<p>Condolences on the NU misses. My husband and I are still upset our school didn’t accept our S. Turns out he’s gravitated more to a major it doesn’t have anyway. He’s fine but we too are rethinking our alumni contributions. Say goodbye to that building we would have built (haha).</p>
<p>Meanwhile, we have now heard from all but one of his schools, and he’s gotten accepted everywhere else. He’s been putting off thinking about his choices but has no excuses now. We can only get to two accepted students days, unfortunately.</p>
<p>A friend’s D applied to one safety and a bunch of reaches. She’s starting to get rejections and it really hurts. She’s a super candidate so I hope she hits the lottery. We wonder if we should have tried more reaches. Our S has no regrets, though.</p>
<p>Sorry about the NU news, in a way its good they are so busy and involved with activities away from home, takes the edge off. It does seem to be harder for us as parents to move on, but they end up just fine! </p>
<p>S got a nod, somehow. Wish we knew everything by now and could move onto the decision stage.
Congrats @4beardolls on a productive visit. That must feel great!</p>
<p>Envious of everyone’s ability to make the school visits-with a production, spring sport and music competitions in April, it is going to be nearly impossible for us. Too many coaches, teachers and ensemble members counting on him. Should have planned this out better but he is so reluctant to drop anything and ending his senior year by continuing his involvement is really important to him. I think he is realizing it is all coming to an end so he wants to make the most of it. Sometimes (often) I wish he would give himself a break, but I am proud of his dedication and sense of responsibility. As a little freshman he assured me he would never get senioritis, which made me chuckle. Now as his classmates’ enthusiasm is (understandably) rapidly waning, he is still plugging along, as promised.</p>
<p>Btw-one of S’s friends graduated last year. He didn’t get into NU. But he is happily at home at Harvard this year…
I’ve heard lots of theories, but those things still confound me.</p>
<p>I’ve given up on trying to figure out admissions. I’ve told the story here before of a friend of my DS’s who graduated last year – rejected at UVA, CMU, etc. but in at Dartmouth and now happy as a clam there. Kids with seemingly perfect credentials who had to “settle” for somewhere other than their dream school. Rejection and disappointment occurs frequently at DS’s school, where so many reach for the stars. Just hammers home the importance of those safeties and matches, and for our family, the psychological relief that rolling admissions and EA gave.</p>
<p>The initial “no” stings, no doubt about it. But these kids are resilient and have lots of choices. DS was very matter of fact about it. I think it was easier for him because he DIDN’T have perfect credentials. Was he qualified to be admitted to NU? Sure. But he was one of tens of thousands of kids in the RD round with similar stats, and if Naviance stats hold true, one of approximately 50 from his HS to apply. The odds were never in his favor.</p>
<p>So he will go where he is wanted, and I’m sure he will thrive and succeed. This is a kid who was cut from the JV team his freshman year, then made varsity as a sophomore and is now captain. He learns from his failures.</p>
<p>DS did joke about needing a new winter coat (his current one is from NU and has a logo) next year though. </p>
<p>I agree with you about EA and rolling apps. Don’t know how anyone could take this process waiting until the end of March for all decisions. Often wonder how nice it would have been to be in the position of applying ED. The relief and subsequent calm of being able to enjoy senior year (minus the apps through xmas break and all of the stress through April) must be a dream. Worked for my nephew but S was not ready and is still working through what he wants. </p>
<p>I’m sorry for those who got disappointing news and congrats @Mrspepper’s son. As long as it isn’t absolutely devastating there is a lot to learn about not always getting everything. And there are a LOT of really smart, impressive kids out there!</p>
<p>I’d have been in that email in about 2 seconds - lol Patience is not my virtue.</p>
<p>Hang in there everyone! The kids will thrive where they’re planted and once the decision is made they will be all about their choice.</p>
<p>@2014novamom You must be proud. It’s true that if my S were a perfect stats kid it would be harder to take rejection. We just feel very lucky he’s strong enough to have so many solid options. Our S16 will have even worse grades and weaker ECs. But he’s the one with the ambition and name brand taste. Expecting he’ll put it together sometime in college. NMF certainly helped my S14, hoping that it will for my S16 – if colleges recognize it can identify underachievers who have yet to bloom. </p>
<p>@mrspepper I’ve suggested to my son that he’s getting senioritis – he actually gets angry and says he has not slacked off at all. It is true – he’s working very hard, despite low motivation. Spring Break can’t come soon enough.</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking a lot about all of you and the waiting. I don’t know if I could handle it. Last night, d signed up for summer orientation and the freshman colloquium she wanted. So many interesting choices. Because she knows now where she’s going, she can get in early and probably get her first or second choice. We’d also be in the same position as @Mrspepper because with track, there’s no time to go visit any place if there were still decisions to make. </p>
<p>By the way, if any of you have started this countdown, it’s just 59 days (less than 2 months) to graduation. </p>
<p>Spring break starts after today here-hooray! (Although if it were a week later we could have done those visits!)
Everyone one we know is going somewhere exotic: Costa Rica, Nevis, Panama, Dominican Republic while we’re going to Indiana! ;)</p>
<p>New to this thread; grateful to see others a bit perplexed with the “admissions” process - I know we sure are! We have 1 S so this is our one and only time for this process and right now it is so stressful I am grateful! Thanks for other parents posting their thoughts - makes me feel better!</p>
<p>@Mrspepper and @4beardolls - Congratulations! Wishing you Spring break sunshine on your trip to Indiana, Mrspepper!</p>
<p>@2014novamom - Love the story about your DS and his friend! Great examples and wonderful reminders of never giving up and they will find their place.</p>
<p>@jonsmom96 - Welcome! There is such a wonderful and supportive group of parents here. I have learned so much from them. It is the perfect place to air your frustrations, disappointments, and celebrations, and share in those of others, as well as find answers to many questions.</p>
<p>Thanks! We have 2 more schools to here from by April 1 then decision time! He had a bit of a sting as well. He has 2 favorites and 1 favorite he was deferred to RD from EA; then this week he found out he was waitlisted. So they are OUT! They tell you no $$$$ for waitlisted and you have to wait until June 1 to hear; they suggest you pay the deposit for your 2nd choice-he was disappointed for a bit; but he received another acceptance this week so that helps. Did anyone else have any instances such as this? I know everyone keeps telling me he’ll end up where he is supposed to but boy the process, stressful!</p>
<p>My D was deferred from one of her top choices. They, too, said she will hear end May/early June. How does that work if you need to commit to other schools by May 1? Do you accept at another school, then rescind your acceptance if you get into a school you were deferred from?</p>
<p>Very good question MAC8993; I thought the same thing. Truth is I sure do NOT get this whole admissions process! You make them stress it out until a specific date - good grief is you know they are a "no’ why not tell them? Also I think I am goofy that I am as stressed and going through it as much (if not more) than he is! - lol!</p>
<p>@Mrs.Pepper, I know what you mean by not having time for college visit, particularly in Sr. year. We did some visits during the past couple of years. When sr. year hit, we did not have anytime and decided that we will just wait until after the acceptance letter and only visit the ones DS is seriously interested. </p>
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