S graduates in mid-May. He accepted a job back in October but does not yet have a start date. I think he would like to start mid June and is going through security clearance as his job involves defense. Meanwhile he bought his first car and is enjoying skiing, surfing, and a road trip or two. He has a great starting salary but is aware of paying for car, student loan, and expensive housing. Pleased that he has been planning his budget and intends to enroll in company 401k for full match starting with his first paycheck. Not yet 22 and so responsible!
Sharing some good news. College girl was offered NSF graduate research-ship. The only hiccup was she decided to accept a 2 year program at the Federal reserve back in Oct and then head to graduate school. She didn’t apply to any grad programs. :-?
Great to hear so much good news. S is graduating mid-May (along with minnymom’s S, I believe) and also accepted a job in his field back in October. He asked to start in August so he could travel around Europe, some with friends and some solo. Meanwhile, we’re celebrating too by renting a house in France so he’ll come join us for a few weeks. Really proud of him, and a little dazed at the idea of having both kids out of school.
@madbean - haven’t heard from you in a while! Congratulations to your S. I think your comment about “a little dazed” is just right. Spoke to D yesterday and she was talking about going apartment hunting in the new city in July, moving in, maybe getting a dog and all I could think of " how the heck did time go by so fast?"
Minnymom, so nice that your S secured his job in October. D’s company matches up to 10% of her salary at 100% in her 401k. I was astounded! 
She too will maximize this benefit. D has some time off before starting later in the summer and is planning to travel with friends. She felt such stress before her offer–reminded me a bit like senior year of high school.
I have been wondering lately if it will come as a shock to some of our kids next spring when they don’t automatically get spring break any more?
It’s now called vacation. And it’s now the real world! LOL
Lots of great news, congrats to all!
AvonHSDad–DS has officially boarded the SS Indecision II. So far two choices for medical school. Both are great, but very different! He has to make a decision by the end of the month.
@VAMom2015 - Welcome aboard! Congrats on the two med school acceptances and best wishes for DS on his decision.
Our DS is now evaluating options regarding law school (LS) admissions and more importantly scholarships and grants. He received a full tuition scholarship offer from one of his accepted law schools in the 16 - 20 ranking range. He got the offer on Monday and Wednesday was their committment day. He contacted them and asked for a bit more time to evaluate. They said OK but you need to visit. His last open Friday is on the 17th will be his visit day. He then has to decide by Monday the 20th. In the interim he has drafted and is in the process of emailing his other top choices financial aid assistance appeal letters. So far he has offers ranging from all loans to one full tuition ride to everything in between. His LS admissions rankings range from #7 to mid-thirties. The ultimate objective is the best school with the best package. Lots of negotiating and offsetting pros and cons for each school and offer. And to muddy the waters a bit AvonMom and I will be on a mid-April cruise that was planned over a year and a half ago so contact for discussions with DS will be limited.
Feeling nostalgic yesterday - it was Easter Sunday four years ago that D made her decision on which school to attend. I had a picture taken that day that I sent to her and she promptly posted it on fb with a note saying that she didn’t know what she was committing to that day, but it has been the best decision she has made thus far. Oh gosh, I am going to be a mess during her graduation - I can so tell that right now!!
@VAMom2015 - congratulations on the med school acceptances!! It’s great that he gets to choose!
@AvonHSDad: Good luck to your son!
What types of things are you all getting your students for graduation gifts? I am at a loss as to what to get.
We were going to give S a watch - but my dad passed away recently and he is getting his watch. I asked my sister and she told me they got her step-son several suits and bought his bed. S will need a bed, too - so I think we are going to buy him one - plus things he will need as he sets up apt. He doesn’t need suits for work - dress is bus. casual - even CEO wears casual. We will also probably be paying his first months rent and security deposit etc., so a lot of money going out in the next few months.
Cash. She’s going to need to furnish an apartment. It may be walmart’s finest assemble it yourself and a card table, but it’ll still cost money.
Grad gift… just gave him 4 years college tuition. 
He bought his first car this spring… giving him an alumni license frame. We will also help with apartment start up expenses… but that is about it.
S has asked for a watch so we are leaning in that direction. We will also help him with his apartment for law school although we don’t know where that will be just yet. Still on the SS Indecision (see post #9788 above).
I think ShawSon asked us to pay for his backpacking trip in Utah/Arizona/Colorado. For ShawD, she actually graduated in January and had a pinning ceremony in December but the formal graduation is in May. I bought two sets of pearls a few years ago in Hyderabad, India. One was blue (she has very blue eyes) and we gave them to her for her HS graduation present. The second set are classical white. I was thinking about them for her college graduation. But, ShawWife thinks I should wait for another event.
@Avonhsdad–Congrats on all your DS’s opportunities. I’m impressed that he’s negotiating the financial offers. It would be like pulling teeth to get my DS to do that. He’s relying on Uncle Sam to fund his future as he plans to be an Army Dr.
We are mulling graduation gifts. We’re in the same boat with Avon about not knowing where he will live, but he will need to furnish at least part of an apartment (probably will have roommates). He may or may not need a car so we may help with that. He already has a nice watch, won’t need suits, etc. So we are still trying to land on the best gift.
D is headed for a job in a new city. We are going to get her a car and help with getting started in the new city. She’s also planning a Europe trip with a friend - but we told her she had to finance that herself
Our son has asked for a keyboard for a grad present! He likes to play the piano when he comes home and noodles on one at college. We gave our daughter a laptop for her graduation and cash to #2. Different kids, different wants/needs.