<p>Well of course the initial glow wears off after a while...</p>
<p>But once you matriculate, you'll definitely get very excited about actually attending come fall.</p>
<p>I envy you so much...</p>
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[quote]
Uh, well...while, uh, [nervous laughter] I was disappointed, let me make clear that such thoughts as these were furthest from my mind. I do hope, for the physical well being of the admissions committees considering Matt, that everything goes well for him.
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<p>Ha! You're funny - of course I knew that already from above posts, but thought it was worth pointing out! Actually, everything is great with Matt. In at Pomona early with a full-ride! :) Now my daughter, that may be more of a challenge - glad I got a trial run first!</p>
<p>"I am still riding the high. I sit in my awful physics class and thank the Lord I am going to my dream school. Everytime I look at my college apparel I get excited again. It never gets old for me."</p>
<p>blondeisbetter...i think you just defined my life</p>
<p>Haha I try. But seriously I had the worst practice today but right in the middle of practice my coach discovered I wore my college sweatshirt and he held it up and my workout was instantly better.</p>
<p>My son is now a freshman at a school which, at this time last year, was one of his safety schools. </p>
<p>It was a big disappointment when he was deferred and ultimately rejected by his top choice school. But the upside of it was that it kind of freed him from the pressure of having to find and then attend the <em>best</em> school possible. </p>
<p>With a fresh outlook, he reexamined the schools that did accept him (two "good fits" and a "safety"). He looked at more than just academic rankings and name recognition and considered the whole environment; climate, surrounding geographic area, nearby town(s), etc. He ended up choosing the school that seemed to be the best fit for the whole person that he is; academically, socially, extracurricular-ly. The school he ended up choosing was <em>not</em> the one with the highest academic ranking.</p>
<p>Now he could not be happier. He feels as if fate intervened, ensuring that he went to the perfect school for him, despite what he <em>thought</em> he wanted. </p>
<p>If I were to characterize his views on college selection now vs. at this time last year I'd say that - within the universe of schools he applied to, which encompassed a reach/fit/safety range appropriate for him - the relative importance between academics and everything else has flipped. Where last year it was something like 70 percent academic and 30 percent everything else, now I'd say it's the other way around. He says, "college is, of course, an academic experience, but it is also <em>so much</em> more that just that." </p>
<p>While home on winter break he saw a girl sitting in the aisle of a bookstore looking at college guide books. He thought about approaching her, and telling her not to get so hung up on academic rankings and instead ask herself, "If I could live anywhere in the country that I wanted to for the next four years, where would I go?" and then apply to appropriate schools in those places. He reiterated how lucky he feels to have ended up where he is.</p>
<p>I'd rather not say which schools he applied to and where he ended up, because the reach/fit/safety range that was right for him may be entirely different from what is right for whichever student might read this, and it might detract from the larger point which is: Look for the school(s) that fit the <em>whole</em> you, not just the part of you that is concerned with academics. </p>
<p>I know, believe me, that this can be much easier said than done. There can be tremendous pressure to reach as high as possible on the college pecking order. It's not unlike other pressures society places on kids to be the smartest or the prettiest or the fastest or, whatever. I mean, there's even indirect pressure right here on CC: just look at the stats on many of the "Chance Me" threads, with all their SATs in the 700's and GPAs in the high 3's and even 4.0s. </p>
<p>I don't mean to get all philosophical, but seriously, I'd say chances are that the happier you are <em>at</em> school, the better you'll do <em>in</em> school. And with that in mind, remember that your objective is not to <em>get in</em> to college, your objective is to <em>graduate from</em> college.</p>
<p>^^^ This is a GREAT post. There are times I wish this site had rep points - this is definitely one of those times. Thanks.</p>
<p>Sure, one wants to graduate from college at the appropriate time. But I think your objective should be to experience each moment of your life fully. </p>
<p>If you've gotten into your dream school, savor the moment. There will be times ahead of you when you don't get what you thought you wanted when the memory of that triumph will come in handy.</p>
<p>And if you didn't get into your dream school, there's a exhilaration to be had in not yet knowing what the cards hold for you next year that's also worth savoring. </p>
<p>The richness of your experience next year may have little to do with whether you now perceive the school you will attend as being your dream school. I attended three universities over the course of my academic career: one "reach", one "match", and one "safety". Looking back, I'd have to say that it was the "safety" that provided me with the most profound pedagogical experiences.</p>
<p>
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Actually, everything is great with Matt. In at Pomona early with a full-ride!
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<p>Full ride at Pomona? Based on Financial Need? Outside scholarship? Super secret Pomona merit scholarship? Or because they know better than to mess with MattsMom?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Pomona College Grants and Scholarships
Pomona College has income available from endowment and from annual gifts to the College to fund College grants and scholarships. All such awards are based on a student's financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid. A complete listing of these awards can be found in the Pomona College Catalog.
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<p>I agree with the OP. I got into Yale, and after a few weeks the glow of that decision letter faded. And now I just feel bummed that I have to keep working in my classes for valedictorian! Haha.</p>
<p>My son has a "full ride" too, from the bank of Dad. ;-) </p>
<p>Hopefully one day he'll be able pay it forward by putting <em>his</em> kid(s) through college.</p>
<p>
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Full ride at Pomona? Based on Financial Need? Outside scholarship? Super secret Pomona merit scholarship? Or because they know better than to mess with MattsMom?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That's it! They knew better than to mess with me! And, I thought it was all about the essays :)</p>
<p>He's a "Quest Scholar." I owe CC for showing me the way....and yes, based on need and incredible Matt-magic.</p>
<p>On behalf of all of us deferred from our dream school . . . fucck this thread.</p>
<p>^^while I don't approve of the language, I do sympathize with the sentiment.</p>
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He's a "Quest Scholar." I owe CC for showing me the way....and yes, based on need and incredible Matt-magic.
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<p>How touching that through Questbridge Matt was able to overcome the financial and intellectual impoverishment of his family. No doubt another chaotic Florida household, such as featured on "Cops", bereft of books, a yard littered with cars in disrepair, benighted parents who know nothing of higher educashun save for what his mother, with her penchant for ideating about ventilating Adcoms, stumbles across on CC. From within this wretched hive of ignorance and squalor Questbridge finds glinting the rough jewel of Matt, with his 2340's, that they cut and polish to that sparkling gem now adorning Pomona College. </p>
<p>Is that how it went? ;-)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Eligibility
**Annual household income: **Last year's scholarship recipients typically came from households earning between $0 and $60,000 annually. If you come from a household earning more than this amount but still feel that you have faced economic hardship, there is room on the application to explain your situation.</p>
<pre><code> Your parents' level of education: Many award recipients are among the first generation in their family to attend a four-year college.
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</code></pre>
<p>QuestBridge</a> College Prep Scholarship - Eligibility</p>
<p>
[quote]
How touching that through Questbridge Matt was able to overcome the financial and intellectual impoverishment of his family. No doubt another chaotic Florida household, such as featured on "Cops", bereft of books, a yard littered with cars in disrepair, benighted parents who know nothing of higher educashun save for what his mother, with her penchant for ideating about ventilating Adcoms, stumbles across on CC. From within this wretched hive of ignorance and squalor Questbridge finds glinting the rough jewel of Matt, with his 2340's, that they cut and polish to that sparkling gem now adorning Pomona College.</p>
<p>Is that how it went? ;-)</p>
<p>Quote:
Eligibility
Annual household income: Last year's scholarship recipients typically came from households earning between $0 and $60,000 annually. If you come from a household earning more than this amount but still feel that you have faced economic hardship, there is room on the application to explain your situation.</p>
<p>Your parents' level of education: Many award recipients are among the first generation in their family to attend a four-year college.
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</p>
<p>LOL... colorful and of course funny, some of your description is really not that far from the truth! We have a plant nursery that actually does give that littered yard look! Income's comfortably under the limits (I'm still getting used to the concept of 40-60K counting as low-income - hell, that <em>I'm</em>, a nice girl like me, is low income!)...but you got me on the education (and you flatter me), but it wasn't necessarily a deal-breaker...our family has other charms that made son's 2340 shine.</p>
<p>Hey MattsMom! I followed you in the QB thread this year :) I'm so glad everything worked out for Matt. I think I read somewhere that you also have a daughter going next year. Best of luck to all of y'all :)</p>
<p>^^
ok, I just read that and it sounded completely stalkerish...factor out the creeper element, please.</p>
<p>^^^oh no! Not at all!! It's great to see your name!</p>
<p>What happened with you??????????? </p>
<p>My daughter has little prayer of QB....her PSATs were a 149/240 (she has severe ADD - w/o adderall, she scored a 117!)....she's studying like mad and I'm sure she'll bring it up, but it would take a small miracle for her to get into QB territory (she would go for photography at Parson's if she got there). She actually though really wants to study biomedical photography at RIT...They however are known a lot more for merit aid (she would need an 1800) and they do consider need, but I am guessing the package will fall short, but who knows? We had one miracle...:)</p>
<p>I definitely agree with post #47. Happiness at a school=success, even in the classroom. There is absolutely no way to get good grades in college when you're feeling depressed and alone. The better your environment suits you, the more focused you will towards your studies, the more motivated you will be to enjoy learning for the sake of learning. It may be against the mindset of your parents or friends but the best school for you may not be the highest ranked. Plus, ranks are all relative which is another reason they are so controversial.</p>
<p>MattsMom-- I was matched with Emory (my #1 since junior year).</p>
<p>I hope everything goes well! Your kids are very lucky to have a mother like you. I hope they tell you how much they appreciate (and love) you :)</p>