Finish Line In Sight

Parents Forum
1

<p>I saw clips from the Boston Marathon this week and was struck by the similarities to the college process. An endless sea of aspirants at the start all desperate to achieve their "personal best". Fidgety excitement as the gun goes off, then everyone falling into their own, sometimes plodding, pace. Losing focus in the middle as you slog through the endless miles. Then, near the end, being hit with a series of painful hills that take out some of your competition as well as altering your own plans. Finally a long, straight, slightly downhill run toward the finish that never seems to want to get here.</p>

<p>Final tally in our house:</p>

<p>45 schools on the list at one time or another
14 schools visited over 1 1/2 years
6 applications
3 admits
1 wait-list
2 rejections</p>

<p>I'm exhausted, I need a drink and a long rest but with a week to go, Son2 has 2 schools fighting it out neck and neck. Almost there.</p>

2

<p>The good new is that your kid is approaching the Starting Line.</p>

3

<p>What a great feeling!</p>

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<p>vinceh - you should join us on the SS Indecision <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/491386-high-school-class-2011-college-class-2015-a-942.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/491386-high-school-class-2011-college-class-2015-a-942.html&lt;/a&gt; We have had quite a few drinks while our kids sort it out and make their decisions. Come on over and have a look. You will probably have to go back a number of pages to get a grasp of the group and all of the side issues that come up besides the decision.</p>

5

<p>The day we sent in the deposit, I remember thinking that I was never so glad to put something in the mail, and have this grueling phase of our lives finished. Hang in there, OP, you’re almost there!</p>

6

<p>Congrats on how far you & your family have come and the excitement you will have as your child moves forward. We hope he loves his college as much as ours have! :slight_smile: </p>

<p>We feel our kids are just beginning–S his first REAL full-time job in the near future and D dressing the set of her first student movie! Exciting times for sure & we all keep learning!</p>

7

<p>Well it’s done. Just sent the electronic deposit, USC here he comes.</p>

<p>Dad needs a drink.</p>

8

<p>Congrats, vinceh! A good friend’s D just finished her first year at USC and just adored it.</p>

9

<p>Here’s to you and yours, vinceh. My H may end up teaching him if he takes any math classes.</p>

10

<p>Thanks everyone. Last time through this in our house. I volunteer coach middle school sports, this kind off feels like the end of a long season. I’m glad it’s over and I promise my wife “no more” but I have a nephew who’s a high school freshman so…</p>

11

<p>My kiddos have both enjoyed their years at USC. S was done in 4 years & D has been there for 2.5 with one more year to go. Hope he enjoys it & learns at least as much as ours did! ;)</p>

12

<p>I know exactly how you feel. Also, since this is a huge financial decision, I think the more time you put into it, the rewards will definitely pay off. It is like buying a house, a lot of research should be put into it before buying. So we all did good. We submitted our deposit to SMU several months ago and it feels great! :)</p>