<p>It's interesting to see how the look etc. of the forum has changed. It was also good for me to recall some old names I have not seen in quite a while. One does wonder what is happening with some of the folks that were so active a few years ago, but left the boards after their kids got in.</p>
<p>How many old timers are left on the boards? TheDad is one. I've been posting under old and new names for over 4 years. Any others?</p>
<p>To give an idea of the longevity of the board, here is a post from the time when Dave Berry answered posts. Before that, there was a very rudimentary board when College Confidential was still called College Prep Services, Inc.</p>
<p>I've been reading/posting since DD was a junior in H.S. - she's now a sophomore in college, so 3 1/2 years for me? I'm not all that prolific, and I mostly lurked in the early days.</p>
<p>I've been reading since D was in grade 11, now she's a college senior! I, too, am guilty of lurking...I feel like I know every one so well, reading their posts over the years :)</p>
<p>I'm an oldie too. I lurked for a few months and began posting summer of 2003 I believe, when oldest was a rising senior. Now he's a college sophomore and my youngest is (almost) a rising senior. I still look up old posts on occasion as there was some "good stuff" back in those days. </p>
<p>I do miss some of the old posters who have retired and am glad some are still posting.</p>
<p>I've been reading CC for over 3 1/2 years. Started the college process when oldest child was entering 11th grade and that's when I started reading here, no later than that anyway. She is now a soph in college. Younger D is a freshman in college.</p>
<p>When I went back and searched a couple of months ago, I found that my first post was in something like September/October 2002. I was startled, however, to see who some of the responses were from...a couple who still post upon occasion today but have never been prolific but post only when they have something to say that hasn't already been said...unlike me, LOL.</p>
<p>I miss some of the old posters, both parent and student. I was very happy to get an e-mail from Twinkle the other day but there are several students that really wish I knew how the next chapter(s) of their lives turned out. But that's life...we all have bit parts in other peoples dramas and exit the stage never to be seen again in that drama.</p>
<p>Same situation as somemom, daughter is now a college senior will be graduating in May, and I started reading when she was a high school junior!</p>
<p>Now kiddo#4 will be graduating high school in May, and I think everyone who has helped us on CC should be invited to his graduation and his val speech!!!! I could see the looks on the admin's faces when I would fill out the requests for seats by NAMES???!!!</p>
<p>It has been wonderful having a supportive environment where I could ask truly stupid questions and receive fabulous feedback, that has made a difference in my family's future. A real difference and a very real tangible outcome.</p>
<p>The first post I found of mine was from September, 2001, from my D's senior year in high school. And yes, it was answered by Dave (a collector's item now?) </p>
<p>I found another early post responding to TheDad. Our Ds are now at Smith together! :)</p>
<p>I have had the pleasure of coming to know a number of the participants of this forum in "real" life. </p>
<p>My husband teases me about someday moving on to "Nursing Home Confidential!" HE would never be a poster but is the ultimate lurker -- just likes to hear the stories of other forum members through me.</p>
<p>My latest excuse for hanging around is my 10th-grade son.</p>
<p>Lurking since 2003 then began posting a little later. Had the wildest time trying to figure out names; Roby, Katwkittens, Soozievt, lefthandofdog, momof2inca Jamimom's. If i had a $1 for each one that I was trying to figure out the pronunciation or meaning :). </p>
<p>Had a lot of laughs and some really good advice over the years and D teases me when I tell her some of the issues that we discuss. She thinks that we are an Oprah show in the making . Besides, I like this group of extended family members, you don't have to kick em out of your house or clean up after them. You can drink with them and never get a hangover, eat junk food with them and never have to worry about gaining weight.</p>
<p>Figured I might as well hang in there because many of us will start talking about jobs/graduate/professional programs when our kids get out of undergrad and we'll remember when...</p>
<p>Son is a soph in college. I found this site in Oct of his senior yr. The wonderful people helped so much with music audition information. Husb and didn't have a clue-neither did any of son's teachers. My husband wonders when I will ever stop reading. I don't usually have much to offer. I have enjoyed my son "talking" about his school and his perspective. I laughed when he talked about all the "free" stuff you get at private schools-my husband says we should let him write the checks.</p>
<p>roshke-- look at the bottom of your page: "College Discussion Archive", next to "Contact Us"....one can search on old threads circa 03 & 04, as well as browse forums.</p>
<p>For you veterans - I am curious if you would do anything differently, if you were helping your son or daughter now? </p>
<p>If you, and/or your student, were highly motivated and involved. Was it worth it? Pros/Cons?</p>
<p>If he/she took every test (PSAT, SAT multiple times, ACT muliple times, AP exams, and others). Did it help? </p>
<p>How about all those ECs? Are you glad now, is your child glad now?</p>
<p>The "Essays". The hours and hours of thinking about. Writing first, second, third drafts. Having school teachers or counselors read them, critique them, etc.? Was it helpful?</p>
<p>Did the school the he/she finally got accepted into make a difference? </p>
<p>Lastly, how about home life, family life, friendships, etc. ? Were those kept in tact. Any regrets? Any thing that you would do differently?</p>
<p>LTC, there have been past threads on this that can be unearthed with creative Searching, I think. To get a broad answer now, I'd start a new thread with something like: Veterans: What Would You Do Differently? in the title...asking in this thread will just get the responses buried and many won't notice.</p>
<p>I don't post that often...avg less than one a day. </p>
<p>My oldest graduated from high school 2000 and shortly after I remember discovering the Princeton Review discussion forums prob spring 2001. Back then there was an air of negativity and snobbery on the PR boards...perhaps this was before moderators? Inevitably some jerk would highjack the thread and turn a perfectly good discussion into a battle. Tops was a poster HTH (short for Hope This Helps)...a snobby cyber bully spouting on and on about his "fine ivy" and calling great schools TTT's; hate that abbreviation, glad I don't see it on CC; don't remember how I stumbled upon CC but was shell shocked from PR and didn't post for a long time. I don't know what PR discussion has morphed into. </p>
<p>For loveto camp, </p>
<p>motivation: S was unmotivated in hs, like lots of boys, though intellectually curious and an avid reader, "found" motivation in college, I think because he was challenged</p>
<p>SATs: both my kids took SAT twice, ACT once. They both seemed to do a little better on ACT so I guess it was worth it.</p>
<p>Essays: part of AP English was to critique everyone's essays...I guess this was helpful. Just as important we let Uncle Russ, grandma, lend their 2 cents.</p>
<p>Did the school ...make a difference? That's the $64000 question, you'll never know. I'd like to think so, but once you get to the level the majority of CC kids/parents are interested in, I don't think there's that much difference. For S the firm interviewed on his campus so I guess that made a difference, but they interview on other campuses (not many). He feels very well prepared for his job, I'd like to think more so than if he'd gone to another school but there's no way of knowing.</p>
<p>Home life etc: the nicest thing I found...I recall being so concerned once they go away that's it, they're on their own. True but the bond is never broken...we are all as close as ever, not physically but in every other way.</p>
<p>I am a relative new comer, about a year and a half or so. What I find interesting about my behavior is that upon occasion I look at the school discussions of those schools to which my S considered, applied or was accepted. There is a kind of connection that is established, ...quite interesting.</p>
<p>So far, school is a home run; ACT only; Essays were essential, they got him in; worth every penny.</p>
<p>I believe I began posting when my first child, who is about to graduate from college, was a hs sophomore. So I guess that's about 6 years. At that time we asked Dave Barry for a stats evaluation and he was extremely helpful. The whole site has been very helpful to both of my kids. And over the years, although I am not the most prolific poster, I have enjoyed getting to "know" many of you and your sons and daughters, and rooting for them. I enjoy the occasional battle over politics, too! ;)</p>