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<p>FA.
I am talking about re-negotiation because of a better offer somewhere else…</p>
<p>Right - so if they provide FA it should be guaranteed for 4 years. And we did renegotiate our FA.</p>
<p>Oh, I should add that the renegotiation only worked at 1 out of 3 schools.</p>
<p>I would go on the school’s forum on cc and ask if anyone has seen their FA drop in subsequent years. I think some schools have that rep but none of the ones you’re looking at, Kelowna. Ds1’s school has maintained its fabulous FA over the years and even has waived the CSS Profile each year after his freshman year.</p>
<p>ETA: We were able to get ds1’s school to increase the personal expense estimate on the COA by including the cost of his laptop. This allowed them to give us more aid.</p>
<p>With the varying start dates for schools, the AP tests aren’t a good measure for when school should be done :D. Some schools are done before AP testing is complete and kids have to go back after graduation to take tests, some schools aren’t out until way into June. At least the kids’ teachers “get” that the kids have no motivation. They plan a lot of fun things for the kids to do but are still “learning” activities. The physics classes go to an amusement park to do experiments on the rides, the chem classes make all kinds of stuff and have competitions–submarines using pipes, vinegar and baking soda, etc. One of the chem teachers has a pyrotechnic license so they do fireworks…that kind of stuff.</p>
<p>I’ve been gone for awhile, but am peeking back in. My father was in the ICU, and college stuff fell by the wayside. He is home and better now. I tell you, sometimes getting older just sucks.</p>
<p>DD has recovered from her Smith rejection, and has declined the waitlist at St. Olaf. She has been trying to decide between Beloit and Truman State. Funny, because they are very different. DD has finally decided on…Truman State. While she is very happy with the decision, I am a little sad that it wasn’t Beloit. There were several factors in her decision - TS is bigger than Beloit(which is smaller than her high school), distance from home(3.5hrs vs. 8.5hrs), meeting a faculty member in her major that she connected with, weather, dorms. After visiting both schools it seems to me that Beloit is a school filled with kids like my DD, and TS is a school with kids like my DD and many other types of kids. I think DD finds that very appealing. She has had some social struggles in high school, so I am a little surprised that Beloit didn’t appeal to her more in that aspect. And, while I think both schools are supportive, Beloit seems like it has more safety nets for kids that need support. I felt like Beloit was more…nurturing. I think TS has a good support system, but it’s just different. Financially, TS is much better, and will end up costing at least $20k and possibly as much as $60k less than Beloit depending on our changing financial situation.</p>
<p>So, while I am mourning Beloit, can someone make me feel better about Truman State? I know that it is a good school, but I would love to hear it from someone else!</p>
<p>Midwestmom2013–I’m mourning Truman :D. I LOVE that school. It’s just a great all around fit for a lot of kids. They have such strong programs in so many areas. I really wanted both kids to go to Truman. We know several kids that went to Beloit and it’s a great school too but I don’t know that it’s any better or worse than Truman! One thing I liked most about Truman is on the 2 visits we took, both tour guides greeted people, by name, lots of people, probably 50+ other students, while on the tour. The first girl was “sorority” and the second boy was a band geek (our kids are too :D). I also REALLY liked how busy campus was on weekends. The fliers were 4 deep on every board with things to do. The campus is very nice too!</p>
<p>My Dad has been in the ICU for 4 weeks now. It’s been a long month. Glad to hear your dad is doing better!</p>
<p>Midwestmom and SteveMA - Healing vibes to both of your Dad’s</p>
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<p>I know 
Just went to the respective boards on CC and people are talking about “paying the bill”.
I guess I just want to be “the well informed shopper”…I think DS’s mind is made, it is I who is still looking at the best options of “landing in Normandy” ;)</p>
<p>Prayers for Dads !</p>
<p>Always good to do detailed research. That way you know what you are buying.</p>
<p>I have been sailing along in lurker mode. We have a final decision. D will be joining the Y A L E class of 2017. We are all very excited. The decision was practically made but she was waiting to visit again for confirmation. Had a great time and met great people. I hope everyone else is as happy with their decisions. It has been a rough process and I was glad to have all of your collective wisdom this year. Thanks for the laughs along the way. This is a great group. I hope you all reach decisions quickly.</p>
<p>Congrats musicmerit. Must be a relief. Very exciting.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses! It seems on CC School A and B have a rivalry, both share the same US News rank, but who knows if that translates in real life. We’ve decided that she should see both schools first. It’s possible that she may like the school with the great FA package better , if that’s the case, there would be no need to negotiate. The only wrinkle is that meeting with FA is built into the itinerary so she may end up having to discuss the issue.</p>
<p>Another big supporter of Truman. I agree with your daughter, what I liked best about Truman was the diversity of the kids. You had your ag majors, nerdy comp sci majors, conservative business majors, intellectual history majors, education majors, etc etc. Very similar to what you would find at a larger state school. There seemed to be something there for everyone. I would also agree that Truman probably does not have the safety nets in place that a small LAC would have, but they are there, you just need to do the looking yourself.</p>
<p>Truman’s emphasis and committment to writing across all majors (and how they implement and support the writing process by using the write/review/re-write process) was what impressed me the most. Far superior to what is offered at many research schools, including some majors in high ranked schools like Northwestern (my alma mater). </p>
<p>Congrats!!!</p>
<p>SteveMA - Sorry to hear about your Dad, it’s definitely rough. I appreciate your response, thank you! We have had two very good visits at Truman. The first was during a Truman Showcase, and the second was a personal visit on a school day. Our guide did a great job, and everyone seemed very friendly. It was during that visit that DD meet with a faculty member during their office hours and ending up talking for over an hour instead of attending a class. We left we a very good impression. I need to remember that!</p>
<p>dadotwoboys and Kelowna - thank you for your vibes and prayers!</p>
<p>ETA: Thanks, Haystack! I think you hit the nail on the head about the support. We have talked about that aspect with DD, and she feels ready and willing(at this point) to advocate for herself. I do know that the supports are there, and that is reassuring.</p>
<p>Wow, we have one OFFICIAL acceptance this morning! I too now have a devil child! We all knew it was coming, but it feels really good to be official. Now to figure out housing…</p>
<p>Midwestmom2013- I think it sounds like your daughter is growing up and is ready to leave HS behind. I think it sounds very mature that she’s ready to step into a more diverse environment and surround herself with all different kinds of kids. Sometimes playing it too safe doesn’t allow them to grow-- so be happy! She’s spreading her wings and will do great!</p>
<p>Wait for me Greek! Not so fast ;)</p>
<p>What do you know about “figuring out housing” ??? I know that they can request single, double or triple and that they can request a roommate - if both kids request they will be put in together. I started a new thread asking for info on the D’s forum…</p>
<p>Kelowna and Greek - We just finished my dd’s housing last night. She decided on Saturday that she was going to USC. Got on the facebook page for admitted students on Sunday morning - spent almost the entire day chatting with people. By Monday evening she had committed to room with a girl! We did the housing enrollment last night. Their site is nice that it shows when the other person has also requested you - so you can be confident that you both put each other down. My dd was texting her new roommate and within 30 minutes of us finishing it - it was confirmed that she had done it too.</p>
<p>Here is another question for everyone that has a student that has made their final decision - with all the forms etc that need to be filled out - are you doing it or is your student doing it? For example - the Immunization record form says “to be filled out by student” - well she is so busy right now I started to do it but then realized maybe I should make her do all of this so she understands what needs to be done? What is everyone else doing? We sat together last night to do housing and orientation forms - so she knows that those are all completed but obviously she is at school now. Input?</p>