My heart goes out to you seniors who are waiting for an ED decision, taking hard classes, and having to do applications and essays for schools with priority deadlines in nov or dec. Keeping up your morale is so hard! Our DD is there with you. Consider this a hug.
I think the “waiting for an ED decision” is the hardest part (at least for this mama). My kid is accustomed to balancing tough classes and extracurriculars etc. etc. But this “limbo” business of the wait, is just a different added dimension that is not so fun… I know all part of the process. But still.
The waiting and preparing for the possible outcomes, good or bad, is tough. But, the wait is almost over. Hoping the holidays will be a bit merrier in our home this year. 
Good luck to all the ED applicants and their families!!!
As a parent also going through the ED process this year, here was my advice to my son. Assume you will be either deferred or rejected, and proceed forward. The wait now is no different than the wait from January until March/April.
Again, my advice to son: If you get into your ED school, great. If not, then you move on. So my son just finished and uploaded his UC applications and to two schools that have a November 30 deadline for merit scholarships. He will now continue with his other applications that have January deadlines.
I agree i think the limbo is overpowering .
I agree! It’s the waiting that is so difficult! I insisted my DS apply to a regional university that sent us a priority application. So we have that offer and merit award in hand. It really takes the stress off to have an acceptable and affordable offer in hand. I would encourage parents of Juniors (and below) to find an acceptable rolling/priority admissions college and apply early. It may not be your student’s dream school, but at least they know there is an acceptance in hand if things don’t work out with the ED college.
I agree! Waiting for this ED is really hard. Making matters even more complicated is the fact that my son who applied to Fine Arts ED has suddenly hit an amazingly creative stride where he’s suddenly pushing out new and improved work every day and none of the new pieces will be seen by his ED school. On the flip side, being so immersed in his work has helped the time waiting go by faster.
Good luck to you all!!!
Yes my DD has a great acceptance and offer from my alma mater – a public university. It’s terrific and even if she doesn’t go, it’s been a great moral booster. I’m also very impressed by my alma mater and how well their admissions office works!