<p>overtheedgemom and agent99, I love those stories. :)</p>
<p>onlyonemom, is your nephew waiting for “reasonable” schools or lotteries?
1dilecon they just instituted the same thing here; in fact I wonder if “here” and “there” are the same “here” 
2016Barnardmom, I’m sort of thinking the same although S really isn’t interested in anywhere he didn’t send an app…He did sound pretty upbeat about schools 2 & 3 on his list last night. That is good news, although I hope not an issue…Just ordered his graduation announcements. Send him a sad face by text. He replied with a giant happy face. I do not like these kids growing up and escaping from the nest. :(</p>
<p>We’ve long discussed personal finance with our kids, starting when they were young. As soon as they could grasp the concept of percentages we talked about interest and compounding. We discuss our retirement plans and they know approximately how much we have (so they know how much they need to save to retire comfortably). We show them all the statements for their college savings and talk about how we got there. We could have bought DS a car but instead made him buy his own. He is responsible for everything about the car – gas, insurance, repairs, registration, etc. He truly understands how far (or how little) his earnings go!</p>
<p>Personal finance is a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2015 so DS did not have to take it, but DD18 will. Of course, since DS attends a STEM high school, they deviate from the standard course and put their own spin on it since these are math-savvy kids. DS’s school requires two courses:</p>
<p>Mathematics of Finance: Students will use current, real world examples and data to investigate the formulas and create mathematical models for financial situations. Students will derive formulas for compound interest, annuities, amortization, inflation, purchasing value, real rate of return, effective rate of return, critical interest rate, yield to maturity, and other quantities.</p>
<p>Economics and Personal Finance: Students learn how economies and markets operate and how the United States’ economy is interconnected with the global economy. On a personal level, students learn that their own human capital (knowledge and skills) is their most valuable resource.</p>
<p>@89wahoo - could be! Sounds like you have done a wonderful job of raising your S - you hate to see him leave, and he is confident and excited to begin the next phase of his life! Strange thought to think there’ll be one less plate to set at the table in about 5 months. I waver between being teary-eyed and being excited for all the opportunities that await her.</p>
<p>What a lovely bunch of parents we have here!
@agentninetynine-Thank you so much for your advice for my flu symptoms. I did a long hot shower, Tylenol and in bed. Sleep, sleep, sleep… have been fever free since about 11 last night. Very tired, but headache is gone. I will sleep and rest, drink fluids all day and hopefully be ready to present at my half day conference tomorrow. Thank you for your care and concern.</p>
<p>@2016bernardmom- I am sorry about the “redirection”. Don’t second guess the number of schools S applied to- those schools were chosen for the right reasons- and he will only attend one after all.</p>
<p>@Mrs.Pepper- Congrats on S acceptance!</p>
<p>S14 is taking AP Econ… it is so theory heavy. I think he would get more practical economics in a Personal Finance class.</p>
<p>Glad you’re on the mend @Minnymom!</p>
<p>I have a question for all of you - Spygirl received an invitation to an accepted students reception to meet other prospectives from our area and to meet with a financial aid representative. Is this something a parent should tag along with or is this a student only event?</p>
<p>@89wahoo’s comment about grad invites made me wonder, when do you send out announcements? Literally after graduation? For those of who you have been through a graduation or two, any thoughts or recommendations? </p>
<p>Also, are you giving your grad(s) a gift?</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. You are all so kind but it really is so random. It really sounds like everyone has great choices and they can only go to one place. Almost every kid I know from last year ended up loving their school. Ironically the ones that changed gears mid-year were the ones that were so psyched on their choices and couldn’t wait to get there. It will work out and if it doesn’t they transfer, right? </p>
<p>In our experience more apps has meant more headaches. But after hearing about some of the awesome merit scholarships your kids have been getting I am thinking- why didn’t we look into more schools? Ha.</p>
<p>What is everyone waiting for tonight? UCLA? Glad we are not in that bunch. Sending good thoughts your way. Waiting for results on line is so much more stressful than the mailbox for me! Thanks for all of your help through this process!</p>
<p>We sent them out the beginning of June. We also do a big grad party with the other kids in the neighborhood, so my feeling is that, and a four-year degree without loans, is their present. They seem to be completely ok with it. Of course there are always the kids who get crazy presents or, more often around here, insanely (to me) expensive vacations as “graduation presents”. I would love to be able to take everyone to Europe for a few weeks, but sadly, food and shelter- and their education- comes first. I just join them in the Land of Envy.</p>
<p>Re: graduation announcements……I have been wondering the same. Other than sending to grandparents, I can’t figure out who would want to see them. I can’t decide if it would appear to be a request for a grad gift? This is my first time through, so welcome any input.</p>
<p>As to gift….ummm….is it not enough that we are paying for college? Kidding, kind of….I think this would be easier with a girl b/c then you could purchase a necklace or something as a keepsake. I can’t think of anything my son would want. Of course, we will need to outfit him with winter boots and gloves and other things he has lived w/o in CT where he has managed to wear a hoodie in lieu of a winter coat for these past several years. He has not really thought of the reality of a fifteen minute walk to class through the snow.</p>
<p>What have veteran parents given as grad gifts?</p>
<p>Agent99–no idea about the reception–sorry!</p>
<p>@Mrspepper
Yup, we’re waiting for UCLA tonight. Hopefully, their server can handle the load (86,000+ freshmen applicants. Highest in the nation).</p>
<p>My D is a UCLA Regents scholarship invitee but until you see the “Congratulations”, you’ll never know. It’s her top UC (not Berkeley) so hopefully she will get in.</p>
<p>@minnymom - Glad to hear you are feeling better! I hope all goes well at your conference tomorrow. D is taking AP micro as well and I agree that she would be better served by a course in Personal Finance. H and I have often discussed the need for a Personal Finance course in HS. We are both constantly amazed at the number of people (including those that are well educated) that have little understanding of taxes, retirement and loans.</p>
<p>@89Wahoo - It may depend on how your announcements are worded, but with my S we sent them out a week before graduation. </p>
<p>@Agent99 - I recently attended an accepted students event with D where parents were present. It was hosted by alumni, however, so that may make a difference. You might call the admissions office and ask what is standard practice. Although if it involves a discussion of FA, perhaps you should attend 
</p>
<p>I ordered the smallest batch of announcements possible (10). I will send to grandparents, aunts & uncles, godparents – basically those who will keep it as a keepsake. </p>
<p>Have not thought of a graduation gift yet and will need to discuss with DH. It won’t be a vacation since DS will be working and then will likely have to report early to campus for his sport. We paid for his beach week rental as a birthday present so not sure what else to do for graduation. Cash will always work of course but we need to mull it over.</p>
<p>One more thought about NU – DS sent a text that only 3 kids from his school were accepted, all of whom applied early. Those numbers are down by half from 2013 acceptances. Interestingly, 2013 numbers were down by half from 2012 so I see a trend here. I guess next year they will admit 1.5 students from our HS!</p>
<p>Good luck to all still waiting!</p>
<p>Re: graduation announcements. We’ll have a party/reception the day before graduation (graduation itself is on a Monday). Invitations will go out about a month in advance. I really need to get going on that.</p>
<p>Gifts? We’ll give d’14 what we gave d’11, enough cash for a low end laptop and we’ll promise not to raid the cards she’ll get at her reception. </p>
<p>Wow! Congrats to all on the amazing scholarships and acceptances. </p>
<p>Condolences to those “redirected.” It is tough. My D’04 was a super high stats kid with amazing EC and was rejected from one reach and wait listed at the other. She was well within their top 25% stats, too. She did have other great options and has totally thrived since then. My S’14 didn’t even try for a reach. All his apps were for match or safeties with rolling admissions, so no suspense here. </p>
<p>As far as grad gifts, we told both our kids (in jest, actually) that we would get them a car if they got a complete full ride. D’04 pulled it off, so we got her a car, which was still a lot cheaper than college! S14 is trying to convince me that “full tuition = full ride” and I disagree, so he will probably get a computer. Neither kid had their own car nor their own computer during high school, though they had access to both as needed. </p>
<p>Hope you have fun on the SS Indecision! I will be there serving drinks! I make a mean Irish Coffee, so look for me to man bar during the brunch and after dinner hours!</p>
<p>@Mrspepper - waiting on Rice tonight. Visited a ton of schools, but Rice was a late addition, and is one of the two we didn’t see. Reminds me of WUSTL which my D loved. Not getting our hopes up for Rice or any of the four others she’ll hear from next week, as they are all reaches. It would be wonderful to get a few more “Accepted”, but she has 3 to choose from now (assuming and hoping she receives sufficient FA from one of them), and I am very grateful for that.</p>
<p>Is it tacky to include Val/Sal on the graduation announcement? We’ll just probably send it to relatives and close family friends.</p>
<p>For gifts? Nothing from us. Our gift to her is we’re sending her to college. Although, we’re planning a trip to Europe or Canada in the summer.</p>
<p>This thread is blowing up…I cant seem to stay on top of things. Congrats to the recently accepted and I am sorry for those who havent received good news. Son was deferred (which means no) from his ED school, so we know how that stings.</p>
<p>I didnt order announcements, thinking they seem like they are for begging. Maybe I am wrong?</p>
<p>As far as a graduation gift…not really. Son’s birthday was this month and we bought him a macbook pro for college. We told him this was his birthday/graduation gift. He seemed fine. :)</p>
<p>Was wondering…when should we expect financial info from the schools? This is our first (and only) rodeo, and we arent too clear on this timeline. Would like to have all the info before sending in a deposit.</p>
<p>I thought I had a handle on my emotions regarding son leaving home in five months (but who’s counting?). But I was in the middle of a conversation this morning about how fleeting time is when I burst into tears. I was mortified. </p>
<p>@2018dad. I would definitely include val/sal on announcements. I would be thrilled to know if a relative or close friend achieved such an honor. </p>
<p>We didn’t order announcement through her school as well. Their annoucement is too impersonal. We’ll order some from a third party vendor, customized to her liking.</p>
<p>Re grad gifts - I plan to give D $500 in the form of a shopping trip to get stuff for her dorm and/or a computer and/or clothes for college - however she wants to use it. I figure she’ll need all that stuff anyway - this way she’ll be sort of aware of how much it all costs. Any other grad gifts she gets can go in the same pot.</p>