M10 Parents' Edition the try-not-to-freakout-thread

so what comes in the packages?

^The acceptance letter, awarded scholarships/aid (although some schools send that later), and various celebratory school swag: pillow, T-shirt, water bottle, bumper stickers, refrigerator magnets, and confetti (hated that one - spilled all over the carpet!!) are some of those that I remember.

All of the above… and there was a helium balloon in one of our parcels. And a laundry sack.

Please note: not every school sends swag! Reading this forum last cycle got me looking forward to DC getting some goodies if admitted, but it really depends on the school.

Wait, a helium balloon? In the box?

Seconding @AppleNotFar 's note above. Not all schools send swag.

@GMC2918 I think I read before that Emma Willard did that. Sounds kind of fun, but it also seems like most are going to just online notifications rather than “swag bags” right away.

Putney sent a hand thrown mug made by an upperclassmen.

That is so cool, @jdewey!

I am so tired of waiting. It is dragging out. Want to plan and be on with it.

Agreed. Ready for this to be over and take the next step. Son told me yesterday for the first time that he is counting down the days and nervous as well.

I am with your son. I downloaded a (free) app called event countdown. We started thinking about schools in 6th grade. We started visits this time of the year in 7th grade. It has been too much researching, talking, preparing, testing, writing and until we have an answer nothing about all that feels definitive. I wish they had early decision for boarding schools. That made it so easy with my daughter. For law school, one school has an option of a 15 business day turnaround early (binding) decision. Can you imagine? (Daughter is applying in the Fall).

Which law school is that?

Our journey has been much, much shorter than that. A general realization that it would be something to think about last year, the SSAT, a couple showcases and emails with coaches over the summer, and then visits in the fall. I agree, early decision would be amazing. The schools’ decisions we are all hanging on are quite literally life changing. There is so much to anticipate and plan for, we are all ready to take that next step.

Good luck to everyone waiting for decisions. We are waiting for regular decision college now - last ones won’t be in until March 31/April 1.

banging my head against a wall I am so stupid right now… I just encouraged my daughter to sign up for a 2 day teaching about sweat lodges and roles in traditional ceremonies that starts on M10 right after school and we had agreed not to check decisions without everyone together - now we wait until the end of the teachings.
What was I thinking!

University of Virginia is the law school.

Oh dear!

Is anyone else second-guessing what they answered in an interview with AO? The AO at my DD’s dream school asked if we knew anyone there. I wasn’t prepared-- I know someone but would not say - wanted her to get in on her own merits. This is our first time applying-- no advisor or consultant. How did you (parents) encourage your kids to reapply after not being accepted? Is it even worth applying to same schools? Thanks for your support!!

I’m second-guessing everything right now, but at the same time I feel that whatever decisions AOs make about my daughter, they are probably right, that that particular school may not be a good fit for my daughter. I am actually trusting in their expertise, and that takes a load off.

Thanks@CAClover. We feel the same way…I trust their decision. They’ve been selecting students for many years and know who will do best at their school. Someone on CC in an older post for applicants to “love the school that loves you”