<p>I was thinking the same things but you just never know. She is still a “minor” so technically they can talk to me :D.</p>
<p>I agree with everyone, SteveMA. I do all the contact regarding financial aid, and my daughter does the rest. Walker, best of luck to your DD today. I know when we finally make it to a college visit/interview, the nerves are really going to kick in for her…and me!</p>
<p>Mamabear, I hear you on the playoff thing. I definitely wish we wouldn’t win region One Act so that we could be done next weekend. That would give her a little less than a month to make sure the prompt books and portfolio are in tip top shape for CMU. Unfortunately, I don’t think that will happen. We have been bumped up a division and in a different region. There are only 3 total schools (out of 6) coming to region, so unless something out of the ordinary happens, we will be in one act rehearsal until November 3rd with CMU being November 11. Not much time…</p>
<p>Steve, I always stay involved in the big money aspects, even after the kid is no longer a minor. Realistically, should an 18 year old be managing an $80,000 budget without counsel and assistance? Not in my house, and certainly not when so much of my skin is in the game. We’re a team when it comes to the finances, and I never hesitate to call the financial aid office. She’ll be 20 this spring, I’ll be highly involved until she’s off the payroll. After she’s out on her own, I’ll advise only upon request.</p>
<p>I hate to say it, but the stress level here is pretty low. Classes here are going well; last day of the 1st MP is tomorrow. A stellar math teacher + the lack of a reading intense history class are making a world of difference compared to last year. Can’t ask for much better on the grades.</p>
<p>Only 2 apps are done: her ultimate safety + one of her top 3. #1 is due by 11/1 for EA; she was going to work on that last night, but DH’s suggestion to watch a movie sounded better. NMSC got submitted this past weekend. Our district has a random day off on Thursday, so she’s hoping to bang out at least two apps then. </p>
<p>I’ve decided that since the safety is done + a school she really likes then I need to take a chill pill. If the other 4-6 get done, great. If not, she’s still going to college and has a choice that we can easily afford. </p>
<p>Do any of you watch Supernatural? It’s one of D2’s shows. During the premiere last week, one of the characters (a freshman Asian boy who has recently found out he’s a prophet of God) finds his girlfriend (who’s been possessed by a demon & is under the control of one of Satan’s minions.) She’s “unpossessed” for a minute to prove to her BF that she’s still really alive. She stutters “Kevin! What’s going on?” And her BF says “Well, you’re possessed by a demon AND you’re at your safety school but it’s gonna be OK!” We just fell out & had to pause the recording. Cause being possessed by a demon might just feel the same as ending up at your safety school. LOL.</p>
<p>We attended a 5 school symposium last night. The boys were already planning on applying to 4 of the 5 schools, so it was really useful. The rep from on of the schools actually remembered getting my son’s email–very cool. He doesn’t realize how significant that was! One of the schools who talked for everyone on financial aid said that the parents should be the ones talking to the school about financial aid.</p>
<p>On another note, how much are you all paying for Calc BC tutors? Do you have to also pay them for their prep time and the cost of the book?
Thanks.</p>
<p>Carla- that was my thought also, but even with Jan 1 deadlines, her deadline will be dec 1. She has to fly to visit her dad in dec and then her brother will be flying back to visit with me so 1/2 the month is shot. PLUS she’ll be working on the Gates Millennium app at that time. No way. I’ll be so happy to see 2013. Lol</p>
<p>RobD- OUr kids definitely have the same interests. Kenyon, Dr. Who and Supernatural! D was yelling dramatically at the tv…“it is not supposed to be this wear, I have been waiting for months” etc… She is obsessed with the show! Until Sherlock and Dr. Who are on (:</p>
<p>Carimama- hugs. Gosh it is a horrible feeling watching your child’s switchboard get jammed! We are pulling for you and everyone else!</p>
<p>SteveMA - I agree with everyone about parents talking with the financial aid office in schools. My only question before agreeing - and you answered it - was if your D had already been accepted. When we asked at a college fair about FA the adcomm rep said that FA will not talk with anyone until they are accepted. You’re good to go!</p>
<p>Good morning!</p>
<p>RobD: Thanks for the laugh! I love it!!!</p>
<p>S3’s room was very cluttered and driving me crazy so I went to Ikea and bought a new bookcase and put it together almost by myself. We organized a bit and we can now see his desk! Progress!!!</p>
<p>Classes are going well for him. He is in AP Physics which evidently uses calculus and calculus AB. They haven’t taught them to do derivatives yet in calculus, but the Physics teacher taught them how to do them so he feels like he is ahead. He says he has been tweaking the CA essay, but I have not seen it yet. Last night he was writing an essay about 1984 for English and he also has to do some sort of essay or poem for extra credit for English which is due tomorrow. So maybe tomorrow night we will get some action on the CA essay.</p>
<p>Hello again! Smallest child had a severe asthma attack so we spent a week in the hospital. Hope everything is going as well as can be expected; I’m not even going to attempt to figure out where I left off with this thread! D wrote one essay and hopefully finished one yesterday. UNC-CH, her greatest reach, has a deadline of 10/15, which really snuck up on her. Hadn’t filled in the activities and awards on the common app and there was not enough room, particularly on awards & honors- I was stunned. NHS ended up being an EC so she could get other “honors” in there. I told her since NHS does require volunteer work, tutoring, and meetings, it should be ok as an EC… what are your thoughts?
She also used her sport in the UNC essay about a time you’ve changed your mind… its not a “we won the big game!” or “I was hurt and learned about being part of a team”… so hopefully it works. These essays are tough. She’s about 20 words over on that one, so there is editing to be done. In addition, she has to tweak the common app one but at last she is almost ready to submit something. I was thinking that would never happen!
Question about the SATs being reported though: she took the subject tests a few weeks back and tagged her four early app colleges. When those scores go, the rest of the tests she’s already taken will go as well, correct?</p>
<p>89wahoo - so sorry to hear about the asthma. Hope your youngest is doing better. DS16 (who turns 15 today!) has had multiple asthma episodes since football season started, but dr. finally figured out that his stupid parents were missing a step in his meds. Go figure, since then no more asthma episodes!</p>
<p>DS13 used a sport in his “tell us about a community you are in and your role”. He talked about choosing to be a practice player on varsity vs. a play maker on jv basketball and then receiving the coaches award and how it validated his role in his community. I hope it is an ok topic too. He also listed NHS under ECs. He spends so many hours each week on it, I think it’s appropriate.</p>
<p>Financial Aid - totally fine for parents to get involved. I still remember my mom taking me into the office to tell them that my stepfather had died and our financial situation had totally changed. The director took us into his office, where she started crying, he told her not to worry - he would look out for me. He redid my award package, hiring me into his office where he became my unofficial guardian for the next 4 years.</p>
<p>I agree with the general consensus on all things thread-related – parents and FA, sports as an essay topic (as long as it’s done in a non-trite way). Yes, as long as “send all scores” was marked then all scores will go when the Subject Tests scores go. You can log on to the CB account and see.</p>
<p>wahoo, asthma attacks are scary. Ds1 had a couple of ER visits.</p>
<p>momma, that’s a nice story.</p>
<p>Here’s a question: Ds1’s EA school will have a rep visit his HS in the next week. Do you think it’s poor form for ds to visit the GC and remind her that this school is his no. 1 and see whether the GC will put in a good word for him? Dh thinks it’s pushy; I think it’s her job.</p>
<p>Is it really Oct 9th??!!!</p>
<p>To much going on here…and I have missed WAY to many pages to try and catch up.</p>
<p>Senior year is moving at Light-speed and Jr is not the only one feeling overwhelmed at this point. He has (3) Essay’s to finish up and get the final OK from his CC before the end of next week so he can “push the button” on this #1 for SCEA.</p>
<p>Tour at USC is set for next week and a visit with an admissions rep from Harvard on the 22nd.</p>
<p>My plea’s of adding Univ or Oregon or SMU to his list have fallen on deaf ears :(</p>
<p>D14 is witness to all of the chaos and is promising to make the process “much easier” on us next year. Pretty sure she will be wanting something out of this kind of cooperation…like a car. </p>
<p>Jr turns 18 on the 19th and trying to figure out what happened to the fat round-headed baby I used to spend my days with… :(</p>
<p>JUST SUBMITTED MY FORDHAM APP AND MY APP TO THE LOCAL STATE UNIV.
EXCUSE THE CAPS LOCK
I’M FREAKING OUT</p>
<p>Okay. Breathing. Normal breaths. This is crazy how is this happening I actually did it I applied to college IT HAPPENED.</p>
<p>2 down, 5 more earlies to go!</p>
<p>I’m applying to Marymount Manhattan and Quinnipiac tonight when I get home! That means that all of my safeties will be over and done with by tonight! I just have to polish up my resume and add it on, then I’m done! Then I have to do UVa’s supplement and I’m sending that in this week! I’m saving Emerson and Barnard for after this weekend because I have a really big event this Friday that I want to talk about in my supplements (and I’m sooo over writing essays and paragraphs and such, to be honest). But wow! I did it! I applied to college!</p>
<p>Swizzle~ WAY TO GO!!! I’m sure it feels AMAZING to have those apps done and submitted :D</p>
<p>Youdontsay My daughters EA choice College Rep is coming Friday, she’ll also be visiting this school next week. For me personally. I hadn’t thought of doing anything like that. D is interested in talking to the rep personally and asking questions. while also mentioning her trip. It’s important to me that she initiate her interest in the college by herself. From what I remember ,these reps are traveling and meeting tons of students, I don’t know who or what they remember. I guess for me I prefer a more natural, organic approach, than to get the GC involved.</p>
<p>Yeah Swizzle!!!</p>
<p>One more acceptance each in the mail today, same school, one of my favorites for DD ok match for DS. Got a scholarship award for both of them to another school, DS’s #2 but it was for a transfer student scholarship so we need to check on that. The award they SHOULD have gotten was $8000 higher than this award.</p>
<p>Hi everyone! Congrats Swizzle and all the others submitting apps this week!
YDS, yes I think its appropriate for the GC to talk with the adrep. Yes, its her job and the bottom line I is that there are gcs, especially at certain privates, who do that all the time. A simple affirmation from her can help get him remembered when your S meets him/her at the school session.</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using CC</p>
<p>So, that’s a split opinion. We need the deciding vote! ;)</p>
<p>I’m leaving it up to ds. He didn’t balk at the suggestion of talking to the GC at all. He’s got a couple of good questions lined up for the adrep. I think, even without the GC’s help, he’ll be able to make an impression.</p>
<p>Congrats, swizzle and Steve.</p>
<p>@mdmom DEFINITELY! </p>
<p>Thanks everyone (: I’m so eager to submit my other apps!</p>
<p>My state univ. was the only school that wasn’t on the Common App (and it’s also the one school on my list that I don’t have any desire to go to, but my family went there and my uncle is on the board of trustees and everything, so I had to apply), so I’m happy that’s out of the way! Fordham emailed me a month or so ago telling me that they’re going to waive my application fee if I use their online application, so I did that! It wasn’t that difficult to fill out at all, and I’m going to be sending them a paper mail version of my resume to supplement the (very small amount of) information I was able to put down on the Fordham app. I’m happy both of those are out of the way! What comes next is finalizing the Common App and writing some supplemental essays/paragraphs, and I’m good to go!</p>
<p>It’s a weight lifted off my shoulders, but at the same time, it’s completely surreal and hasn’t completely hit me yet that I just APPLIED TO COLLEGE LIKE WOWWWWW Ahhhhhh</p>