<p>@stacyneil, Wellesley is a reach on my D’s list. also weakest in math, also in IB, also took the spanish subject test, but didn’t shine on it. 
She has taken the ACT with writing to satisfy Wellesley’s requirements, but again…the math may be an issue. For some reason Mount Holyoke hasn’t been on her radar. I’m curious about what your D liked about Mount Holyoke vs Wellesley.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, DS can’t do these self-report applications yet. He won’t know what senior classes he was able to get for another month. He could probably send in a revision but I’m thinking it’s just less hassle to wait.</p>
<p>@wrights1994, I understand that feeling. It is difficult.</p>
<p>@twogirls, sounds like a good plan, please let me know what they tell you. </p>
<p>A friend who’s a semiretired GC in a neighboring town was upset when he heard that D wants to go to Cornell. He says that he knows a number of kids who got in by cheating, that it’s cold and impersonal, and we would be “throwing her to the wolves” by letting her go there :(</p>
<p>@stemfamily, Here in Florida, the weather hasn’t been too bad, just the typical storms. I think the big storm headed on up the coast. Hopefully there won’t be major damage up that way.
Do you have to report your upcoming schedule on the self reporting applications? DO you on the common app? D never gets her official schedule until a couple days before school starts.</p>
<p>I don’t know about the common app but some of the early applications I’ve seen for rolling admission schools ask for the student to list their senior classes. I probably wouldn’t worry too much if I thought it would just be one class different but I’m afraid S’s schedule will be very different than what he signed up for.</p>
<p>If there is a problem, however, we may know as early as a couple weeks from now when someone from the school calls us because they can’t figure out what to do with him (like last year).</p>
<p>@STEMFamily Agreed, entering it now and submitting a revision later could end up being a hassle or cause confusion. </p>
<p>We’re homeschoolers and did have to scramble a bit to get D’s senior course schedule finalized. It’s a scary responsibility sometimes, but has its advantages. And no waiting for the fall for official transcripts! They’re issued by me, and I don’t get a summer vacation :)</p>
<p>@crepes Love the ‘burning outhouse’ fireworks and the story behind them - thanks for thinking of us!</p>
<p>Another late add…</p>
<p>Bopper, D, in NJ, looking at PA/NJ/NY, Psychology (pre-med)
BunHeadMom, D, in MN, looking at Midwest/NE/Mid-Atlantic & SE, Classics Mjr-Biology minor
clubacres, D, in S.C., looking mostly at NE/mid-Atlantic, Art History; Medieval & Renaissance Studies; Theater; Film Studies; History; Literature)
crepes, D, in NY, looking at Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, major undecided but possibly Environmental Science/Biology, possibly a Humanities minor
daisychain, D, in NY, looking mostly at Northeast and Midwest LACs, major undecided but likely something in the humanities/arts
DeFour, D, in Delaware, looking at NE/Mid-Atlantic/Midwest LAC’s with a strong English/Creative Writing program
dustypig, D., in California, looking mostly in California and Oregon
felicita, S, in Midwest, looking everywhere, CS, Chem, Physics
FromMD, D, in MD, looking mostly Mid-Atlantic and NE, bio/premed and/or engineering
giterdone, S, in MN, Midwest and South, Science
GoAskDad, S, in KS, looking in Midwest/Plains/South, Biz major (?) - Spanish or Music minor
Hoosier96, D, IN, Southeast, Southwest, international (Canada) and Midwest; getonotology with emphasis on aging policy
hs2015mom, D in IL, looking mostly midwest and northeast, with a few in the south and one in CA. Math, possible art minor/second major/dual degree
ILMom13579, D, in IL, Midwest, Wildlife Bio / Zoology
Irishmomof2: D, in CT, Northeast/dipping a toe into the midwest. Music Therapy.
Jennie11: D, in KS, looking in South, psychology
Joe2015; S, in NC, looking South and northeast, undecided
KSMom1518: S in KS, looking everywhere, Undecided STEM
LadyArwyn: D in WA, looking mostly in the Northwest and Colorado. Civil engineering with military science (NROTC) and maybe a Mandarin minor.
Mom24boys, S in MD, looking mainly mid-west and Pa or anywhere cold, some kind of social science
Mtrosemom, D in NV, small LAC. Looking in OR, WA, and a few in southeast. Anthropology/archeology
pepper03 D in New England. looking Northeast and VA and NC. Accounting.
planner03 S, NY, wants to stay in NE but still exploring, geoscience
pixleyyy, S, in Oregon, looking mostly western states, Engineering
sally305, D, in WI, looking in Midwest/Plains and possibly South; Dance and undecided second major; no conservatory settings
sbjdorlo S2, in So Cal, looking ?? Maybe So Cal but pretty much everywhere (or nowhere?); Game design? Music? CS? Industrial Design? Product Design? Engineering? Undecided?
shoboemom, D, in Florida, looking mostly in the Southeast, Anthropology (cultural)
Shugmom,D, in New York, looking mostly in NE and Mid-Atlantic states although could be persuaded to consider a little further if the right fit, pre-med with a possible minor in theater
slackerMomd, D in Maryland, looking in PNW, Maryland, Southeast but not Virginia, Biology or Environmental Sciences
STEMFamily, S in NM, looking in East and Midwest, Engineering
suzy100, D in OH, looking east of the Mississippi, humanities/social science + French major or minor
Threesdad: D in NJ, looking at NE/Mid-Atlantic/Midwest LAC’s and University’s, Math & sciences or Economics
tranquil218, D, in NY, looking in NE and Mid-Atlantic, Biochemistry with minors in either Mandarin or Economics
Twogirls, D, in NY, looking in the NE, south, and mid-west
Wolverine86, D2 and S, in MI, looking in the Midwest and Southeast, Psychology (D2), Undecided(S)
Vistajay, D, in LA, looking in Southeast and Northeast, plus maybe WUSTL, pre-med with possible minor in theater.
VSGPeanut101. D, in MD. Everywhere. STEM (physics, chemistry)
wrights1994, S in MI, looking all over the country. CA, to FL to MA and everywhere in between, Finance/Economics
W2BeHome: D, in TX, looking mostly in mid-west, south and northeast; undecided but considering music, theatre, english (possible major/minor combo).</p>
<p>What are you looking for in a living situation at college?</p>
<p>Some universities <em>require</em> freshmen to live on campus. Some provide dorms, but it’s optional. Some contract out for dorm services to private dorm companies nearby. And some simply expect students to find housing in the community.</p>
<p>My daughter doesn’t really care one way or another about dorms, but I think living on campus at least one year is a really good idea. </p>
<p>I also want to know that she has access to 3 pre-paid hot meals a day at a campus cafeteria, rather than having to keep sending her money to eat fast food, or worse, Ramen every meal.</p>
<p>@LadyArwyn , living on-campus as a freshman is a must for our DS. He’s not uber outgoing so he needs the push to interact with others, to hopefully make friends and get involved on campus. By the time sophomore year hits I think he’ll be better prepared to make his own decision on whether to live on or off campus. Most of the schools we’ve visited require freshman to live on campus anyways.</p>
<p>I definitely want DS to be guaranteed housing on campus at least the first year. I have the same concerns about his diet if he had to cook for himself.</p>
<p>No outhouses were harmed in the making of this video. </p>
<p>[X</a> – “Fourth of July”](<a href=“X - 4th of July - YouTube”>X - 4th of July - YouTube)</p>
<p>@STEMFamily, my daughter is also stuck in the Phoenix airport. Her flight is delayed 3 hours so far but she’s been told that the issue is dust storms in Phoenix. I hope your son managed to fly out safely.</p>
<p>@3girls3cats My son said later that it was dust storms also. He has been there now for 6 hours but just texted to say he is on the plane! Is your daughter still hoping to get out tonight? Good luck to her!</p>
<p>Thanks STEMfamily. She is on her way at last. </p>
<p>One more…</p>
<p>Bopper, D, in NJ, looking at PA/NJ/NY, Psychology (pre-med)
BunHeadMom, D, in MN, looking at Midwest/NE/Mid-Atlantic & SE, Classics Mjr-Biology minor
clubacres, D, in S.C., looking mostly at NE/mid-Atlantic, Art History; Medieval & Renaissance Studies; Theater; Film Studies; History; Literature)
crepes, D, in NY, looking at Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, major undecided but possibly Environmental Science/Biology, possibly a Humanities minor
daisychain, D, in NY, looking mostly at Northeast and Midwest LACs, major undecided but likely something in the humanities/arts
DeFour, D, in Delaware, looking at NE/Mid-Atlantic/Midwest LAC’s with a strong English/Creative Writing program
dustypig, D., in California, looking mostly in California and Oregon
felicita, S, in Midwest, looking everywhere, CS, Chem, Physics
FromMD, D, in MD, looking mostly Mid-Atlantic and NE, bio/premed and/or engineering
giterdone, S, in MN, Midwest and South, Science
GoAskDad, S, in KS, looking in Midwest/Plains/South, Biz major (?) - Spanish or Music minor
Hoosier96, D, IN, Southeast, Southwest, international (Canada) and Midwest; getonotology with emphasis on aging policy
hs2015mom, D in IL, looking mostly midwest and northeast, with a few in the south and one in CA. Math, possible art minor/second major/dual degree
ILMom13579, D, in IL, Midwest, Wildlife Bio / Zoology
Irishmomof2: D, in CT, Northeast/dipping a toe into the midwest. Music Therapy.
Jennie11: D, in KS, looking in South, psychology
Joe2015; S, in NC, looking South and northeast, undecided
KSMom1518: S in KS, looking everywhere, Undecided STEM
LadyArwyn: D in WA, looking mostly in the Northwest and Colorado. Civil engineering with military science (NROTC) and maybe a Mandarin minor.
Mom24boys, S in MD, looking mainly mid-west and Pa or anywhere cold, some kind of social science
Mtrosemom, D in NV, small LAC. Looking in OR, WA, and a few in southeast. Anthropology/archeology
pepper03 D in New England. looking Northeast and VA and NC. Accounting.
planner03 S, NY, wants to stay in NE but still exploring, geoscience
pixleyyy, S, in Oregon, looking mostly western states, Engineering
sally305, D, in WI, looking in Midwest/Plains and possibly South; Dance and undecided second major; no conservatory settings
sbjdorlo S2, in So Cal, looking ?? Maybe So Cal but pretty much everywhere (or nowhere?); Game design? Music? CS? Industrial Design? Product Design? Engineering? Undecided?
shoboemom, D, in Florida, looking mostly in the Southeast, Anthropology (cultural)
Shugmom,D, in New York, looking mostly in NE and Mid-Atlantic states although could be persuaded to consider a little further if the right fit, pre-med with a possible minor in theater
slackerMomd, D in Maryland, looking in PNW, Maryland, Southeast but not Virginia, Biology or Environmental Sciences
STEMFamily, S in NM, looking in East and Midwest, Engineering
suzy100, D in OH, looking east of the Mississippi, humanities/social science + French major or minor
Threesdad: D in NJ, looking at NE/Mid-Atlantic/Midwest LAC’s and University’s, Math & sciences or Economics
tranquil218, D, in NY, looking in NE and Mid-Atlantic, Biochemistry with minors in either Mandarin or Economics
Twogirls, D, in NY, looking in the NE, south, and mid-west
VMT, D, NY (upstate), Northeast, Applied math or engineering
Wolverine86, D2 and S, in MI, looking in the Midwest and Southeast, Psychology (D2), Undecided(S)
Vistajay, D, in LA, looking in Southeast and Northeast, plus maybe WUSTL, pre-med with possible minor in theater.
VSGPeanut101. D, in MD. Everywhere. STEM (physics, chemistry)
wrights1994, S in MI, looking all over the country. CA, to FL to MA and everywhere in between, Finance/Economics
W2BeHome: D, in TX, looking mostly in mid-west, south and northeast; undecided but considering music, theatre, english (possible major/minor combo). </p>
<p>Crepes we visited Cornell sophomore year - we went on the tour and my D spent time eating lunch and hanging out with her friend for a bit. She loved it but as soon as we realized that we would probably get little aid we told her that it might not be an option. Since then she has mentioned not applying at all because the intensity makes her nervous ( she is intense enough) but then occasionally asks if she could apply to an Ivy that might give us some aid " just to see what happens." As of today there are no IL on the list. I am still going to call HESC on Monday just to satisfy my curiosity, but I suspect the tuition will be reduced the same as the other SUNYs which will be about $6,000 or so. When we visited Cornell it was so bitterly cold that I was not able to take my face out of my scarf because it was too painful, but I will say that Cornell is absolutely gorgeous. </p>
<p>@shoboemom
Wellesley and MHC (and Smith, for that matter) have really very different “vibes”. There have been a lot of discussions about the differences on this site. For my daughter, I think it came down to a feeling that MHC was a generally more welcoming, supportive, and most importantly collaborative academic environment. Wellesley has a reputation for being more competitive, even cutthroat. My daughter visited both several times and did overnights and sat in on classes (which I HIGHLY recommend to really get a sense of the schools…) She was really inspired by Wellesley and felt that her education there would have been absolutely top-notch, and it jumped way up her list. But she felt really “at home” at MHC. She felt like, “these are my people!” When she was accepted at MHC and waitlisted at Wellesley, she accepted the waitlist spot but after a couple of weeks confided in me that she was a little worried she’d get accepted and be offered a bigger FA package and have to make a difficult choice. Because she really wanted to go to MHC. Honestly, I am glad we did not have to agonize and make that decision!</p>
<p>That is another issue… if your daughter is looking for merit aid, MHC may be a good choice. We are lower income so the need-based aid was paramount (and Wellesley is great with that, though they are both “meets-full-need” schools.) But we heard from many families that their FA packages from Wellesley were terrible, since there was no merit aid. </p>
<p>In the end I think it often comes down to “fit.” I highly encourage you to try to visit the pared-down list when school is back in session, and try to do an overnight and class shadows. My daughter is not a super type A student. She is very passionate about, and works very hard at what interests her, but she is not an across-the-board overachiever. I’m certain she would have found similar types at Wellesley, but there are probably more of the first type. For my daughter, the “fit” was just better at MHC. Perhaps the more intense environment at Wellesley is right for your daughter! It is an AMAZING school.</p>
<p>Happy Independence Day! Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday. Take a step away from the college stress and enjoy the day and weekend just being with family. </p>