<p>Son has completed all apps. He's accepted to Pitt and waiting to hear about the reaches. He doesn't seem too worried and is happy I nagged him to complete everything early.</p>
<p>Oh! it seems so long ago, but it was just a year ago and we were starting out on the most confusing and ultimately satisfying process of my D's short life. All the essays, applications, recommendations, interviews, FAFSA and Profile. It seems someone should write a book - perhaps "College Applications for Dummies." My recommendation - buy a good planner, have plenty of patience and remember that it will all soon be over. </p>
<p>Good luck to you all and may all your wishes come true (mine did)</p>
<p>Using a very strong cattle prod, the apps got the submit button on Sunday. Five schools and we'll just cross our fingers. He went out tonight trick or treating, the boy who is growing a beard doesn't want to grow up...He just got a new job and he was heartbroken when they wanted him to work tonight. He got there and they let him go in an hour. School seems to be taking a back seat to enjoying his friends more than he has the last four years. Can't wait for the letters of accept/reject (Hopefully not) to come back... we have three we'll hear from early and three in April.</p>
<p>D has completed four applications. First was done a few weeks before the early October first decision period deadline. This is her first choice, and we will hear late Nov. Everyone is feeling lots of pressure from this one--a slight reach. Three others she completed 2 weeks ago: one EA and two others rolling decisions. The EA is a reach, and sort of done "for fun." The other two are matchs. We will hear on all four between late Nov and mid Dec, so if no acceptances, she has a plan for several safeties. </p>
<p>We had lots of tears shed last night. I have not seen tears in some time. The bottom line: she was thinking senior year would be some fairy tale experience; and thus far, it was not living up to expectations. Funny, I thought things were going quite well. She is so hard on herself. And I think so many of these kids are feeling the stress of "getting" in to their dream school. They just aren't chilliing together and relaxing like last year. Stress over essays and apps and SAT/ACTs. None of this is "spoken." They mostly keep to themselves the college stuff. But there is pressure nonetheless. We have very much gotten away from the "dream school" attitude-the one where its only the dream school that will bring happiness. But deep down, that is where she sees herself. Throw in a little PMS/hormones.....</p>
<p>My d said the date of a term paper was pushed back because one of her friends had pneumonia but wouldn't go to the hopsital because of the paper...</p>
<p>My daughter is already spending a lot of time thinking about the "last" quality -- last Homecoming, last honor roll assembly, etc. She is determined to enjoy her senior year, but it's all tinged with sadness. As excited as she is about college, she really doesn't want to see her current circle of friends broken up.<br>
And all the AP classes certainly aren't letting up, and she works three nights a week . . .
Glad the apps are done!</p>
<p>I had a meltdown/anxiety attack when I went to bed last night. I have been on this forum for about 3 years, so you'd think this would all be going so smoothly...but it's not.</p>
<p>S is way over-committed and now it seems he's decided to go ahead and get started with his senioritis. Right now he is in his room pretending to be studying for his World History SAT subject test, but he's sleeping. </p>
<p>He is homeschooled, but this year he is taking 4 classes dual-credit at the cc and one online AP English Lit class. He's fooled around and gotten way behind on the online class (an inherent risk with online classes), and he made a 78 on his first calculus test at the cc....."Don't worry, Mom, we get to drop one grade." Aaaaargh!!!! On the positive side, he has A's in his other 3 cc classes.</p>
<p>Recommendations are a problem, too. S is applying for film production at USC, Florida State, Chapman, and Univ. of Texas. As you may know, admission to film production programs is extremely competitive. He did an internship 2 years ago on an independent feature film. The producer was really encouraging and all, and he knew S well since he was working 12+ hour days with S for 7 weeks. He was very grateful for all the work we put into the production (since S was 15, the producer required that I be on set with him at all times, so I ended up helping, too). Also, he judged one festival in which one of S's films did very well, and he organized another festival which one of S's films won. We have kept in touch with him since then, and he's been our ace in the hole rec all this time. So, S finally emailed him 2 days ago to ask if he would be able to do a rec for S....and we haven't heard back from him. So, I'm feeling panicky about that. Since I know him too, if we don't hear anything in 2-3 days, I'm going to email him myself and beg.</p>
<p>Then there are all these counselor/teacher recommendation forms which are a real pain for homeschoolers. They really don't want a parent to fill out the form, of course, but I <em>am</em> the counselor. Profs at the cc don't know S well enough to complete those forms. Right now, we are thinking S's youth pastor is the best option. He's had S in numerous Bible study groups, so he's had a chance to become familiar with S's ability to think things through and answer intelligently. The youth pastor has also traveled with S to a camp in Colorado, a work project on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and this summer to Russia to assist a church there. Still, all those questions about "compared to others in his class, how does this applicant rank on intellectual ability, etc." are going to be tricky to answer. For class rank and school stats, I'll just put N/A and they'll have to deal with it.</p>
<p>So anyway, thanks for letting me vent. :-)</p>
<p>Timely-
I'm sure you have checked it out but just incase, I think there is a part of CC just for homeschooler parents. This cannot be an unusual thing. Maybe the specific admissions offices could let you know how to handle those things?</p>
<p>Sunnyflorida-
OMG can I relate to D's expectations of her senior year being "fairytale" and the tears. Every day is a big question as to which child will be spending the day with us, hs lover or hs hater. LOL!</p>
<p>Believersmom and Sunny Florida: OMG I thought it was only us...I have a senior and a freshman (at a different school)....When I get a text message on my cell phone, lately I try to guess who is miserable or hormonal today...I've resorted to telling them to text their dad (who doesn't look at his cell phone all day!!)....LOL I'm thinking of getting my cell # changed and not telling anybody....!!!</p>
<p>D1: Senior: Total expectations fallout from senior year......</p>
<p>D2: Freshman: Totally hormonal: One day is great, the next day is miserable.....</p>
<p>And so it continues.....</p>
<p>Okay sooooo-
What DO we tell them that doesn't sound like drivel about how HS is not the best years of their life???</p>
<p>Oh and here is the latest---
There is a moratorium on talking about college - period - now. D wants a month of not thinking about it. Although she has agreed to finish up scholarship apps.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Okay sooooo-
What DO we tell them that doesn't sound like drivel about how HS is not the best years of their life???
[/quote]
I don't know. I have told D that in the long run, its not that important. She counters with "Mom, for me it is now and it is ALL that matters." </p>
<p>Things are a little better this week, after receiving the first acceptance. D's BF is in the moratorium group--does not want to talk about it AT ALL.</p>