<p>I know I’m just being impatient - I just want schools to release their apps already! D is a little bored and just filling in the basic info would be nice. She got a big info package from one her top choices today and we set up her account. No word on when they open the application up.</p>
<p>Release the apps schools! Release the apps and no one will get hurt.</p>
<p>Common App. has already released the essay prompts, so applicants to the Class of 18 can work on those if they were really itching to get going. I told my DS’14 that his senior year will be a lotomore fun if he could a couple of essays into solid shape before the first day of classes. (Not sure he bought it 
)</p>
<p>eyemamom – S is so at the opposite end of the spectrum. No interest in the common app or apps in general (unless they’re apps he can get on his phone). </p>
<p>I’ll wait 'til he’s done with his summer job (Aug 16) then make a few suggestions. </p>
<p>One bit of good news – we were all invited to my nephew’s wedding in Dallas (woo hoo!) Me, H, D (with a plus one which just got her all excited – she can bring a date) and S.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how hot it is there in September? I can google it but just looking for tips on attire. I’m thinking it’s probably still summer hot but not like nature’s trying to kill you.</p>
<p>My guy is not ready for apps either. He’s too busy enjoying his summer going on day trips with friends, etc, and leaving for a camp today. Later in the month he starts his new job (waiting for the place to open - it’s a brand new Chick Fil A). </p>
<p>I can barely get him to keep moving on his summer reading (due the first week in Aug) and to actually look at other colleges with his major. He’s checked a couple out that he likes and would be happy to be done there. If we were sure we could afford those, I’d be ok with him stopping his search, but he needs to try a few to see how the finances shake out.</p>
<p>He is ready to LEAVE for college… just not ready to buckle down to do apps to get accepted into them. ;)</p>
<p>Oh, it’s not my daughter who wants to jump on these essays! lol Va Tech released their essays as well.</p>
<p>Creek - I’m a lot like your son, let’s just get to the good part, being accepted!</p>
<p>There are only 2 common app schools on her list of 8. She was just complaining about why everyone isn’t on it. </p>
<p>D has not started her summer work yet. She’s still driving the dean of academics nuts changing her schedule around. She actually looked online herself at her schedule and realized she didn’t get put into any english class, let alone the ap lang and took care of it. She’s getting foot surgery in 2 weeks, so I figure while she’s off her feet for a few weeks she’ll bored into getting it all done.</p>
<p>DS has completed two apps so far and started the third last night! Woohoo!!! None have had an essay to this point, just fill in the blanks. One has an honors college scholarship that will need to be filled out. The problem with that one is it asks for 5 books you’ve read in the past year…uhhhh, hmmmm. Does web surfing count?</p>
<p>beadymom, surely they must have forced him to read 5 books in English class, if nothing else?</p>
<p>Good morning everyone. Thought I would provide a visit trip update from earlier in the week now that I have a little time to post. DD visited Vanderbilt last fall and liked what she saw and heard. She wanted to re-visit so she signed up for one of their PreVU days which was this past Monday, the 15th. The program ran from 8:15 to 2:30. All I can say is that this was the best organized and managed program we have seen in the three to four years of college visits we have been on for both DS-11 and DD-14.</p>
<p>We drove to Nashville on Sunday and were in a hotel literally right across the street from the parking garage where we were instructed to meet on Monday Morning. When we arrived at the garage, we were greeted by a student volunteer, directed to a space and then provided a shuttle service to the Student Life Center where the program was held. There was a general opening presentation by one of the Arts & Science professors who was a great speaker and quickly had the attention of the 150 plus students and their families. Following the opening remarks the attendees were split up into groups by College (A&S, Engineering, Education & Human Development and the Music school) for a detailed explanation of their respective schools with a Q & A session.</p>
<p>The groups came back together and the parents stayed in the main auditorium and the kids left for a separate presentation. Both groups were then provided with an admissions and financial aid presentation. The parents heard from the Dean of Admissions and the Assistant Director of FA. The kids had their presentation from the Admissions staff. From a parent’s perspective, it was nice to hear it from the decision makers as they were able to and did answer a lot of questions, provided some insight to the processes, and provided some tips and suggestions for evaluating one’s decision regarding whether to apply and if so, whether to go ED1, ED2, or RD. In summary, it was very informative. They also provided details regarding their waitlist program including facts and figures.</p>
<p>Following those presentations and a break, the kids were brought back into the main hall and the families were called alphabetically for their tours. There were approximately 15 or so tour guides and each took 10 to 12 families. We found the group size to be manageable. Our guide was quite knowledgeable and answered a lot of questions from the group. The tour was designed to end up at the east commons which is where all freshmen students are housed and have their main dining facility. The tours ended in the commons where everyone was provided a luncheon voucher. Following lunch, the guides took groups back across campus to the final event of the day which was an hour long Q&A with a moderated student panel who talked about nearly every topic imaginable.</p>
<p>In summary, the program and the travel time was worth it. It was a well organized and professionally run program. If you have in interest in this school, I would recommend participating in the PreVU or one of Vandy’s other pre-admissions programs. D has pretty much decided that this will be her ED reach school. Now all she has to do is get the test scores up, write a brilliant essay, get the right LOR’s and we have to cross our fingers that she will get noticed and hopefully selected when they are evaluating and reading apps this fall.</p>
<p>We drove back to Cincinnati later that afternoon and evening with plans to visit two Ohio LAC’s on our way home Tuesday. On Tuesday we headed for Denison University in Granville, Ohio. We found the campus and checked in with Admissions. We were signed up for a tour only as the other option was a tour and interview. DD wanted to kick the tires first as this was a smaller LAC and she wasn’t sure about a 2,000 student sized school. We were curios about an information session and quickly learned that Denison doesn’t conduct the standard “info session”. Each visiting prospective student and family is met by an upperclassmen student guide and each family receives a personal tour that includes the info session as part of the tour narrative. It is very personalized and low key. We toured for about an hour and 15 minutes and finished up back at the Admissions office where both a counselor and the FA staff were available for any questions. The school grounds and facilities are very up to date and clean. The tour was very extensive and included a typical freshmen dorm. Unfortunately, is was about 93 degrees with high humidity on Tuesday and by the time we got to the dorm, we were all very hot and sticky. Guess what? The dorms (other than for a couple of newer senior buildings) are not air conditioned. Just a small fan moving air in the room! That was it for DD. She later said no way without air conditioning! She also thought a 2,000 student campus was too small for her liking. We stopped in town after our tour to use our Whit’s frozen custard coupons provided by Denison and I must say the town of Granville is one of those picture postcard perfect smaller mid-American towns that anyone would be proud to live in and call home. If you are looking for a good LAC in the 2,000 student range, consider taking a look at Denison.</p>
<p>Since she thought Denison was too small, we knew she wouldn’t like Kenyon. We drove through the campus but didn’t get out of the car. It’s beautiful but even smaller and more remote. No thanks - not for this D.</p>
<p>This turned into more of a detailed review. Sorry for the long post. If you have any questions about either Vandy or Denison, please post them or send me a PM.</p>
<p>thanks for such a great description AvonHSdad—my s and I were at the same Prevue day at Vanderbilt and I echo your sentiments! I thought the dean who presented was great, he spoke as a professor and a parent,which is always valuable. I learned about their first year experience which sounds like a smart way to keep freshman in a learning community. The student panel was super, very open and informative, such bright and enthusiastic young people.</p>
<p>My s also loved Vanderbilt and while I flew home that evening he stayed to meet a friend who was there taking a summer program and stay with another friend who lives in Nashville. My s is thinking ED2 for Vandy at this point.</p>
<p>We just returned from a couple of days on the CA coast visiting UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly SLO. DS 14 loved both campuses. Main selling point? The glorious weather, mountains, and beach. We had excellent tour guides who clearly love their colleges. They were quite well informed and effectively handled the typically “prickly” questions (about partying… graduating in 4 years… getting all your classes…) with grace and fairness. DS doesn’t have that top of the list dream school. He seems eager to apply to 4 or 5 schools, any of which he would happily attend. Now he needs to hone in on his preferred major…</p>
<p>MinnyMom, we were at Cal Poly this past week too, and as a CA resident, I can say that the gorgeous weather this week is pretty typical! It was clearly a big selling point for both our guides, who were students originally from Wisconsin and Colorado. We had a great tour too, and it is definitely a top choice for my daughter (in big part because of the in-state tuition)…if only she can get in. I was also quite impressed with the city of San Luis Obispo, with its nice mix of local shops and useful chain stores and lots of great restaurants.</p>
<p>Lindz & Avondad …</p>
<p>We’re leaving tomorrow for Vandy’s PreVU day on Monday. (We visited last Oct - DD14 wants to double-check her love for it before ED rolls around.)</p>
<p>Quick question … I see on the schedule there’s a campus organization fair from 8-8:30a - true/not true? </p>
<p>If so … what organizations were represented? (If you can remember!)</p>
<p>GoldenWest- we are also Cali residents, but as residents of the Sacramento Valley we have more extreme weather- rain , fog, and frost in winter and high temperatures in Summer. Coastal weather is more moderate and pleasant. Admissions at Cal Poly is hard to gauge… Wishing our families luck!</p>
<p>KaKaMom–I remember you were also going and your d’s interest in ED! yes the fair was well organized, probably 12-15 tables with different representatives, there was a career services group, religious organizations, financial aid, who also presented along with admissions at the formal presentation. </p>
<p>We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, and took the hotel’s free shuttle to Vandy, they were great, dropped us at the Student life bldg, so we got there at 8 for the fair. (we didn’t do a rental car) I’m sure if your d already liked Vandy she’ll really appreciate PreVue day. Enjoy!</p>
<p>Minnymom, I will be more in your neck of the woods next week as we are going to tour Davis. I am determined to have my D take a look at some CA campuses that she is not already familiar with! Cal Poly has gotten extremely competitive. At least she is not interested in engineering, but it will still be a reach. It is a little daunting that the admissions decisions at the state schools are made without an essay, personal statement or anything!</p>
<p>Love hearing about these college visits! I would love to go to Nashville and see Vandy! Hoping that we can do a Southern tour some time in the fall. </p>
<p>I’ve spent some time this week making file folders for the schools go2girl is interested in, checking dates and especially merit opportunities. Looks like the earliest application will have to be in by October 15th to be considered for a fairly competitive scholarship.</p>
<p>Just looked at University of Notre Dame’s supplemental questions were just posted. Go2girl is actually looking forward to the essay writing and surprised me yesterday with a draft of an essay that has potential to be either a common app essay or focused on one of her favorite EC’s. The Muse definitely visited and I was happy to see that she was willing to share it with me. </p>
<p>Her best friend just arrived after visitng 13 schools on the East Coast. It was interesting to hear her take on admission tours and where she “felt at home.” I’m excited to think that a month from how we’ll be headed on our road trip to California. Loved hearing about my hubby’s alma mater - SLO – we are looking forward to seeing it again with fresh eyes!</p>
<p>lindz … </p>
<p>I’m glad you had a great time! We’re staying at the Holiday Inn on West End so we’ll just walk on over in the morning. </p>
<p>The weather looks like it may storm on Monday … I actually hope it does! Maybe it’ll clear out some of the heat! :)</p>
<p>KaMaMom - I sent you my response via PM but am also posting here for the benefit of the other parents on this thread. Enjoy your visit to Nashville and the PreVU program. We stayed at the Hampton Inn / Vanderbilt which is right on West End Avenue by 21st Street. There are several local restaurants both on Broadway to the south a block and along West End opposite the campus. All are easy walking distance from most of the local hotels. Downtown is only a couple of miles east on Broadway (5 - 10 minutes depending on lights and time of day).</p>
<p>We missed that part of the program (The fair.). The schedule we received indicated registration from 730 to 830. We arrived on the parking shuttle about 815 with several other families. It appears they started around 8 and the fair was prior to that. There were stations set up with names of groups such as study abroad and financial aid. These were probably staffed up until around 8 or so. I recommend getting there earlier than the end of the registration period. If there were any glitches in there planning, this was it and I do not feel that we missed anything that wasn’t discussed during the sessions ar available online or in one of the Q & A’s.</p>
<p>I had one question that wasn’t answered due to lack of time for all the parent audience questions. The Director of Admissions indicated that they took about 600 ED out of about 3500 apps and the remaining 1000 - 1100 accepted students come from the other 26,000+ apps in the RD round. He did mention ED1 and ED2 but didn’t indicate if there was any statistical advangae to applying ED1 over ED2. There definately appears to be an advantage to ED over RD. They also indicated that they take the last 100 of so spots from their waitlist as their final class size is 1600. Also, they do not defer from ED to RD. You are either accepted ED or you are rejected. This allows you to pursue other college options, as he put it.</p>
<p>Enjoy your day in Nashville. I hope you find the program as worthwhile as we did.</p>
<p>AvonHSdad—I asked that question of the admissions director after the presentation, he indicated that ED1 has a higher admit rate than ED2, but did not indicate the percentages. I thought he stated (after the presentation)that the ED admit rate (1 and 2 combined) was approximately 22% last year. </p>
<p>There is a thread on cc noting the ED1 and ED2 distinction as well.</p>
<p>GoldenWest- I agree that Cal Poly admissions are in need of change. It is really in a different class than the CSU’s. My older son was rejected from Cdl Poly SLO for Mechanical Engineering 3 years ago and is a Dean’s List student at USC today. A more holistic application certainly worked to his advantage. Davis is a great college town. If you visit this summer, be ready for the heat!</p>