<p>Unfortunately, D is not as happy as I thought she might be. It could be that she is inundated with homework that she wasn't aware of (that is another story) and hasn't left the kitchen table for 8 hours. Of her 6 EA schools, 5 are safeties (Dickinson is the only match on the list). She was accepted to Ithaca with a presidential scholarship. Apparently, the invitation to the honors program comes later if at all. She would be happy to go there, as she would with all 5 of the safety schools but she says "it was expected so she isn't excited". Oh boy...I get that she'll most likely be accepted at all the safeties (isn't that why they are safeties?) but how about a little happiness here? Could it be that $$ is the real issue? These are academic safeties, the only TRUE safety is Umass Amherst. I think the financials have her a little down at the moment :( Even with this scholarship the school is out of reach, we have to wait for the financial aid package and I fear this is going to be a common theme. </p>
<p>Hang in there, NEPatsGirl. She might be distracted with her homework and a little crabby. Is she sending a signal that she’d like to apply to a few reachy schools? There’s still time for that. And I do understand the financial issues - we have that here too. But I have said before and I’ll say again: there are so many kids for whom ANY college is out of reach financially that we are all very lucky that our kids will indeed be able to attend college.</p>
<p>Finally, come on over to the Parents of the Class of 2015 thread! </p>
<p>Thank you Suzy100 
I’ll head over lol. She is applying to a few reach schools but I guess I’m bursting her bubble with the “we can’t afford that” factor tempered with the “she deserves to go there” (that isn’t me saying that, that is a NCP saying that haha). That, and her most recent subject tests aren’t great and I had to tell her to take a few of those “reachy” schools off her list that cost $65 each.</p>
<p>Where do I find that thread…I’m only seeing Class of 2019 threads…</p>
<p>My daughter got seven acceptances to safeties before she ever smiled at one of them, and then I was like – that’s it! She’s finally happy. But the moment was short-lived because then she fretted over affording that university that she was suddenly in love with. Luckily they quickly offered her a stack of scholarships for almost full ride, so the financial worry was out of the way and I thought Great, we’re done! But no…now she’s waiting to hear from a couple of Ivies that she can’t afford (her dad has $ but won’t pay, so no financial aid). Trust me, I’ve already figured out where she’s going, and planned a visit to the university over the winter, and she’ll have to deal with it. I’m sure she’ll come around to loving it again, once she gets over worrying what other people might think of her choice. It’s so personal, and so public, where a student chooses to apply and attend, revealing a lot about the student and their values, as well as the financial situation or attitude of the parents. I think the kids just have moments of doubt and being self-conscious, but they will come around to appreciating the places they applied to and got in and can afford. Regarding that last note, you might want to get her to apply to at least one other financial safety while there’s still time to, just so she feels like she has more realistic choices in the end. I’ve heard great things about U Mass Amherst though.</p>
<p>Thank you mommyrocks, that means alot. I’m not sure where you are from, but it seems that the NE schools are sooo expensive compared to other areas. I almost feel like I’m in a different planet than alot of people. D will only consider schools closer to home (think 400 miles or so) and even the safety schools start at $50K. I can’t think of one school that is less than that. That is one reason we started looking outside the area. There are two safety schools outside of the area (University of Scranton and St. Mikes in VT) that she would be really happy at so we await their packages, We can’t seem to find much information about them though so I’m just not too optimistic. There are NO full rides here in the NE for even the best students. (if you know of any, please…would love to know of them).</p>
<p>I hear you NEPatsGirl
Our youngest is in the application process. Two acceptances so far…the one she really has her heart set on will release decisions in about a month. Tow more to apply to after Dec 1st. My husband and I have our own idea for a good fit both academically and in our budget. We simply cannot afford her first choice school without significant aid. Although I have explained this to her, she can only see that her older siblings got to go to their first choices…doesn’t compute that the cost ws lower and scholarships made it possible :/</p>
<p>Here is the thread: <a href=“Parents of the HS Class of 2015 - #22687 by shoboemom - Class of 20xx Community - College Confidential Forums”>Parents of the HS Class of 2015 - #22687 by shoboemom - Class of 20xx Community - College Confidential Forums;
<p>Also, kids have some ambivalence about graduating, leaving friends and family behind. It’s not only exciting. Smart kids sometimes don’t want to get into it too fast. It’s a lot. </p>
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<p>That seems to imply that, of the 6 EA schools, 0-1 is a safety (if UMass is one of them), with the rest being match or reach schools, depending on how difficult it is to get the needed financial aid and/or scholarships. Perhaps she is right not to celebrate until seeing an affordable net price after financial aid and/or scholarships – the school is not (yet) an option for her if she does not know that she can afford it.</p>
<p>You mentioned Dickinson in your post. Did she apply EA? They do have merit scholarships ranging from$10K - $20K based on SAT CR+Math scores I believe. (Cut off was 1350 last year). So if she did well on SAT, could help. Gettysburg also offered my daughter really nice merit $$$ - We really liked both schools.</p>
<p>Yes Dickinson was her “match” EA, we are awaiting their decision/package. She does qualify for their top scholarship but they are a NCP school so not sure the financial aid will come through. We also looked at Gettysburg but D didn’t like it well enough to keep on the list.</p>
<p>Okay, I’m clueless. What is an NCP school? </p>
<p>A school that requires the non-custodial profile.</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman at St. Mikes and loves it. She knew right away it was where she wanted to go and was only semi excited when the acceptance came and even the scholarship information. It is a very stressful time for them and she didn’t show true excitement until the day we put the deposit down and she knew it was sure thing. </p>
<p>She’s just holding everything “close.” Only my first once was so excited at his first acceptance he called everyone. The other two had been through the drill and were not so ecstatic at the first acceptance. </p>
<p>tganns: that is good to hear. Someone here on CC pointed us in their direction, so glad they did. D would like to ski if possible while in college and is sticking to mostly northern schools for that reason. Cost of skiing was prohibitive so she only gets to go once or twice a year and would love to do more. St. Mikes is perfect for that!</p>
<p>Yes, I think she is holding back from getting excited…both because of the $$ issue and because her top choices are RD schools and applications haven’t even been sent out yet. I might try harder to not mention the financial aspect so much, she’s a bright girl, she gets it, guess I don’t need to keep dampening her hopes.</p>
<p>NEPatsGirl: I’m going to guess she’s got a pack of long-time friends, is happy in her high school, enjoys her extra curricular activities, and has slept in the same bedroom for quite some time. Now she’s expected to get excited over leaving her friends and familiar surroundings for something unknown. Add that to the usual teenage hormone party and wah-lah: it’s crazy time for parents. She’ll be just fine and so will you. Our last is a freshman and is, after the year of applications, happy at her school and enjoying the heck out of the college experience. Hang in there!</p>
<p>So true. She does love all those things, I just never thought of it that way. I am so excited for her and proud of her and somewhat living vicariously through her in this process, something I never had the opportunity to do. Thanks for putting it in perspective :)</p>
<p>I think kids get to the point where they are sick of talking about nothing but college at home. It’s stressful and anxiety producing. I promised my son that once he finished his applications, which he did last night, I’m going to work hard on my side of the street not to bring up college to him again until spring. I’m holding his grandparents to the same arrangement. </p>