<p>When visiting East Cost colleges last spring during a rainy week, I noticed that the high colorful rain boots were very popular with college girls. It really looked like a must-have for a girl.</p>
<p>S had really good news this week. An acceptance from U of R and 2 more likely letters. I am confused by U of R acceptance (it’s not a likely letter); I thought we would have to wait till end of March. I looked at the UofR forum and it sounds like they sent decision letters to some applicants from the West Cost and/or the ones that applied to their special programs. Son doesn’t fall into any of these 2 categories. I am not complaining, just not sure what’s going on. </p>
<p>Needless to say that we will be waiting for the March 31 decisions with anticipation, but without anxiety. My only complain that he can’t go to more than one school.</p>
<p>Those colorful, tall rain boots are extremely popular on Midwestern campuses. They are to fall and spring what Ugg boots are to winter.</p>
<p>Target usuallly has them–although they fly off the shelf pretty fast. I have a really cute pair–turquoise and yellow plaid. My sons say I am channeling my inner college coed when I wear them.</p>
<p>I’m sure that LL Bean and Lands End have sturdier, more substantial versions, but the Target ones are so cute and inexpensive, you can have several pairs to coordinate with your outfit or umbrella!</p>
<p>I got S the Bean boots above the ankle without insulation so that he could wear them in the warmer weather. He’s already worn them with heavy wool socks in the snow up here a couple of times.
Informal survey about prom dresses. In this area, ALL the girls wear short party dresses. Is this a regional thing, or has it changed everywhere? In my older D’s time they all wore gowns. Not sure why the guys have to wear tux’s then. My S could wear his sharp black suit with black tie I guess, except he does have a tux. A couple guys wore black suits to prom.</p>
<p>I got S the Bean boots above the ankle without insulation so that he could wear them in the warmer weather. He’s already worn them with heavy wool socks in the snow up here a couple of times.
Informal survey about prom dresses. In this area, ALL the girls wear short party dresses. Is this a regional thing, or has it changed everywhere? In my older D’s time they all wore gowns. Not sure why the guys have to wear tux’s then. My S could wear his sharp black suit with black tie I guess, except he does have a tux. A couple guys wore black suits to prom.</p>
<p>At my son’s HS the girls wear short dresses to homecoming but long dresses to prom. I bet it’s more individual schools then regional. Our prom is a Junior prom, i.e. hosted by the Junior class and open to Junior’s and Seniors who can then invite underclassman if they wish. We rented a tux last year and son looked pretty darn spiffy. He was mostly interested in the shiny shoes while GF and I picked out the tux. The place we got the tux from does next day pick-up at the HS, which is convenient.</p>
<p>Keylimepie: Congratulations on your son’s acceptance and likely letters. He sounds like a very strong candidate and I’m sure that he’s earned these opportunities. I guess your biggest stress will choosing a school.</p>
<p>At our HS, most girls wear long dresses to the prom and the boys wear tuxes. For those of you with sons who dream about dress shopping with a daughter, it’s not always fun. Last year my daughter thought that every dress she tried on made her look fat and ugly (she is neither one). After a few miserable shopping trips, she finally found a beautiful short dress that she liked. I’m hoping that things go better this year.</p>
<p>Ugghhh–it is snowing hard here again. Yesterday it was 61 and sunny. That was when I realized I had not changed out the front door mat from the wintery version and put out the spring-like floral mat. It looks pretty darn silly right now. </p>
<p>School dismissed two hours early. Perfect opportunity for a nap for our son. Focus group for parents of gifted kids cancelled. Four to six inches expected.</p>
<p>spreadsheets–Sounds like we will really need one to sort out the true COAs but the idea makes me dizzy. Too many variables! </p>
<p>keylimepie–congrats to your S on U of R (Rochester?) news. I’m also astonished (and this is my second time through the process) to find out how certain colleges use early notices, hints, likely letters, waves, and invitations to events to start wooing certain candidates. While nice to feel wooed–it’s also kinda disappointing to find out via CC (or kids at school) that one has NOT been wooed. Know what I mean? This is a roller coaster indeed.</p>
<p>arisamp–no, S2 did not apply to U of R (Rochester also?) as he was trying to stick with warm-weather options when possible. His best friend did apply so we know it well and like it. As for planning visits to accepted colleges, I join you in your incipient stress headache. Air fares dropped to Pittsburgh. What dates should I choose? Try to get to admitted students weekend or…? So many schools have their big events on the same weekend and until we know all results, will there be insane conflicts?</p>
<p>kathiep–so glad to know your son is enjoying his trip. S1 is having an amazing semester in Florence and is getting ready for a spring break trip to Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam and Paris. He worked in Holland last year so is really happy to return for a few days. Don’t these kids have a mighty fine life?</p>
<p>Our children do have nice lives, don’t they? I didn’t get to Europe until last summer. When my D1 applied to study in Florence, I decided it was time for me to go also. My husband, D2and I went to Rome and Venice and met up with D1 in Florence at the end of her program. Then we all went to Paris. I wish we could do it again this summer.</p>
<p>Madbean: I don’t think it’s essential to visit a school’s accepted student programs, but they are a lot of fun. Some kids might be turned off by the crowds and “Dog and Pony” show atmosphere. I took my daughter to one at Penn, and it really got her excited about going to college. They covered things in more depth than at a regular visit, and we got to see all the freshman dorm options. Ironically, while we were there, I ran into one of my college roommates who I hadn’t seen in years.</p>
<p>rodney and momjr…I often say I wish I had my D’s life!!! I just hope that she is able to be as generous with her children someday as I have tried to be to her :)</p>
<p>I was getting nervous thinking about revisits to schools to make the final decision. Then I looked at April calendar. </p>
<p>April 1 is a Friday. If we don’t get decisions until then, we can count that weekend out (we have to fly to all schools - too late to get tickets). Next two weekends, son has state competitions (in math & Academic Games) in Orlando he won’t/can’t miss. Leaves him the weekend of the 24th and 30th which also includes May 1. </p>
<p>I don’t think I’ll mention any of this to him right now for fear he’ll freak. Hopefully, he’ll get into first choice school and it will be a moot point.</p>
<p>I checked the schools that son has been accepted to and the ones that we haven’t heard from to find out their accepted days. Since most of son’s are a full day’s drive away and one of them (RIT) has the open house on a Friday, we’re talking about missing some school, which he really doesn’t like. One convenient one is Drexel, which is next Sunday, the 6th. I wish more schools that have EA and rolling admissions would have earlier dates.</p>
<p>Congrats on the news! May it continue to roll in for everyone!</p>
<p>D had a good audition this morning, and we visited another school nearby (although she already knows she would love it - a dream school - but we’re “showing the love”). Tomorrow is her other audition, and then Saturday we kick back in NYC!</p>
<p>Another goal accomplished: got her prom/concerto concert dress! It had to be just right to work for both. We’re pretty sure no one else in our part of WI will have the same one …</p>
<p>Young ladies wear long dresses to prom here… young men wear tuxes. Girls wear coc*tail dresses or tea-length dresses to home coming, winter carnival, etc, while their dates wear suits and ties. Corsages/boutonniers are exchanged for all semi and formal dances. </p>
<p>S1 goes to an all-male school and I reminded him tonight that he should think about finding/asking a date sooner than later, so that whoever he asks can be prepared and not be running around in the 11th hour. He just rolled his eyes.</p>
<p>On the other hand… D1 is a Junior and has already picked out her dress… just needs to find a date!</p>
<p>We’re having a good time, as much as auditioning is a good time. She’s pretty tired, after a month of this, missing school, worrying about whether she’ll get any positive answers. </p>
<p>I do like taking these trips with her, even in something of a handmaiden/chauffeur/wallet role. But someday I’m looking forward to traveling with her (and with my other D) more just as friends.</p>
<p>For those who’re planning for admitted student day visits and whatnot, I read a recommendation last year that you at least buy a ticket to and from a major city on the other side of the country if that’s going to be the big concentrated area of search. Easier to book short hop flights on short notice than to try to find a good deal on a cross-country flight at the last minute. </p>
<p>No visit for D1; ED school does not provide overnight housing for the ED admits. She of course would love to go. Right when that money tree crop ripens, sweetie. :)</p>
<p>First snow day of school year since before Thanksgiving. Most of you would laugh at the amount of snow that caused it. D2 finished The Inferno, wrote a scholarship essay, and surpervised D3 and three neighborhood kids in the (mud) sledding. I finally made an appointment to see the doctor and was diagnosed with sinusitis. Maybe relief is on its way.</p>
<p>At our equivalent to prom, everyone in every grade at the school of about 250 is invited, with date or without. More girls wear long dresses, but there are plenty of short ones. Many boys rent tuxes. The boys in our choir have a tux for competition, so they get additional use out of it. A trend I’m seeing at our school for these “big” events is a more “popular” boy who doesn’t have a steady girlfriend purposely asking a girl who has never been asked to an event. The senior class is about 2/3 girls; I know there are still some lovely girls who have never been asked. Just love to see the boys taking the initiative to be leaders even in the small things.</p>
<p>slithey–I knew schools use admitted student days to wow kids into signing up, but hadn’t realized that would make it less for EDs than uncommitted RDs. </p>
<p>As for visits, think I’ll call the school and discuss with the department the best dates if S2 cannot make it for official admitted student day.</p>
<p>EmmyBet, I’m cheering your D2 on as she finishes her marathon of auditions. Tell her she has a lot of CC moms in her corner.</p>
<p>momjr–Your trip sounds amazing. I was hoping our family might visit Italy while S1 is there, too. Alas, this is one super-busy spring break with S2’s college decisions and visits. Not to mention–despite FAFSA’s suggestions to the contrary–I’m feeling 2-kids-in-college-soon broke. :(</p>