Finally, we have reached that point where DS20 and DD20, both are almost done with all early applications. DS has one safety left, which he promises would do tomorrow. Between the two of them, 14 colleges with about 75 or so essays and supplements with their numerous revisions are done!
I am reading about scholarship applications. What are the scholarships your kids are applying? Arenāt the scholarships automatic when you apply early?
For the schools my child applied to merit money was automatic, you are considered by applying on time. Multiple of the schools she applied to have additional scholarships that she can apply to one sheās accepted. Iām pretty disappointed that more schools donāt have additional scholarships. It certainly wouldāve been nice to try.
My D20 applied for a local scholarship that her sister won. Others have all been automatic.
Three of my Sās colleges have special merit scholarships with a separate application. Two have early deadlines (Nov 1 and Nov 15) and the third wonāt be available until February, after acceptances go out. Some have a test score/gpa threshold to be eligible to apply. They are not just merit money, though; they include special perks and privileges. Great gigs if you can get them.
My dd will have a local scholarship common app that opens in December. It will have multiple essays.
My DD20 has 3 schools that require a separate application for a scholarship/honors program and 1 that just required an additional essay on the regular application for a scholarship/honors program. If invited to another, there may be something more to do but she will not know that unless she receives an invitation. The scholarship process varies greatly by school.
How long does it usually take to get your portal? D submitted last night for 5 schools and we just want to make sure everything was received ass soon as possible. They are all smaller private schools not state flagships if that matters.
My son has heard from 3 or 4 schools (applied last week); still waiting on 7 or 8. One was received via snail mail.
Average about 1-2 days until they send info about your portal in our experience, but these were mostly larger (state) schools and a few smaller.
Only one acceptance here so far. D got in state tuition with the acceptance (so that seems like a scholarship) but they also sent her the Honors and Scholarship app that is due 12/15.
DS got his portal info less than 12-hr of submission.
DD20 says she was able to see all portals but 1 and confirm all had been received within a couple of days of submitting the application. The 1 that took longer was due to her scholarship nomination using her school email while her application used her personal email. That took a phone call and therefore a bit longer to get matched up.
@junk4rp You definitely deserve the Parents of the Class of 2020 trophy for the day. Good work!
Thanks everyone! She just texted me from school that she received portal info from all her schools already. That was quick! This is getting real.
@mom2jgd thank you so much. My twins20 are on top of most thingsā¦ but they wre dragging their feet a bit early October and I am so happy the first lot of applications are finally done. Crossing my fingers and praying now.
All the best to all the moms and dad - hope we hear good news by the end of this year!
Good luck to everyone.
DS20 pulled it and submitted all planned apps (1xED; 5xEA)ā¦he was waiting for one teacher reco, even that happened today (we gave up on thatā¦but pleasantly surprised to see the commonapp update that the reco was in today). Now onto the next deadline Nov 30 for UCās.
Yes! EAs are in! It was touch and go there for awhile! So, here is my question - Do you have access to the portals? Or just the students do? I feel like Iām the obsessive type who would enjoy constantly checking the portal. S20 feels done and wonāt think to check unless I tell him to. I really want access, but if itās bad for me Iāll accept that
@NYC2018nyc , I assume it varies by family but my S20 is happy to have me keep tabs on the portals bc he wonāt bother to look. Itās a good thing, too, bc one school had his intended major wrong (mistakenly had him applying for a very competitive school at the college, incorrectly) and heād never have noticed it.
@NYC2018nyc D20 shares access to portals and her college apps email account with me. It can potentially be worth a lot of money if something is missed, so itās kind of my ruleā¦and she doesnāt seem to mind.