<p>Fried and served on a platter with a side of coleslaw!! Try the double-edged admission process of musical theatre (or most performing arts admissions) – kid had to do the full-tilt “regular” application process, and then also travel to campus (9 trips…across the country…missing LOTS of school in senior year, and NO, principal, it’s not a “college visit” – it’s a requirement of admission) to audition in-person, then wait for the SECOND, artistic admission. These are programs that admit approximately 4% of the kids that audition into the major… And it’s very possible to be academically admitted to each school (she was) and receive generous academic merit scholarships, honors college admissions, and still not be granted entry into the major. But we are coming down to the finish line…one more school to report in with the artistic decision, lots to send financial aid reports…THEN the decisions can start to be weighed…</p>
<p>We have had a very long year…I feel the THUD now! So much focus has been on this for so long and now we must choose and then it is over! 14 schools, 12 admits and 2 waitlists ( 1 each). My son has selected and committed with a great scholarship for music and merit…very happy. My daughter has no strong favorite…except maybe the one she was waitlisted at simply for that fact. Now the big question… do you go for a great school with a great scholarship or an elite school with very little money. And the even bigger question is why am I still reading college confidential…I think I need rehab!</p>
<p>I’m quitting. Folding up my tent (first I’ll have it dry cleaned). This process has been SO MUCH WORSE than I imagined. I did the best I could but I am still very disappointed so far with her app results – 5 rejections, 2 acceptances, 6 to go (so there’s hope, but I tell you – I am filled with dread). I feel so bad for her. I can see it in her eyes – this new awareness that life isn’t fair; it isn’t always about being smart; the kid who trashed a house with his football buddies gets into the Ivy League – it’s actually kind of cruel. What was all that hard work for? I think this process forms people in the wrong way. Maybe they’ll end up adcoms and get their revenge. Angry, disappointed and bitter? Yes. Will I try to be positive, upbeat, and hopeful? Yes. </p>
<p>Gotta go to work. Good luck everyone.</p>
<p>I agree with all the above comments…also if some are more financially well off than others can apply early decision and get in even with low sat scores…when those with higher ones might get waitlisted…I tried to explain to D that early decision applicants are definant money for the school…Also hard to be able to afford dream schools without financial aid…I think this process made my daughter realize that even though she was top 10 in her school with a great GPA there are kids with that and more…and most of the scholarship money are going to them. I feel bad because she worked so hard in school to get excellent grades but even though she got into some great schools it would kill us financially to send her there. And it doesnt help when teachers and friends are encouraging her to apply to these schools. Almost hoping my younger daughter would be an average student and wont set her sights on very competitive schools we cant afford!</p>
<p>MOMbaritone…when you figure out an answer let me know…thats our dilema…two affordable state school in honors but 12 hours away…or two very competive schools at 50,000 plus…ahhhh</p>
<p>“I tried to explain to D that early decision applicants are definant money for the school.”</p>
<p>Schools like ED for two reasons: to lock in money from full list payers (to pay the bills), and to lock in top students (who may not have money, to enhance the school’s academic reputation).</p>
<p>Here’s the Common Application ED financial aid rule:
</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf</a></p>
<p>So if the ED FA offer is insufficient to support attendance, you say thanks but no thanks, and apply RD elsewhere later. But ED should be attempted only at the one dream school above all others; it’s a long time from November to September, plenty of time to change one’s mind and regret the decision.</p>