<p>I can’t kick our mailbox; it’s currently being held together by bungee cords because of the latest run-in with the town’s snowplow. It’s our ninth mailbox in 12 years, so I treat it very carefully.
One of D’s schools mailed decisions on Monday, and we still haven’t received anything. I was actually at the mailbox yesterday when the carrier arrived–she said, “waiting for something important?” and then gave an evil-sounding laugh. Maybe I didn’t tip enough at Christmas and she is hiding the letter …</p>
<p>It IS bizarre to be watching the virtual spread of the mail or of online decisions on CC, I agree. I thought I would not be one of those people who follows the opening of mail–I’m even looking at colleges my kid hasn’t applied to, but his friends have–and am feeling so awful for people who would seem to be sure bets.</p>
<p>I swore to myself that I would NOT tell my son (who steers clear of CC but who appreciates what I find out, at least what I tell him, as I try not to relate the angst) that one of his colleges jumped the notification gun and had put decisions online. I kept that promise for almost two hours then could not stand it anymore, went upstairs to offer dessert and casually mentioned, “Oh, did you know your college has its decisions online?” So much for being cool and collected. I think of myself as being pretty laid back, but this is winding me so tightly! Luckily my son has his dad’s low blood pressure. Thanks for this this thread. And the biscotti.</p>
<p>neumes: I can’t even relay the story of my d not checking her e-mail the night one of her top choices posted (and i knew about it since 3 in the afternoon)… everyone here would know who I am…her whole school heard the story…I was jumping out of my skin; thank goodness it was an “accept”…</p>
<p>My husband still thinks that college admission letters should be like “match day” for med schools…ALL coming out together on the same day; this dragged out process is really getting on his nerves (and he is the king of laid- back men)…I offered him cookies last night…</p>
<p>Thank you. I know I am probably stressing myself but I just need to do something during this interminable wait time, even if only search for more info.</p>
<p>rodney, you lasted longer than I did! I remember momofwildchild saying match day is even more stressful! But at least it is a measurable time and a fixed moment, not limbo, which is really, really hard. Which is why all the waitlisting and juggling is going to prolong agony for the next two months for many. I am trying to embrace the uncertainty. (Reminds me of the joke: Buddha goes up to the hotdog stand and says “Make me one with everything.”)</p>
<p>acme, I found it helpful to know when decisions were coming out. I prowled all the discussion pages for each college my son applied to. It kept me from bothering him, and it also kept me from going crazy about decisions that hadn’t even been mailed yet! </p>
<p>Hang in there. As stressful as this is and as huge as it feels, this all will work out for the best. My son was rejected from his top two choices, but he’s now at a top-five LAC that is <em>perfect</em> for him. He loves it, can’t imagine being anywhere else, and is making the most of his experience. So keep in mind that all these decisions are still just part of the process and not the end result–yet!</p>
<p>And I think I should post the url for Smith & Hawken–or at the very least, Ace Hardware–for all those mailbox-kicking parents who may be needing new targets.:p</p>
<p>acme, so far as e-mailed decisions go, I’ve seen threads where people are trying to figure out the methodology behind what appear to be batches. One of my favorite threads recently has been where kids are trying to figure out the methodology behind the e-mail telling how to log in and get the decisions which come out next week. (I’m in the “it’s random” camp when it comes to that e-mail.) </p>
<p>I’ve loved knowing when things have been mailed out. My son stays off this site, and it works out perfectly for us. He’s delighted to be totally ignorant about when decisions are being mailed, and we both laugh over the fact that I’ve known exactly what will be in the envelopes when they’ve shown up. However, knowing mailing dates does have the downside of the wait time. It took FIVE DAYS, five very long days for his envelope to arrive from Chicago. He had no idea it might have a merit aid offer inside, and thankfully it did. I’m wondering how long his East Coast mail will take to arrive when FA offers are sent out! </p>
<p>What’s bad about this site is I’m worrying about other people’s kids. I bet there are lots of us doing this. I feel so badly for some when I read the decisions threads, and see someone who loved a school get rejected. And there are a couple that I’m really looking for, to see if they have received any acceptances. One is a great kid who reminds me of a nephew of mine. Another is a girl who has so many life experiences that are similar to my kids, and is going through this process more or less on her own. I feel so blessed that we stumbled into many of the “right” things purely by grace. I have the utmost admiration for some of the kids I’ve seen on this board. </p>
<p>Oh, and FA threads recently. Those make me feel bad too. I was telling my son this morning I should probably try to stay away from here–yeah, like I’d be able to do that… Maybe I should forego biscotti for the macaroni and cheese. Comfort food is good.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yummy! That sounds sooo good!</p>
<p>Last year I suffered in solitary hell, being a bizarre person who did not join this cyber-community until deposit was mailed in.</p>
<p>I felt like an alien. Now I have found my species!</p>
<p>Congrats to all who have good results in hand, and a hug to all who are waiting. </p>
<p>I think I will put on the Beatles Hard Day’s Night in a continual loop – cheerful songs, silly antics, diversion while you wait.</p>
<p>Remember, waiting for our kids to pop out and waiting to see who they would be? Now you’re just waiting for a school. We already know the people going!</p>
<p>Thanks for letting me wait with you.</p>
<p>mythmom–been on cc every day for couple months but kind of privately–want to join in and bite nails together…
really so comforting to see fellow parents chatting bout acceptances, rejections and the prospect of our kids actually leaving–aaargh</p>
<p>one day up with great acceptance w scholarship–next day a dip with a rejection from a favored school but overall s feeling good about himself and maintaining perspective in this highly competitive year. that lesson is one that will keep our kids sane over the course of their lives with normal ups and downs…
thanks for the comraderie and carbs :-D</p>
<p>I honestly believe one of the biggest things we can teach our kids is to fail with grace. Not being accepted at a college is a great lesson for them - and in most cases there are other options or other opportunities out there for them where they can thrive and succeed… Our kids are all mega-overachievers, and obviously we are all too (hehehehe) or else we wouldn’t be here and they will do great!</p>
<p>Mythmom - I read your last line as “Thanks for letting me wait on you” ;)</p>
<p>OK, major analysis paralysis here. Could daughter give us a hint of her rankings in case she hears and we need to make a trip? She has heard acceptances from 4; waiting on three veryveryvery slow non ivies. Oh and spring break starts tomorrow but we probably won’t hear from those 3 schools until mid next week, guess we can’t visit them for spring break, should make other spring break plans. She does have siblings. Should go away for a break. HOW WILL WE CHECK AND KICK MAILBOX IF WE ARE AWAY? Totally forgot about older siblings spring break plans until he called the other night and asked for a ride home from the train station. (his plans WERE vague)</p>
<p>sniffs around for a 3rd (or 4th?) biscotti</p>
<p>We are really done, but I’m having trouble letting it go. S has an acceptance to the film school at Chapman, and he is delighted about it. Only USC is still out there. He did not get into USC’s film school. An advisor told him that on the phone. But, he might still get accepted there as general studies. He is perfectly fine with that. He thought it would be great to go to USC’s film school of course, but he also thought Chapman would be great. He is on board with Chapman all the way. He has an ROTC scholarship to attend there. He’d almost surely be offered an ROTC scholarship at USC if he were accepted, too.</p>
<p>But I keep thinking, “USC is such a great school! Even if he’s general studies, he could minor in film or try to transfer in (about as impossible as getting accepted in the first place). He would have such a great college experience there! Chapman is small; it wouldn’t be as much fun. He just cannot rule out USC if he’s accepted there in general studies!!!”</p>
<p>It’s like I’m giving myself an excuse to obsess about waiting for the USC envelope. In mid-April we are planning a trip to California to visit Chapman, and I made sure to allow enough time there to visit USC if it’s still in the picture. It’s really stupid, and I don’t know why I’m doing it.</p>
<p>Some schools will understand your plight and give results if you are away. And you can check in via computer anywhere you go.</p>
<p>Make a mailbox effigy and stick pins in it.</p>
<p>Sorry about Spring break. You’d think colleges would be a bit more sensible. It’s hard to understand sometimes what takes these tiny LAC’s so long. S’s final decisions came in last year on 3/31!</p>
<p>Scripps is actually giving out their results by phone to all applicants! Yikes! D would not call. She thinks she is getting a thin envelope; hearing about being rejected is more painful than reading about it.</p>
<p>"OK, major analysis paralysis here. Could daughter give us a hint of her rankings in case she hears and we need to make a trip? "</p>
<p>haha…we tried to get that out of our d at least a month ago…still refuses to rank her schools (except for the ones she has already been accepted to)…me thinkin’ this is all a defense mechanism and me thinkin’ this was the smartest thing my daughter has ever done…</p>
<p>“me thinkin’ this is all a defense mechanism and me thinkin’ this was the smartest thing my daughter has ever done”</p>
<p>wise words</p>
<p>but she won’t rank what she already knows </p>
<p>at all</p>
<p>Denise: Happy to wait on you. You gals are stressed!</p>
<p>It all gets clear. I promise. Think about comforters. That was my strategy. And I knew S was going to SOME cold weather place (Chi or NE) so I bought super on sale pea coat, etc etc. S said he didn’t need another jacket, but now he wears it every day. </p>
<p>So these are fun diversions. And then there’s prom stuff.</p>
<p>My son is the same way - has categorically refused to categorize! LITTLE WRETCH! I still believe his first choice is Emory but I believe he is pragmatic and knows that there are other choices if a) he doesn’t get in or b) gets in and gets no money which would in fact be even worse. </p>
<p>I have told him to plan on roadtripping the next few weekends. He says he does not need to see Emory or Clemson again (which would entail air travel) unless a coach wants him to come down. So that means the travel will be within 6 hours of home. Not sure how I will pull off the whole overtime/tax season/CPA thing but it will work, it will! </p>
<p>Oh yeah, PROM!</p>
<p>And then there is my super laid-back son who said, “I’m not concerned about the decisions. I’m actually excited to find out how I did in the ‘lottery’.” Lottery, indeed. I am so glad he is busy in an upcoming drama festival where he plays the lead. He is definitely not thinking college right now as he worries about his cues.</p>
<p>By the way, I bought the Tagalong Ice Cream last night (Edy’s limited edition, but not limited calories). Didn’t need it, but it’s yum.</p>