<p>I also want to thank everyone on CC. I have been here since TheDad, Soozievt and InterestedDad's daughters applied to college and have learned a great deal. I have followed along as Carolyn and Curmudgeon have blazed a path for our class. I appreciate all the people who are willing to share their experiences as well as their questions. I have learned much and feel that it has contributed greatly to my D's success to date. </p>
<p>What is surprising (to me) is that I know several private school college counselors and I am usually passing information to them (from CC)! My D is also at a large public high school and although the counselors are pretty good and love dealing with the college bound, their workload demands make it impossible to spend much time with the students.</p>
<p>Without CC, I don't think my D would have choices she will have at April 1.</p>
<p>I'm so glad I found CC! Being out of the undergraduate college scene for close to 30 years, I naively told my freshman D that if she kept up her grades and activities she could get in anywhere and probably get scholarships. Luckily, I found CC in time for a reality check and course correction and we're in good shape for next year's application period. I too went to a college guidance session last fall and the first thing they said was: just apply to any colleges that appeal to you and the money part will work out later! You can imagine my reaction after learning on CC how financial aid and outside scholarships work for most middle income families. </p>
<p>My sincere thanks to the moderators and all of the long time CC posters that have enlightened our journey. And thanks for all of the laughs too!</p>
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<p>You can imagine my reaction after learning on CC how financial aid and outside scholarships work for most middle income families.<<</p>
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<p>I stumbled on CC by accident. I started looking for reassurances that my approach was correct. I thought I was on the right track, but my preconceived notions quickly morphed from sure things to ... a LOT less certain. </p>
<p>Should I admit again that, before reading CC, I did not know what a LAC was, except that the name itself seemed to be quite an oxymoron? I remember that one of my first posts in the Parents' forum was to express my belief that state universities and their honor programs provided the best of all worlds. I still believe they provide wonderful opportunities, but I have learned that there exist many options. </p>
<p>So, I join everyone else in expressing my gratitude to the pioneers who, after removing the arrows from their back, decided to stuck around to share their wealth of knowledge and humor.</p>
<p>When my oldest was applying to college (hs class of 2000) we found the simplest thing to be the most difficult...coming up with a list of appropriate schools to apply to. We read what was out there at the time, we weren't too keen on gc's recommendations, so we eventually paid (not cheap!) for an experienced counselor...he helped.</p>
<p>What a difference a few years makes. There's so much info here on CC...and it's free!</p>
<p>Kudos to the the moderators, parents and students of CC, without whom I would be lost in a sea of college preparedness. I don't remember how I found this place, but I do know it has really helped me help my child through the entire college process. Honestly, there were times it also stressed me out because I realized there were many more students out there with fabulous grades, ACTS, SATS, and ECs than I had imagined. I didn't have any idea that the process had gotten as competitive as it has. My husband teases me about being on the CC board so much, but the minute we have a question, he suggests I "ask your CC friends about that." He also is very willing to volunteer my services to our friends who have children that are entering the college process. I try to tell him I don't know as much as he thinks I do, but he says I know more than anyone he knows (well, at least about the college process ;) ). I have established what I consider to be some very nice cyber-friendships and I truly appreciate the input that everyone here has. Keep up the good work!</p>
<p>What I appreciate about this community is that it puts power back where it should be: into the hands of applicants. Knowledge truly IS power, and by sharing what we learn along the way with each other, we empower our children and ourselves to help them. </p>
<p>In one of my classes in the UCLA College Counseling program, we were discussing our professional goals for ourselves --- there was lots of discussion about improving counseling skills, marketing college consulting services, etc. but I kind of stopped the discussion when I said that better counselors are NOT what's needed, but rather better EDUCATED PARENTS AND STUDENTS and that my professional goal is to teach others what I have learned so they can do it themselves and pass the information on. This isn't rocket science, and it doesn't take a PhD. (or a paid consultant) to learn what needs to be done and how best to do it. But, it does take a willingness to learn, to share, and to research and someone to lead the way. This community is a very good place to start. Thanks to all who participate here, I am proud and very pleased to call so many of you friends.</p>
<p>Had to chime in as well .I can say with absolute certainty that I would NEVER have kids going to two of our countrys most selective schools if it wasnt for CC. Thank you, thank you to you all!</p>
<p>I also want to chime in....I know the college search for my oldest was overwhelming. I ran into this board when she had pretty much decided what she wanted. We had struggled through all of the paperwork ourselves by that point. (like FAFSA....UGH!!) Anyway, with child #2 approaching the college search, I feel so much better prepared and ready to tackle everything...and at a much earlier stage than I had been advised pre-CC! Thanks to all for everything....from info on applications, to dorm accessories and heartbreaks!</p>
<p>I would like to say "Ditto" to all of the above "Huzzah's" for CC. Having never been through the college application process before, and knowing we were only going to do this once [1 really bright son], I can't express enough my appreciation to all the veteran parents who stuck around to help us newbies find our way through the college process maze! My family has come to understand and appreciate my obsession with CC. Can't recommend this site enough!</p>
<p>"Dittos" from my house too. I've only been a CCer for approx a year now and cannot believe how much I've learned. I feel like I've almost earned the equivilent of a Master's Degree in the college application process. I remember last year attending a financial seminar for funding for college at the local high school. This was in April and I remember one of the parents (of a senior!) asking "what is the FAFSA?" Only 6 months earlier, I too barely knew what the FAFSA was. Wow! What a difference a year makes. All in thanks to CC! My wife says I am a "CC addict." Yes I am!</p>
<p>When my D was a sophomore, we decided to tour Columbia University because we were in NYC for spring break to see a couple of shows. It was on this trip that we asked what sorts of schools she was thinking of. When she told us, we just about fell over. My hubby & I graduated from a lower tier LAC (though both loved our education) and knew that we were more than out of our league with her preliminary list. I didn't even know if she was competitive for these schools let alone what the college application/admissions process was about. But I was determined not to allow our ignorance as parents to handicap her chances for admission (this had happened to my hubby when he was applying to colleges). So off to Google I went and was so, so very fortunate to find CC. At first I just read the stuff on the CC-sponsored pages. Then I got the courage to come to the discussion groups and read post after post after post. And learned and learned and learned from all of you wonderful parents. And kids. And really appreciated the PM responses to my questions. Thank you CC, thank you wonderful parents. A toast of virtual Dom Perignon for all! Cheers!</p>
<p>I cannot add any more to what has been said, except to second it all. Thank you, everyone, for all the help you gave me and give others. I am no longer panicked about how ill-informed my kids' high school guidance counselors are. I have "resources" now that I can use to help my sophomore d when it is her turn. I recommend this site to others all the time.</p>
<p>I am NOT glad I found CC. For one, I do not get my housework done in a timely fashion anymore due to the time I spend on cc. Secondly, I have gone from averaging a couple of novels a month to one novel a semester if I am lucky. I speak a strange language now, with acronyms like LAC, SAT, EA, RD, PSAT, AP constantly running through my head. I laugh out loud while reading posts by people with weird names like curmudgeon. My dog looks at me like I am weird. My biggest fear now is how I am going to manage my addiction in my old age after my children are finished picking colleges. Do you think medicaid would cover cable service for internet hookup in the nursing home?</p>
<p>:) Two thumbs up for the cc! I have just started reading this forum over the last 6 months or so. Learning more by the day and appreciating all of the help. Kids, parents, mods, you are all the best! Cheers!</p>
<p>My thanks to the mods and CC too! Thank you for using some of the money that you earn helping people find colleges, to support and moderate this board. I wish you terrific economic success! I started browsing CC after googling "National Merit scholarships" three years ago - got addicted and never left. I've watched old-timers leave the board, but I'm so delighted that others have chosen to stay on and share their knowledge and expertise.</p>
<p>Not to get too maudlin, but as my daughter's time (and my time) in the chute comes closer and closer I am reminded almost daily of all that I have learned from the collective "you". Some lessons were easy for me, and some you had to hit me a couple of times with the ball-peen hammer before it sank in. I would have been a lost soul without you. Y'all are some kind of smart. My daughter would have suffered for my provincial (but hard-won!) ignorance. Thank you all.</p>
<p>Curmudgeon, BassDad,Carolyn---all household names around here. And though we have never met, I feel that I could ask or tell all of you CCrs just about anything. Thanks to all of you. My D and I have a well grounded approach to college search thanks to this site and its contributors.</p>
<p>Thanks to all at CC - mods, posters, and the technical gurus that manage all this! My son was fortunate to have excellent advice from many - special thanks to TheDad and Marite and Xiggi.</p>
<p>I am also grateful to have met many wonderful people -parents and students alike. There are some remarkable young people out there - gives one hope for the future. Thanks, CC!</p>
<p>Here's to all my wise and funny friends on CC. And let's not underestimate its value as a Transitional Focus for empty nest parents whose seniors actually Become College Freshmen and are G-O-N-E. I just saw my freshmen looking handsome and older last night on a stage playing Mozart with a fabulous group of kids from all over the USA making great music together in the perfect Symphony Orchestra for him-- a warm, friendly, full of espirit de corps group of kids, and two new Rhodes Scholars mixed in. Could he have figured out how to put together any hope of a successful Reach application from our poor to middling school system without CC..never in a million years. Did CC also prepare him for that waitlist he got that hurt? Yes..it did.
Is he somewhere where he is stretched, challenged and enthralled..you betcha. Do I miss him? ditto.
So here is a CC comfort plus for a recent empty-nester. It is rewarding to pass on positive advice to a new round of hopefuls..opened up my CC acct tonight and got a thank you email from a super current senior I will never meet in a state far away whose Essay I read and commented on over the holidays. Made my day. He got in Vanderbilt, my husband's alma mater ED, the year they got an extra 25% ED applicants. Our years in Nashville and our recent experience with a senior who applied and visited there were helpful to him. It is a good fit for this student..he will be a plus and shake things up in a fun way for Vandy, and we are thrilled for him
It is fun to cheer on all your kids, and to enjoy their journeys and see them fly. Thanks for sharing them a little with us.</p>