Parents of the HS Class of 2011 - Original

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
10041

<p>FLMathmom: I hope the Olin weekend goes well.</p>

<p>Puma: I’m so sorry to hear about your son’s mono. My older daughter had it over winter break and I couldn’t believe how sick she was. You are right to try to keep him home as long as possible. Once the worst passes, he will still be pretty tired for a few weeks. I hope he recovers quickly. I’m also sorry to hear about your job worries. I hope things improve soon.</p>

<p>Arisamp: I’m with your daughter on the visit to the safety. It doesn’t make sense to visit if she gets accepted to higher choices and $$ are not the issue. The fact that she doesn’t want to visit is probably a sign that she’s not really interested.</p>

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<p>amandaK: I’m sorry to hear your bad news about the U-M scholarship. It does sting-- my S applied for 2 school specific scholarships and didn’t get either. One of those involved 7 essays, only one of which he could recycle from his other applications. He didn’t apply for UM’s. Not sure if he was even aware of it. Ironically, the two school-related merit scholarships he has received, he didn’t apply for and they’re not from his favorite schools.</p>

<p>AvonHSDad: thanks for doing the countdown.</p>

<p>FlMM: loved the bit in your post about seeing your son off this morning. funny how these things bring us back to their childhoods. </p>

<p>Puma, the end of your post also made me pause. gosh, this is all so bittersweet. I’m also sorry to hear your job-related news. It’s tough. Two years ago December my H’s employer’s firm collapsed in the midst of this terrible recession. It took about 8 mths to find a new job. My own business dried up and just in the last two months has finally picked up to near pre-recession level. It’s been a long two years.</p>

<p>Emmybet: you’re in my thoughts today – sending lots of good karma your way for your daughter’s audition.</p>

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<p>puma - So sorry to hear about job situation and mono. In my son’s IB classes, they are doing their orals so when it isn’t their turn, it sounds like there is some down time. Maybe someone can set up Skype connection so he can stay at home yet be in class.</p>

<p>RM - 7 essays - WOW! I’d be really annoyed.</p>

<p>My eaglet has landed. He’s in Boston. BRRR.</p>

10044

<p>Just a quickie - Is there some sort of way to confirm that schools have gotten the FAFSA information? Sort of like how you can see when a school has downloaded the app on the common application? With the March 1 deadline just around the corner I would like to know that everything got there.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the commiseration on the job front. It actually does help!</p>

<p>I am trying to finish taxes tomorrow so I can get the IDOC required items in the mail on Monday. I think I will be officially finished with the parent part of applying, then :)</p>

<p>S - like so many of yours - is just about mentally DONE with scholarship applications - especially the ones akin to “fire sprinkler safety” - he just feels like he can’t write one more paragraph about something he has no interest in! And at this point, I’m inclined to say enough is enough and let the chips fall. He doesn’t have a financial safety he loves anymore (his love has waned), so we are still keeping fingers and toes crossed for good news, both admissions and financial, by April 1st.</p>

<p>On a more fun note - in 2007 we had a great thread going about “What you want your child to know before leaving home” - things like putting on tire chains, fixing a leaky toilet, and all sorts of stuff. I’ve searched for the old thread without success, but we are thinking about starting a “fridge list” for our 2011 Son.
Anyone have any suggestions?</p>

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<p>Puma–I am amazed at what these kids take on–even with mono! Wishing your S speedy recovery and good luck with interview next week. </p>

<p>arisamp–we are having a similar discussion at our house about what colleges to visit. I’ve been endeavoring to put a positive spin on some in-state financial safeties (of course, we don’t know his acceptance status as several, but one sent a likely letter), but I can tell S2 is like…yeah, right. But too polite to say it out loud. I worry, you know, that these may be his final choices and we better visit. </p>

<p>Rennmom & AmandaK–we’re in a similar situation in that S2 applied to a few one-in-a-million full scholarships that have alas not come through. With that reality, we are now letting a few schools slide off the list. At first, I was stressed. But it’s really a good idea to start focusing in on what he has left. </p>

<p>My new mantra: less is more. ;)</p>

<p>Coming up–a phone interview tomorrow for another school’s (yes, we’re still dreamers) big scholarship. Last interview that we know of, so the process is winding down at last. Also, one more essay for one more scholarship at a UC in the middle of his large UC list. It seems to me they shouldn’t ask the kids to write all these additional essays until they are at least assured of admission! </p>

<p>Good to hear what is new with all of you.</p>

10047

<p>Puma - Sorry to hear about your situation - I think a lot of us are in the same boat. For what it is worth, here are my thoughts - Be sure you have included detailed information about your future prospects and the bases for your concerns about future income in all the places that solicit “special circumstances,” like the CSS Profile and Business/Farm Supplement. Especially if you have already completed and released the Profile, I think it is a good idea to send the same information in a separate letter to all of the colleges’ financial aid offices, stressing the change in your situations since filing. I finally got our tax return from the accountant yesterday, and I am revising the FAFSA for the third time, am sending out a first revision to our Business/Farm Supplement in the IDOC packet, and am going to contact each financial aid office to see if they want a second revision to the CSS profile. </p>

<p>I am positive that, if I used a reasonable billing rate for my time spent on financial aid, I would almost certainly have racked up enough hours to exceed the most we could hope for in aid for next year. If there are any underemployed accountants out there, you should seriously think about going into the financial aid app business.</p>

10048

<p>Received a letter & form to return about how S would like his name to read on his diploma. There is some debate there as S has 3 names, due to my strange desire at the time to appease H who wanted him to be a 4th. Of course, we all call him by his 3rd name, but it does get confusing for official docs. I think for college aps & fafsa we use his 3rd name. Wow, it really is hitting home.</p>

<p>Also had deadline for the senior page from the parents for the yearbook. Much older D & S may even be able to come home for a Thurs graduation from SF & NJ. They both went to the same prep school and haven’t yet seen the extensive renovations, they won’t recognize it.</p>

10049

<p>Amandak, so sorry to hear about Michigan. Bummer! Bet the dog is hanging his head, too!</p>

<p>RenMom and others, thanks for your words of encouragement about these audition trips. It really helps to know you guys are out there, and understand!</p>

<p>Momjr, thanks also for reminding me how much fun I’m having on these trips with sb. Even though I complain (a lot!) to you folks, the truth is she’s a terrific and fun travel companion, and I know I will look back on these trips as some of our best high-school times together. We already have so many “in jokes” about things that have happened to us on the road and at auditions.</p>

<p>FLMathMom, Good to know the Eaglet has landed! Wishing him well this weekend. Also, you are psychic! I AM making chicken soup, right now. The sore throat was a harbinger of a full-fledged cold, and I really can’t be sick this weekend. Worse, I don’t want to infect sb, with an audition Monday.</p>

<p>Feel free to laugh, but I have some “surgical” masks (from when I was doing a painting project with chemicals), and I plan to wear one when she comes home from school. We have a funny picture from the day we brought her home from the hospital as a newborn…my mom had a cold and was adamant about not subjecting the baby to her germs. So there’s my Mom, holding little sb, and wearing a funny blue surgical mask. I got the picture out, and I’m going to greet her at the door, wearing my mask, saying, “See? From zero to almost-18, some things never change. You STILL have a goofy, neurotic maternal line!</p>

<p>Puma, so sorry to hear about the mono!!! Isn’t that just what any of our kids needs right about now? I hope it will be a mild case.</p>

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<p>MOSB - loved the surgical mark story. I have a huge smile on my face right now. Hope the chicken soup works. It can’t hurt (said with a Yiddish accent).</p>

<p>All of the comments about the scholarship essays prompted me to write to the Common App folks with a business idea - a common scholarship app. I know I would pay to have my son do one app that could be submitted to many scholarships. A transcript and a few LORs would also be included. I’ll let you know if I hear back from them.</p>

10051

<p>Looks like a lot is going on - good and not-so-good.<br>
AmandaK - sorry about the MI scholarship:so disappointing. And RenMom and madbean as well - it’s really hard to figure out what goes into the determination of who gets these awards. We know our kids are awesome - they should be the ones being selected! They worked so hard and they’re such great kids. Here’s to the other great options we know they’re going to have.
EB and mosb - Just reading about your audition schedules makes me want to take a nap! So glad that you’re enjoying the extra time together; the college visits I took with D were really fun for us (although they were far smaller in number than what you’re experiencing). And mosb - please keep taking care of yourself. I guess there’s never a “good” time to get sick. Funny surgical mask story …
Puma - I can so relate to your employment situation. It is so difficult to deal with uncertainty and diminished financial resources - sending good thoughts for better financial times ahead. Hope S balances his school work and rest without getting carried away with the school part: it is so hard to convince someone who’s used to going all out to slow down!</p>

10052

<p>New topic (as far as I know): do your kids have credit cards? I am thinking about getting D a card that is partnered with the airline we use (hub here) so she could get miles and free baggage. Also, I want her to have a card for emergencies and for any travel snafus (we just had one in which needed to spend the night en route due to weather). I assume we have to do in our name with her getting a card in her name. D is responsible enough that I know she would use only for permitted expenses and would not lose. Any advice my CC friends?</p>

10053

<p>On Credit cards
Right now our student has an ATM card. We will be doing a credit card w/ a set limit.
Meant to be used for books, emergencies or say a necessity like snow boots… :wink:
Not sure if we will do it through our bank so it can be paid w a transfer, or through Costco etc. Will consider whether Am Ex is better than Visa, since AmEx msut be paid monthly and is not a “credit” card where chrages can be dragged out…</p>

<p>My parents sent me off to college with a Mastercard (they co-signed/paid) and opened a checking acct at a bank in the college town. Times have changes and debit cards have largely replaced writing checks.</p>

<p>Our student has had a savings acct & checking w a debit card for several years since travel without us (with team) has meant access to cash flow has been important.</p>

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<p>Doesn’t Amex have a card for students - like a prepaid reloadable card called PASS? I don’t think my generous social ds is ready for credit. He loses things, he buys coffee for all his friends…it will just be too tempting I am positive. I think maybe he’ll grow up soon, but we aren’t there yet so it’s going to have to be something like that PASS thing. Have to see if there is an acct fee for it, though.</p>

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<p>S1 has a fix amount/month to spend (we gave it to him as a lump sum).
He has a saving/checking with mastercard that he manages himself.No balance are carried on his credit card “if you can not pay it, do not charge it”</p>

<p>Sidenote~He has a school of* debit card that he uses for laundry since the machines do not take coins ;)</p>

<p>Keep in mind each student will have a different financial fortitude :eek: In our case, I thought that the lump sum was a way of letting go…</p>

<p>Sending {{HUGS}} to all with not so good news, and :):slight_smile: to those with good ones!</p>

<p>It is Friday :D</p>

10056

<p>Hello to all. Haven’t been around much because of trying to get my mom settled and working on my dad’s estate, so there’s a lot to catch up on. </p>

<p>Some good news and not-so-good news here on the college front. On the positive side, S2 has been selected to advance to the finalist stage of a scholarship competition at one of his schools. Still probably a long shot, but he did get an acceptance letter and assurance of a $15,000 scholarship, so that – together with advancing in the scholarship competition – brought a smile. On the other hand, he didn’t advance in the scholarship competition at another school. He was clearly disappointed, as good merit $$ is the only way in which he’ll be able to attend this school. So, even if an acceptance comes his way, it will probably not be a possibility. He’ll have other good choices…we just need to remember that.</p>

<p>I think it’s odd that the scholarship competition that he’s been invited to is not a weekend thing. I had assumed that these things were held on the weekends, but this one is held Tues - Thurs. Hard for these kids with AP and/or IB classes to take that much time away from school. He’s never missed three days – even for sickness. But, there’s really no choice but to attend if he wants to be considered.</p>

<p>As for the credit cards, for S1 I requested a separate card in his name that was linked to a credit card that we already have. I have one card that I use for internet purchases, and this is the one that I added him to. He’s a responsible kid, so I was not concerned about misuse. I was probably more concerned that he would lose it in his messy dorm room, but so far so good. His purchases show up on our statement under his card number, so I’m able to see what the card was used for. He has since applied for and gotten his own credit card, but the “shared” account worked out fine for us when he needed it. I will most likely do the same for S2.</p>

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<p>Ohio - Congrats on the $$$ that has come your way. Hope more will be forthcoming. Three days off mid-week - EEKS! That would really have to be for almost a sure thing and lots of it.</p>

<p>Credit card - Just got son an Amex card in his name on our account. He is not a spender so that would not concern me. I am more concerned about him innocently leaving it lying (laying) around. With Amex it is a separate # so you only have to cancel that card if it is lost. For VISA we’d have to cancel the account, ie. all of the cards. FYI - Amex charges for the PASS cards. Personally I prefer cards that give me back money than miles. I found the miles cards too restrictive and difficult to use.</p>

10058

<p>Welcome back, OhioMom. Perhaps all the happenings on this thread will help keep your mind off your grief. </p>

<p>Sorry to hear about not getting the scholarship Amandakayak. We’ve had some bad news about finaid also, good thing there are still some great choices.</p>

<p>I got son an amex pass card last fall through SheSpeaks and it was free for trying it out AND they gave us $25 to start with. My son’s a real saver, so no problem with over-spending. A couple of weeks ago I helped him get his own checking account with a debit card. I thought of waiting until we figured out where he was going to college but he started a tech business last summer and keeps getting checks that he couldn’t cash or spend himself. I’m glad to pass that over to him!</p>

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<p>We gave our D a credit card ($300 limit) in her own name, but tied to our account when she went to Italy last fall. We also gave her an ATM to an account and we transfer money to that account in agreed upon amounts for her to cover her expenses. We will probably do the same for college as it worked well for us.
General question re FA- we just got our first FA package (not just merit award) and it basically said parents pay $17K which was $2-5K less than our estimated EFC on the FAFSA. We are grateful but confused. I was just curious if this anomaly is likely to occur in other FA packages? Do most schools come up with similar numbers? (It is not like we won’t end up paying more because we won’t let D take an unsubidized loan in light of her intended major and career plans- on a librarian/archivist salary it would take a long, long time to pay off significant college loans and our deal is that she pays for grad school.)</p>

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<p>Puma12 – I was astonished to learn one day that my D had no idea how to use 411. I guess because they google everything but what do you do if you don’t have a computer or your smart phone is down? It came as a shock that they’d even tell her what time movies start. They should know how to read a laundry label, fix a flat tire (esp. on a bicycle), and cook at least 3 basic meals. </p>

<p>As for credit cards, my D has been using a debit charge attached to her own account, plus the one attached to her school funds. So far, she’s a tightwad!</p>