<p>me me me on the shot… so here’s the deal with SLC, IF she completes the IB Diploma always tricky because a great tester she is not, at the end of freshman year they grant a year essentially and advance them to jr’s or some such. But… even with that? Her debt load would be 3 times higher than MoHo… argh!</p>
<p>Flymetothemoon and laurendog: if DS ends up at Pitt – I would be happy to meet up with you all 
Pittstart is pretty organized but a date earlier rather than later would be best. Engineering holds spots open for the later PittStart dates. </p>
<p>Move in – get there early in the morning and bring your patience especially if you are moving into the Towers (elevator wait is common). DS’ freshman roommate moved in around 11 PM at night the day before he was suppose to. Father unloaded his stuff and then drove home right away so you can pretty much move in around the clock. </p>
<p>Next year, your student can apply to be a helper for Arrival Survival thus get to move in early (for training) so you bypass all the crowds.</p>
<p>Anyone going to UCLA I have lots of tips. Even freshmen can apply to be a “move-in helper” which allows you to move in a couple days early.</p>
<p>mnmom - I know what you mean about this being real-er now.</p>
<p>momofzag - I certainly didn’t feel any lack of significance from you, don’t think that for a minute. I am just always relieved to find kindred spirits here, and I don’t want to start whining. Our situation re: college aid is actually very good, considering. And money is money and tight belts are tight belts – the numbers aren’t relevant.</p>
<p>And of course, we all want to have the happiest kids in the world, right?</p>
<p>My biggest fear is that something changes in our finances and breaks the bank for the last two years. Like, if we start paying rent and lose the tax deduction from the mortgage, our AGI goes up. How does one plan for that???</p>
<p>LOL we just replaced our 1992 with a “new” 2003 :D.</p>
<p>drmom - yes! If only S13 were 40, then he could make a quick, reasoned decision without agonizing… just like I do! 
</p>
<p>I’ll take a shot!</p>
<p>Also anything to do with marching band can get you in early many places.</p>
<p>Driving a 2002 van with 165,000 miles…was hoping to replace it soon, but now I think I may be holding on to it for as long as it keeps chugging away. </p>
<p>DD is heading to honors weekend at Tulane on Sun/Monday. Let’s see what she thinks. Good luck to all! Our out of pocket seems to be very similar with each school +/- $1500/year. Not that much of a difference. So, DD has the luxury of deciding where she wants to go. It’s a good thing.</p>
<p>Confetti…in that scenario AGI won’t go up, but taxes paid would, so that would probably reduce your family contribution. If you have any equity that you put in the bank, that would increase your assets, so that would increase EFC. Was ND’s NPC accurate? If so, play around with different scenarios. I understand your concern about the potential for fluctuation at need-only schools…I played with the calculator to find the maximum for or situation so S could see how much each school might go up.</p>
<p>Hi all! This is my first post ever on CC… I’ve been stowed away below decks (lurking with a gag in my mouth because I could not figure out my settings - so we’ll see if this one shows up) Really happy for all with decisions made…I’ll be slipping into a comfy lounge chair. If someone would please bring a rum and coke I’ll be forever grateful! </p>
<p>We were ready to support DD13 in her choice of UC Davis…we’ll be visiting this weekend just to be sure, but we have hit a patch of rough water- she’s just received a scholarship to Germany for 10 months. Yay! She’ll do an extra year in their high school system. Not real sure where that leaves her here. I’ve learned so much from the wealth of experienced passengers on this ship so I’m hoping someone has explored our uncharted sea and can send up a flare to enlighten us before we fall overboard!</p>
<p>I guess what I need help with is how a gap year works…Does she accept admission to UCD and then tell them she needs a year off? Or is she supposed to decline and reapply next year? In which case please make that a double!</p>
<p>Hi all! This is my first post ever on CC… I’ve been stowed away below decks (lurking with a gag in my mouth because I could not figure out my settings - so we’ll see if this one shows up) Really happy for all with decisions made…I’ll be slipping into a comfy lounge chair. If someone would bring a rum and come I’ll be forever grateful! </p>
<p>We were ready to support DD13 in her choice of UC Davis…we’ll be visiting this weekend just to be sure, but we have hit a patch of rough water- she’s just received a scholarship to Germany for 10 months. Yay! She’ll do an extra year in their high school system. Not real sure where that leaves her here. I’ve learned so much from the wealth of experienced passengers on this ship so I’m hoping someone has explored our uncharted sea and can send up a flare to enlighten us before we fall overboard!</p>
<p>Welcome pouncecat2. If DD is already accepted at UC Davis, have you asked if they would be willing to defer her admission for a year? I was an exchange student the year after high school and my undergrad institution had no problem with putting off my arrival for a year. I think my FA didn’t even change, but I don’t recall exactly. Like your daughter, I did an extra year in high school (in Belgium), but the pressure was off as I already had college set for the following year.</p>
<p>And of the three cars in the family fleet, the newest is the 2003. But S’13 won’t be taking a car to school, so we are thinking of getting rid of the two oldest and upgrading to something newer, maybe even from this decade.</p>
<p>Looks like I cross-posted. See if you can accept and then defer. That’s the best way to go unless she really wants to do this all over again ;)</p>
<p>Pouncecat, I think gap years are reasonably common. Davis should be ok with it. Just call. Good luck- what a cool opportunity, and welcome!
D has a roommate set. From her high school- they are buddies already, both easy- going and able to balance fun and work, and have similar interests which don’t include drinking. Now, anyway.
As to cars… We are driving one that is older than D13. Is there a prize for this? To be fair, it was my parents’ and they don’t put miles on cars. The we have a 2005 SUV as the next newest. D has a brand new car- a 2009! Lol.</p>
<p>Thanks Dadotwoboys! We haven’t spoken to UCD, thought we’d do that this weekend? So glad to hear someone else did it!</p>
<p>Welcome Pouncecat. I am just loving how many of y’all are coming up from being hidden below decks. Not too late - we sail together for at least another four years!</p>
<p>When kids take a gap year, they do not decline the offer of admission, they just work out with the college to defer their entrance for a year. Call admissions! Many colleges like kids with that extra year of unique experience and maturity.</p>
<p>Thanks for the welcome Wahoo! Just when you think you’ll be serving on this fine ship…a new decision must be made! It does seem like a wonderful opportunity.</p>
<p>She’s admitted but she hasn’t sent the intent to register we will do that before May 1st. Anyone know if UCD will want tution or fees paid for the gap year? I’m amused that decision day is May Day - May Day!</p>
<p>drmom, I’m 54 and if I had to make her decision, it would take me until the last minute - she is blessed with a wealth of choices, and every time I eliminate one or two, I end up putting them back in the pot because they each have such wonderful strengths.</p>
<p>We’ll be doing the early marching band move-in. Great for avoiding the crowds, but it also means we won’t have any of those helpers they told us about at the orientation. And it will probably be 120 degrees!</p>
<p>MommyDearest13 - oh, that’s right! Can you believe I used to understand taxes? And great idea on the NPC. It was within $1K, so I should be able to get a good idea. Thanks!</p>
<p>Welcome, pouncecat2 - like the username! I understand each college handles gap years differently so you’ll have to call. What a great opportunity for her!</p>
<p>Congrats on the roomie, 89wahoo. </p>
<p>STEMFamily - maybe we can request helpers???</p>
<p>My son is moving on campus a week early for a summer bridge program but I’m not sure if the dorm those kids stay in for that week will be their actual dorm for the year.</p>