<p>DS just committed to Earlham tonight! His most recent visit clinched it - spent the night with some current students, hot dog roast on the Heart, some (probably verboten)exploring through basement steam tunnels, watched "Man on Wire" in the Student Center, and had an all around marvelous time. Felt very comfortable and welcomed. Visted 3 classes, which means he has now sat in on 6 Earlham classes and liked them all. </p>
<p>While he had gained admission to all four schools to which he applied (others were Ithaca, Elon and Furman - a wide range, I know), Earlham was the only one in which every single interaction was a positive one, from students to faculty to staff. He will be doing the Wilderness program in Utah that starts on July 25 and then goes straight into orientation. </p>
<p>I am so curious to know if some of the other regular post-ers from earlier this year have committed - let us know. </p>
<p>As parents, we couldn't be happier. To paraphrase Doug Bennett, Earlham's well-spoken President, we believe this is where our DS can be the best "himself" he can be. We (fairly silently) hoped he'd make this decision, and he did. Woohoo!</p>
<p>Only downside of him doing the Wilderness trip is that we won't meet other parents on move-in day - perhaps later. Best wishes to all.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your son’s decision. Two weeks from now we’ll be at Earlham for our daughter’s graduation. She’s had a wonderful experience these four years and we continue to be impressed with how well the college met her needs. Sounds like your son will easily fit into the Earlham community. We wish him a happy and productive college career.</p>
<p>Our DS also committed to Earlham today, but has opted to take a gap year and start in the Fall of 2011. He has been thinking about deferring enrollment for quite a while, and DH and I support that decision. We are also very happy that he chose Earlham!</p>
<p>Sodumfree, congrats to your son. Ours considered a gap year, but jobs are too scarce and an empty year would be a very bad thing for him. So off we go - I am truly excited for him, and think he might the absolute right choice for himself. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Shelbymom I’m jealous–my reaction to Earlham was same as yours, I think it is an amazing place. But, ended up # 2 or 3 for son. I am happy with his choice, but will always have a wistful feeling that this was an opportunity missed. He also is doing a gap year.</p>
<p>I am concerned about the job situation, but our son has friends who have found jobs without too much difficulty. We’re talking fast-food, retail-type jobs. We live in New York City, where there are countless stores and restaurants, so I’m hoping this will work. </p>
<p>Nepop, congrats to your son at his chosen school (even though it’s not Earlham!) and good luck to him with his gap year. I’m thinking about starting a Class of 2015 Gap Year thread!</p>