Parents of the HS Class of 2017 (Part 1)

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
27821

a bit late to the discussion, but our experience very much aligns with @dfbdfb is saying regarding the real world vs the CC bubble.

at our average public high school, probably half of the graduating class of 528 kids goes on to college in some shape or form. of that half, the VAST majority is split pretty evenly by half headed in one direction to the community college and the other half going the other way to the closest commutable state U…regardless of “fit”. we have a tiny slice of outliers–i’ve said before that i think we have roughly 12 or so that head to state flagship, a small amount of non-spectator sport kids go where they are recruited, a few who go elsewhere in state/right over state lines and even a smaller amount who go OOS from there (and afaik, exactly *none *who head south to the big merit places!).

its a pretty most-of-america typical experience. so much so that when we first met with the GC to discuss college plans he started his canned speech with the community college path…because thats what most people want to know.

our world in no way reflects most of what is discussed here on CC.

27822

@SincererLove If a student possesses the qualities of a diamond including the resilience and cutting edge sharpness, strength, etc. and uses those to forge their own path forward, probably yes. But, in thinking about your analogy, I guess the real answer is probably more along the lines of it depends so much on the individual “diamond.”

If they are simply brilliant, go to class, and expect someone else to find them and then help them find and clear their path forward, probably not. I think self-starter character traits and internal motivation are possibly the largest factors in success for students who make anywhere they land “fit” at an exceptional level.

Students who want hand-holding type guidance and directions on how to find their path forward are probably more dependent on their environment than those who will go out and seek what it is they want or are willing to work to create the opportunity if doesn’t already exist. (I am thinking about my adult kids and their real life adult worlds. Their adult worlds and jobs really do reflect their personalities.)

I would want to make sure a school is affordable from the get-go. Entering with a plan of hopefully finding an affordable path for later yrs is going to be stressful, debt-driven, and possibly even force the student to drop out or transfer.

Your question goes back to the very heart of affordability vs. prestige. Every family needs to make their own choice, but where kids go to UG is just not the end-all-be-all that many CC posters make it out to be. Financial disaster is not the best foundation for future career success.

27823

@vandyeyes & @fishinglines29 beautifully stated. Those were my exact feelings when I wrote ED was anti-climatic. Thank you for articulating! Even something therapeutic about the experience… mentally inserted DS’s info.

@kac425 Thank you for the healthy dose of reality

27824

Just noticed that this thread has over 1 million hits. Wow.

Should we celebrate? <:-P

27825

@educationfan my son is graduating um this spring. at admitted students day, one of the deans said something like “if you’re oos, don’t call our office looking for merit or aid. I can’t tell you how many calls we get from ny, ct, ma parents looking for money. Go home, send a check or move on.”

I found his rant offputting/insensitive but convinced we were going to be full pay. I don’t believe your son can establish residency. having said that, not sure how you concluded the school is the same cost as an ivy.

27826

@stem2017 =D> =D> =D>

@CA1543 How did your DS’s overnight at GaTech go?

27827

Well, after recovering from the insane portion of our trip (I drove over 2000 miles in 4 days. I won’t ever do anything like that again) and sleeping on it, I think Dd has ruled out OK.

One piece of information we didn’t understand until our last appt was how their study abroad works with their NM scholarships. Since their scholarship is a tuition waiver not a tuition scholarship, that actually makes a big difference. Study abroad partner programs where you pay your home institution’s tuition would be covered by the tuition waiver scholarship, but affiliate programs where you pay the program directly would not be covered at all.

After talking to her more about her impression of the class she sat in on, she was actually disappointed by the class. Too long of an explanation, but I respect what she perceived. Since I don’t know any French, it all went over my head.

27828

@Mom2aphysicsgeek D discovered that tuition waver/study abroad problem this fall. Since multiple SA periods are essential to her college plan (and mandatory for a Critical Language Flagship program), she moved OU to the bottom of her list.

27829

So we’ve heard from Brandeis and Cal poly SLO (big price difference, but big differences in these Univ.s, as many of you all probably know), and are awaiting March decisions for four UC (Calif.) campuses, Lewis&Clark, and a couple reaches. And btw, you all are amazing, with all those EDs and college trips!

27830

@Mom2aphysicsgeek Down to two schools then? Very interesting re: study abroad. Since my D won’t be studying abroad during the school year, we’ve never asked that question.

27831

@curiositycat333 Congrats on the CU Boulder acceptance!

27832

@itsgettingreal17 Yes, it really makes a huge difference. OK scholarships even cover summer tuition, so partner program’s tuition would be covered. But, the Russian prof told her that she would need to do an affiliate abroad program bc their Russian abroad program was weak. That means that the NM scholarship wouldn’t cover any portion.

OK did have a program that she found very interesting, International Development. But, after reading it, she thinks she will have enough freedom in schedule due to incoming credits that she could essentially create her own development focus through electives. She has spent a lot of time researching this idea and thinking about trying to start a CRS Ambassador program on whatever campus she ends up on.

One thing that OK does have that is a HUGE perk for those interested in foreign service is an on campus Diplomat in Residence. He covers 5 different states, but his office is in the IR building and he is completely accessible to students.

27833

QOTD: Where to send the March 1 NMF first choice designation

As much information as exists out there, I am still somewhat confused about what to do about having D’17 designate a first choice NMF school. As big MAC chasers, we would like to use the first choice designation as a signal that might help her in any remaining scholarship competitions and admission decisions. I think I’ve laid out her results piecemeal before, but here is where she stands:

Admitted to BC, EFC is too high, NMF doesn’t add anything relevant, NFW ( no fiscal way.)
Admitted to UW-Madison, No scholarship, no sign that she would be a stamps competitor, NFW
Admitted to Pitt, a merit scholarship, but probably not enough to be relevant, probably out of consideration. Just barely affordable, but there is little margin of error. Would probably mean significant debt for grad school.

Applied to Wash U in St. L. Applied for an up to full tuition scholarship, results of which are “expected” any day now. Informing counselor of NMF status. NFW without the scholarship.
Applied to Vanderbilt, applied for Cornelius Vanderbilt scholarship, extra funds available to NMF. Informed counselor. This is probably D’s 1st choice, but the only way it is feasible is with the CV scholarship. Is this the school to indicate as first choice?
Applied to Boston University. Applied for Trustee Scholarship. NMF get 20,000 scholarship, but alas that is not enough. The deadline for the 20K is March 1. Th only way that this school is feasible is if she wins Trustee Scholarship. Is this the place to indicate as first choice?

Admitted to U Ky, selected as a finalist for Singletary and probably automatic Patterson. Doesn’t seem to have a March 1 deadline. Don’t think she needs to indicate first by 1-March, but don’t want to screw anything up as this is the financial safety.
Admitted to SLU, selected as a finalist for full tuition, interview completed, scholarship decision is due 10-March. Informed counselor of NMF. Decision will be made by committee after 1-March. About 7% of finalists will be selected for full tuition. Do we send the first choice here to help scholarship competition consideration?
Admitted to USC(al), finalist for full tuition, interview is pending, decision date is unknown. Informed counselor of NMF status. Decision will be made by committee after 1-March. Depending on the thread, 40-50% of finalists will get the scholarship for which they interview. Do we send the first choice here to help scholarship competition consideration?

Sorry if this is too detailed or personal, I was just seeking the wisdom of the hive mind here. I don’t to make a big mistake here.

27834

@Dave_N Are you overthinking this? I’ve never heard of an NMF #1 designation helping with a competitive scholarship competition. What has the collective wisdom of CC said about this? Would it make sense to use the NMF choice for a school that offers competitive NMF money?

27835

@Mom2aphysicsgeek, thank you for that info on OU. It is one of S’s top picks and he has not expressed that much interest in study abroad (CS major), but we will ask that question when we visit next week.

@Dave_N, I do not think that the schools see the first choice on the NMC website (anyone who is in the know, please pipe in here!), so I don’t think you gain anything by designating early. I think your best bet is to do what you’re doing and let the school know directly that you DC was designated a finalist and that their school is your top choice. We are waiting for S to make up his mind and don’t want to designate a school, have them offer him a scholarship, and then have him change his mind and not get the scholarship at the other school. That would hurt!

27836

no wisdom to offer @Dave_N but sure did get a chuckle out of NFW!

27837

Me, too!

27838

@itsgettingreal17, it is completely possible and very likely that I am overthinking this. This is the kind of overthinking I use CC for so that I don’t stress D’17 by discussing this with her.

@mtrosemom, what I understand from other threads is that if D designates a school as first choice by March 1, that school alone will receive a report of the designation.

And finally, in the BU threads, I have seen the March 1 deadline for designating the school as first choice. I haven’t seen any other schools with deadlines this early.

And yes, I know that D’17 can change from her currently undecided to a school and then change again by May 1.

27839

@Dave_N I don’t have any wisdom about the NMF question but thanks for the chuckle NFW is my go to with a lot of these schools. Just wanted to add that my oldest daughter won the Trustee scholarship 2 years ago ( insert Yippee) She only found out when she checked her BU student site…no email or call so make sure you look at the financial aid area when you receive acceptance. GOOD LUCK

27840

@cubanmom3 - Do you know when BU updated Trustee scholarship info?