@4beardolls D had the same problem. She actually had the same problem with non-CA apps as well. She is using Google Docs and Word for final versions. She just made paragraphs by leaving a space in between paragraphs and indenting 10 spaces (to look like a traditional tab).
Just read the mums link. All I can say is that it sounds like the prom-posal thing, where kids ask dates to prom with homemade posters and cakes. I’ve never seen one (cake or poster) electrified, however.
I don’t recall my D having had any formatting issues with essays on the Common app two years ago. There were more problems in the year before her class, though.
My phone is beeping with credit card charging alert now,D is submitting her apps… <:-P
Oh my. DS already has 2 roommate requests at UA… I didn’t fill out much info. I’m guessing that guys aren’t picky. I’m not sure the 2 are matches though. DS really isn’t into sports…
Hopefully with a three day weekend the applications will be getting done
Is the FAFSA EFC per child or the TOTAL that a family is expected to contribute for all children in college?
You are all having very popular children!!! My D is most likely going with her field hockey team mates to the prom…I will keep hoping… 
@CT1417, Yes, I remember living through DS14’s Comm App formatting issues. And I am with you that I thought this year would be all improved.
@itsgettingreal17, it looks like indenting 10 spaces does make it look like a tab on preview. Thanks for the tip.
English writing question: do paragraphs need to be indented even though the online app does not allow indentation?
@4beardolls After spending much time trying to format, we gave up on indentions and went with an extra line space between paragraphs so that it was obvious that a new paragraph was starting. Did this for other apps, though. Haven’t done the common app yet.
Applications update: D has confirmed receipt of all items except the GC-controlled materials. With Oct. 15 deadlines, I’m giving it until Wednesday. Then I’m calling the school. No further essay progress so switching to triage mode. Also decided to have her apply to some local scholarships, so that’s more work.
Homecoming: We live in a big football town. The home games are packed. Many local college kids come to Friday night games (in their letter jackets). And many parents with kids long past high school regularly attend. The town also travels well to out of town games. The town is very proud and supportive of the football team, sometimes a bit too much. D goes to most games. I usually go to all playoff games, some of which are held at the Cowboy’s stadium. The regular season isn’t terribly interesting as our team usually stomps the competition. So they win, win big, and play in a REALLY nice stadium. lol Now you understand why D wants big football in college. :)) (Some who don’t already know will no doubt guess the hs ;)). So homecoming is a big deal. D said some kids rented limos. The mums are colored based on class. I have no idea about King/Queen. I didn’t ask.
@4beardolls My kids have never worried about indenting. They just double space between paragraphs.
@micgeaux The FAFSA EFC really means nothing unless you qualify for Pell. NPCs are where you will find the most relevant info. Unless your kids are attending meet full need schools, multiple kids may make no difference. At meet full needs schools, I have seen reference to 60/60, so 120% vs a 50/50 100% split.
@itsgettingreal17 …I can maybe squander a guess that your school colors have green in them?
Playing a high school football game in a huge nice stadium is one of the perks of living in our area of the state. I think it’s pretty cool. I kind of wish D cared a little bit–it’s kind of fun. I can see not going to every game but at least a few would be nice.
All apps are submitted except one safety (short answers left) and one lottery (all the essays to be written). We are short $495 now but it is very nice to see all “app submitted” green letters in Naviance. All transcripts are sent. All scores are sent. Only things left are LORs and GC stuff. Am emailing GC tomorrow to ask for time line for those.
In theory, D should start receiving account ID/login info from schools soon right?
All of these housing deposits! I have a question (and apologies in advance for it perhaps being self evident).
I can understand reserving housing to preserve a spot if spots are at a premium or for preferred locations or other reasons. To do that I’d expect to pay a deposit. However I am unclear if all of these kids doing that have accepted enrollment (and paid that deposit as well) or are somehow able to hold a housing spot without committing.
Aren’t you only supposed to enroll at one school? I have seen some sites where they expressly state that the acceptance may be rescinded if hey find out you have multiple enrollment deposits out there.
This obviously isn’t an issue for us yet but our older 2 were kind of one and done so this is all new!
@micgeaux it’s a little of both. If you’ve listed one kid in college, it’s a a per kid answer. If you’ve listed multiples, the number will adjust but it will not always be a 50/50 (or divide by 3, etc) split and varies by school. As @Mom2aphysicsgeek mentions, it may not mean a thing. At public schools it will likely not matter an iota. At some privates, the more than 1 kid thing can help and will help most at “meets full needs” schools. It may not change the offer but may change the type of loan that is offered. So in our case, having 2 kids in college helps a little at I think 3 out of our 7 schools and not at all at the others. Run the NPC’s on all your schools to get an idea. You can run it with 1 kid, 2, etc to see.
@eandesmom …it’s to preserve a spot at a preferred dorm on campuses where space is at a premium.
I wish we had a magic ball and could see how it was all going to pan out-but for now it is all about preserving choices.
Bot UT and A&M make it clear they do not have room for all freshman on campus–the earlier the better at least holds a spot. We have friends whose kids are living off campus because they didn’t decide until January.
Alabama–D wants a suite style dorm if possible and I don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute.
Those mums are hilarious, and so very Texas-like. The girls need bigger hair though to balance them out. Ha. When I was at A&M in the '80s, guys gave girls mums when taking them to football games, but the ones I saw were just 2-3 flowers and a few ribbons.
I never understood why a flower like a mum would be preferred over something pretty like an orchid. But, I live where there are orchid farms.
Mums do make a nice chrysanthemum tea, which I always ask for at Chinese restaurants because it’s decaf.
Ouch on the flooding and floor deductible @carachel2 – you could get 6 deluxe mums for that price!
@carachel2 so no one worries about other schools knowing you have a deposit at more than one school and they expect withdrawals or cancellations?
A bunch of enrollment + housing deposits seem like they could add up really fast.
@eandesmom … I haven’t been worried! These are large state flagships. I don’t think they care. Do schools check on these things?
DS13 deposited at UA and ended up at Georgia Tech. I really don’t think the state schools care…
Plus people know they are accepted at UA but at a lot of schools you won’t know until at least December.
Arggh. Application dilemma. Need advice.
We were just going to submit some apps, but I opened the mail and my son has been nominated for national business honors society. He has to write a 2-3 page essay and submit it. Acceptance by 3rd week in October.
He has deadlines due Nov1. He was going to submit his applications without this, but now maybe this is somewhat worth it to add. He doesn’t have any academic awards, so this would be something to add to that part of his application. Plus he is shooting for business schools, it sort of makes sense to add it.
So, should he
A) wait until Oct 25th to submit apps.
b) Mention it, and hope he gets in. ( i’ve heard it’s basically a slam dunk unless he doesn’t the essay)
c) submit apps today, and then later contact admissions people with an email showing acceptance.
I’m leaning towards C.
In 3 of the 5 apps, I don’t think it’s going to add anything to really help him. Those 3 are safeties and he should get into their biz schools regardless. The other 2 are pretty competitive programs and I’d say he is 50/50 to get in, although our naviance data puts him in the good green zone.
Thanks for suggestions.