<p>Many of you parents have helped me for a very long time, since I was a freshman, and I'm now a senior. So I felt it would be right to tell you where I'll be applying after much deliberation. I've started on my applications, and I have to say I feel really great about where I'm applying. So there not the most competetive places on the Earth, instead of feeling nervous, I feel excited to apply, and that's a good thing. Right now, my financial situation is worse than it's ever been as of late. For one, my parents just divorced this summer, and they are pretty much not talking. Only if they must. I'm getting the feeling the financial part of applying could lead to a lot of undue stress for both my parents and myself. It's little things, like I used to be able to ask one parent if they could attend a college seminar held by my guidance counselor, and that was fine, but now I have to ask both of them, and sometimes I forget communication is almost non-existent. Anyways, here's my list</p>
<p>Miami University (Ohio)
University of Toledo
Northeastern University (huge reach, but 3 of my other schools already have common applications, so I figured why not)
University of Vermont
Wittenberg University
Ohio Northern University</p>
<p>Your attitude is very good--I know it's hard to keep a postive outlook going through this difficult time. If you can keep that up, you'll do great.</p>
<p>One suggestion: this is going to require more attention to organization. If you don't keep a calendar already, be sure to start one, with all the deadlines for every school. Move back the deadlines yourself, allowing 1-2 weeks for unanticipated problems and delays, and stick to them if at all possible. Make several extra copies of every form, that way if one gets lost you won't go into a tizzy replacing it. Do as much of the clerical work (addressing envelopes, filling out all the basic info on the forms, sticky notes with due dates, etc.) as possible.</p>
<p>Question: is there someone who could help you with making sure the financial aid forms are all coordinated on time? For example (and this is just off the top of my head, I obviously don't know any details of your situation) let's say one parent is a procrastinator, and the other is so caught up in the emotions of the divorce that he/she is uncooperative about everything. I would ask an aunt/uncle/grandparent on each side to be your advocate to the parent. All they have to do is to remind the parent that you are depending on him/her to do his/her part for you, and that this has nothing to do with the divorce. Believe me, both your parents love YOU, and as long as they focus on that they will do what they need to do. But, if something unhappy happens in the middle of the application process, things will go better if you can call on another adult to approach the parent(s) who are so caught up in their own problems.</p>
<p>PM me if you would like to talk more, and if it sounds like I've been through it myself, you're right. Good luck!</p>
<p>Celebrian, FWIW one of the brightest and nicest guys I've known attended the University of Toledo. He ended up getting a Rotary Scholarship that paid for a post-bacc year in England and then got a full scholarship to grad school. At the University of Hawaii. As a 24-year old single guy. I hated him. Good luck!</p>
<p>As did Marite, I'd be happy to help you through PM.</p>
<p>One thing I'm wondering about: How happy would you be at U Vt? It's in a totally different area than you live, and also has a next to nil minority population. I'm curious about how you decided to apply there. </p>
<p>Thanks for the update, and best of luck! :)</p>
<p>Celebrian - if you live in Clark County or a contiguous county, Wittenberg will give you an automatic scholarship. I've forgotten the exact amount, but it reduces the cost to about the same as in-state tuition at public schools. </p>
<p>Friends of mine lived in Ada, Ohio, while one was attending Ohio Northern Law School. When I visited, I thought that it was a nice little town and the college was lovely. They are supposed to have a good pharmacy school.</p>
<p>Your list and attitude sound great, and I wish you the best of luck. I like wyogal's idea about moving up deadlines - I do that to our CEO all the time - nothing would get finished, otherwise!</p>
<p>Celebrian,
You have a terrific list!!! It is so great to see how far you have come. I have no doubt you will do very well at any of these schools and I predict you'll have some difficult choices to make come April. Best of luck to you --- and keep letting us know how it's going for you.</p>
<p>To clarify, UVM is there because I know it's a bit different, and I haven't totally decided on whether I'd like it there, but I'd rather have it there than not and regret the decision.</p>
<p>Get into the Air Guard and 100% of Ohio state schools tuition is covered, plus an extra $850 a month for GI Bill, GI Bill kicker, and pay for one weekend a month. My guard unit is in Mansfield, which is close, but there is one in Columbus, Rickenbacher which is closer to you. I don't know you that well, so I don't know if the military (even part time) would be for you, but this would be a super sweet option.</p>
<p>Celebrian25 - your list sounds great - good schools, some relative financial safties but all schools it seems you could really like. Hopefully you have had the chance to visit the Ohio schools and have first hand impressions of them. The Financial aid application process has to be kept of top of, but in reality does not have to be too stressy. You can go on line now and find out the kind of information you and your parents will have to provide for the FAFSA application. The big thing is that your parents are going to have to get their 1040s done in a timely manner for the next few years, but you can do a lot of the FAFSA leg work for them once you get your applications under your belt (over the holiday break). The application might seem much more difficult at first glance than it will end up being. </p>
<p>So good luck with your applications. Make sure your essay(s) let the adcoms see what kind of person you are. Take advantage of a favorite English teacher or CC parent for a critique. Look forward to hearing where you land.</p>