@planner03 – here’s a link to the GT post explaining it:
I think the GT blog is a great read even for those not applying there. Obviously, it’s focus is GT admissions but it also goes into admissions in general several times. It’s a surprisingly informal blog, imho.
I’m so sorry to see so many reports of bad news coming in to our corner of the internet! Of course we all knew the news wouldn’t all be good this year, but it’s still disheartening to see it happening. 
This is the tough part, but in a few months when we’ve all solidified our choices it’ll be in the rearview mirror as we look forward to the schools we have chosen. And a year from now it’ll all be a vague memory…
Good days are coming!! (I need some sunshine, unicorns, and rainbows emojis right here! ;)) )
@sekere62 also saw that on the news, horrified that human error put you all through such a scare. And tough college news on top, so sorry! Hoping the next news is better!
@mstomper, That is our fear as well. S has several acceptances in hand, one that he would happily go to. Waiting on FA to be announced Jan18th. Telling him to stay calm, when I can hardly do the same
@sekere62 I cannot even imagine how terrified I would be. Wow.
@droppedit thanks for the GT blog. That was helpful to read. Also helpful for me to appreciate the burden admissions officers feel. They must hate the Common App driving kids to apply to so many schools!
@droppedit Thanks for the link, I find the process fascinating.
It is indeed very disappointing to see all many of these students not being able to get into some of these highly selective schools. It is becoming more and more clear that these schools are not just looking for high scores and high GPA;s. They want to see a well rounded individuals as well. But the lesson here is that NOTHING IS A GIVEN and we keep seeing it over and over. How can a 35 ACT/4.0 student get rejected from GT or similar? Crazy for sure. These kids always thought of going to these highly selective schools. However all these high stat students are all applying to same schools, so the pool of students if pretty much the same for GT, Stanford and MIT. The lesson here is to never assume anything and to make sure students are planning properly no matter what the stats are…
These rejections are not just happening at these highly selective schools. The next tier of schools ( Ohio State, Florida, Texas,etc) are constantly rejecting the 30 to 33 ACT students as well. Fall in love from afar. Do not assume anything, Plan accordingly. By the end of the day sometimes it is not even good enough to get accepted. Many of us are relying on the affordability factor as well and merit/ financial aid will dictate where many of us will end up.
S18 and I spent today walking around campus (unofficially) as well as driving around the town of Steubenville. The town is bigger than I first thought. It’s silly, but I thought the motel street pretty much WAS the town. I admitted my perception was altered by fatigue, cold, sunset, etc.
He’s very happy with what he’s seen so far. We are scheduled to officially meet with admissions tomorrow.
@collegeisago. Well said, assume nothing and have a plan B and C.
S didn’t get accepted into GT for biomedical engineering. Was not in his top 3 but still disappointing since who knows if he will get into those. Right now we are focused on scholarships and crossing our fingers about Purdue. CWR is his top choice of the acceptances so far so we need to plan a trip.
@sekere62 , what a day for you! I am glad everyone is ok.
For any parents of procrastinating kids (like mine), we were relieved to learn today that American University extended its application deadline one day due to the MLK holiday. Applications are now accepted until 1/16. Perhaps some others have also extended?
@pickledginger I have not heard of any other extensions. I know that S18 keeps getting emails warning of the deadline approaching. Talk about stress - the emails have titles like “48 hours left”, “1 day left”…as if we didn’t know.
Luckily, we just hit the submit button on the final 2 apps. Now I need to figure out what to do to keep myself busy until at least mid-March.
Not all super high stat kids get in. These highly selective schools want well-rounded classes, not just well-rounded kids. They want to build an interesting class, so they deny admission to some pretty amazing applicants to make room for applicants they deem very interesting with something significant to add, even if their respective stats are not tippy top.
@glido yes it is clear that is the case. The frustrating thing is the kid can have perfect grades, test scores, and ecs and yet they get rejected from school they love and could thrive in. Of course that is life but hard to watch your child work so hard and yet get rejected. Breaks your heart.
So I’m in bed with a fever. I didn’t let my wife know (away with high school friends), but kids are old enough to take care of me if need be. S18 went on a Gatorade run. I can’t say anything on FB, since wife could see it if I did. Hopefully the fever will break by the time she gets home tomorrow evening. I’m not up to having an in depth conversation with S18 about Ithaca being so stingy with FA. It came in 6k less that what the NPC said. He seems to be (mostly) himself.
We are in the turbulent middle part of the journey. Soon things will settle down and decisions wiill be made and it will be smooth flying until the bumpy landing late next fall!
We were in Ft Worth this weekend for the state UIL cheer competition. DD’s team did not make finals (no surprise, really). But, the trip did give us the opportunity to drive home through College Station and make a stop at Texas A&M for a little refresher visit. No Cinderella moment, the shoe definitely fits, but it is more like a sensible work shoe, than a sparkly party slipper. I still feel like, in the dead of winter, it looks like a penitentiary, lol. I have never visited in the spring or fall, so my view is decidedly skewed. We stopped and picked up an A&M t-shirt and DD did take a look at a car decal, but would not make the commitment. Hhhhmmmm.
@labegg my thoughts exactly about the A&M campus! It’s a very friendly place, and if you are into traditions I doesn’t get much better than being an Aggie. For DS it is a sensible choice but not magical. Affordable, highly-ranked in-state public that is closer than Tech. Biggest drawback for us is the size.
@mstomper, take star good care of your self with this horrible flu season. Maybe Tamiflu?
Flu is rampant here. The hallmark (according to the doc) is that this bug takes you down fast, as in one minute you feel fine and the next you don’t. If that is true for anyone, I recommend you get to the doc fast so that if it’s the flu you can get Tamiflu - I think it does help lessen symptoms.