Pretty sure @burghdad has a child that will graduate from Miami. Maybe you would like some information on how they narrowed down their college choices.
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D25’s thoughts (I think) thus far on some of her final choices. She has decided to move from Criminal Justice when she first applied to some schools to Social Work so that changed the list around. She is still undecided about dance, whether she will try out for a team, do a dance minor, or if active dance clubs are okay. She refuses to stay in state.
Some of the final choices:
U of Indianapolis: Total COA 13k/yr. She likes some of the options in their SW program and thinks she may be able to make the dance team. I personally don’t think she will like the location. I think she will prefer the dorms and food choices at other schools more than U of Indy from what I can see. Safety is important to her. Visiting soon.
Wayne State University: COA TBD. May be up to around 28k/yr. Great Lakes Award recipients will receive the benefit of the Michigan resident tuition rate plus 10 percent. Or could be as low as 12k/yr. Again, location likely more of a turn off for her. She does really like their SW program offerings though and that they have a dance minor. The excellent diversity is a huge plus for her (she is not white). Holding off on visit until finances.
Lindenwood: Was a top contender for a bit but now seems to like other SW programs more. Does like the many dance options. COA may be from 33k/yr or down to 12k/yr. Part of her feels the other schools have sent more emails and such so she feels a little more unsure. Hasnt visited.
Central Michigan: Her current favorite. She loved her visit. Loved the SW program and other offerings (a certificate in foster care support), loved talking to the professors and that they emailed her. Loves no communal bathrooms in the dorms, the food was decent, and the school spirit at the football game was fun. Dance team she isn’t sure she would make it but they do have a dance minor. Current COA is 23k/yr but may go down to 19k/yr (fingers crossed). They have some volunteer and diversity clubs she was highly interested in (Alternative Breaks they are called and she was waiting on MAC Scholarship acceptance/rejection).
Mercyhurst: Not totally off the list. COA 13k/yr. Has SW and dance. May not be as easy/cheap to fly to.
U of Scranton: Not totally off the list. COA 15k/yr. She really likes the Jesuit philosophy (she loved St. Joes in Philly) but they only have Counseling and Human Services major. Dance options very limited for her as she would not make the team (hip hop is her worst dance style).
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S19 got engaged today! 
We love his fiancé! So excited for them!
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so exciting!! wow!
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That sounds so fun! I’d be laughing too if it was my kid.
Also, I am so glad that all of our college decisions have come in already. It was hard enough waiting til early January for us. I don’t know how everyone handles all the waiting!
@2plustrio Your story with your D25 is such a good reminder that 1)there are a lot more schools out there than those that are the “highest name recognition schools” mentioned ad nauseum on CC, 2) that college doesn’t have to cost >60K/yr, 3)kids and their desires can change over time and it’s nice to have options. Thank you for keeping us abreast of her thoughts!
All, just popped on to say that we made it in/out of Indy without issue, despite a scratched cornea that prevented D25 from wearing one of her contacts and being crazy light sensitive at audition #1. (Seriously, the things keep coming! I’m ready for a break for her!) Now at audition #2 and praying that she’ll be able to do her solo today. I am not a fan of cuts mid-audition. These solos are ~2 minutes–could you not spare an extra 40 minutes and watch all of them? I think this is why I’m more stressed about today’s audition than the rest; it feels like a lot of pressure in the moment even if they outcome would be the same in the long run. I trust that doors will open and close as they should, but this process is hard. Boxed breathing, anyone?
Silver lining for all.the.travel: my collection of regional Trader Joe’s bags is growing quite well!
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My D attended an admitted student day and came back feeling a bit colder toward the college than before. I’m actually kind of glad because it’s close to home and I didn’t really think it was a great fit. It’s a good school, but she’s a kid who would cling to me if I lingered dropping her off at school or dance lessons because she was so shy. Trying something new, being uncomfortable in new places and with new people is really hard for her. But when she finally does it, things seem to work out. Now that she has ruled out the college that is the most comfortable, where she is familiar and would know the most people, it feels like she’s preparing to get uncomfortable in order to seek the college experience she really wants. This comes on the heels of her saying that the state school she liked the best might not be the one she likes best after all. I’m trying so hard not to influence her with my emotions. Inside I’m pleased she’s ruled out the safety of close to home. She has never wanted to stay here. She wants to be closer to a metro area like NYC, Philadelphia, or Boston. Any of the remaining choices or the RDs if she gets in and they live up to their NPCs have my stamp of approval. I know she might still change her mind, but I feel hopeful.
In completely unrelated news, I finished my taxes (yay!) But I am very sad to be losing the tax credit for D25 this year. That means it’s time for her to stop swiping my Korean skin creams and salon hair products and buy her own! 
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Not sure if your kid needs this- but UIndy, a school you never hear much about, has fantastic academic support programs for kids with neurodiversity. I toured it with my oldest and out of all the schools on her list, including some much higher up the rankings, UIndy stood out as being the best for academic support. Location is a little meh- nothing much right around it but it’s easy to get into the city.
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what happened? Did he ever hear back?
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Nope…NOTHING. Thank you for asking. He even sent a follow-up note to the Director of HR yesterday morning saying that he enjoyed his time there and hoped he was still under consideration and, if not, could he be considered for other opportunities. No response. This is a large organization with multiple locations worldwide. I am surprised at the lack of professionalism and heartbroken for him. I work in HR and always send all candidates acceptances/rejections/updates as quickly as possible, but maybe that is considered old school now. I hope ghosting isn’t the new normal.
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haven’t applied for jobs in a few years, but last time I was searching it definitely was quite normal
I even interviewed with 7 different people (yes 7!) at one place. This included a top C-suite person and it was a pretty big org (budget in low Billions!) who basically ghosted me (I reached out for an update since I had another offer and couldn’t give me an update or a timeline and I assumed I would never have heard back otherwise).
I have had 2nd rounds a number of places who never got back to me.
it is obnxious.
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And good news at our house tonight - S25 is in at Virginia Tech. From here on out I think a lot is going to depend on merit awards and accepted student visits. But I’m so happy for him. We really thought my older guy would be accepted at VT and he was waitlisted. It was such a surprise for us given his application stats that I think I’ve just been very worried that history would repeat.
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This is the news I’ve been hoping to read!! I know us OOS folks take advantage of the weird skewing of acceptances for that great school. And I knew that you had an odd experience with your older son not getting an immediate admit to VT. So, happy to read this. 
I’ll add that our opportunity to meet up for coffee in Blacksburg are still on track: my S25 also got an acceptance to VT tonight for the College of Engineering. Phew!!
Ice cream treats for everyone!!!
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Woo Hoo to your family too!!
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RE: job applicants getting ghosted. It does seem to happen a lot now. An academic friend was one of two or three candidates flown out for a multi-day interview at a university. Then she never heard anything from them. I find it surprising to invest that much in the candidate and not even give a courtesy ding email.
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Congratulations
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I run a recruiting team and it’s not at all acceptable.
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We are traveling and DS got an email from VA Tech that an admission decision was in his portal. But he doesn’t have his VA Tech password with him. A little while later he got an email saying there was a financial aid award in his portal . I think it’s safe to say he got in. Can’t wait to see the details. Although pretty sure he will be going to USMMA.
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Congrats!
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I continue to try to keep spreading awareness for lesser known colleges (and kids with under 3.5 gpa)! There are options! I noted a bit ago that her dad commented that she may have to consider instate for more affordable options (while her older brother is allowed to go oos at 20k plus a year). The best instate option for her is 18k/yr COA. She told her dad, no, I am not going there. While usually I support kids in choosing the most affordable option, in her case, it is not fair to have double standards for siblings/kids. I was super proud of her for standing up to him and setting that boundary.
S23 applied as a vocal performance major. I know those auditions are tough! He did mostly online auditions and being a male bass, he had less competition. He did get accepted to Jacobs (which was the biggest reach) and that gave him lots of confidence. He would have loved to be a Hoosier but the money was not there (oos was expensive). He has no regrets in his school choice (Syra cuse) though.
Side thought but college related. Most colleges talk about community building with their student body and we are used to that. But there is one school in particular that several of their emails are titled “Welcome to your new family” or something similar and it rubs my daughter who was adopted and I a bit the wrong way.
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