wait, is this your last one? of like five or something, right?
Maybe you’ll turn into one of the tough-love CC aunties (I’m always sort of envisioning Patty and Selma; IYKYK) whose kids graduated from college 20 years ago but who still hang out and tell us all why we need to find likely schools and ABET certified engineering programs and not write emails for our kids.
(I fully expect to do same.)
Of four, and yes, C25 is the youngest.
And Patty or Selma? Yeah, I’m okay with that. #lifegoals🤣
(Though C17 is planning on applying to law school this fall, so maybe it actually never ends for me.
)
Oh wow! I love that your child wanted to talk it through with their siblings first. How beautiful and special is that.
Congratulations on this chapter. 
I think this info can be useful in advance of deciding when comparing schools. so understand why people do it (though agree it isn’t likely necessary in most cases)
We call my sisters Patty and Selma. And the funny thing is, I have three sisters but all four of us know which two are P and S. Also, let the record show that my avatar is based on the same canon. To my delight, though my older kids viewed CC with mostly eye-rolling, DS3 has joined and called himself FretfulSon3 complete with Baby Bart avatar. What a good son he is.
It definitely will continue with the law school apps! And maybe for kids-in-law (did for me).
I feel this. I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about this stuff and I really enjoy it. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do when this period is over. What will I research and think about and plan alternate scenarios and and and…
The last time this happened (e.g. we had no big life transitional moments on the immediate horizon) I decided we needed to renovate our house. That was 12 years ago. While the house probably could use more work (there’s a bathroom that really needs to be gutted, and one of the “re-done in the 60’s with wood paneling” rooms still exists on the lower level) but with two kids in college next year, who has money for that? Not this gal.
For those preparing for Ivy Day decisions today, I wish your kids good luck! It’s a hard hard day trying to manage emotions - some kids are going to be ecstatic and some aren’t and I think both can have their challenges. (I’m thinking for the kids who get in and are stoked - but their friends don’t get in and are struggling with their emotions. That’s hard to manage.)
Some colleges have four year plans, my eldest sons does and all the gen eds are tagged with what they fulfill. I’ve seen a few others when looking.
There is nothing wrong with a parent emailing at this stage of the game to aid in decision making process, determine if the school can support the child’s needs. Even once they get to college health issues are different as sometimes children need parental support to navigate and even advocate even in adulthood. The kids will get there but parents need to make sure they have the scaffolding in place to do it themselves and that doesn’t happen overnight. In terms of serious health issues it takes more than one to navigate I don’t care how old you are.
I am so fatigued of the arguing and nastiness. Last night I saw someone telling a kid who felt hopeful their waitlist was a soft rejection and to move on and I’m like was that really necessary to be cruel? There was 50 other ways to frame that without being ugly. The letters say make other plans, let the kid come to terms on this on their own. It’s still better than a rejection and these people in these groups it’s so easy to flippantly say it because their kid got in. It’s just ugly, I may as well be on dcurbanmom at least there I expect ugly.
I feel like the world is rife with anger and conflict so why must we perpetuate this? If a parent wants to email the school so be it. If you are unhappy with a school so be it. No need to poopoo other people’s choices or decisions. Also no need to make widespread generalizations either. I mean honestly.
Someone on a parent board the other day made a comment that since their kid wasn’t on honors or merit by were in the “bottom half” and I’m like really? Well my “bottom half” oldest was none of those and he’s about to graduate magna cum laude with a double degree which is far better than most of those honors kids he knew as a freshman so there is that. People need to stop and think for a minute. You are talking about children or barely adults. And you are talking to the parents of those children. Think before you speak “would I appreciate it if someone said this to my family?”
yes! Me tool. I find this whole process fascinating (though frustrating and silly at times!) Though I do have one more round..after that I guess I will go back to travel planning as empty nesters 
I went from HS apps to college apps and am about to move on to '27s college apps - but they go to a private school with excellent counseling (and 27 is VERY organized and opinionated unlike 25). My 27 will probably want minimal help (which is great, I know, I know!). 27 will be applying to reachier-schools though.. so that will be fun 
(1) That commenter (who was harsh re: the waitlist) is consistently that way. All over the place. It makes me sad every time. I have to believe that they think they are doing the right thing by “telling it like it is”, but it feels like it could be handled so much more gently.
(2) oh DC Urban Moms. Such a hive of backbiting nastiness. It’s been a long time since we were there, but when my kids were in daycare our daycare had some issues - that involved my kids - and boy were we put through the ringer. Nasty nasty judgmental place.
(3) People absolutely need to stop and think. A little kindness and extensions of grace can go so far.
I’m thinking of new productive hobbies that involve currently available resources, such as…a miniature crafted cat made from my living pet’s fur. https://www.instructables.com/Felting-a-Mini-Kitty-From-Your-Cats-Fur/
I’m thinking I could start early and give one as a graduation present for S25. It would be like taking a little bit of home to college with him, right? 
Just trying to lighten the mood, in my awkward nerdy way!! I’m sure there are much better hobby options.
Definitely feeling the stress of this season, and seeing it play out for others is just as hard. Hugs to all.
Thank you for this.
Parenting doesn’t stop just because they are in college, especially when serious health issues are in play.
My daughter looks completely healthy. No one would ever know that she has a serious medical condition. And she is the last person to ever bring it up, to use it as an excuse, or a crutch. So until she learns to self advocate, I will do it for her.
I really like this kind comment on what may be a stressful day. S25 told me last night that he got a somewhat nasty comment in class yesterday when he got a question wrong in class discussion–other kid said, “How’d you get in to [college X]?” S25’s feelings were hurt, but I told him to give the other kid some grace and understanding. Anyway, best wishes to everyone today.
The college selection process has been over since December for us…Today will be the last piece of the puzzle…the last day of the third marking period…and hopefully by next week at this time, we will know whether or not our son is valedictorian.
It was never something we ever thought was possible… We all want to believe our kids are the brightest…But he set his sights on this goal in 9th grade and hasn’t looked back.
For all of those who are approaching the end of the college-search season for their own kids and looking for a new hobby (especially one that won’t cost $$$$$), I have a couple of suggestions:
CC! There are kids (and parents) who need guidance, thought partners, someone to talk them off the ledge or to give them perspective…and you can help to provide all of that! And if CC has an array of perspectives, it makes it a richer environment for those who need help. And there are various Parent Cafe threads for all the non-college conversations, too.
Use all the knowledge you’ve learned about the college search process to help kids who don’t have someone with your knowledge and time to help them. Below is one organization that helps students, 97% of whom are first generation to college with a median family income of $40k.
Another option - after D24 left (I still have D30 at home and a demanding job), I’ve used my “extra” time to get more involved with local politics and supporting candidates whose values align with mine. Grass roots!
I relate. I’ve done this for four years strait. D25 was accepted during the ED round and I it’s a strange feeling, specially these last couple of weeks.
Also this!
This is such an important point. I remember reading somewhere with DS16 about how you’re not supposed to say, “how did Princeton let you in when you can’t even remember to start the dishwasher” and similar, because of how damaging that can be at a sensitive time for kids.