It’s frustrating because he really likes Grinnell otherwise, but we’re also at the point where we need to eliminate schools anyway, so maybe it’s a blessing in disguise
6 Likes
I agree–all that self-reflection on all those essays did something good. Thank goodness! Huge effort. But it was something like free therapy 
.
4 Likes
Grinnell is also hard to get to from most places outside the Midwest. Des Moines isn’t that well connected and Grinnell is an hour from DSM.
S24 visited, but dropped it from his list because it was too remote and too small.
3 Likes
WUSTL has been a frontrunner for S24 in part because he also has diverse interests (currently Bio, Classics/Latin, and Ethics), and it seems like it is at least one of the schools which really leans hard into that sort of thing.
5 Likes
I wanted to post results from my D24 with a link to our original Chance Me Post. I hope this is a helpful reference for those creating college lists and applying next cycle. CC has been a great tool and therapist.
Results
Denied-
Yale(REA deferred/denied), Princeton and Brown
Waitlist-
WIlliams and Lehigh, declining both
Applied to Union and Dickison but pulled application prior to decision
Accepted
Penn State
Mcgill
UMD College Park (Presidential scholarship and Banneker Key finalist but withdrew application)
Lafayette (Full scholarship finalist but withdrew application)
University of Richmond- Offered Richmond Scholars full cost of attendance
Dartmouth
Boston College(attending) Accepting the Gabelli Scholars Presidential Scholarship for full tuition.
The process was long and winding but we truly believe she is ending up in the place she belongs with an amazing opportunity.
39 Likes
For certain, a big part of its appeal for D24 is that it would enable her to pursue varied interests and even broaden her horizons from there. She would prefer to keep exploring as many subjects as possible during college and wait until grad school to narrow her focus.
That said, we are headed down to UIUC Grainger for a dedicated Physics Day, which is literally expected to end with a bang. We’ll see if the sheer volume of aspiring physicists gathered in one room sways her in a different direction. All the best!
4 Likes
Dad of international students here- I just wanted to thank everyone on this thread and all the others I’ve been consulting and studying through the years. I knew almost nothing about US college applications a few years ago, and these forums have educated me, kept me sane and often entertained.
Final results are in, D20 will soon be graduating Summa cum Laude 
from Brandeis where she had the most amazing experience, and S24 (Economics and Finance geek) will start at URichmond in a few months. Both of them have received amazing scholarships that made it affordable (incredibly, cheaper than UK Unis for English students) for our family.
It’s been a long and winding road with lots of hard work for everyone, but OMG what a trip. Going forward I will try to contribute my 2 cents to the forums to give something back to parents and students interested in UK and Italian Universities, as well as own my kids’ US Colleges and processes- just to try and give a little back to this wonderful community.
Now I just hope that the dog doesn’t develop a US college passion… 
48 Likes
WUSTL is a great school.
While others struggle in dungeon-like spaces, your son will be doing humble brag room tours on YouTube.
3 Likes
Oh ■■■■. I hate to hear it, but I know he has lots of great options and you know they are places you think he will thrive. I hope he’s shouldering it ok.
So fast! I wish D24 could narrow to two that quickly.
Let’s hope they choose Carleton and St. Olaf, respectively. Then we can meet in Northfield for a drink!
6 Likes
Did you reach out to the Vassar financial aid office? If there is a discrepancy with their NPC, you should let them know. The director of FA actually said this in a zoom I attended. Maybe there was something they didn’t calculate correctly because they seems very odd… it should line up and no reason it should be so incredibly different to Wes. They may be slammed with the decision just coming out a few days ago, but they should take a second look! Good luck!
2 Likes
I think we had a similar night. D24 went 0-3. I was surprised with Brown (but not really because they’re Ivies and we talked this before going into college app) since I felt her app, stats were all better than her brother who goes there. He beat her with one stat with 36ACT. She got a a yes at Berkeley, so that felt good with her UC Sweep, but it’s hard being a little sister sometimes when the humbling moments impacted you differently from your older brother. I told her if I had to choose the route of each kid at this point, I’d pick hers over her brother any time. And I hope your son feels great about his decision. They will thrive WHEREVER they go to have parents who care enough to be on boards like these to connect and learn from others; to have made it so that he was competitive enough to be in the arena with other Ivy applicants. That’s something pretty special, regardless of acceptance news. I hope all our kids feel great that they were in the arena.
9 Likes
It looks lik D24 finalized her decision. I think she has known but she is my “cover all bases kid,” so waited long enough to make sure she was sure but also tried to decline the other colleges ASAP because she knows there are kids, including friends on the waitlist. But I’m telling you, both times when the kids did this, that withdraw confirmation email from Berkeley just pokes me a little. I don’t even know why when I didn’t even go to that school. Maybe I would’ve kill to get a chance to go to Berkeley.
8 Likes
Omg we had similar experience / better stats overall extras essays etc, but older sib 2 yrs ago got into supposedly more competitive ED school, when younger one had surprising negative experience with his ED school (based on all past years from his school). Just the ever changing application cycle…
But happy to be in decision stage now!
Any thoughts on rice vs vanderbilt (recent knowledge please)? Social sciences major, and it looks like we are coming down to one of these two in the final run (hoping he will turn down 4 waitlists as none seem like right fit), with a possible dark horse choice of UMichigan or a compelling full ride+ at state flagship.
1 Like
I know it doesn’t change anything, but FWIW Brown is one of the schools with a huge gender disparity in applicants … 22-23 CDS shows roughly 19,000 boys vs. 32,000 girls applied, with an even split on admission. It’s statistically much harder to get in as a female applicant!
That said, congratulations on Berkeley!
10 Likes
Not a parent, but have a question for you all who have been through this before.
When will the constant stream of advertisment emails and mail from no name colleges end. I’ve already decided where i’m going and I don’t need that stuff anymore. Just a big waste of paper. Is there something I can do, or do I just need to wait for it to stop. TIA
Unsubscribe, if the email gives that option. Snail mail…not sure!
4 Likes
You should be able to unsubscribe from the emails. Just throw the snail mail in the trash.
I have been, but it seems new colleges are still getting my name. And my physical mailbox is still stuffed with this stuff everyday.
2 Likes
I have been, just want to stop the waste of paper if I can help it. It’s a LOT.
1 Like