Dual enrollment colleges count for colleges attended on the Common App.
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Others have identified the reasons we went with an outside service:
AND
I love my S25, and I know I get on his ever-loving last nerve when I try to guide him too much. I mean, I get on my own ever-loving last nerve with my lists and anxieties and thinking and rethinking and overthinking. He agreed that it wasn’t a bad idea to have someone else guiding him through the application process so we could focus on other ways to keep the family dynamic in balance.
At the same time, I have a good friend whose D25 is going through the application process with her mother guiding the whole thing, and it seems to be working out well for them. As with many issues, I don’t think you can go wrong if you give your choice some thought and intentionality. Good luck!
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HI all! I hope your summers are going well and that you’re squeezing in some good memories with your 2025 kid! The update here is that my this-is-my-first-time-doing-this-and-I-control-for-my-own-stress-by-researching-more-schools sense is that her list, while still obscenely too long, is done. I’m confident she won’t add any schools, and she will have to remove some in order to stay sane this fall. I think she has an internal hierarchy, and will focus on six schools, see how the pre-screens/auditions for those go, and then pick the next step on her Choose Your Own Adventure: If you’d like to continue auditioning for ballet programs, turn to page 23. If you’d like to focus more on academics>dance, turn to page 35. If you’d like to go all in on honors colleges, turn to page 47.
I’ll confess that what finally pulled me out of my research mode was not, “Boy, I have faith that doors will open and close as they should, and it will all work out.” I wish that were true. But the reality is that I’m also helping a couple of friends with their kids’ processes, and I’ve had to repeat about 15x to one parent that they need to run NPCs on the list of colleges they’re considering. Their budget is low, and even from the most generous of colleges they are gapped enough that they need to hunt merit. In theory, this is fine with them. But the parent keeps adding back schools that give no merit $ or that are clearly placed due to their prestige. After the latest round of additions, I realized that even if I’m doing it for different reasons (“D25, are you sure you have enough safeties/likelies? Don’t you want to add this other one?”) the effect on my kid/spouse is probably the same–I’ve done the homework based off the criteria that D25 gave me, and adding now is not changing things for the better anymore. For the first time, this gave me peace about her list and an excitement to try to help D25 trim it, as opposed to keep trying to find another option.
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We’re in the same boat as you are, with our S25. D23 did it all herself and she did great. She refused anyone’s help, including ours. It’s a bit different with S25. He procrastinates and tends to get things done only at the last minute. He won’t let us help him, at least not too much, but he’s hesitant to have a private counselor too. He’s going by what his sister did and wants to do everything on his own. But they’re completely different personalities - one always gets things done on time + super motivated and the other one waits until the last minute + super chill with any outcome - no stress kinda guy 
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I’ll admit, I’m struggling with the not trying to find another option. I feel like my son’s list has two schools he’s really excited about (and he’s unlikely to get into one, just based on their selectivity). It has one school that he seems ok with. It has one school he is not jazzed about, but that I think would be a great fit so I want him to give it another chance. And it has three schools that he hasn’t visited and has no real opinion about yet, but that he says seem “fine”. I keep hunting for a unicorn out there to add to his list that will fall into the really excited category, and I don’t think there is one. This list should be fine. He should be happy at any of these and he doesn’t seem to care or want more. So I need to adopt your mantra and realize that there’s nothing more I need to add now. He’s got enough options. It will be fine.
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For D25, there is a school on her list that seems like a great fit in every aspect (#1 in her niche major AND many amazing Plan B’s) but it has a sub 10% admit rate. The second favorite shares many of the same features. .
Then there is a list of about 7 schools that all seem fungible with no clear benefit or advantage between them.
She certainly does not need to add in another one of those and could stand to drop one or more. But, nothing else seems to be speaking to her at this time so we have the list that we have. Oh well.
Admittedly, I secretly (well, not so secretly but I’ve agreed not to bring them up anymore) really would like her to add Rice and WUSTL, but especially Rice. I think she would thrive there. But, it is in Texas and it is therefore not to be considered. On the one hand, I very much respect that position because a) there has to be some basis for eliminating schools and b) she is concerned with Texas’ stance regarding women. On the other hand, she is eliminating some great options without giving them any consideration.
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I have to chuckle, as I’d love my kid to add Rice as well. She’s not categorically opposed to Texas, but Rice has no dance major or minor, let alone ballet, and my suggestion that she could take classes at Houston ballet isn’t holding any weight. To be fair, the whole point of being a dance major is to develop that community on campus ; she felt disconnected at her high school from friends bc she was always at the studio. So it’s a totally rational reason to not include it. But I feel you…
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I have one at Miss State also. So far they love it, are doing far better academically than I thought possible, and have a strong group of friends ( not what I was expecting for a non binary kid from the northeast)
We toured Ole Miss. I liked it, child not so much because 1) the free Tshirt they got had a microscopic hole in it 2) they couldn’t find a sweatshirt they liked in the baby blue color 3) the football coach is an “■■■■■■■” All very important criteria. I tried to talk up the little cars that travel the campus delivering Starbucks to you wherever you are
First choice was LSU because it had a real live tiger. Tried to explain to child they have tigers in zoos and they have seen plenty. Tried to explain that at MSU they got in state tuition and it was way cheaper. Child unmoved, told child to discuss with father. Father said “ whatever you don’t use, you get a check for. Child reflected and chose MSU. They are very happy.
My kids had very weird reasons for not liking schools, so I get the ice cream thing. One kid crossed a school off because the dorm she toured smelled like bacon.
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S25 and his dad are driving back from the AIM Grand Championship in Illinois, which is the national youth shooting tournament. He shot skeet and sporting clays for the third year, and he did pretty well. His team didn’t medal nor did he, but he had fun with his teammates and was proud of how he shot. I’m not sure that he’ll participate again next year, since the season runs from February to late July. (And I anticipate the senioritis will be great with this one.) I told him he can decide next year if he wants to join again. But I’m proud of his last three years, and I think it’s been a positive experience for him.
Orientation is this Wednesday, senior pictures are Thursday, and school starts the following Monday. Insanity!
Hope everyone has a good weekend!
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We toured Rutgers NB Mason Gross school of arts. It’s a very nice location with easy access to the dorms for the arts kids. The buildings were either very beautiful or old and musty, no ac in many places. The presentation was informative and maybe a bit too long since they go into specifics for dance, theater and music programs separately. There’s so much offered for each within the majors, you really wouldn’t ever run out of opportunities. The students who talked do seem to love their respective programs. One student talked about being in the honors college as a music major plus a scholar. He doesn’t mind the bus system at all.
All other college/uni visits touched on the different majors and the overall campus where this was arts specific with a short campus overview. D25 loves interacting with other arts kids but felt like here you’re too closed off from the rest of the campus. She really does prefer the LAC model so Rutgers is officially off the list. It was valuable to know not to add any more big universities. I don’t think I’m going to bother with Montclair. She liked UDelaware(may not be affordable) is ok with Rowan so I think we’re done for now.
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Is shooting something that he would like to do in college? A friend’s kid had a scholarship for air rifle.
Regardless, that’s really cool.
Also, I get your son’s angst over next year. D25 is really into speech & debate and the national competition is in late June. She’s competed there the past few years, but I would think that it would be a challenge to stay focused enough on that to make it worthwhile given that it is post graduation and it would seem that your mind would have flipped to college. We shall see.
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Yes, you all three (@fuschiachop, @OctoberKate, @MidwestPack) have hit the nail on the head for my reasons exactly.
I was a professional writer/editor for a medical journal in my past life, so I absolutely have the skill to it myself, but I know I’ll over-insert myself.
I love the process also but I think someone could probably do it better if that’s their main job. I like hearing that they will also have a set-in-stone schedule for working on it with him and clear goals/homework for him to accomplish before the next meeting. That’s what we’re lacking.
So, what’s the best way of going about finding one? Did you hire from your area or an online service? I’ve looked at 3 different online services but it’s really difficult to figure out what’s big scam and what’s actually worth the money.
I sent you a message. I think.
I got it. Thank you so much.
lol D23 didn’t choose Rice for the same reason 
For rising seniors!
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We are really excited to be offering our first Bootcamp this summer. We are still finalizing the expert line-up, but you can already register and ask questions in advance. Would also appreciate your feedback on the program.
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S25 just obtained his Private Pilot license yesterday through AFJROTC Flight Academy at Delaware State University. He has put in a grueling 8 weeks of studying and lessons. Can’t wait to see him at the graduation ceremony on Thursday. So far 5 of 26 have finished. He thinks 15 will be done by graduation. So proud! When he gets home it’s time to buckle down on applications. No summer break for him.
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What an accomplishment! Congratulations!
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I don’t think he has a big interest in shooting in college, unless it’s for fun. He’s a decent shot, but he doesn’t eat, breath and sleep it.
I’m with you that we’ll take a wait and see attitude about extracurriculars that extend into the summer. Hope your daughter has had a good experience in speech and debate. I’m sure she’s gained great skills from it!