<p>I guess we will agree to disagree. As a long time Longhorn Foundation Donor, I can assure you the parent culture is alive and well. The number one topic at the Touchdown Club this fall was a tie between our children and how long Davis would last. Frankly, I find it a bit odd, during the most challenging period of young adult life, that parents just throw up their hands and yell sink or swim. I guess we just have never encountered a parent in our section that is not pretty involved. And being involved does not mean being a helicopter. It means guiding children through a process that can be confusing at best and stepping back enough to allow mistakes to happen. Every kid that leaves this nest has the appropriate life skills…shopping for groceries, paying bills, independently obtaining a driver’s license, independently opening bank accounts, making appointments, asking proper questions, the art of compromise, ironing a shirt, proper laundry technique but most importantly, education in proper etiquette, social writing skills and politeness. No one ever complains that a child has manners. It certainly is lost on a good percentage of the population.</p>
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<p>I, too, am a longtime Longhorn Foundation donor who never intimated that all ties be severed with one’s children once they attend UT or any other university. As listed above, the laundry list of qualities you cited as necessary for young adults to be successful I agree should be instilled in every young adult.</p>
<p>Where we will “agree to disagree” is the extent to which some parents obsess FOR their children as to which program, etc. their child may or may not be accepted into. Some parents take it much too seriously–far much more than their own children do. This level of worry does no good for anyone involved and just permeates stress. </p>
<p>There is a line that parents must draw where they “help guide,” as you put it, their child through an introductory period into college life, rather than make their decisions for them. I think we’ve made our points. Again, good luck to all.</p>
<p>Hi, txex86:</p>
<p>Yes, I’m here more as a stressed out parent talking to some of my parent peers who have a lot of the same hopes and dreams for their kids who have applied to this particular school. I have found a great support community here. </p>
<p>My concerns are really college specific : UT vs A&M. I want to know as much as I can about the schools my first born son will be dropped off at next year. </p>
<p>You can feel free to disagree with me and it doesn’t hurt my feelings one little bit. Go ahead and have your objections, and ignore my posts if they offend thee. Live and let live. </p>
<p>Peace and love,
Eaglemom</p>
<p>The (prospective) students should be the ones to communicate with UT, so CC is the ideal place for parents to post. </p>
<p>This is NOT a students-only forum. The (mostly) anonymous mix of parents, students, prospectives, and alums post a variety of questions and experiences that can be helpful to other readers. The different perspectives expressed here is what makes it useful!</p>
<p>Back to the weather…
My son just emailed video of kids sledding on campus late last night. Great sense of community!</p>
<p>My son, being from Maine, never guessed that classes would be canceled, so he headed off for his 8 am class and wondered why everything was so quiet! He’s getting a kick out of it all.</p>
<p>just so everyone knows, my college adviser talked to an admissions officer today and she said to be looking for decisions toward late Feb. I am an OOS however, so it might be different for Texas kids</p>
<p>@txex86, congrats on your daughter’s success thus far! Posting just to brag on your child is perfectly okay. Posting just to belittle others is NOT okay. That’s mean and constitutes cyberbullying. (And it’s ironic you post to police fellow parents from posting on the UT forum, yet you’ve posted 98 times.)</p>
<p>@MaineLonghorn, that is hilarious! I’m sure he was in disbelief school was canceled…over an inch of snow!</p>
<p>@txex86
My mom reads the CC postings because she finds information that is useful (I made her promise not to post anything - lol). I suffered a traumatic brain injury that left me with a learning disability. You implied that hard work will get automatic admission to UT. I can assure you that I work much harder than any of my friends on my schoolwork but I am not in the top 8%. I also have a job, volunteer, and have many school activities that I enjoy. Because I do not know that I will get into a Texas school, I have had to apply to several out of state schools. It takes a lot of time to manage all of those apps especially since many of them include separate deadlines and paperwork for scholarships and honors programs. I am grateful that my mom can help me keep up with deadlines and information on different blogs and postings. She is not a helicopter mom, she just wants the dreams that I have worked very, very hard for to come true.</p>
<p>Tiger… Enjoyed your post. I get miffed when kids, parents…whoever… come around and tell the world how hard they (or their child) have worked to get wherever. You are 110% correct. There will always be someone who works harder than someone else without a better result. I applaud your drive and perseverance. I wish for only an amazing result for you!</p>
<p>Good luck, Tiger! You sound like a wonderful young person! I hope you get into your first choice, but you’ll do fine wherever you go.</p>
<p>Awesome post, Tiger!</p>
<p>Tiger, thanks for sharing your story. It has been fun talking with you here. You have so much to offer beyond your stats! I hope all those great “intangibles” shine through your apps. You will go far no matter the path you take…whether it’s orange or another color! I hope you let us know how it all works out.</p>
<p>Support like this is what CC is all about. Fingers crossed, but I know the odds are against me, but if you don’t try you’ll never know!!</p>
<p>@Tiger: Best wishes!!!</p>