<p>I know that, realistically, S2 has done all that he needs to do for college apps right now. Common App and supplements have been submitted for 4 schools, waiting on transcripts and LORs to be sent. His other 3 schools are “stand-alone” music conservatories and their apps aren’t due til December 1. He wants to wait until the last minute to submit so that his prescreen tapes are up-to-date. So…there is nothing to do about college apps right now but wait. And I’ve realized that I’m not very good at waiting. (and he won’t hear back from any school til December!)</p>
<p>cromette-too funny! my phone changes words on me all the time too.</p>
<p>TVenee-welcome. It sounds like you could use all the moral support you will get from us on this forum. I’m sure you know this, but you are going to have to keep prioritizing what’s a real problem and whats a “luxury” problem. A real problem to me is keeping you and the baby healthy, and taking care of the little ones. The luxury problem is not enough boxes on the NMSF form for all your daughter’s awards. Don’t sweat the small stuff 
I understand that almost everyone who is NMSF becomes a finalist anyway.<br>
It sounds like you are going to have to let your D take control of her applications and herself. Which honestly is a good thing. You are going to let her go off to college, and she will need good coping skills so better she learn them now.<br>
I think college visits are great, but they are expensive. Do what you can do. She can always visit in the spring once the acceptances come in.
We are having a 10th grade teacher do a LOR for my D, and I feel great about it. Its a similar situation where D had him for a difficult class and he knows her from a continuing out of class EC so the contact didn’t end in 10th grade. I think it makes much more sense to have a LOR from someone who knows her well.<br>
Good luck with everything.</p>
<p>Terrible morning. DS13 texted me this morning to tell me that his friend’s younger brother committed suicide. My kids went to a very small Catholic school before high school. I know this family well: we have sat through basketball games, soccer games, choir performances and parent-teacher meetings; we have worked fundraisers and concession stands together. The young man was a sophomore. When he was in 2nd grade he wrote a letter to my now 7 year old when he was baptized welcoming him to our church family. I have a newspaper article and picture of he and DS13 when they came in 1st and 2nd in a geography bee. I feel so heart-broken for the family. Please hold your children closer today and pray for this family.</p>
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<p>I think this depends on the school, and how good they are about financial aid, and Smith has a reputation for being good with financial aid. Given that Smith claims to meet full-need, I think it is safe to apply ED, and would recommend it. How you describe your D’s stats sounds to me like a perfect candidate for ED - has a clear first choice, stats are within “range” for the school, but would likely benefit from the admissions boost that ED allows.</p>
<p>:( So incredibly sad. Hard to understand how kids often can’t see past the problems of today. :(</p>
<p>momma - so sad. It reminds us to hug our kids and keep the stress level down. My dd is going on senior retreat and the parents are asked to write a letter - these kids need to know how special they are and not to sweat the small stuff - sometimes it is just hard for them to understand how special they are and how everything works out the way it is suppose to. Prayers to you and all involved in this horrible situation.</p>
<p>How sad to hear about teen suicides. I can’t imagine how the parents can cope. My prayers go out to all who are affected. A friend of mine in HS committed suicide and I still struggle with it.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the welcome! I feel much better getting that rambling post off my chest!</p>
<p>mommaof5 my heart goes out to all those affected by such a devastating loss.That type of tragedy is devastating. You are so right about hugging our kids!</p>
<p>Carla 2012 You are right. Being on bedrest forces almost all control out my hands. I’ve been this sort of “secretary” type person when it came to her music schedule, but the college process plus the music and Highschool has been like juggling fire, not to mention the minefield of social interaction at this stage. She never complains, but I’m missing all those Senior Milestones, the shopping for homecoming, going on college visits. We haven’t set up Senior pictures and I won’t be there when she takes them. In the evenings, when it’s homework time we are alone, I can’t move and she helps with her brothers , one who can be a handful.I make as much effort as possible to keep her from any extra time taken from the school work, but there are times where it doesn’t work out. She was gone and on her own this summer for over a month (it almost killed me) but she was fine. I think she will be ok in the long run. I may have all gray hairs by that time though ;o)!</p>
<p>Momma: prayers and hugs to you and your friends on the tragic loss of their son.</p>
<p>Mommaof5…prayers and cyberhugs to you and the family affected by such a tragic loss!</p>
<p>Momma5: So sorry for the loss…we will keep his family in our prayers.</p>
<p>Welcome, TVenee,</p>
<p>My D13 was the product of 5 months of bedrest so I feel for you. When she was born, her brother, an adoptee, was 8 months old. Due to her adventure-filled life, she is a senior this year and he is a sophomore in college. There are many paths and I’m sure your daughter’s is a good one for her even if she is younger than her classmates.
I hope you have plenty of support for your younger children.
Your daughter won’t be the only one who doesn’t get to visit her schools. My daughter has only been able to visit 3/9 schools to which she has applied and those are the ones at the bottom of her list. I don’t know whether she will get to visit any of the others before she commits to one this spring. My D is an IB diploma student as well and I am a high school librarian at a school with MYP and IB so I know what you are talking about. I think that your daughter’s EE adviser would definitely count as one of her 12th grade teachers so don’t worry about that recommendation requirement.</p>
<p>Mommaof5, I am so sorry about the tragic loss in your circle. ((()))</p>
<p>Mommaof5: prayers going out to all touched by this tragic loss. My heart aches for every teen (or anyone else) who feels such depth and despair.</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me about the University of Alabama receptions held around the country? My DT2 was invited to a reception in a nearby city. He has applied to UA, and will apply to their honors program, but this invitation came in before that. It sounds as though it’s a reception with alumni present, in addition to someone presenting. Is this reception selective in any way, or what should be expect?</p>
<p>Mommaof5: my prayers go out to you, your son, and the entire commumity (and your friend’s family!). How awful and heartbreaking.</p>
<p>Welcome TVenee: My sister for our own family reasons, (when she was looking at schools) would catch rides with other friends who were visiting other schools. You might be able to explain your situation to the GC and if she/he knows of other kids looking at similaar schools, perhaps your DD could go with them? OR, Your daughter can write to the admissions officer of the schools she is looking at online and tell them of your situation. that way, at least, she is showing interest and engaging with a person who may be reading her application? But, I really do agree with another Post: the health of you and your baby is paramount! Your dd will do fine.</p>
<p>mommaof5 - How incredibly terrible and sad. My thoughts go out to all of those affected by this loss. </p>
<p>sacchi - Thank you for the reply. I was thinking the same thing, and it is really looking like more of a possibility. It is tempting, but scary, as well!</p>
<p>I just checked to see if our ACT writing scores were up and they are. DD13a got a 10. DD13b (aka Crack Baby) got an 11. We had quite a laugh over that result.</p>
<p>Welcome TV! We haven’t been to many of the schools that my D’s are applying to. We will visit schools after acceptance to make our final choices. Don’t worry about visiting now unless it is a school that tracks your contact with admissions. I agree with you about LORs and I’m kind of ignoring it. Always the rebel…</p>
<p>@mommaof5: my heart is breaking for the family of the young man … And your family too! This is such a tragic situation. My thoughts and prayers are with you. 
((((hugs))))</p>
<p>@mommydearest - you do not KNOW how happy D13 will be to hear that!!! That puts all her scores over 700 when super-super scored for GA Tech. yeah!!! She already has an 800 math and 720 writing on the SAT from June. That critical writing was making her nuts. LOL!! </p>
<p>@TV - welcome!! My last pregnancy (S16) involved 2 months of bed rest before he decided he wasn’t waiting any longer. I am sorry you have to deal with it too. It’s no fun. But your D is not alone in not haven’t visited school. My D visited Harvard & MIT with math club this summer (national competition was in Boston) and UF with the math team last year. She’s taken Harvard & UF (it was her flagship safety before she learned about UAH) off her list. I havent been able to take her myself. The only reason she’s going to CalTech next month us because they’re flying her out there. Lol!! So don’t feel bad!!!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all of the support. DS13&16 have been asked to serve the funeral mass. DS16 had the young man in 6th hour. He killed himself after school yesterday. It seems to be bullying related. Family is completely devastated. Please continue to remember them in your prayers.</p>