Parents of the HS Class of 2011 - Original

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
10321

<p>I’m a lurker here - I have kids a year older and a year younger than yours, but I had to say - congrats to EmmyBet’s daughter! I’ve enjoyed reading about the journey into majoring in theater.</p>

<p>And since you’re all talking about reading the HS 2010/college 2014 thread - I can tell you this. Starting about a month before my son moved away to college, I couldn’t watch a TV commercial, see pictures of my son when he was little, or buy his new laundry hamper for his dorm room without tearing up. H and I went to see Toy Story 3 - big mistake. You know the scene when the boy is leaving for school and his mom stands in his empty room looking around? We both had tears streaming down our faces. </p>

<p>BUT - I was amazed out how quickly those feeling settled down and it all felt right and natural and I felt at piece that he was spreading his wings. I think that intense emotional apron-string-ripping period does happen for everyone, but it subsides and things start to feel really good.</p>

<p>In the meantime - best of luck to everyone’s kids - I will be in your shoes in one year!</p>

10322

<p>HI Pinot Noir …nice to see you ;)</p>

<p>Good Morning all and Happy Friday,</p>

<p>Emmy~~Lurking on the '10 thread …LOL
You should go back to where we were a year ago…great read.
Congrats on Your D success ;)</p>

<p>Kinderny~~Do not be nervous about what is ahead…
Live the present!</p>

<p>Stay :cool:</p>

10323

<p>“So, keep checking back to both places and your e-mail. I’m sure all the applicants will get a notice soon. MIT has been very applicant friendly and up front in all our dealings with them for the past year. No reason to believe the final chapter will not be the same.”</p>

<p>Also waiting for MIT here… But, not to find out if D got in, but whether or not we can afford it! We are not positive, but believe that they will also release the financial aid decisions on Pi Day for those applicants who were accepted into Early Action. It’s been a long wait. D has her heart set on it, but knows that she may soon need to wash, iron, fold and store away her favorite (MIT) sweatshirt.</p>

10324

<p>The sun did come up this morning! What a funk I was in yesterday.</p>

<p>Congrats to EmmyBet and daughter. Reading about all these auditions has exhausted me. Hats off to you stage moms!</p>

<p>(Warning, this cathartic post may be long.)</p>

<p>So, last night, my husband and I sat down with our son and showed him some dollars and sense. As of right now, he is $800 short of receiving enough merit aid (Mizzou Chancellors, NM, Missouri Bright Flight, Robert Byrd) to pay for his full tuition at Mizzou. If he would receive the top local Cotillion award in two weeks, his tuition would be more than paid for. That opened his eyes. He had not added it up.</p>

<p>We said with that in mind that he could choose a 4-man suite-style room with a semi-private bath and living room at Mizzou. We offered it as an upgrade for good behavior. He reminded us that his brother had that setup his freshman year–but admitted it was the only option at his school!</p>

<p>And we finally had a long talk about MIT. I think we had all been avoiding it but all three realized that we are stressing about it on different levels. He said, “If I don’t get in, it will be my fault because I didn’t do enough to get accepted.” We told him that was absolutely wrong–that he had done all he could in our neck of the woods to be a candidate for MIT. And that about 10,000 other great students were also not at fault.</p>

<p>Then he said, “But, if I get in and we can’t afford it, it won’t be something that was within my control. And I’m okay with that. I can say ‘I got into MIT but we can’t afford it.’ and I will be fine. Mizzou’s nuclear reactor is bigger anyway.” </p>

<p>And then we talked about our investments and the effect the economy has had on them and the hope that by the time he gets to grad school, they might have rebounded. And we talked about loans and other possibilities. When he said “are we done now?” we stopped. And he went to his room with the Mizzou residential life brochure in his hand to discuss living groups with his best friend.</p>

<p>The MIT t-shirt is on his dresser, waiting to be worn or thrown away on March 15.</p>

<p>Today, he is attending a Math Day at the local directional school, so he pretty much skipped out the door at the thought of being on a college campus, doing nothing but math all day. And it’s the opening night of the school musical and his two “best girls” both have significant roles. We will pick out flowers for them this afternoon.</p>

<p>I’m totally up for the gathering after the nest is emptied. I’ll bring the peanut butter–or the tequila or both!</p>

10325

<p>Congrats to EB daughter; must be a big relief to have a great option on the table.
D is taking 6 APs tests so she will be in “relax mode” for the final few weeks of school. They do need to appear for class, but it is quite social. No finals or projects if I recall correctly. Last night, she asked “should I self study for the AP Psych test?” I said NO! What the heck! Perhaps she is trying to distract herself for the next month…
I also vote for an airport hub for the gathering. Direct flights for all interested is a must IMO. I would be happy to be the “organizer” if the group wants to do Minneapolis. Pros: crazy good dining and theater (really! and I am a native NYC gal, so I have high expectations), the mighty Mississippi and related history/sights, the Mall of America, some beautiful lakes and architecture, and low cost. Cons: the Mall of America (just kidding, maybe!). I would also add Chicago to the possible destination list. Pathetic as it sounds, I communicate more with you all than many of my “live friends.”
Happy Friday; here’s hoping for lots of good news.</p>

10326

<p>emmybet - congratulations on the BFA acceptance. Fabulous affirmation!</p>

<p>owm - sounds like you had a really good talk with S. That’s so good. We’ve been trying, but have not been able to talk about this seriously, especially since D is still waiting for many decisions. Talked to H today about possibly having a moratorium on college talk for the next week or two - we’ll see. He is pretty adamant that D has to at least fill out scholarship apps that he has talked to her about - he acknowledges that these are far shots, but thinks it is important for her to show us that she is trying. Agree with him - don’t want D to get the “I am entitled…” feeling.</p>

<p>On a different front, we talked about possibly surprising D for her birthday later this month. Am going to talk to a friend to see if we can pull this off. S and I are also compiling a list of 18 different gifts to get D for her 18th! More interesting and way less stressful than college talk!</p>

10327

<p>We are also still in full waiting mode… And also in full “not doing much as I am a senior” mode. He did get his Presidential Scholars app in, though I have very little hope for getting that one. Not a big deal, as there is no money and it comes after all the college decisions are received. Don’t know if he will be taking any APs, AP Physics is his only AP class and he wouldn’t want to place out of physics in college, so not sure he will bother taking the test. Living is pretty easy for him now… and pretty stressful for mom.</p>

10328

<p>Also really recommend readin Crazy U if you haven’t, it has just been released and is an interesting and fun to read book on one dad’s college app year… Very true to life…</p>

10329

<p>Congrats to EmmyBet’s daughter! Terrific news, and it’s extra special that it’s an auditioned program. I’m so happy for you both. </p>

<p>Avon, thanks so much for the MIT countdown. It coincides with my d’s conservatory notification date, so I’m following avidly!</p>

<p>Hi pinot noir, good to hear from you again. Thanks for the “notes from the other side.” </p>

<p>Owm, I loved the convo you and your h had with your son.</p>

<p>

No kidding! I had lunch with a friend yesterday and felt very guilty that I haven’t talked/texted/emailed her in several weeks, though barely a day goes by that I don’t check in with you guys. :)</p>

<p>Happy Friday, all!</p>

10330

<p>Congratulations to EmmyBet’s daughter! It’s a great feeling to know that you have done well on something so subjectively judged. </p>

<p>We just got a packet of commencement info from my D’s H.S. Jeez, it’s close! I’m freaking out. Seeing the words ‘cap and gown pick up’ really brings it home.</p>

<p>She’s laughing at Colbert right now…I can hear her all over the house. It’s great!</p>

10331

<p>Aaaaaaargh! Michigan just posted their finaid and it is a big goose egg. 36K in OOS tuition needs to have some aid. This is just sad. Better take those magnetic stickers off my boy’s car. </p>

<p>Congrats EmmyBet!!</p>

10332

<p>Congrats EmmyBet! Lots of persistance has paid off.</p>

<p>I’m just happy to say that we’ll know the options at the end of THIS month. Crazy waiting.</p>

10333

<p>amandakayak, agree with you…that’s nuts! Sorry. I’ve lost track of where else your s is interested…remind me where things stand with him, other than that midwestern school that now shall not be named.</p>

10334

<p>amandakayak - sorry about the UMich aid package. That’s tough.</p>

<p>We are going to be full-pay (minus any merit scholarships), so don’t have to deal with this. Was talking to a colleague yesterday whose senior son is in the same boat and he was wondering when all the aid packages will be in. I suspect this depends on the schools - but for schools announcing as late as March 30/31st, when do they give out aid info?</p>

<p>mosb - missed commenting on the get-together. Sounds like a good idea (although my H and S will think I am nuts!). I’ve been reading these forums for a while now - and the 2010 parents started a closed shutterfly group where they posted pictures and put “faces” to these cc names. That might be a good idea too - especially as graduation/prom nears…</p>

10335

<p>Mosb - In his mind Michigan was #1 and PSU #2. Waiting on PSU Honors College decision which should be tommorow or Mon. Don’t have aid from PSU or Wisconsin yet to see where they fall. My guess right now is Pitt or PSU…or Rutgers if we can’t swing those two, or community college if I was being fiscally responsible!</p>

10336

<p>Sorry about the FA news AK. D’s good friend dealing with the same issue after an acceptance at his #1. What a rollercoaster. Hoping for better news soon.</p>

10337

<p>On the post college Move In get together some time in fall/winter…</p>

<p>Orlando Restaurants/large resorts
Atlanta (hub)
Charlotte(hub)
Pittsburg(hub)</p>

<p>I have done lunch with some friends from CC…it was really nice to put a face/family and Sr with a screen name…Have since then kept up by phone. Nice to reach beyond the typical. </p>

<p>In a recent case, I saw a post that intrigued me. I sent a PM, and it was in fact someone I met while visiting a University with my student… What’s more intriguing…both the poster’s student and mine will be attending the same U next fall. We live thousands of miles apart, and our kids look at a bunch of school, and both got in SCEA and will be at the same U. How much of a small world is that! So fun! We’re now FB friends.</p>

<p>

He can still be a “fan” of MIT. Our student bought maybe 3 shirts along the way while visiting some fav Univirsities. Has worn them all this year.</p>

10338

<p>Congrats to EmmyBet’s D, and all others with good news in the past few weeks!</p>

<p>I’ve been away from the thread for awhle…weeks ago someone was talking about a suicide in their child’s class, and we had had a similar situation, and it was all too much for me, so I decided I needed a break (combination of bad coping skills and not wanting to say too much which would identify my child).</p>

<p>So excited that this journey is almost over for everyone! As for my S last semester, it’s been difficult…having that ED acceptance made it difficult for my son to find motivation in January, and he’s been playing catch-up ever since with a really difficult load of IB courses (plus continuing time-demanding ECs). This summer he’ll get a true break and we are all looking forward to it!</p>

<p>As for someone earlier who said we should have a meet-up somewhere this summer, LOL, I’m in!! I’ve already decided what you all look like… : )</p>

10339

<p>Emmybet: Congrats to you and your daughter!! I know I’ve said this before, but I’m just in awe of those of you who do the applications and auditions. </p>

<p>AmandaK: So sorry about the Michigan FA news. This is my great fear…that my son will get accepted to a school that’s high on his list but that we won’t be able to afford. I’ve been telling myself that the affordable choice will be okay, but I know how hard it will be to walk away from a favorite that’s not the affordable choice.</p>

<p>Anyone else really getting nervous? I felt this way just before the final apps went out – thinking maybe the list wasn’t well-crafted, concerned about his ability to get in. Now, I have this nervous fear about acceptances and affordability. And S? He’s just excited for his spring sport to really get under way. Good that someone’s relaxed, I guess.</p>

10340

<p>My understanding is that many of the schools will include their FA package with their acceptance letter that comes out at the end of March. This is based, of course, on whether or not all of the required forms and final figures were submitted on time.</p>

<p>EmmyBet - Contrats on your D’s good news.</p>

<p>AK - sorry to hear about the $ at Mich although we Buckeyes normally don’t get too upset about things at the “school up north” but this is an exception as we don’t like to hear that kind of negative news for anyone at any school (Michigan included). </p>

<p>There are some agreements for OOS waivers that I found online but U of Mich is not part of those plans that I found which are below.</p>

<p>Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
If you are in a certain geographic area and are looking for academic programs that are not available at your state institutions, you may be eligible to participate in a tuition-exchange program. Partaking in this program means that you will be charged in-state tuition (even though you are not a state resident) or will be offered a reduced tuition rate. Regional tuition waiver programs include the Academic Common Market (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia), the New England Regional Student Program (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont), the programs of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming), and the Midwest Student Exchange Program (Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin).</p>

<p>Some schools may also offer out-of-state tuition waivers to the following and their dependents:</p>

<p>•Active-duty military personnel stationed in the state
•University faculty or staff
•School teachers in the state
•Newly settled retirees
•High school graduates who left the state for a period of time
•Etc.
Again, this list is not comprehensive. Some schools may offer tuition waivers to certain people and their dependents, while other schools will not. Decisions are made on an individual basis.</p>