Parents of the high school class of 09

<p>Harriet, in the professional world people make stupid mistakes no matter how hard they try; the right thing to do is exactly what your son did and send a correction immediately. If the college is going to deny him admission for that reason, it isn't a college worth going to. That's what I tell myself each time my daughter hits "send" and we realize there was something missing!!! I think she had one "perfect" submission.</p>

<p>Absolutely true, Muffy, and I don't think colleges realistically expect letter-perfect applications. It's worth aiming for, but not worth too much hand-wringing.</p>

<p>I know one senior girl (top 10%, NMSF who is only applying to state schools) who is going nuts trying to figure out, down to the hour (and maybe minute) how much time she has spent on every single EC. We sort of made an honest guess.</p>

<p>We did, as well (honest guess).</p>

<p>Another time-consuming hobby once those college apps are done (just in case you were looking!): raking through the listings of online scholarship apps, favoriting them & hoping your student might deign to do an an essay or two (for those who might be interested: there is, in fact, a scholarship for the best duck-callers).</p>

<p>That's the part of the Common App I like the least - the time involvement.</p>

<p>OK, now I'm envisioning "Scout: The Musical" starring Missypie's son.</p>

<p>His major ECs are in choir, so a musical would be great for him! The boys in his troop have always looked like they came from Central Casting - the fat one, the super tall super skinny red haired one, the short one, the one with glasses, the long haired one.....I can see the motley crew of them in their illfitting uniforms, in a tap line....</p>

<p>Too funny!!</p>

<p>mar 2009, my best advice is to use the college board and the schools admissions office phones and emails in order to get the info you need. Beware that if the cb site and the school's website don't agree you should definitely call to confirm any admissions dates. We have encountered this several times already and the admissions offices are always nice about giving you the straight scoop.</p>

<p>Just saw this short brochure on Goucher's website and thought others in the middle of the big process might appreciate the perspective! </p>

<p><a href="http://www.goucher.edu/documents/Admissions/ShortGuide.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.goucher.edu/documents/Admissions/ShortGuide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>^^ That is great cpeltz! Thanks for posting it.</p>

<p>Cute! Makes me want to take a look at Goucher.</p>

<p>^^^ Son liked it there, and I actually hesitated before posting trying to keep it our little secret!</p>

<p>Whew--huge relief here as DS submitted his SCEA today! I'm happier than he is because he's still got a ton of schoolwork and a RD he wants to get done by Sat. night. There was a bit of tension getting those essays done, but we're still speaking, so that's a good sign. I know lots of yours have multiple apps. in and even acceptances already, but we'll start with this one! And yes, the Goucher flier is adorable!</p>

<p>Well, we're way behind you. SATs and ACTs taken. One more Subject test to go. </p>

<p>He's written 3 separate essay attempts. The first 2/3 of number three is fabulous. We've got a list of colleges to apply to. Two visited. Remainder to be visited upon acceptance (assuming acceptance). DS needs to make a chart of all of the requirements of each of the 12-15 applications.</p>

<p>On the school side: One teacher recommendation requested, one still to be requested. Superintendent of Schools has agreed to write one as well. Art teacher has been charmed before being asked to write one for the arts supplement.</p>

<p>On the homeschool side: one recommendation written, one requested. I have to organize what we did and write up why we did what we did.</p>

<p>Art portfolio needs to be put together.</p>

<p>This seems like a massive amount of work. How does everybody do this?</p>

<p>I don't know how everybody does it--it's occupies most of my mental energy and mine's only applying to 7!!</p>

<p>List here is at 12, but 6 are common app and several have no supplements or fees. It's exhausting. DS had a deadline of tomorrow, and has drafts of all his supplemental responses, but I'm giving us both a break and we'll reconvene on Sunday. He has a ton of homework, and that trumps my arbitrary deadline.</p>

<p>7 here, and all common app; but each has one -- three supplemental essays. We finished 3 EAs last Sunday (hallelujah!); and the deal is we have a break now till Thanksgiving. Our school has no classes that week, and she should be able to finish the last four, all well before due dates. Besides, we'll be visiting two of her schools on a four-day weekend in November, and I'm hoping that the visits are so inspirational that she'll simply want to do those apps! (I can dream.)</p>

<p>Still, it's hard not to keep pushing; but we all need a break: she needs a break because all she's done for three weeks is homework and apps, and I can sense the fatigue; and I need a break before I become a tyrant. But, yep, it takes a LOT of mental energy to keep track of it all; it also takes some mental energy to let go for a while.....</p>

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I'm hoping that the visits are so inspirational that she'll simply want to do those apps! (I can dream.)

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<p>Funny, I thought the same thing for S1 which is why we started touring colleges last spring. And why I urged him to write his essays over the summer. That didn't quite work out how I thought, but this entire year has been a very good exercise in letting go (which I hope will prepare me just a little for next fall!)</p>

<p>S1 is applying to 5 schools. 2 are CSUs - easy applications, all done. The other 3 are Common App schools, one due Nov 1 and the other 2 due Nov 15 (early action). Each has a supplement, but they're short. The first one he finished this evening. The other 2 can wait a week or so because his English teacher is reviewing his essay (I think it's fine). But the good news is that the end is in sight!</p>

<p>DS has two CSU's on his list and oh, that all apps were that easy. I'd asked son to have his English teacher review his essay, but the GC and school director reviewed it and said it was good. I think it could use a little work, but it's fine and I don't want to silence his voice my edits would no doubt do.</p>

<p>Congrats on the progress, all!</p>

<p>Shawbridge--how do we do it? Spend tons of time, pull out our hair & realize that it will -- eventually -- be done. It seems like it will never end (kind of like a job search) but then you are finished. (and, spending your sudden free time looking for scholarships, lol!).</p>

<p>The people I admire--full-time working parents who are doing this 'admin assist' gig. I spent hours each day this summer and if I'd been working full-time---hard to envision. Guess you do what you have to. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>