<p>D was deferred EA at U Chicago today. She took it amazingly well and was happy not be be rejected. Seeing her reaction made me feel better (I think I’m way more emo over all this than she is!) </p>
<p>Thankfully all her other applications were sent in long ago and she already has 3 acceptances from schools she really likes…so all is fine in our house tonight.</p>
<p>Absolutely, cgarrett101, we have great kids. It hurts to see them receive their first major rejection in life, and as I do believe my son will not be accepted, my heart will ache for his hurt, but I just read your post and went and told him how proud I am of him, and how he is a great human being, and that there is perfect school out there that will love him for what he brings to the table. </p>
<p>Mountains,
Your son has nothing to be ashamed of and I am glad you are making him go to school tomorrow. I read a comment here once that one’s success in life is not predicted by attendance at an Ivy league school, but rather the belief in oneself that allowed one to apply to an Ivy league school. If you believe you are good enough to go to an Ivy, you will more than likely have the confidence in yourself to do very well in life.</p>
<p>Hugs to all.</p>
<p>Here’s a really good quote from a lovely father of a friend of my D:</p>
<p>It is not what happends TO you. It’s what happens IN you.</p>
<p>Our kids (and we) are all works-in-progress. Getting into a college isn’t any sort of end point.</p>
<p>Stay with this thread, folks – tomorrow it will be me needing some TLC. One nice thing – a top 25 public just sent D an acceptance via email this evening. Timing couldn’t be better. I keep watching the welcome video and telling myself - Wow! Ann Arbor! That could be really nice. Who needs a nasty old Ivy?</p>
<p>Mountains, Almost 10 years ago our son was deferred for early admission to Penn. He dreaded going to school the next day, but went. When he found out that almost everybody else had also been deferred, or rejected, it was no longer an issue. He did get accepted to Penn for regular admission, but by then had found another school that he liked better. Their loss! Good luck!!</p>
<p>momoflsm - Thank you. I so need the reassurances. I am actually looking forward to posting here sometime in early April on how this whole college thing has evolved. I definitely know I will be feeling a lot better, and so will my son. I can then happily re-read my past posts.</p>
<p>mammall - Hang in there. We’re rooting for your D.</p>
<p>I must fess up. The reason I’m not too anxious is that my D is a recruited athlete. She’s not high on the coach’s list athletically, but she is none the less on the list. It really makes a difference when you know you have a hook. However, since we are expecting good news, I am not prepared for the bad. However, I am baking and eating cookies right now.</p>
<p>Some words of solace for parents whose kids don’t get into their top choice. Two of my S’s friends were ecstatic this time three years ago because they both got into Ivy’s early. I’m sure their parents were very happy and relieved as well. During their sophomore years they both decided they didn’t like their schools and left. They are both taking a year off. Who knows if they’ll return? Other friends that went to state schools are very happy and motivated and will have degrees and jobs in two years. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Mammall,
That is a beautiful quote - I am going to steal it and share it with my son. Thanks!!
And I’ll check in tomorrow - it will be me needing a reminder of how things work out for the best Saturday or Monday.</p>
<p>I just read this line, “Every time a heart cracks … somewhere, something beautiful is being born.” Can I please press the fast forward button and see it now? :)</p>
<p>Have faith - it will show itself. I have to believe that we have put so much time, effort and especially love into our kids that the end result will be just fine for them. They know they are loved!!</p>
<p>Ahhh…D2 phoned the ofc to let me know she had been deferred at Swarthmore. Her initial reaction was disappointment. But, by the time I drove home and we sat down to dinner, she was fine and looking forward to her other applications. She even decided to add one more college to her list…one that I had suggested earlier! 
In the end, it all works out.</p>
<p>Good for your daughter, Archermom! She sounds like a resilient kid, one who will not be easily discouraged from her plans in life. Congratulations on having raised such a confident young lady!</p>
<p>Thanks, Adigal! The second time around is not much better. Knowing the possibilities makes the anticipation worse! D1 went down the same ED path 3yrs ago and had to wait until RD. She enrolled at a totally different college. Now a senior, I can’t imagine her at any other school.</p>
<p>S is still disappointed and was hoping for a snow day - no such luck. Somehow, he was able to study for 2 tests today. I know him well - he will bounce back in a day. I am so encouraged with all the posts here. Archermom, I am so happy your D took it well. Good luck to all still waiting.</p>
<p>Mountains, I just bet this day day will end up being one your S will think about many times and feel good about – going into school despite his disappointment and finding out that he is still himself, still the wonderful boy held in high esteem by his community.</p>
<p>I am so glad this board exists! To all of you that had kids get in - congrats! To all others, I really think things happen for a reason. My dentist said that stress causes us to sometimes break teeth, so I really hope we hear today. This has been more stressful than I would ever imagine. I have two more kids to do this with, so I need to take a different approach. Again, good luck to all!</p>
<p>Interesting update - I drove my S to school today (lousy roads and he still does not have snow tires - another story) and he said something interesting. “While this deferral feels like limbo, I’m kind of excited to find out which schools I get in.” And he was smiling!!! </p>
<p>Mammall - I have no doubt you are right. December 13 will be a day we will talk about for a very, very long time.</p>
<p>jollymon - I thought my teeth was my biggest problem. I found out yesterday I have borderline high blood pressure. My doctor was upset because I am not overweight, I work out regularly, eat well, etc., and he asked me if I was under a lot of stress. I’m sick of these doctors/dentists finding out how wonderfully I am handling college stress. Actually, to be fair to myself, H had also been battling an unknown illness that appears to be resolved now. Whew.</p>
<p>“D” is in at UNH, WPI, and Assumption.. Eleven more decisions pending. GOD!</p>
<p>Our son just received a big, white envelope sent priority mail from Pomona. (We live in the Midwest.) He is going to be ecstatic! Oh, and I think I also have a crack in my tooth.
Good luck to all who are still waiting.</p>
<p>Consolation: Memory of an email received from S-1 in October of college freshman year, after he’d been rejected ED and RD from a first choice Ivy..“If I could have known last fall how happy I’d be here today (top LAC), it would have been my #1 all along.”</p>
<p>You all sound like such wonderful people, I wish we lived closer! I am trying to keep perspective…3 1/2 more hours until my D’s first decision comes in. Congrats to all who have gotten positive results…it must feel wonderful! </p>
<p>mountains- I generally have low blood pressure, but after my D was extremely ill for 4 months her junior year I had a brain hemorrhage. Needless to say we both survived, but I’ve always suspected it had something to do with how stressed out I was for all those months…</p>
<p>Right now my neck and jaw are so tense! And I’m trying so hard to focus on the wonderful things my D has accomplished, but I guess the stress shows my body still knows what is going on!!</p>
<p>Hang in there everyone!</p>