New parent question

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
1

<p>My son just got his Offer of Appointment today.</p>

<p>Realistically, how much will he be home in the next four years? I want to know how much of his room I can make over while he is gone (Just kidding - it will be somewhat less than a shrine, but not redone into a craft room).</p>

<p>We have very close friends in COS where he could spend some vacations/holidays. Is their stipend enough to cover plane tickets?</p>

<p>We are still somewhat incoherent about his appointment - this has been the only place he has wanted to attend for over 10 years. He has been very focused since he was 9! </p>

<p>Talk about validation of our homeschooling efforts!</p>

<p>Thanks for any info,
Kate in Seattle</p>

2

<p>He will be home pretty much just like a normal college kid would be the first year. Most cadets their first year go home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break and three weeks in the summer.</p>

<p>As for their stipend being enough to cover plane tickets. First year might be a little tough, but probably doable. I am not sure what the current amount is, but my S received $115/month his first year while the rest of the pay went to pay off their loan. So, we paid for his plane tickets home.</p>

<p>His 2nd year he will get more each month until his loan is paid off, then he will get his full pay which is about $950/month before taxes.</p>

<p>I am sure there are lots of cadets that can give you even more specific information, but this should give you some idea.</p>

3

<p>Just my own perspective, but I wouldn't touch his room for now. </p>

<p>Sometime after Basic training, when my daughter finally got her phone privileges back, she made a frantic call and said, "What does my room look like?! I can't picture my room!" She had been thinking about home and really was still a little disoriented from all that they endured in Basic training, and she actually forgot what her home looked like!!! This so broke my heart! I was very happy we hadn't touched a thing in her room. </p>

<p>When she came home for the first time at Thanksgiving, that was the first thing she wanted to see. She stood in the doorway of her room and just stared. It probably sounds ridiculous and crazy but she totally missed HER room. They go through so much during Basic: live in tents and cots during their time in Jack's valley, communal showers, re-wear dirty clothes, have little privacy, have essentially nothing to connect them to home accept letters. So knowing home is still there waiting for them, especially their own private space, I think, means the world to them.</p>

<p>Our cadet's second time home was for Christmas, and still, she enjoyed her bed and room the way she remembered it. It was her place to retreat to when she wanted some alone time and seeing her childhood memories, posters, awards, etc.. made it an added special touch to being home.</p>

<p>Now it's Spring Break, and she's not even home....so, I think NOW if I made small changes, starting uncluttering, etc...she would be okay with that. </p>

<p>I'm sure there will be others that made spare rooms right away or gave the rooms to siblings the minute their child left, but for us, we were very grateful we left it untouched.</p>

<p>Good luck to your son!</p>

4

<p>I've heard about this loan before, but I'm still confused by it. Is it possible to pay off the loan early?</p>

5

<p>Congrats to your son, Kate! I'm also homeschooled so it's nice to hear of another homeschooler (especially one from Seattle - I lived in Everett for 11 years!) getting in.</p>

<p>Vullnnoid - from what I understand about the loan, if you have scholarship money (which does not specify for tuition, books, or whatever), that can be applied to the loan to help pay it off early. But you can't just show up with a check for $5000 or whatever to pay it off on the first day.</p>

6

<p>I did tell Alex that we would clean his room together before he left and that all I would do the first year is use my laptop on his desk.</p>

<p>Our kids were expected NOT to come home at Thanksgiving or Spring Break - we just couldn't afford the air fare. When I went to college I was in the same boat - only came home for Summer and Christmas. He would probably enjoy Thanksgiving with our COS friends (family friends he has know since he was two) but would probably appreciate coming home at Spring Break, especially if some other buddies were home then as well.</p>

<p>Will he be busy most summers? (trying to find the big picture here?)</p>

<p>Is the loan for equipment, uniforms, etc?</p>

<p>Obviously, we are still processing around here. The whole application has been entirely Alex. I prepared a transcript and wrote the school report. He made all the dr. appointments, kept track of stuff; I did nothing. So it's not as real to me as perhaps to some parents who were a bit more involved in the process. I started reading the Academy website yesterday. Anything else I should know that I might have missed?</p>

<p>Don't think I am not proud of him, however. His dad and I spent most of the evening looking at each other and then bursting into tears - again.</p>

<p>kate in seattle</p>

7

<p>Kate,</p>

<p>First, CONGRATULATIONS to your SON and to both YOU and your HUSBAND!</p>

<p>Ya'll obviously have ALL succeeded in a very difficult task!!!</p>

<p>Now...as to the room...you've had some VERY good advice from folks here; the person that mentioned their daughter coming home to "her" room is very poignant: I can relate as I was just that way when I came home from USAFA the first time.</p>

<p>And my house was only 55 miles away! I actually lived at the academy (dad was AF) all through HS and, yes, I graduated from Air Academy High School! Still...it was "MY" room.</p>

<p>And it was a "refuge" I could go to when I "escaped" from USAFA; something familiar and inviting. And over the years, coming home from pilot training, RTU, etc...etc...just to visit...my room.</p>

<p>Fast forward...my mother never really needed my room. She put a computer on my desk and put her sweaters in my dresser and some clothes in my closet. BUT that was all.</p>

<p>Last week I was up there going through the house, helping my siblings close my mother's estate. And where did I sleep while I was there?</p>

<p>IN MY ROOM!</p>

<p>Okay, the 1963 vintage single bed is a bit short for me now, and the pictures on the wall are a bit dated, however...it was still a "refuge" of wonderful memories for me. It made the week a lot easier.</p>

<p>Not trying to be maudlin, sad, gloomy, etc., however...if you can keep something like that "the same" for your youngster, it'll be a great thing in the future. And you'll ALL get a good laugh out of it over the years.</p>

<p>'Nuff said!</p>

<p>Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83</p>

8

<p>it won't be a problem for him to spend thanksgiving with your family in the springs. it seems to me (as a freshman) that many kids don't go home for thanksgiving (many stay at their sponsor's) because it's expensive. a lot of kids stay and go skiing too (that's what i'm doing next year)</p>

<p>also, it seemed like very few of us came home for spring break either-a lot of kids do "alternate spring break" which is going with habitat for humanity over spring break to work on houses, or they went on a trip with friends.</p>

<p>summers will be busy for him except for 3 weeks of leave in which he can go home. an upperclassman can attest to how many kids go home over summer...as for me, it looks like i won't be home again 'til next Christmas.</p>

<p>yes, the loan is for everything they issue us...computers, uniforms, equipment, they deduct haircuts and food, etc. etc.</p>

<p>i hope that helped...</p>

<p>ps i was homeschooled :)</p>

9

<p>If you go to orientation in April a lot of the financial questions will be answered.<br>
The time home will get slimmer and slimmer. I have kept up with my cadet and her twin sister on FaceBook. It has really helped to stay connected. Although it is an 11 hour drive, we visit COS as often as possible. A lot of the stuff that you are concerned about now will work itself out. So enjoy every minute you have with your son and get ready for the time of your life!</p>

10

<p>Don't forget the personality of the child, the environment from which they come, travel experience in the past, etc.</p>

<p>My cadet has never been home Spring Break, only home one 3 week summer session..... maybe we will get to see that mug this summer, who knows. Comes home some of Christmas break and some of it skiing. See what I mean? LOL </p>

<p>We have lived several places including a stint overseas, international as well as domestic travel is the norm and is what he wants to do and do often. So, come home? I would not expect him to choose home all the time as a young "college" student.</p>

11

<p>Thanks for all the responses. Life has been crazy here the last 24 hours or so. </p>

<p>At this point he really wants to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. And now that i found an academic calendar and I see they have nearly a week for Thanksgiving I think that is good. All of his college friends will be home and he will have a chance to connect. some of them will be away at Christmas.</p>

<p>After that we will let it work itself out. </p>

<p>I am trying not to get ahead of myself. Let's get through appointee orientation, BCT and Parent's weekend (whole family will drive to COS to see him then). Which is 100% more than I knew this time yesterday.</p>

<p>silly mom</p>

<p>kate in seattle</p>

12

<p>kate in seattle and others thinking ahead,</p>

<p>If you need accommodations for Parents' Weekend, I recommend booking them NOW. Of all the advice I read last year, this was the best. You will not believe how quickly the entire COS area books up during that week and how the prices escalate.</p>

<p>Have fun as you learn about Academy life. You have found a great place to get your questions answered. If you need cadet answers, there are some fine cadets who find the time to keep up with these forums. I think they should get school credit for all their contributions!</p>

<p>Congratulations and buckle up, you're going for one heck of a ride! </p>

<p>...Oh, and stock up on the tissues, too... :( ....</p>

13

<p>I usually go "home." My parents moved, so I alternate between staying with my friends or going to my parent's new house. </p>

<p>It is very much up to each person.</p>

<p>As for the summer, yes he will be busy. Each cadet normally gets 3 weeks (1/3rd of our summer) off for leave.</p>