DD starts school tomorrow, I can’t believe it’s her final year (she’s our youngest). She decided not to take her Aug. SAT since she’s pretty sure she won’t score higher than she did in January based on lots of practice tests, and her #1 choice requires that all SAT scores be submitted. So, we slowed down on the applications a bit because originally I suggested she apply early, before the Aug. SAT scores were released. I think she’ll be applying to 3-5 colleges at the most.
Department of Education recently came out with a report on the % of HS seniors who applied to college, and it shows that on average kids apply to 3 institutions. https://twitter.com/EdNCES/status/904378706701021186. This made me feel a bit better since DD has no interest in applying even to more than 2 of them, but I’ve suggested she aim for 3-5 in case one offers her a scholarship and she doesn’t get into her top choice.
I think her plan is to pick a few schools from the Coalition App since she’s got to complete that one anyway for her top choice, then she’s got 1 school that doesn’t use Coalition or Common App. She has one school she might consider that’s on the Common App, then possibly her brother’s college. We’ll see - with school and after-school activities ramping up, I wonder how far she’ll get. At least she’s got the background pieces completed on the Coalition App and an almost-ready essay (so she says :)).
Hello. I’m new to CC but learning a lot already. What a wonderful group! My son is only considering 2 schools at this point - Southern IL Univ and Univ of AL Huntsville. He is planning to study engineering, has a 30 ACT but is planning retake in Oct, and will be a NM commended student. I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for other schools that might offer strong scholarships and that he might qualify for. He would like to attend a school in the southeast, if possible, but SIU is close to family so that one’s on the list. Thanks for all your help.
Ugh, I just checked the GT website and we have to do FAFSA for D18 to quality for the Zell Miller scholarship (it’s for GA residents/colleges and is really good).
FAFSA opens Oct 1 and uses 2016 tax return info and assets as of the day FAFSA is submitted.
I am planning on doing a FAFSA renewal for D15 and then use the link for additional child’s FAFSA. Then parent info is supposed to be filled in already.
@droppedit we are also full pay and no plans to fill out FAFSA unless there are major $'s at the end of that rainbow. I don’t think most merit awards are tied to it and I would hope that a given school makes it loud and clear it’s required to be considered for select merit awards.
Sounds like GT requires it for some instate awards. Also recall a parent from class of 2017 saying UVM gave additional merit $'s if FAFSA filed.
@Garden Mom, it’s not southeast but maybe look into the University of Cincinnati. They have a great co-op program and I think they offer some decent merit aid. And welcome!
DD’18 just changed her safety - with no warning, she just wrote a new essay, filled out the app. to our other Big State U. and hit submit. Things can change with very little warning.
@Garden Mom - maybe check out Mercer University in Macon, Ga (my alma mater). Engineering school is really good but tough, in my experience. Florida Tech is another really good engineering school in the southeast that doesn’t get talked about enough. Finding info on engineering programs in the southest is a bit like searching for big foot. Hope that helps!
My impression from doing FAFSA for D16 2 years ago is that you pick which schools to list. I’m hoping less than 10 schools my S18 is applying to will require it because all the stories about deleting and adding schools scared me. It is the primary reason I want his list limited to 10!
@ShrimpBurrito they always seem to balk at the first one lol, but once they get the ball rolling it goes pretty quickly, in my experience.
DD2016 and several of her friends had a “complete your application” party one Saturday in September. They had a lot of fun and it was helpful to have some peers around to read the short answer essays. I think they all completed at least one application that day. I would occasionally hear a loud cheer go up when one would hit submit.
Oh that sounds so fun, @labegg! I could see my D organizing that–I will share the idea with her.
Regarding balking at the first one, I pushed D over the edge tonight by telling her that I sent her ACT score to ASU. (BTW, it’s now $13 to send a score ) I think she kinda got a rush out of it, because now she’s planning the next one to fall with a twinkle in her eye. ;))
@ShrimpBurrito wow I’m envious. Your D let you submit her score without her knowing it? I cannot do ANYTHING w/o prior oral or written (text) consent by my D. I cannot register for any tests, send any scores, sign her up for anything. Period. Nada. Or else. :-??
Yes @3scoutsmom that would be primary reason to do FAFSA for us. Except maybe the super generous schools might throw us a bone? But not expecting much.
Hey everyone, yes I have taken her out driving on Sunday mornings and also on the easier merge areas. I think we got a little ambitious and tried some locations that were too tough.
Nice to know others have found the drving stressful. My Dad taught 4 of us. Another thing to thank him for
@sushiri I would never even consider these actions, DD is in total control and would have a fit. I think in all honesty that given the way we raised her, a fit would be justified.
(BTW, it’s now $13 to send a score 
) I think she kinda got a rush out of it, because now she’s planning the next one to fall with a twinkle in her eye. ;))