<p>We just returned from Spring Break in Bali. Thankfully, son #2 and his friends had great fun(I visualized him twice in 8 days) with no significant negative events...The earthquake on Nias was a bit of a startle(though we felt nothing). A subgroup of the seniors had planned to spend the break on Nias working for Habitat for Humanity, but the US Embassy nixed the plan (don't ask). I was sitting with the counselor/advisor to Habitat by the pool as we read about the earthquake. It could have been devastating on a personal level, it was certainly devastating to those involved. I haven't been to Nias, it is a huge surfer hangout and popular with expats.</p>
<p>On to other news. Before we left my son was accepted to Macalester. Then he was waitlisted at MIT- a pleasant surprise in a tough admissions year. While we were on holiday he checked his email and was invited to a GW admitted students' dinner in the US (at our mailing address). He arrived in from Bali 2 hours ago and after measuring him(!) (he grew .25 inches on the trip, amazing since he didn't sleep!)- he checked the website for Penn and he was happy to learn, after being deferred ED, that he had been admitted!!! Unfortunately, not such happy news from Brown. But, now he is 3.5/5-- not bad. He is waiting to hear from Claremont Mc-Kenna, Carleton and Wesleyan. </p>
<p>He is too tired to think about this decision. I think he will ride the MIT waitlist no matter what else happens...they had a very low % admitted this year and the indications are they might take students from the WL. It would be his most "interesting" option- he is interested in political science and economics....we'll see.</p>
<p>Anyways, thrilled to see everyone's happy news and to share your joy(S). For those still waiting, fingers crossed.</p>
<p>In retrospect, it was great to be away from home this past week- and essentially devoid of e-mail contact...for the kids it was a signficant culminating event, for the parents a shared moment of respite before the busy weeks ahead- and the whole college issue was touched on only briefly...and then always with a glass of something bubbly close at hand...</p>
<p>Another week and most of this will be over (well, not really it seems, but the majority of it)..hard to believe isn't it???</p>
<p>Travelling is so wonderful, but it can be draining. Betcha the decision will be easy when your son has had time to get the rest of the news and has had some rest! My D is at Penn in grad school and loves it. Philly is a fabulous place. And I tried really hard to get my son to apply to Macalester. I think the prospect of so much cold put him off.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your news thus far, and looking forward to updates!</p>
<p>Congratulations to your S. For someone interested in political science and economics, they are all great choices (good research went into his applications!). Some tough decisions ahead.</p>
<p>I'm so glad that you made it back, safe and sound~and to wonderful news no less!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>CONGRATS to your son for being admitted to UPenn after the ED deferral!!!!!! My son, too, found out that he was admitted to UPenn. Congrats, also, on Macalester! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the last few and also for him to be plucked off that dang waitlist at MIT!</p>
<p>It's great to "see" you Roby...we've missed you around here!</p>
<p>Welcome back! Glad to hear you had an enjoyable time in Bali.</p>
<p>Congrats to your son (and you) on the PENN, GW and Macalester! Your son is collecting some wonderful acceptances and his decision will be interesting. </p>
<p>We, too, were hoping for good news yesterday from Penn (Wharton) for my son's GF. Unfortunately, she was denied. So, I'm really glad to hear that so many CC parents have good news to share about ED deferrals being turned around in the RD round. Things aren't so happy around here, given her news.</p>
<p>Roby--cngrats on the accepts! Great choices. Fingers crossed on the rest of them--you know I'm a big Wes fan--my D did Government there, and their econ is supposed to be one of the best.</p>
<p>Mom'sdream--very sorry to hear about the gf. Did she get any better news to counteract?</p>
<p>Robyrm, Congratulations to you and your son! Already several great choices and more to come. April's going to be an interesting month at your home. Got any three (or five) sided coins to toss? I think it's ironically gratifying to be able to say to your ED choice, hey, considering that you weren't so sure about me, I'm not so sure about you. . .</p>
<p>Thanks for all the congrats. The good news keeps coming as yesterday he received acceptances from 3 more schools, so now(in chronological order of notification):</p>
<p>Macalester-admitted
GW- admitted (not informed yet about Honors Program)
MIT- wait listed
Penn- admitted after ED deferral(and you are right Momrath, it is nice he can say he isn't sure!)
Brown- denied
Carleton- admitted
Claremont-McKenna- admitted
McGill-admitted
Wesleyan-pending</p>
<p>I am out of town again so we really haven't spoken about what he will decide. A lot has to do with working to define the environment he sees himself wanting to be in. If we were any closer I would put him on a plane next weekend to see the schools in action-- as I feel sure it would ice the decision for him...Maybe it is worth the long plane trip, we'll see what he says after he talks with his GC on Monday (whom I think will be pleasantly surprised, to say the least!).</p>
<p>Son#2 bucked the conventional wisdom at our school that you had to do "full IB" to get into the top tier of schools. He has taken all IB or AP classes except one for the past 2 years, but has not done the full diploma-- there were particular teachers he wanted, or didn't want and this was what guided his choice...He also never walked away from a class he felt he wanted to take because of a GPA consideration, he had B- grades for 3 years in French (now to a B+ in his French IB Standard class) which creamed his GPA. </p>
<p>He really does have a tough choice- a "class A" decision! A year ago this week my son#1 was making his equally happy decision, and I first found CC....wow!</p>
<p>robyrm, As I've had the happy occasion to write twice today, I love these serial congratulations. I'll bet Wesleyan will come through too. </p>
<p>Well, here you are 4 months later and the decision's still tough. Going back for a quick trip is tempting but considering the distance, the geographic spread involved, plus everything going on at school, it just may not be feasible. </p>
<p>Of the short list, Wes is the only one I'm very familar with -- and it's a great favorite -- so other than that I can't offer any words of advice.
A very pleasant dilemma, though.</p>