<p>O.K., things have been in a whirlwind around here...oh, it's been a GOOD whirlwind, to be sure, but....anyway,</p>
<p>My son just now had the time to open his acceptance packages from the three schools: Duke, JHU, and UPenn.</p>
<p>Lo and behold, we now have a (great) dilemma!</p>
<p>We just found out that along with his acceptance, Johns Hopkins has awarded him the Hodson Trust Scholarship, worth $21,500/year for each of the four years! Can you say UNEXPECTED?!?!</p>
<p>We have yet to receive finaid from Duke because we were missing the current year's tax forms. I am sending them tomorrow. </p>
<p>My son is SO torn at this moment! Opinions, anyone!?</p>
<p>I KNEW Johns Hopkins would be a great school for your son! (I predicted it way back in December, remember??? Patting myself on the back now!!!!). Oh, I don't know what you should do. In fact, don't do anything for the time being, until you hear from Stanford and get the FA stuff from Duke... just enjoy the fact that your son is being pursued and that now you know that you can afford to send him to a great college!!! Yeah for great outcomes. I'm soooo happy for you.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your son, Berurah. What an embarrassment of riches!
What an exciting time it must be for your family. You must be SOOOOO proud!</p>
<p>WOW! Congrats again! I have a feeling I'm going to be doing alot of that for you and S, Berurah, and I wouldn't have it any other way. That is one of the most prestigious awards in the country. I assure you with the heavy premed, science slant that Hopkins has, your son's credential and research were viewed with a critical eye by someone who understood the quality and implications of the work. I am willing to bet that the reader at Yale did not have a clue. (You got the runner reading the research essay--LOL). You are going to have tough decisions to make but they will be happy ones. Better invest in a lacrosse stick and ball soon to balance out that basket ball hoop.</p>
<p>My son has long-standing and very strong interests in medicine, particularly epidemiology and infectious diseases. He has always been intrigued by biosafety Level 4 viruses, such as ebola or hantavirus. He plans to major in biochemistry or something similar. He also has a passionate interest in the law. Crazy, huh? ~berurah</p>
<p>Congrats!! That is wonderful. These are the kinds of tough decisions you don't mind having to make! But could you work on your thread titles a bit please? You have gone from, "My dear friends... OMG" to, "Crikey!!! " LOL</p>
<p>Wow, even my head is spinning! I was just excited about hearing he got into Duke now this news from Johns Hopkins is even more exciting. Congratulations!!!!!!! I don't think there is a better school in the country for your son's specific interests, but as you know, I'm also a big believer in fit. Encourage him to picture himself at the various choices and I'm sure he'll figure out the answer!</p>
<p>Well, Berurah, it just keeps getting better and better! but you guys deserved some good news after a negative start in the fall. This is fantastic! I know what you mean about your being in shock mode cause when we opened an acceptance last week and saw an scholarship about that size, we were blown away and had no idea anything like that was possible. It sure adds to the elation! I hope Duke offers something real great too. See what happens but no matter what happens, your son has a list of "riches" at the moment and ain't that grand?</p>
<p>We toured JHU last summer and were pleasantly surprised by the campus. Have you been there? Maybe JHU will pop for your S to have a quick visit if they want him bad enough. Sounds like a great option to me. Congratulations!</p>
<p>What wonderful news, and the Hodson Trust Scholarship too?! Wow! That is indeed a singular honor: JHU clearly wants your son and recognizes his abilities and interests and sees the fit. What exciting choices he has ahead of him! Congratulate him for all of us!!</p>
<p>(And as a JHU alum and newly-minted alumni interviewer, I'd be happy to answer any questions y'all might want to send my way.)</p>
<p>Wow, how fabulous! Don't do anything! Just soak it up and ask son to keep an open mind until all data are in. This way he can have the emotional high, but not let it color the decision. I'm of the opinion that where top schools are concerned, you can't go too wrong, so go with the $$$.</p>
<p>Good thread titles are ones that give a clue to the topic. That way, those not interested can skip it, and those interested can click away.</p>
<p>Congratulations (AGAIN)! What fantastic news! Is there any way your son can visit JHU and Duke in April? The atmospheres at the two schools are very different. If he strongly prefers Duke, you could always try to use the JHU offer as leverage to see if Duke will increase your aid package. But both schools are definitely tops for his academic interests, so he can't go wrong in that respect at either one.</p>
<p>"Good thread titles are ones that give a clue to the topic. That way, those not interested can skip it, and those interested can click away."</p>
<p>Generally I would agree, but in this case, the point was unmistakably clear. I haven't heard anyone say Crikey! since my mother was alive. Is it a Kansas thing (her homestate)?</p>
<p>Almost forgot to say Crikey! about JHU. Yet another fine school. I bet that doomsday guy at Yale is twitching right now.</p>