<p>Swizzle, my DD is in the same boat as you. We actually just came back from the Picture yourself at Emerson day. We received her aid package after already driving 9 hours to Boston, or else we wouldn’t have gone. Like you, she was told that while they recognize that she needs more aid, she was maxed out and they couldn’t give her any more.</p>
<p>Here are the things we noticed/discovered while visiting: They don’t have a “true” study abroad offering. They have a “castle” in the netherlands which you may or may not be selected to attend. And the only thing offered there are the same gen ed classes offered at their Boston location. The class sizes were huge. We were told 25-30 and possibly more for gen ed classes and 20-25 in her major classes (WLP). No one looked happy to be there other than the incoming 2017 class. No one smiled, not the students, professors, or faculty. And their selection of gen ed classes was very limited for such a big school. Bottom line, while my daughter really wanted to go because of friends and Boston life, she was very underimpressed with the college. Especially when it was going to cost so much.</p>
<p>Every other college she got in to offered significantly more aid. And seem much friendlier. Right now she is torn between Bennington and Hollins. But I think Hollins is going to win out.</p>
<p>Good luck, I think you’ll be very happy at UConn.</p>
<p>Good Morning! I hope this week brings many decisions for those of you in the lounge chairs. I’m getting tired delivering all of these mimosas! : - ) </p>
<p>Greek - Tell us your news! </p>
<p>Mnmom - Yay for Holyoke! Funny story. I once worked at an all boys school. Had to go to the guidance secretary and ask her to immediately call a college rep and cancel an appointment after I heard one of the boys (during morning announcements,) read that we were expecting a visit from “Mount Holy-ake.” (ha!) Seems the rep didn’t know we were all-male and the secretary didn’t know anything about Mt. H! Great school, great choice </p>
<p>debbi - Bless you for posting your experience and your encouraging words for Swizzle. I just love this thread. We so encourage each other. </p>
<p>Having said that I just love this thread - YDS…Louisville huh? You are dead to me. </p>
<p>Just kidding. YDS started this cruise and I DON’T want to be ‘woman overboard.’ Lolz. </p>
<p>Tonight is going to be emotional for me, one way or another…Go Blue.</p>
<p>“Ahhhhh, yes, ouzo and donuts. The breakfast of champions. (What? I went to state school. Don’t judge.)” SomeOldGuy- I went to state school too! ;)</p>
<p>Good morning! YDS if you are going to be watching the game near Ldog I suggest you put on a life jacket. </p>
<p>One more week until Spring Break for S3. He volunteered all day at a regatta yesterday and forgot a hat, sunscreen and his sunglasses. Seriously?</p>
<p>D2 says she’s narrowed it to 2 and is close to a decision. I’m rather enjoying the lounge chair. I’ll have a margarita, rocks, please. (Not sure what kind of shape I’ll be in to serve when my time comes).</p>
<p>Whomever is serving the cheese grits I’ll have some over here!</p>
<p>Folks the picture is becoming clearer. At this point I’m trying not to influence DD13s decision, but I feel like I’m doing the same thing I did when she asked me which dress she should choose for prom. I tried to make it seem as though my preference was hers. In this case, unless UChicago can tweek our package to match Columbias, the decision will be made for her. I don’t know how to go about talking to U Chicago about that. She’ll be visiting both in the next two weeks. Has anyone been successful at simply saying “My kid would accept but school B has offered X Y and Z so we can only afford your school if you can match?” At this point she likes both (she did enjoy U Chicago’s Harlem Shake video better lol). Her Dad and I are fine with either, but Columbia will sit well with us financially, while U Chicago will not.</p>
<p>It’s going to take me forever to catch up… I think I’ll just skip to all of Confetti’s posts! Without further ado, please put your hands together-- we have an A.B. Duke Scholar in the house!-- MY house!!! We are all over the moon. No one can sleep in our house. It’s part disbelief and part all of that wine and champagne!!! We will officially be joining SomeOldGuy and My3gr8boz at Duke! Plus maybe a few more…did I miss any blue devil announcements this past week? Yeah! The Greeks are half way there.</p>
<p>@ Greek - just spoke with DS and he is having an absolute blast there!
He just finished his 6 (or 7) interviews, including the Chicago one (yes, Stamps decided to interview him while he is at Duke !)
No matter what the outcome will be, the experience itself is absolutely amazing. I never thought that the college application process can be such a learning experience. I am so thrilled, never in a million years did I expect one can learn so much from so many absolutely amazing people over the course of a few months And I never imagined so many schools can fly you in and provide FANTASTIC entertainment (DS absolutely LOVES all the entrepreneurs he has met in Durham.)</p>
<p>Bovertine, I wish there was a “like” button for that one!
Quote:
should my DS pack himself in a backpack
If he’s got a talent like that, no wonder he got into those fancy schools! </p>
<p>DDHM:-- I’m anxiously waiting to see if DS actually makes it home with the sleeping bag!</p>
<p>Ok Tougis, I just read the whole throw down thread. I texted DS13a his take on “throw down” I’ll see what kind of answer we get. You really do a great job of blending in! You sounded like a 17 year old dude in your post! I’m guessing you want the creepy throw down dude to stay as far away as possible from the school where your DD will be!!! Holy Moses, I had no idea about the work hard play hard at Duke although DS13b did just come back with some interesting stories!</p>
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