Thanks, guys! I’m so happy I was able to help him. As far as his mom was concerned, community college was his only option due to finances. I just couldn’t believe that his gc didn’t tell the kids at the top of the class (my nephew was in the top 2% of his class) that there are other options out there. I think of all the kids and parents in rural communities who don’t know this and it makes me sad.
@Emsmom1 once he makes a decision, may I suggest that you do a thread with his whole admissions story and a thread title that explains it? It may help some other student in the future.
That’s a great idea. I will do that!
Rough day- waitlisted at Washington and Lee and Lehigh University and rejected at Colgate and Hamilton. Disappointed 
Sorry to hear that but he has wonderful options, nonetheless, and without your guidance, it’s likely that he wouldn’t be in the great position he is in. Very few applicants get into all their colleges. Love the schools that love you, as they say.
@doschicos you’re right, I know. It’s just disheartening when they all come on the same day. But he does have great choices!
Yeah, that’s a lot of tough news in one day. Happened to one of my kids as well a few years back because the more selective colleges release later and tend to do it at the same time or within days of each other, so it’s like bam, bam, bam.
Who is he still waiting to hear from? Bates?
Also waitlisted at Bates. Still waiting to hear from USC (I’ve warned him repeatedly it’s a high, high reach but he insisted on applying), Bucknell and Connecticut College.
It might be worth staying on the waitlists if he really likes one or two of those schools. Make sure, if he does, that he reaches out with a well-written letter indicating his strong interest and how he can contribute to the school’s community.
@doschicos I agree. He is going to opt to stay on the wait list for sure at Washington and Lee and Lehigh. As far as an email, I told him to decide which was his first choice and then let them know. Is that the way to go?
I think once all is decisions are in, he should sit down and decide which he is still interested in. Will he go to revisits? For any school where he is on the waitlist and where he would attend over a school he got accepted to, I think it is kosher to indicate in his communication that he would attend if taken off the waitlist. This might be one or more schools for him if he favors them over his others. However, he still needs to, obviously, make a decision amongst the options on his plate.
W&L tends to admit a fair amount from the waitlist (48 last year, according to their common data set). @Emsmom1, if it is your nephew’s first choice, he should tell them that, as @doschicos said. He might also have his high school counselor call if there are any awards since his application was made or just to reiterate that it is his #1 and that he is a good fit (enumerate the ways he would contribute toward their community). Sorry yesterday was so rough and wishing him best of luck.
thanks @doschicos and @yauponredux I’m sure it will all work out. He will email them and also have his high school counselor call. Good idea.
Another wait list-Connecticut College. I thought he’d get in. Oh well, looks like all the good news came at the beginning and thank goodness he does have choices. Only waiting on USC and Bucknell…
@emmsmom1: Wishing you and your nephew further success as his search continues.
@merc81 thanks! It’s been a long process- glad it’s almost over. The goal was to get him out of his rural hometown and into a good college and he has four great choices with great financial aid, so I’m happy. Still holding out hope for at least one more acceptance, though 
Update:
Accept: Boston College, Franklin & Marshall, Holy Cross, Occidental
Waitlist: Bates, Lehigh, Connecticut College
Reject: USC (no surprise there), Hamilton, Colgate
@doschicos You were right! The only surprise was the acceptance to BC and the waitlist from Conn College (I thought he’d get in).
Only Bucknell left on Tuesday…
Oh and waitlist to Washington and Lee. That stung since he and is mom drove from MO to VA and spent the day with the wrestling coaches…
Besides staying on the W&L waitlist, and with Bucknell still an unknown, does he have any preferences right now? Will he be visiting some of his options for accepted student days?
Very nice options to have! I hope he is proud of himself!
I am trying to round up funds from family to send him to admitted student days at F&M, Holy Cross and BC (he already visited Oxy last summer). I think it’s important that he see each before he makes a decision. As of right now I’m not sure he has a preference. His mom is pushing Holy Cross but concedes the decision is up to him.