<p>So happy to hear the final decisions rolling in. I think the list of acceptances among our kids belies all of the media hype about how impossible it was to get into great schools this year! </p>
<p>As for my daughter, she visited Beloit last weekend and came home even happier about her choice. I would not have thought it was possible to be any more excited or sure than she already was, but she was. If I have learned anything from this journey, it's that parents need to trust their children when they say they know what they are looking for --- and tell them it is OK when/if they change their mind along the way. Things really do have a way of working out if you'll step aside and let them. :)</p>
<p>Carolyn, I want to thank you for all of your help and contribution to this board. Your posts have been a treasuretrove full of knowledge that has been so useful to so many families. Think about all of the students' lives that you have touched with all of information about schools, and the admissions process that you grasped and then shared with all of us!</p>
<p>Well, I'm sure I'll take credit for it ;) but Rhodes has been getting steadily more selective on it's own. It is somewhat unique among it's peer group for several reasons, a significant one being it's % of OOS kids (granted, most are still from the South or Texas).</p>
<p>Welcome fireflyscout's D to the Maize & Blue Knights of Carleton! I'll save you the piles of winter gear that my D doesn't/won't wear! Have a vanilla latte at Blue Monday's on me!</p>
<p>After a long week of visiting my DS's final three choices, he has made his choice and will be going to Dartmouth. Was tougher for him than we thought it would be. Visited Hamilton on Monday and loved it - kids were friendly, campus beautiful, lots of perks and he had a great time on his overnight. Was not sold on Colgate on Tuesday (although DH and I thought it was equally wonderful but wisely kept our mouths shut). Dropped him off at Dartmouth on Wednesday with him thinking he would be going to Hamilton. Did not hear one word from him until we picked him up this morning. Greeted with grins, non-stop chatter about his host being "chill", the "amazing" rare books library, the theater, the science department, a classics class he attended, all the kids he met, the athletic facilities, how much fun he had - just bubbling over. Asked if he needed time to think still but no - Straight to the bookstore to pick up the requisite lanyard, sweatshirt and stickers for the car. Although he was exhausted (think he got a total of 6 hours of sleep over 3 nights) he talked non-stop for the three hour drive home. Have to say, I am glad that the decision is made, that my son is so happy with his choice and that for once we will be traveling a reasonable distance to visit a child in college (DS#1 is 13 hours away by car). A little sad that this process is over but looking forward to all that lies ahead for him!</p>
<p>Our S finally made his college decision. He will be a purple Paladin at Furman University. Now I guess it's time to figure out what a Paladin really is! He loves bragging to everyone that he is going to attend, "F-U". Turning down Duke will hurt, but when Duke wanted him to pay $39K each year and Furman was giving him nearly the same amt each year, it really wasn't that tough of a decision. Furman was consistent in recruiting and courting him. They made him feel special and wanted which in the end is what sealed the deal. Nice to have the decision done!</p>
<p>Congrats to your son Lukester!!! Sounds like a well-thought out decision and its nice to be wanted. Son is also having a hard time turning down Duke (its so close to home) so we understand!!!</p>
<p>Love the "F-U" comment! Boys.</p>
<p>Glad your deliberations are over, hopefully we will be in the same spot ASAP. Wishing and hoping and wishing................</p>
<p>Lukester is sending a great student to my alma mater..and the faculty is going to be thrilled to get him. I am so happy to see Carlton win the day and gain some great students, too. Mum2boys, how lovely to see your son's eyes dance and decision ring out as clear when he chose Dartmouth.<br>
Now April showers bring May etc etc but I know what I am waiting for. Andi?</p>
<p>Congratulations, mum and Lukester! It sounds like your sons know exactly where they want to be.</p>
<p>I'll keep everyone posted on Carleton. And I want to thank the several Carleton parents who have helped me out - Maize&Blue, texastaximom, oh I know I'm forgetting someone!</p>
<p>Mum2boys, my 18-year-old son had a similar reaction to Hamilton. He also likes Dartmouth, but is still undecided. Do you and other parents think Dartmouth is a good choice for a regular, nice kid who does well in school and is generally well-liked, but who isn't particularly independent, sophisticated, or athletic? Is there a lot of academic pressure from professors and other high achievers? Can a kid who doesn't want to drink or smoke weed have a social life?</p>
<p>Overwhelmed, in many ways you are describing my son. He is not particularly athletic, does not smoke or drink, is not a party animal, is a serious student who is well liked at school, the kid who acts, writes, does improv, that sort of thing. The only difference is I would say my son is fairly independent. We were concerned leaving him on Wednesday that he might be overwhelmed at Dartmouth or be turned off by the frat scene or drinking, etc. But DS came home saying that although kids drank, he didn't feel pressured to follow suit. Felt that once he was a student and knew more people, being a non-drinker at a party would be a non-issue because he would just be there with friends. He found the kids to be generally laid back - non-competitive with each other although highly motivated about their work. DS has never been one to participate in team sports, particularly - at least not since middle school soccer and little league - but is now looking forward to DOC as well as learning to ski. He felt very welcomed by the students he met who kept telling him that he should choose Dartmouth and how much he could bring to the school - made him feel special and wanted. Not that that was different from Hamilton - which was equally welcoming and warm - but it was reassuring that Dartmouth had some of the same qualities he had so liked about Hamilton. He was able to speak with some of the professors at Dartmouth and students talked about really getting to know the profs and being able to work closely with them - a definite plus about Hamilton that he was concerned about missing at Dartmouth. I guess the long and the short of it is that your child does not have to be 'larger than life' to fit in at Dartmouth - there is room for the quieter types as well as the partiers, the non-athletes as well as the jocks - the one thing they all have in common is that they are incredibly bright and each brings something unique to the table. Has your son had a chance to visit Dartmouth and overnight there since his acceptance? I really believe that can be the best way for a student to figure out if it is a fit for them. As you can see from some of the posts on the Dartmouth forum, some of the students that attended Dimensions did not have as positive a time as my son. But my son lucked out and was hosted by a boy who was attentive to his prospies and made sure they got to see many things and were introduced around campus. Makes all the difference in the world.</p>