouragement. She’s so determined to be able to attend one of her dream colleges that she spends much of her time surfing the 'net for scholarships to apply to. I’ve been trying to encourage her to relax a bit and at least try to enjoy her last semester in high school, but I don’t think that’ll happen until she knows for sure where she’s going and how much it will cost. :(</p>
<p>fogfog - Thanks for sharing. Great piece. Warning for others, the audio starts immediately. If you are in your office, or it’s late, you might want to turn the volume down! 
I read the article, but did enjoy seeing the interview as well, so I think it’s worth the time, I was just a little startled.</p>
<p>I think there are some very valid points to consider presented. College right away isn’t necessarily the right path for every student. I do think ‘most’ students benefit from higher education, but the expected ‘norm’ of off to college right after graduation deserves another look. More and more people are really accepting the viability of a gap year for any number of reasons. I think this is great. I know my oldest, now 19yo, is taking his gap year (which may turn into two) after an unsuccessful year at cc. If we’d pushed him to continue I highly doubt the outcome would have been better, and his college fund would have been drained with little to show for it. I do believe he’ll go…when he’s ready. For now he’s working and we are pressing him to become involved in the community through volunteer work, etc.</p>
<p>I do think some students are very ready to start college directly from high school and the benefit of waiting would be minimal, if not disruptive. I think breaking with social stereotypes of what is a successful path towards college, when that should happen, or if it should happen is really going to start blurring in the next generation. If for no other reason then the cost is simply getting astronomical.</p>
<p>That’s my two cents. ;)</p>
<p>dignified1,
Congratulations to your daughter on some very high honors and acceptances! She is a perfect example that even getting into high level universities and receiving high honors does not mean your student does not feel stress, or does not continue to place pressure on themselves. She is very lucky to have a parent to support her, that does not simply say ‘You are so lucky, get over it.’. Even if she is still stressing, having an understanding parent on her side makes the world of difference. I have every confidence that good news will continue to come her way!!</p>
<p>We just got the word - National Merit Finalist!</p>
<p>I think there needs to be awards for parents who have completed each stage of the financial aid process - first FAFSA, then the CSS Profile, with something extra for the CSS Business Profile, and then for the individual schools’ applications. Any ideas?</p>
<p>32578233: Yea! So glad you didn’t have to wait any longer to hear about National Merit. Congratulations.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So sorry she’s stressed, but allow me to compliment you (well, her actually). This level of drive coupled with consideration and responsibility is really impressive to me - at least as impressive as the other achievements you list.</p>
<p>We finally get a corrected w2 and so I do the taxes. (Military people like us get free tax filing online so that is what I use). Of course, what do I run into? We can’t file yet- have to wait until Feb. 14th. How great since we are getting quite a large refund (nearly 3000) that I would really like to have. After all, the other thing I was doing today was getting a crown put on and a few fillings replaced. I think I will need some of that refund to pay what the dental insurance won’t. Guess I won’t be changing the FAFSA till then either since I want to put down that I have filed.</p>
<p>Dignified, congrats to your daughter, I always think a likely letter to a top school is an extra- big compliment! Those are great acceptances and you should all be thrilled.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I’ll pass on the congratulations to my D. I don’t want to complain. We both know she’s in a good position right now. I’d just like her to enjoy it more.</p>
<p>“We can’t file yet- have to wait until Feb. 14th.”</p>
<p>@MilitaryMom, we’re in the same boat: Waiting for Schedule A and Godot (?) As soon as it becomes available, I can complete our taxes and then we’ll need to go through the process of updating (FAFSA and Profile) and IDOC submission.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all your NMF students! That’s very, very cool indeed. Now to hope for $$$$!</p>
<p>My condolences to those who are suffering losses. There are times when words are so useless but I’d hug you if I could.</p>
<p>When we were visiting my D at her school, we went with her to her mail box and, lo!, an acceptance resided within. And today we heard from another school saying that she was accepted there as well and that the packet will be along next week. Now one more to go – she only applied to 4, though there are two with rolling applications that she is considering. They may not be necessary however if her last (and fav) school comes in. That’s the one I’m hoping for as well…but all plans will change if she is accepted for a PG year. So we won’t know for some time year just what she’ll be doing next year.</p>
<p>Part of the stress, I feel, is that this is really the first time since they started kindergarten 12 or so years ago that we <em>don’t know</em> what they’ll be doing in the fall or where they’ll be doing it! We have guided their steps and now…argh!</p>
<p>Thanks one and all for your hugs and words of comfort. They definitely help. Tomorrow is the funeral. I am not looking forward to seeing my friend’s wife, now widow. OUCH!</p>
<p>On a happier note, my son came home with his NMF certificate. We are very proud of him. Congrats to all the others who have received this recognition.</p>
<p>Hi all - what a lot of news!
So sorry to hear of losses - I agree this age is difficult - the younger ones leaving for new adventures, and the older ones leaving us to keep the flame. I hope that loving memories can soften the losses. My hugs and prayers to all those who are grieving.</p>
<p>And good news, too - we must have a huge concentration of NMF folks! Congrats to all on acceptances and NMF status - every bit of good news is worth a happy dance! </p>
<p>And I know I’m late to the party, but also want to comment on MOSB’s story of her D’s audition. As admirable as the daughter is - and I know that was the focus of the story. I am SO impressed with your presence of mind, MOSB, to clue her in to that power for use in the future, with your words. That’s the type of thing I never think to say in the moment, but when I’m in bed at night re-playing the day, I have just the right thing to say. You and your daughter are BOTH lucky / blessed - to have each other!</p>
<p>No big college news here - just increased financial worry (that I’m keeping to myself). The wait between here and April 1 is the most difficult part of the journey, I think. So many what ifs and not too many sure things! I can tell my S is thinking of his future, however, because he has been diligently exercising and following an eating plan and has lost 30 pounds - oh my! He’s looking good in his competition business suit! This weekend will be scholarship applications!</p>
<p>puma-I too am finding the wait for financial news to be excruciating!! Feel like we are in a holding pattern and no decisions can be made until we have the info!!!</p>
<p>^^^ditto </p>
<p>(is there an emoticon for “freaking out”?)</p>
<p>I am delighted to see posts with good news here, too. It’s wonderful to see hard-working talented kids get rewarded!</p>
<p>dignified1–Congrats on your D’s USC early acceptance and Duke likely. My S1 (3 years ago) got wonderful news from both these schools, so I am very familiar with them. S1 is at USC and loves it. A really amazing school (and this coming from a mom who teaches at its cross-town rival!) With NMF, she gets half-tuition for 4 years. (Oh, how S2 would have loved to have such an option!) Enjoy! More good news from her other schools are likely coming too. But I do empathize with the costs vs. dreams scenario.</p>
<p>Re: college after HS–my rock god H left a great private prep HS and went to a cc, was in a band, played the Whisky, met me, enrolled at age 22 at UCLA… and today runs a huge engineering dept at a major biotech. You know–unconventional path but great results. For those with kids who go a different direction for awhile, there are many good paths and eventual outcomes. (hint–it can help if they meet the right soul mate. LOL)</p>
<p>Big congratulations on NMF notifications!! Drum roll please for the talented kids of—
dignified1
32578233 (btw–what does this # signify??–too long for a phone#, too short for SSN)
olderwisermom (funny day to be MIA!)
phbmom
mnmomof2
aniger
momofsongbird
FlMathmom</p>
<p>EmmyBet–Thinking of you in chilly Chi-town (my home town). May your D break many legs on auditions!!</p>
<p>Like RenaissanceMom and researching4emb’s kids–I think my S2 is not exactly sure how to slow down on his work-work mode, so even tho exhausted at times–no senioritis yet with hard schedule.</p>
<p>FlMathMom–what a very emotional day! How connected we all are to our kids, friends, and neighbors.</p>
<p>fogfog–I chuckled to read about your “relaxed” S, the one with 6 APs, captaining a varsity sport w/8 practices/wk, etc, etc. Ah, the reassurance of a great EA school. :)</p>
<p>Congrats to ShawD–seems she had a very good plan, well played, and with outstanding results!</p>
<p>kinderny–hugs to your D who had some tough news to deal with in Dec. I guess teachers are human (are they?) but this was a sad mistake. But I loved your conclusion–that having bumps in the road may have led her down new paths with even more exciting opportunities. That’s the good news to every bit of bad news our kids may have to cope with in the coming months. Closed door = Open window!</p>
<p>S2 got more good news (well good hints) but will post later. This is toooo long as is.</p>