@Dolemite “I still don’t buy that not filling out the FAFSA is going to have a negative impact on Admissions. They may imply that just to get you to do it because they want that data.”
I agree the colleges are implying they need the information because they want the data. I was surprised to learn that colleges would even be asking families to fill out any financial documentation at all before they have even provided a decision. I was surprised during the online presentation that merit was listed under the financial aid documentation because a family’s finances should have no bearing on merit aid. I don’t know enough about the process to know whether the colleges are using any of this information at need-blind schools but I still stand by my opinion that I would reply to any non-generic email and let the school know I don’t qualify for aid, won’t be seeking any aid and will not be filling out the FAFSA. Resolves any questions.
@Ynotgo I’m interested in any info on ucsb! We are anxiously awaiting UC decisions for both D17 and her BF. I’m trying to convince them ucsb and cp slo are totally doable if he doesn’t get in at slo and she doesn’t get it at ucsb. She could get in there, I know kids with her stats from last year that were accepted, waitlisted and denied, so it’s a toss up. I think he’ll definitely be accepted there.
As for senior parents, we have no info meetings at all. We have to hope our kids tell us what’s going on.
Hello! I’m pretty new to this page, but congrats to so many kids on great acceptances! We got good news today–my D got an Early Write to Smith, with a personal note. Very exciting! She’s 4/4 now, but Smith is one of her top choices so this was the first letter that brought he happy tears pouring down! We will see if she’s able to get some (enough?) merit money to make it possible. So now we wait on 8 other acceptances, all at the end of March. This waiting is rough!
Yeah, but @thermom, our FB group doesn’t require you to participate in your public FB feed if you are finding it irritating and stressful this past month or so…
@socalmom007 The main news I got is that most of the Regent’s letters for UCSB are ready in boxes waiting to be mailed sometime next week. Also, College of Creative Studies (CCS) decisions for people who submitted on time should also be ready by March 21 with the rest of the decisions.
Regarding commuting, we have friends who are married and have commuted between SB and SLO on weekends for years–like 10+ years. They are odd that way, but it works for them.
In MD and VA, most HS graduates tend to go to the state publics because there are several in each state and they range in selectivity, majors offered, and acceptance rates. The instate costs are not too bad for the cost of living the area, and at least in MD, several offer merit scholarships for students with high GPAs and SAT/ACT scores.
@socalmom007 My son has taken a couple CS classes at UCSB and has enjoyed/is enjoying them. (Also, took linear algebra there, and it was a good enough class, but huge for lectures.)
The classes with big lectures all have sections or labs with fewer students. Sections are led by grad students. So far that has been OK for DS, but class size will also be a consideration for him once he has acceptances in.
@socalmom007 We like the engineering there because it’s been more hands on than expected and the class sizes in the major aren’t huge since there are less than 80-90 kids in the major at a grade level. Administration seems friendly too. He’s had an excellent math instructor a couple of quarters and some that have just been OK. Kids are pretty collaborative there and study together - he hasn’t found it cutthroat at all. He has a friend in CS who got an internship with a top Silicon Valley company, so that department must be highly regarded. I think the rigor of the courses is pretty high - good grades are certainly achievable, but it requires hard work.
Awesome to hear, thank you both for the info! Anxiously awaiting the UC decisions, D17 applied to SD, SB, D, I, and SC… the bf applied to B, LA, SD, SB, I and D. I’m not real hot on Irvine, don’t think she’ll get in to San Diego. If she gets into Davis and Santa Barbara those two will be very much in play.
She applied to our state school (not great with financial aid) and cal poly, where she was accepted. It isn’t super expensive. Luckily her older brother got a great scolarship and only pays 4k a year. She has his savings too.
