We absolutely love Copenhagen! We let our child pick the summer vacation as their graduation present. We are hitting Amsterdam, Venice, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro. More excited about this trip than anything since my honeymoon!
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My kid turned down a similar opportunity. I was inwardly pretty upset about it, but this was how my spouse framed it: “Wouldn’t you hate that they went to a place they really didn’t want to just because it was free” and is miserable/resentful because of it.
I didn’t like it, but we didn’t go.
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It’s in state and it’s at least his second overall choice. It’s stronger for his proposed major than his current first choice and, unlike that school, it also has his second and third choice major. It has every single thing he’s said that matters to him. Just his first choice felt more friendly and this school’s architecture didn’t speak to him as much. But it’s still very much in contention. It’s only 4.5 hours away vs 8.5 hours away and there are typically charter busses from our area to the school, so much easier to get to than his first choice, and has all the school spirit (although first choice is probably “higher” with that) that he could want.
If he gets the scholarship and it’s a full ride, we can’t justify the $200kish to go to the other school that is his first choice. Particularly since my husband and I are both federal employees and could well be downsized in the next few weeks/months. If he doesn’t get the scholarship then it’s still a pretty good cost delta. I might be willing to pay an extra $10k/$15k per year, but much more than that per year and its harder to see the value.
Editing because now that I read it again, I think you quoted me but were responding to someone else talking about a scholarship today. Hope I didn’t confuse things!
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We use a lot of tricks to drive the price down. Everything we do goes on either a Marriot or American credit card–we rarely pay for hotels and we have family in Europe that we can base out of.
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Very cool!
D won a $250 scholarship from a local source. She’s ecstatic about it even though she’s gotten much larger ones from colleges. It just feels so much more meaningful and personal than the college ones.
She had her final audition and now she waits. It’s a good process and has really given her confidence in knowing which schools are better fits than others. It’s down to 2 schools, waiting for financials from one. She eliminated this last school because she got off vibes during the audition day and couldn’t see herself going there.
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I was thinking the same! And all these talented kids with scholarship interviews! If only… will settle for living vicariously through these folks.
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No problem! Yes, I meant the other scholarship posting. It sounds like for yours that the school offering the scholarship is in the top choices anyway, which in that case would definitely consider.
For the other scholarship question that was posted, it’s hard to know all details, just reading on here that weigh on a decision. On the surface thinking though that generally OOS is more expensive than in-state, but if OOS had a full ride and still didn’t like the school, it’s a long way to be away not liking the school. That’s about it.
Yes, lots of scholarships stories, congrats to all the kids that got these! We aren’t in that running with sports and/or scholarships, but I think it’s great!
It’s a hard decision. I’m going to talk to him when he gets home. I’m not sure how to frame it though. Part of me is like just let him choose if he wants to attend, the other part is explain to him that free room and board means he’ll graduate with a 6 figure savings to start off life with. I’m not sure there’s a right answer.
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No sports for us, either, poor kid inherited our non-athletic genes!
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We used to travel more. Now I am poor. Like in debt poor. Fun times.
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Same, but the plane tickets were a grandparent’s gift, and my credit card is hurting now for the rest.
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It’s great to hear how everyone’s doing! The stringbird house has fallen ill with whatever it is that’s going around, so yesterday my daughter’s reaction to the news that she was accepted into UNCW honors was … nothing at all. But today she’s feeling better, and her college preference list has switched up yet again, with UNCW on top. Now we are waiting for March to see what happens for NC State for RD (she was deferred from EA). Either way, she’s in a good spot with a couple choices she’d be very happy with, and she seems to have turned the corner from December’s anxiety to maybe even looking forward to her college experience. Hooray!
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Hope Slovenia is in your top 3!! 
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The final interview! S25 heard this morning from the last university to request an alumni interview with him. In just over a week, this process will finally be over. Now we are trying to decide how many admitted student events to attend, assuming that he’s accepted to one or more of his colleges. I told him that we could probably swing 2 or 3 events. This will be my first one (S23 did not attend his admitted student event two years ago, as he was accepted ED and had already committed.) I’m wondering if admitted student events are worthwhile or not. In other words, is any useful information provided at these gatherings?
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My in-laws are taking my kids to Alaska on a cruise in one of the 4 weeks they will both be home this summer before we are empty nesters, because “it’s the last summer we will be able to do this” and we were not invited. I am a little salty about this.
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My parents are famous for this kind of thing. Took my daughter to Africa on safari when she was 11.
Salty indeed. I’m with you.
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I’d be pretty salty too!
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Amsterdam is my favorite favorite favorite. So clean (well, not that part of Amsterdam), so easy to get around. Great food and museums, great parks, the canals, and so safe. I daydream and look at Amsterdam real estate listings.
Enjoy!
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