<p>confetti247–do you mind posting your DS’s “stats”? DS’s #1 is the same but he applied RD. Just wondering where he is in comparison :D.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all who have been accepted! What an amazing lists of schools. To those who have been given an opportunity to have their applications reviewed for a second time by admissions, my condolences. A deferral just means you live to fight another day.</p>
<p>Ah…Christmas break. And I will spend today with S2 waiting in line trying to get his passport renewed. Annoying that kids under 17 have to renew in person. We’re planning to make a day of this - passport waiting, lunch out and Christmas shopping. He’s not a good shopper, in general, so I’m hoping to make it through today with minimum complaints. Just like when he was in preschool - bribes are in order. “Just one more store, sweetie, and you can have a pretzel.”</p>
<p>There is always a line for passports at the local post office (they show up an hour before it opens for business). Thank goodness DS will be over 18 when his passport expires but MUST remember to renew via mail before it expires or we will be at the post office waiting. </p>
<p>For those with boys turning 18, don’t forget to register with the Selective Service. It is required and don’t register late especially if you think you may want to work for the govt. later on.</p>
<p>Congrats to everyone who I’ve missed in the past couple of days. </p>
<p>We’ve been really busy with the return of ds1, end of school for ds2, parties, basketball game … you get the drift. Today, we’re pairing off and going shopping. I’ve given the boys’ a list of items to get. Wish them luck!</p>
<p>When your student turns 18, it is also a good idea to have him/her sign a health care proxy and power of attorney. Even though they are still on your insurance, privacy rights stop you from being able to access information. In an emergency, it makes it quicker and easier for a parent to consent for treatment.</p>
<p>Post #8 on this thread describes some of the issues.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/734680-things-do-before-when-child-leaves-college.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/734680-things-do-before-when-child-leaves-college.html</a></p>
<p>Vandygrad, Tx5athome, lilkickster, terinzak, sacchi & Ama- Congrats to all on all the great news!!!</p>
<p>Are any of you experiencing school closings? The 2 counties next to ours have closed all of the schools yesterday and today because of numerous bomb threats. So many, that the police felt they could not investigate all of them and felt closing the schools was the safest thing to do and the kids will have to make up the days in June. Parents I have been talking to in our county are a little concerned that since our schools are the only local ones open the “crazies” will come here. So far only a westling match and a televised pep assembly that was scheduled to happen before DS13’s basketball game have been cancelled here. I was just curious if others around the country were also experiencing this insanity.</p>
<p>No, school is open in our county as well as the surrounding counties. The amount of students absent is large but it is similar to the amount out right before the holidays in past years. Of course, complaints from the students on why it isn’t a half day but it is a full day of school today :)</p>
<p>No schools closed here. They are investigating complaints and rumors as they come up, but so far they have not found reason to close.</p>
<p>Good morning! Good morning! </p>
<p>DS is at school today. Half-day. I guess there have been threats but upon investigation the district feels they are unfounded. </p>
<p>Selective service: For boys, when you fill out the FAFSA you can sign up (or I should say you have to sign up) right then.</p>
<p>No school closings here that I know of. I’m sure a lot of the call ins are related to the whole 12/21/12 thing</p>
<p>^ Oh, I forgot! What time is the world ending today?</p>
<p>Ummmm…it should have ended already but we are all still here :)</p>
<p>it passed…was supposed to end at 6:15 am…</p>
<p>At 8:00 am power went out. My D got nervous. Glad we passed another end of the world.
So much great news! Congrats to all the accepteds. D was defered from Georgetown and U Chicago. While hopeful on those- other schools deadlines, that we have not applied to are Jan 1. She has great grades and NMSF. ok EC Wondering if apps are in need of help. Thinking of hiring private college coach. Did some reading on CC but no names pop out. Anybody know how to research this or obtain recommendations for someone good? Good and reasonable??</p>
<p>My stupid car (well, bless its heart, my 270,000 mile car) is in the shop for the second time in less than two weeks. And, so, here I am next door at the McDonalds surfing the Internet and trying to catch up on CC happenings.</p>
<p>Sacchi–congrats to D on acceptance to Elon! </p>
<p>Waaay back in the spring, when DS and I were really beginning to hone in on colleges, I urged him to consider it (esp. since he was thinking of theatre majors AND a gap year. Elon apparently is very open to a structured gap semester that sounds really cool.) DS just would not even look at it. Oh Well.</p>
<p>No snow at all where we live here in the South. Sunny and a bit chilly. All my cousins and aunts and uncles in Wisconsin are buried under snow, though.</p>
<p>I believe we will experience a Christmas miracle at our house this year. If the online reports are correct, even with five rigorous AP classes, our DS will have achieved straight A’s this semester…first time since freshman year this has happened. (Hence my initial trolling on the 3.0-3.3 thread).</p>
<p>DS was always capable of a high GPA. However, as he often says tongue-in-cheek, he had a bad case of senioritis two years ahead of schedule (There is actually a more serious reason that I won’t divulge in order to protect his privacy). Told him that he can’t afford another attack now that we have several acceptances in hand and scholarships to consider. </p>
<p>I had no idea until all the acceptances were lined up that he was as impressed with Tulane as he was. Naturally, the one with the absolute highest tuition and no merit $$ so far…oy. </p>
<p>He completely understands what a long shot it was to even be accepted and what an even longer shot it will be to earn enough $$ in scholarship and f.a. to pay for it. </p>
<p>DH is absolutely firm about not paying more than a minimal amount and no loans…I hope this doesn’t turn into something nasty, b.c. I feel slightly different about it, although I understand where DH is coming from, as well. (He is within six years of retirement and really needs to be beefing up the nest egg after the recession wiped alot of it out). </p>
<p>Still, after the high of acceptance, how does one deal with the very possible reality that it may be a “no” if the finances cannot be worked out? If anyone has any experience with this, please share your wisdom…perhaps another Christmas miracle will visit us next spring?</p>
<p>270,000 miles – I am so impressed!!! I don’t think I have ever had a car that passed 100,000. My current one is over 5 years old but has less than 30,000 miles on it.</p>
<p>I have no wisdom to share about the reality of not being able to go to the top choice due to finances. DS chose not to apply to schools we could not afford because if he got in then he would have to say no. (of course, it doesn’t make it easier when all his friends are getting into the Ivy’s, MIT etc.). </p>
<p>Retirement or paying the full freight??? We chose retirement and our kids’ chose retirement for us. Whatever your choice, it will be a difficult decision but I’m sure he will be fine at the school he ends up at :)</p>
<p>There were some rumors at my daughter’s high school and we actually received a recorded phone message from the principal that the rumors were unfounded and he expected all students at school today. Daughter tried to get out of going to school but she is there. She got in minor trouble last month and under no circumstances is she allowed to mess up her attendance record.</p>
<p>We are in the same boat regarding financial reaches. Daughter was deferred at her #1, but even if she gets accepted RD there has to be merit/scholarships to reduce the cost. Since she obviously was not considered a top choice, I doubt if there will be any merit and the school will probably not meet financial gap. She did get accepted to another wonderful school, but again I doubt if there is going to be merit aid. We will know soon since the letters with all the info are in the mail.</p>
<p>DD13a got accepted to Transylvania University today (small LAC very similar to Centre except not in the middle of nowhere). Scholarship info promised in a few weeks. I would be surprised if she doesn’t get invited back for the William T. Young (full tuition and stipend) in February. It’s a great fit for her. She only has one more HMFR and the rest of her apps are to schools that are a match.</p>
<p>DD13b suffered yet another rejection today (not from a school; from her intended major). It sucks to try to be happy for one and crushed for the other. Ugh.</p>
<p>District championship swim meet tonight. I hope we crush the other teams. It’s senior night so I expect to bawl my eyes out.</p>
<p>DD13a got accepted to Transylvania University today (small LAC very similar to Centre except not in the middle of nowhere). Scholarship info promised in a few weeks. I would be surprised if she doesn’t get invited back for the William T. Young (full tuition and stipend) in February. It’s a great fit for her. She only has one more HMFR and the rest of her apps are to schools that are a match.</p>
<p>DD13b suffered yet another rejection today (not from a school; from her intended major). It sucks to try to be happy for one and crushed for the other. Ugh.</p>
<p>District championship swim meet tonight. I hope we crush the other teams. It’s senior night so I expect to bawl my eyes out.</p>