<p>Apollo6,
Yes, our DD does not want to go to the state flagship, but for good reason – it doesn’t have her major. I didn’t want to go to it either when I went to college. I did, then changed my major and transferred since it didn’t have my major either. I think some kids don’t want to go to their state flagship because tons of their high school classmates go there as well, and they are ready for a change. Doesn’t make it right, but that’s why I didn’t want to go to mine.</p>
<p>Can you look at your state flagship, and see if there is a high percentage of OOS students going there? If so, perhaps encourage your D that OOS students are going there, and so she should consider it? OTOH, the Ole Miss program sounds fantastic! Since you mentioned perhaps your D doesn’t want to actually major in Chinese that may provide other opportunities with other schools. Can you share what state in the Midwest you live in? Perhaps the Midwest Student Exchange Program can provide opportunities you haven’t thought of yet?</p>
<p>ARRUUUUGGGGHHHH!!! DD finally talked to the guidance office and they said that they are “not allowed” to send test scores with the official transcripts because “so many schools don’t accept them”. EVERY school our kids are applying to accept them (except one school). Every school we have visited said they would accept them via official transcript. I’m having DD contact the schools to which she applied to see if she can email over the PDF of the official score reports. FRUSTRATING–especially since DD was supposed to get this information LAST YEAR before school got out.</p>
Apollo6–
LAC’s with the highest merit aid index and Environmental Studies and Chinese language (not necessarily a major)
Denison University OH
Hendrix College AR
Rhodes College TN</p>
<p>Willamette University, in OR, is nearer mountains and also does very well with merit aid. These all finish above Beloit in terms of the merit aid index on the list. (For some reason Lewis & Clark isn’t on the list but I’ll bet these are higher than it, too.)</p>
<p>If she’s willing to consider a little larger school, try Tulane, which is in the south but not so southern. A little larger school with mountains and good merit aid: U of Denver.</p>
<p>So the penalty for D getting her common application done early and already given all her info to recommendation teachers, they switched to Naviance edocs yesterday. The councelor told kids that are ahead of the game that the CA is now waiting for Naviance info to come in now, and that the counselors are learning about Naviance themselves first. Seniors will get to learn about this new application process though them in October. D went in to switch which LOC she wanted to go to certain colleges (she already filled that out on the supplements), and it won’t let her even see which teachers are listed anymore. The councelor said that she may need to give her LOC teachers envelopes now for some schools. D said “Wow, just wow” (:</p>
<p>I think U of Chicago came down in the night probed D’s brain, went back and made a custom book to entice her further…they picked the right audience in her. Anyone else’s child feel that way? My other two, not enticed at all!</p>
<p>where, that happened to ds1, whose class was the first one to use Naviance for apps. What worked in our favor is that because he was first out of the chute because of Questbridge and its early deadlines, they were anxious to use him as their guinea pig!</p>
<p>Ds2 keeps wavering about applying to the state flagship.</p>
<p>I’m sitting here waiting for back to school night to start and getting all teary looking at how goofy and silly these seniors are and thinking they’ll all be in college this time next year.</p>
<p>Ree I know what you mean. I cried at school opening
On the other hand one thing I noticed was how young the College kids looked when we visited :). Don’t worry the wont change that much next year and they will always be our babies
Insert tears here</p>
<p>My D has a couple great choices in state, with great merit aid, but alas, wants to go out of state to start fresh… I don’t blame her, but my husband doesn’t understand, especially the $$$ part. So over the summer we drilled the $$$ part into her head and now she is reluctant to apply to any “reach” schools because she knows that she will not qualify for much merit aid. The good news is that she loves the out of state schools that offer her major and offer merit aid for her stats. It’s hard to explain to kids that, more than likely, they will NOT run into their HS buddies in a 25,000+ UG flagship school, but it only takes ONE annoying person to ruin the whole vibe. </p>
<p>My thoughts… living in a community where many of our neighbors went the local HS (think Friday Night Lights, but not TX) and then onto the state flagship and now reside… well, here… I think these kids are brave and thinking on a larger, more adventurous scale which is a tribute to your parenting.</p>
<p>Hey Guys! Just want to know your thoughts about something.</p>
<p>I am aware of the college loan bubble and the soaring inflation rate for the cost of college. By the time your sons/daughter graduate in 2017, would the prospect of going to college be fruitless under such heavy burdens? Like the housing bubble in 2008, I think the college loan bubble will burst soon. Then I am not sure whats going to happen to many if not all universities and colleges out there.</p>
<p>^ Luminiz, You’re a student, right? Are you worried about your student debt level? If so, I would find a school or two that you can afford without debt and apply there. IMO, it is risky to graduate with any major and a heavy debt load.</p>
<p>I know that there have been a lot of posts about the “soaring” costs of colleges, yes, it’s a big number but like I keep saying on those threads, relative to income, the cost of college is the same as it was when I was in college. The problem is, people start throwing out the “average salary” vs job by job comparisons without taking into consideration the growing number of low wage jobs in the US (retail mainly). The cost of college is not soaring, again, big number, but still not out of line with salaries.</p>
<p>When I look at the average student dept, $24,000, compared to the average debt when I graduated $15,000, it just isn’t that much more and relative to starting salaries for college grads, $50,000 now, $20,000 when I graduated, it is a MUCH smaller percent of starting salary.</p>
<p>Where people are getting into trouble is taking out the enormous private loans to pay for school. If people chose to go that route, so be it, but I think it’s not very wise.</p>
<p>MommyD, I meant to answer your LOR question from last night. I’d be wary of the AP Art History teacher because that class is not a core subject.</p>
<p>I’m confused. DS and I tried to have his transcript sent via Parchment/Docufide to CA. First it said we needed to invite counselor. He did. Then it said she needed to fill out Secondary School Report. She did. Now it says she must start the midyear report. Isn’t that the report after first semester ends? Should we be sending all of these transcripts individually to colleges if DS wants to apply EA? I asked GC this question in an email, but it was with 2 other questions and she only answered one. Ugh… Any guidance would be MUCH appreciated.</p>
<p>Well in college news… I think I’ll apply to Rensselaer. They won’t stop spamming me the “candidates choice” app, and it worked. Also I went to a WUSTL info session today, I left with sort of mixed feelings. Anyone have opinions on this school?</p>
<p>In other news, I think I’m going to be on a TV game show type thing! I talked to the producer today and I’ll be flown out to Hollywood to film for it. I want to say more but that pesky protecting your identity thing… Anyway I’m soooooooo excited!</p>
<p>I’m getting a little hot under the collar…On August 15 I had my DS’s ACT score sent to a college. I called them today and they still dont have it…Call the ACT people…they said “We sent it so what do you want us to do?”" What I want is for that college to get the score…Why are the ACT people so hard to get anything done??? And yes, they want me to pay AGAIN to have another one sent and wait ANOTHER 2 weeks for the school to get it. Are they serious!!! I think I’m going up the ladder tomorrow with the ACT people. And yes, the college called them as well!</p>
<p>thanks everyone for the supportive replies. Still has extremely stressful day, but son is slowly making some strides. On our way to Duke, he will read “How to Write a College Essay in One Day” I contacted a lot of tennis coaches today at the various schools. It’s a start. DS even sent requisite emails to student host at Duke and captain of club tennis team there. I feel like we have the door open a tiny crack with a tiny space to stick a toe in. Also, NMSF decisions come out tomorrow according to their website. I could use some good news. Then again, if he makes it, there is yet another app to do and essay to write…</p>
<p>I am so glad to hear about other boys in a similar boat. Although I can actually take so much on myself, that I felt so bad for all the parents of these boys and began to feel overly anxious all over again! Gosh, I gotta learn to compartmentalize! I do like the wine in basement, whoever mentioned that (sorry I don’t remember who):)</p>
<p>SteveMA: I think only one school has an early action-like program. They don’t call it early action, but they do let you apply earlier and you hear sooner, but not in December. That particular school is her “second” safety; and while she’s willing to attend, she isnt Keen on it…so, she doesnt care if she hears early or not…The others have ED (and one doesnt want you to apply to any others if you are applying early to it…??) some others have ED 1 and ED 2…
as of now, she fell asleep this afternoon instead of calling the other three schools for interviews. I told her that if I am not home (due to work) and she decides to call…how is she to know when I can drive her. I gave her dates I think would work for each school and my schedule…not sure she listened. I guess worst case scenario is they won’t have those dates and we she will have to miss a day or two of school…</p>
<p>Momto2013grad - I actually have posted under two names. Galaxyfigment is my low profile username. I think I only have a few post - surprised you remember it.</p>
<p>I love the DIS, been there since 1998 back when it was a tree based discussion board.</p>
<p>YDS- club coach, but I can’t believe the school sat a kid for skipping practice for school… Or maybe I can. Sad either way! Tonight D made it a four and a half hour practice with commute.
Vandy, my child is a wreck too. Nerves, stress, anxiety, too little down time. It’s tough to be a kid these days. Tough to be a parent too.
3great, so glad your Dad’s making progress! Poor guy…</p>
I talked to the producer today and I’ll be flown out to Hollywood to film for it. I want to say more but that pesky protecting your identity thing… Anyway I’m soooooooo excited!</p>