Whew! Final app has been submitted. That “Why X College” essay was a bear for D16. Now, she’s turning to researching outside scholarships and is sensing that there will be none as she’s just a BWRK. That’s fine, as her main goal is to be granted free tuition via my workplace benefit. Excellent odds for that (but, don’t count chickens…). She just needs to focus on current HS coursework at this point. Maybe have some Halloween fun. Oh, and visit two nearby colleges for open houses.
My S was an RPI Medal recipient and I thought it was a big deal, then several students of mine got the same scholarship offer, (although not the Medal) so I told S not to list it.
For those of you in California, did your kid get a postcard about being one of the top students in the state and it asked them to sign up for special announcements? Would you consider being recognized by the UC system something to put on the CA?
@mysondad - My S received the postcard too. He didn’t put it on the CA, as it’s sort of redundant with grades and test scores. Everyone who was above some line (I don’t remember what it was) received it, if I remember what the school counselor said. There’s no real benefit, and I’d assume admissions folks would know that it’s just a statistical mark that means that the UCs may pursue students a bit more.
If anyone did put it on the CA, I’d be interested in knowing, too. I don’t think it’d make a difference, but maybe? The whole thing feels like such a crapshoot sometimes…
@mysonsdad I only know about RPI award because my older D got the 15k or whateveraward and it was listed as the first award o the commonapp the last time around. I was under the impression only one person per school was given the designated guaranteed scholarship from RPI as their best STEM student. If they do issue a medal wtihout the guarantee of a scholarship, I am not aware of it. It may not mean much to someone applying for humanities but for someone applying for a STEM field, I believe it might a make difference at some schools to be designated the best coming out of your school.
No UC award info on the CA here. I think my S threw the card out.
@LKnomad you probably will get it later. We didn’t get any card yet, but we are always two weeks behind on receiving UC mailing. Same happened with open house invitation, UC for you email, etc.
Congratulations @dyiu13 ! It must feel really good to have those done. I hope DS and I will join you soon.
One more app and Honors ap to go. Ready for it to be done . DS16 and I went shopping yesterday for interview clothing . To say that DS16 is no fashion icon is a huge understatement . He’s definitely his father’s child.
So envious @diyu13 . Here’s to life returning to normal at everyone’s house so that we can truly enjoy this last year with our children before they begin the next chapter of their lives.
Yes totally envious of being done with applications! Best of luck to all when decisions come back! We hope everyone receives acceptances and with financial packages that make their top school doable! We have another month or so before we are done as each application has multiple supplemental writing questions which D will have to spend time to answer appropriately. Those why X college questions require some definite thought and effort and need to be squeezed in where able.
@LKnomad @Ballerina2016 it came about 2-3 weeks ago, I know your kids would qualify. So far all we have done is signed up to receive email messages. I don’t think it is a big deal if you don’t have it.
On another note, last year S received a tuition paid merit scholarship to our local Cal State. He is filling out the application now and they are asking us to pay the application fee. I guess the $25,000 tuition scholarship is as far as they go, but throwing in the $55 application fee is where they draw the line.
S has four applications yet to do, but he may forego them if he gets good news from one of his EA schools.
We were at a band competition this weekend and right after S’s band finished he got a text about his first interview. It’s for his first choice school and I must say the interviewer appears to be very thorough. She sent him a questionnaire to return (which he did the following morning, resume attached) with several in-depth questions. It was almost another application! I assume that helps her write a thorough interview report though, so no complaints.
Sobering news story about the kids injured at the competition in NC. First thing I wondered about was whether any of our CC band kids were there, and hoping everyone’s okay.
@petrichor11 I hadn’t read about the band injuries. It is very sobering. These types of things never occur to you. I hope the families get all the assistance they need.
I’m so excited for everyone with apps in and done. I have no doubt that we will be that family who is hitting the submit button two seconds before midnight on the due dates. D spent hours yesterday brainstorming and getting intro paragraphs written to a few ideas to see which direction she wants her common app to go. I’m hoping this is a good sign of some forward momentum, but I’m not holding my breath.
@mugglemom Our family is also likely to go down to the wire. The plan is to submit 6 apps this month, and 4 more next month. Is it worth the household drama if I have to push for that to happen? Goal is two apps this week – if that doesn’t happen I will be doubtful that any will be done. S16 has to cut 200 words from his CA essay (or choose the other one, which I haven’t seen since first sketched out) and complete all the other parts of the applications. Not sure how much of that is left to do. Thinking of offering an incentive – a ticket to a Friday concert he would love to go to should he complete those two apps.
@carolinamom2boys - yikes. “Interview clothing”?? Yikes. DS has been in schools with uniforms since first grade, and his non-uniform clothing tends towards shorts and soccer team jerseys. I know that’s not interview-acceptable, but how much formality is expected? Does it depend on the school? I can almost hear the whining if I go so far as to suggest the abomination of a tie.
Help? (My kid is also no fashion icon. Clothes shopping to him is a layer of hell.)
Wouldn’t khakis and a polo shirt work for a teenage boy? I wouldn’t think a suit and tie would be necessary. My S considers clothes shopping the 7th level of hell. Even now as an adult, he goes to one store, buys what he needs and gets out. He could save money going elsewhere but he just wants it over with.
We’re not going to be done with apps anytime soon. Nearly all of D’s schools are rolling admissions. She has two ready to go but for checking them over once more, and will start another 2 soon. Her first EA deadline is Nov. 1, but it’s Dec. 1 for the one she really wants. If she gets good merit there, she’ll stop.
I have a question, though. The two she’ll filling out are very cut and dried-name, address, parents’ name, school, etc. No essays, and no place to list EC’s or achievements. Yet both schools says they admit based on a total package of grades, scores and leadership, involvement in school, etc. How does one show this if not on the application? Is it up to the teachers and GC to cover this? There isn’t even an optional essay!
DS’s only interview was after church so I did not worry about attire. If it is good enough for church it should be good enough for an interview, I say.
We decided on Khakis and a v neck sweater. The first interview is to compete for scholarship money for up to a full ride. My DS16 survives in T shirts and jeans everyday for one. If he’s invited to interview for Honors scholarships , he’ll wear a suit coat and dress pants and a tie. He drew the line with a bow tie. He had to wear it for Jr Marshalls last year so we’re ahead of the game .
@Cheeringsection church attire is very casual at our church
@sseamom - it sounds like those are tailored apps with no fees? I am guessing those are usually ones where the schools have determined that the kids being given those apps are prequalified to be admitted.