<p>Wow. No wine left here; what DID y’all do while I was out?!?! :)</p>
<p>I’ve got a call in to our favorite supplies, and they will restock the Vigil Lounge overnight.</p>
<p>2forcollege,
Oh, DS1 will be so steamed when I tell him about the Dr. Who marathon! </p>
<p>Actually, he is bummed that he made flight reservations for Sunday before realizing that the big UChicago folk dance festival is tonight and Saturday. He has an awards ceremony where he gets to present his research tomorrow night, however, so that should be quite pleasant.</p>
<p>He talked to a friend this evening who’s a math major at Chicago, and she is getting him set up with people to hang out with, etc. He was a little nervous about visiting MIT, but no such worries with Chicago.</p>
<p>DS1 was supposed to get his braces off in two weeks, but I rescheduled everything until after AP exams. We don’t need any more stinkin’ complications around here right now!</p>
<p>I’m glad the wisdom teeth removal has gone well. My son had his removed last summer, and it was a tough time for him. For over a week I was a regular at the video store.</p>
<p>We’ve had success with one of the schools I contacted regarding the FA offer. They changed it with no problem. I think I’ll call the second school on Monday.</p>
<p>“DS1 was supposed to get his braces off in two weeks, but I rescheduled everything until after AP exams. We don’t need any more stinkin’ complications around here right now!”</p>
<p>So funny, my DD2 was scheduled to get her braces off on the day of an accepted student visit for her older sister (that I was scheduled to accompany her to)… I had to re-schedule the ortho appt; Needless to say, I am not her favorite person right now…</p>
<p>Kitkat: keeping us in suspense? What ended up being his #1 choice? That’s ok; we still don’t know…</p>
<p>Rodney,
S has had his braces on for four and a half years (!). Two more weeks won’t kill him. He is swamped with college decision stuff, immediately followed by APs, and he didn’t want ortho work during APs. At least the braces will be off before graduation!</p>
<p>He also gets gum surgery after this (lots of overgrowth because of the braces). Have to talk to the periodontist and see if we can do that in the 10 days between the end of finals and graduation, or if that’s pushing it. He has applied for a teaching job that begins the Monday after graduation and has to be ready to roll.</p>
<p>:: mixes mimosas for the Lounge’s Sunday brunches ::</p>
<p>:: checks on the wait staff to ensure they are ready to serve ::</p>
<p>:: pours herself a cup of coffee ::</p>
<p>Good morning, all! Between fabulous meals and walking the beach, I’ve been reading one very long thread on CC this weekend. Makes me want to go punch someone, it does! (Not just anyone, mind you; just one particular person!) So I think I need a little sand therapy and am going out to get it.</p>
<p>The Belgian waffles are particularly good this morning, as are the Eggs Benedict. Enjoy brunch!</p>
<p>I think I’ll help myself to one of your delicious mimosas, owlice - thank you so much for going to all this trouble. So, can you fill us in and tell ys which thread is getting to you - you don’t have to specify which poster is getting on your nerves.</p>
<p>Rodney and CountingDown - my D (a soph) is just dying to get her braces off, and she has had them for just under a year. Her orthodontist has implied that they should be coming off soon - and I tried to get him to commit to taking them off before prom (which would make her and her BF so happy), but all I got was a “that’s a possibility” out of him. </p>
<p>Congrats 2blue. I’m so happy that that you were successful in getting the increase in FA - that’s just terrific news.</p>
<p>2blue, could we get your help calling some of DD’s schools for a better FA? </p>
<p>DD get a letter from a school the other day and the adcom wrote a very nice personal note on it. I read on CC that many schools are doing this personal note thing now. It definitely makes the kid feeling very good.</p>
<h1>2 son’s top choice is Emory. He went on a visit to a bunch of the NC/SC/GA schools last fall. In many ways - it is a perfect fit for him. I THINK second choice is Carnegie Mellon or Rochester. I think. Also good fits. He is having a little bit of a hard time giving up the “swimming D-1” dream - plus he does like the big school concept (his bro goes to a big 10 school) so there are a couple other larger schools still in the running where he would be in their honors programs. He has pretty much stated that he will be making a decision “by the end of April”, said with a big smile. In other words, suck it up mom, it will all work out.</h1>
<p>IMO, a school like Emory, CMU, Rochester or Case are all perfect for him. Not to say he wouldn’t do great at a huge school and in their honors programs. He is a pretty adaptable kid, for someone who views the world completely in black and white with no grey areas. But life is about choices. He is choosing to continue his athletics because it has helped him so much in his high school academic career and he loves it, and I support that. If he can find a situation where it does not impact the academics, which need to always come first…I am all for it. </p>
<p>So - can we hire 2blue to do our financial aid negotiations for us???</p>
<p>Oh yeah. Crap. AP exams. I forgot all about THOSE pesky little things. #2 son has 3 this year. In 9th grade he chose not to do honors english -which is the precursor to AP English - it was a huge mistake IMO and he hasn’t exactly been challenged in CP English. So this year’s AP fun times are Gov’t, Calc (not sure which one) and Chem. Do your kids use study guides for these???</p>
<p>Yes, they did, though their teachers pretty much had it covered.</p>
<p>The calc AP seems to vary a lot year by year in content (both AB and BC.)</p>
<p>One of my kids had such crooked teeth he had to go through two rounds of braces. I’m so glad we did it, but it got pricey. He finally had them removed this year, and it is nice to see that white smile. I sympathize with your daughter for having to wait, rodney, although it’s just one of those things where you obviously had to reschedule.</p>
<p>CountingDown, a teaching job sounds pretty darn impressive! You’ve got a talented son. Hope the gum surgery goes well.</p>
<p>Thanks for the mimosa, owlice. I’ve never had one before. </p>
<p>Boy, I’d like to start a side business of negotiating FA, but I think the secret in this case was comparable schools want to protect their yield, and School C could see Schools A&B had come up with the same figure and that figure was lower than theirs.</p>
<p>I agree with the importance of those handwritten notes. So far S had gotten two from the school he is leaning towards at this point. They make him feel good, but they’ve made me feel even better. Two people have pointed out personal characteristics of his that came through in his application (although not explicitly stated) and why they make them want him at their school. I wholeheartedly agree with their assessment which makes me think the school will be a good fit. Hopefully he feels at home there when he visits. He is thinking about adding a visit to a third school which I’m glad to hear. I agree with him that on paper it doesn’t sound like as good a fit, but want him to just go and get a firsthand impression. We’re letting it ride for now, but I’m glad he is kicking around the idea.</p>
<p>We were lucky to be done with braces before HS…good luck to those getting them off soon.</p>
<p>We’ve had a rough time this weekend recovering from the wisdom teeth removal. The pain is lasting longer than I thought it should have. She’s hoping she can handle school tomorrow (no senioritis in our house…she hates to miss school!)</p>
<p>Meanwhile, making a spreadsheet is really helping to clarify which school she’s more and more likely to attend. Seeing all the facts, pros and cons on one page makes certain things pop-out from all the clutter racing through our minds. I just wish there was hope for financial aid at the #1, but we’ve tried just about all we can with them.</p>
<p>2forcollege: Hope your D feels better soon, and here’s to a successful deliberation.</p>
<p>owlice: What’s to drink? I want to clink glasses with 2forcollege.</p>
<p>2forcollege, I hope your D turns the corner soon. My son was that way too, so lots of empathy here. Some kids seem to sail through it, but he had one impacted one that really hurt. I’m glad the spreadsheet is helping finalize the best college choice.</p>
<p>mythmom</p>
<p>How about a Southern Comfort Manhattan with a twist–but only one. They are rather potent!</p>
<p>Sounds good. Southern and Manhattan at once. We can hit a lot of bases.</p>
<p>Cheers! To our children and to us!</p>
<p>I’ll drink to that!</p>
<p>Bethie, please may I have one of your Southern Comfort Manhattans? I’ve never had one, and it sounds good, and I have had a long, long day. D’s computer was giving her problems, so I had to spend a few hours on the phone with tech support. Computer is fixed, but somehow blew the printer! I have to call them back since everything is under warranty - I just couldn’t deal with them again today. This was after taking D shopping for an outfit to wear to a presentation this week - also not an easy task, for those of you who have never taken teenage girls shopping.</p>