Is this a realistic list, or a recipe for disaster? (sorry for the long post)

Applying to College
121

Thanks for sharing. For all of the research that S22 has done, I really think for Oxy it was more of that “feeling of rightness” when he toured campus. It checked off most of his boxes (small, welcoming, diverse, curious kids, good music, lefty politics, close student/faculty relationships, etc), but so did a bunch of other places. Los Angeles was a huge plus for him as well, so that was some of it. Also, a few random conversations with various people on tours sealed the deal. He absolutely loves it, but I also know he’d be just as happy at most of the schools on his list, which is a comforting feeling.

He’s very familiar with all of the 5C schools, but none of the others are really a fit. HMC is not for him at all (no math/sci), Scripps is out for gender reasons :), CMC would be a bad fit for him politically. Pomona is the closest match, but honestly, I don’t think he stands a snowballs chance of admission, and I’m trying to keep the list realistic (hence the title of this thread).

I agree Willamette is a great place. Would have been happy to see it stay on S22’s list, but c’est la vie. In the end, he can only go to one school. Getting kind of exciting here! Hope you (and other kindred spirits on this thread) will keep us all posted!

4 Likes
122

@cosmopolitan2022

My daughter has a fair amount of overlap in schools with your son. From your list, she’s applied EA to L&C and Lawrence, and plans to apply RD to Pitzer, Oxy, Dickinson, and Oberlin. We haven’t been to Lawrence, so I really appreciated your take on the town of Appleton and the surrounding Wisconsin area. We had a similar experience when we drove out to Dickinson this summer.

My daughter visited Occidental and Pitzer this weekend, convinced that Pitzer was her absolute dream school, with a possibility that she would apply EDII. Now she loves Oxy and Pitzer equally and is excited for either one. Pitzer didn’t fall but Occidental definitely jumped into a tie for number 1. She had a surprisingly great reaction to Oxy’s location in LA and basically liked everything she heard on the tour about the school and its offerings. She doesn’t love the buildings (she has a sort of mid-century modern, more sleek aesthetic) but the campus felt “right” nevertheless. So I can totally see the appeal of the school for your son. I hope he gets in and his search is over by mid December!

Congrats on getting this far! There really are plenty of great places.

3 Likes
123

And just as the tick, tick, ticking of the clock became too unbearable…some good news!

S22 just got his first decision, an EA admit to Lake Forest! He’s not half as happy as I am, as it has dropped toward the bottom of his list in recent weeks, but I can definitely sense some relief. He has that “whew, I guess I’m actually going to college now” look on his face. They should make an emoji for just for that :tipping_hand_man:

As an added boost to his fragile adolescent self-esteem, he got awarded their top (I think) level of merit money ($30k/yr. Presidential Scholarship). And though the money isn’t going to impact his decision making, I’m hoping it bodes well for how his application is being received. Probably reading too much into that one, but I’ve completely run out of tea leaves to read, so what the heck. :man_shrugging:

Meanwhile, I’m glad that there’s some good news heading into Thanksgiving, and hoping that you’re all getting some too!

27 Likes
124

Woohoo! Congrats that is so exciting! And wow amazing merit it does sound like his application is well received! You and he should be so proud!! Have a great Thanksgiving!

2 Likes
125

Many thanks! And a Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

2 Likes
126

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you another update.

On the fourth night of Hanukkah, S22 received:

Early Action Admit to Lawrence University (with $29k/yr in merit money)!

S22 was more visibly excited about this one, and it was fun to see. He now has a choice, which is wonderful. I’ve been telling him all along that he only needs one school to have a destination, two to have a choice, and the rest is just for showing off. Guess he was listening, because he quoted it back to me :slight_smile:

With a couple of nice midwestern choices in his back pocket, we await upcoming EA news from the East (Bard), the Northwest (Lewis & Clark) and the Grand ED Finale (we hope) from Occidental.

Hope all is well with all of your anxious S22’s and D22’s :grinning:

27 Likes
127

Usually it’s the fifth night when kids get a big present! Congrats to your S22!

3 Likes
128

My D22 also got an admit letter to Lawrence this afternoon!

It was the first college she’s heard from so she was very very excited. Plus, Lawrence told her that she’s been awarded a Tuition Exchange award, which was extra-thrilling for the parents. Most colleges that participate in TE make applicants wait until April or even May to get news about the award, so Lawrence’s decision to link admissions and TE was very sweet.

It’s ultimately hard to imagine my daughter leaving California for Wisconsin, but right now, Lawrence is #1 in our hearts.

17 Likes
129

Fantastic news, indeed. Congrats on the wonderful admit, and the early word about TE! Hopefully many more exciting choices to come.

Any guess on how D22 is feeling about Lawrence in her pecking order these days? Either way, I know the first one is always special, and a huge relief. Cheers! :clinking_glasses:

3 Likes
130

Awesome news about Lawrence and TE! (I will have my son apply but it will be lower on his list for being too close to home).

1 Like
131

S22 just got an email that Oxy ED results are coming out at 5pm on Friday. I’m keeping up a relaxed and casual front for him, but on the inside all my calm and cool has left the building.

After a preposterously long search, everything is speeding up (and slowing down) all at once. In other words, the next two days are going to be long ones.

Sigh.

Hope the portals are being kind to everyone.

9 Likes
132

There’s no clever way to say it, so I’ll just put it out there.

He’s in!!!

Occidental ED hit the screen at 5:00 on the nose, and there it was. A cute little video, a dancing Tiger named Oswald, and even a surprise little merit award ($10k/yr).

The full range of emotions were on display in our household today: panic, nerves, tears, relief, joy, and everything in between.

In the end, we were all just so frazzled, and beyond ready to be done with the worry. He desperately needed to move on to other things, and I’m super grateful he can do that now.

In the days ahead there will be moments to reflect on what all of this was about, what’s to come in the future, and what amazing things might have been (I’m looking at you Oberlin, Skidmore, Pitzer, Lewis & Clark 🥲).

But right now, in this moment, I can say this: It was all totally, totally worth it. S22 is beyond ecstatic, and I’m so disgustingly proud.

It isn’t my moment, of course, it’s his. Still, after a profoundly difficult couple of Covid years, I’m going to allow myself to bask in the bliss of some truly good news for a short while.

I’m so appreciative of all of the help and encouragement I’ve received on this thread, and hope to pay it forward any way I can. I’ll be keeping a close eye on all of your searches, and look forward to seeing the wonderful places everyone lands.

Monday morning, it may be back to Calculus, but tonight, we dance! :partying_face:

57 Likes
133

Congratulations!

2 Likes
134

Totally okay to celebrate our kids successes! Congratulations to him! Great that he’s excited about his college selection and thats all that matters.

3 Likes
135

Terrific news!

2 Likes
136

So happy for you!! Congrats!

(I live quite close to Oxy, so feel free to DM me questions about the area if you want.)

2 Likes
137

Huge Congratulations on Occidental! That is fantastic- very happy for him and your family.

2 Likes
138

Many thanks! We’re all still spinning here. Hope your search is going well!

1 Like
139

Great news! Congrats — sounds like an excellent fit!

2 Likes
140

Congratulations!! It sounds like you and your son approached the college search really thoughtfully and it’s wonderful to hear that it ended so well. My son also got good news (Bates ED) and it’s sort of surreal to realize the whole ordeal is over.

6 Likes