@54Highland - see post # 205 
@familyfromLI thanks for your reply. We looked at GW too and while I liked what they had to say, my daughter just could not get over the urban setting of the campus. I like your comment about need-based aid disappearing when one of the kids leaves school. That may be relevant to us when my younger daughter starts this process for class of 2025.
Anyways, at least all of the available options will be on the table by the end of the week. This has been a much more stressful, and mysterious, process than I initially expected.
Good luck to you and your son as you arrive at a decision.
@Mickman - and to you!
I think there should be a federal week-long parental holiday for all senior parents that starts on May 2 !!!
I didn’t receive a letter yesterday. I’m from Brooklyn, Ny
@silverpurple hi! I honestly believe that the marquis fellowship comes down to a holistic review at a certain point. I had a 1470 SAT, 3.65 UW GPA, 4.1 W GPA, lots of extracurriculars and leadership positions, almost all honors classes, I was a part of a year long environmental immersion program last year where I had to spend the year writing a 40 page research paper on an environmental topic of my choosing, and I attend a very competitive boarding school. I visited once during the summer, and I had an interview with a current student that went well, and I had a lot of fun playing with the why lafayette essay. When I went to the scholarship weekend, I was terrified that I was answering all of the questions wrong, which is irrational, but all of the kids there were incredible and wayyyy more qualified than me. What I think really helped was my second interview, which went fantastic. I think if your daughter remains true to herself and her interests, Lafayette will see that.
Congrats scholar2019. Were you given need based or merit money?
I posted the other day but S19 was wait listed. He had applied for civil engineering, has a 4.2 WGPA, and a 34 ACT. He has several college courses from the community college where I’m employed, is an Eagle Scout, and participated in the ACE mentorship program this year (for Architecture, Construction, and Engineering).
We visited last spring and interviewed with a senior student, but because we were visiting so many schools in such a short period of time, he doesn’t recall a whole heck of a lot from the campus. He was a committed cellist for many years and dabbled in school sports, but is definitely not a hooked athlete. He’s a member of NHS and other science and math-related school teams. He is a dual citizen born in an Eastern European country (double counts). He’s been accepted to all other schools so far including Villanova (no award yet) and GWU (presidential scholar, waiting on Tuition Exchange) with the last decision from Bucknell on Thursday.
We haven’t chatted but I don’t think he’s interested in a place on the wait list.
Son accepted
NJ
1320 SAT
3.9 GPA (and honestly I don’t know if that’s weighted or UW), APs and Honors (Eng and History)
consistent, strong EC
very strong essay and interview - i think his essay is what made the difference
No merit aid, but enough need-based aid to make it work.
7 applications, 7 acceptances - but Lafayette was his most selective school, and his first choice, so I’m thrilled for him.
Planning on FAMS/History - major/minor or double major
DS international RD applicant waiting for decision tomorrow. 1380 SAT , 3.91GPA. Interviewed (Skype) on late January. Needing lot of financial aid.
Congratulations to all accepted!
For those of you who are frustrated/saddened by a wait-list or a deny, remember that there are SO many different things for an Admissions committee to consider, beyond the numbers. They are trying to build a balanced class, and sometimes it’s not about your student, it’s about how many very similar students they’ve already accepted. I also think they try to gauge the likelihood that a student might enroll, and can’t throw away too many acceptances on students who will likely get into and attend a more selective school. I think there’s a risk of being overqualified if you don’t make ‘demonstrated interest’ really obvious to the Admissions Offices.
@Decal7 - Congrats on your daughter’s acceptance to Gettysburg. I was accepted there and am seriously considering it over Laf ( both are great schools and to me its about fit, not rankings. It stinks to be rejected/waitlisted (2 rejections and 4 waitlist) but I guess its part of life
@Decal7 and @Jaspers My S was accepted at Lafayette but says Gettysburg is still #1 on his list. He has a few more decisions this week, but he loves the atmosphere, and honestly, he probably won’t pass up the $$ being offered at G’Burg. My S has also had a string of WL & rejections, so the Laf acceptance was nice, but still luvin’ him some Gettysburg! I hope you both (your daughter) find your perfect fit!
Accepted from NY!!
32 ACT
4.0 UW, 4.38 W
Visted, interviewed, met during a school info session!
@peachplant - Congrats!
@familyfromLI thank you!!! Turns out people in my town got their letters yesterday and I was the odd one out
@Decal7 - Gettysburg is looking very good to my DD as well! She plans to major in chemistry but has also been accepted into their music conservatory so it’s looking like a double major with chemistry and music may be in her future. She also LOVED being a part of marching band in high school so Gettysburg is checking a lot of her boxes! It’s all about finding the right fit! Good luck with final decisions! And I agree with whoever said that parents deserve a week off after surviving this crazy process!
@kcat90 - that would be me - I want a federally mandated holiday after this is over!!!
@familyfromLI – Yes! Great idea! I’m so tired of researching colleges online, consulting various rankings, visiting colleges, editing essays, filling out forms (a scholarship form we filled out last week asked for the make of our car; I wanted to put '73 Pacer, but the wife wouldn’t let me), waiting for the mail to bring good news, any news.
Also, anytime someone mentions EFC, I immediately get hungry for KFC.
And if a federally mandated holiday can’t be arranged, I’d settle for a free, high-end case of beer.
That said, I think our decision is made, barring any last-minute surprises.
We still haven’t heard from Lafayette (odd, seeing how we live in PA), but it’s kind of a reach, at least on the SAT side. He hits/exceeds every other mark, though, so there’s a smidgen of hope.
If they say no, however, we have other options, and Lafayette will join the ranks of Colleges We Disdain in This Household Forevermore. You know who you are.
Good luck to all!
@IWentToCollege - I am at the office and I have never, EVER, just burst out laughing!!! I’m with you all the way
@IWentToCollege - yes, there are certain schools I shall never root for in basketball again. 
At least you think your decision is made, we are gonna run this right up until the deadline. Wouldn’t be as fun any other way!!