<p>Somebody (maybe you mamom?) posted about those gnomes earlier. I thought it would be fun to buy them for DS’s closest friends for their schools once decided. Then he could put some goofy note on them about having to leave them outside their houses while away at college (mom’s will love this, right?). This could lead to dressing the gnomes, swapping the gnomes, etc when they are home on breaks for fun and laughs. Of course this is totally my idea and my DS would probably hate it, but it would be a silly way to keep in touch with his friends as they all go off in different directions! Yes, I have way too much time on my hands that should be focused at the gym rather than surfing the net.</p>
<p>VAMom- yeah I mentioned it earlier. And yes I think like you. I am dying to put the gnome on S’s cake table for his graduation. My fingers are crossed he brings him to school. (oh yeah that will happen!). ;-)</p>
<p>Hello! You’ve been a chatty bunch today while I was at work. Congratulations on today’s acceptances, and once again, congrats to those of you whose kids hit the jackpot yesterday.</p>
<p>We are doing just fine here. D has picked herself up and brushed herself off, and is also reaching over the side of SS Indecision, ready to touch land. Not quite yet, but very soon. She’s expecting another probable rejection tomorrow, but she doesn’t even care at this point.</p>
<p>THANK YOU to those of you who have posted your stories about how your kids got into the tippy-top schools. I, too, have been wondering what was “wrong” with my D that she didn’t get in. Wondering what we could have done differently, not that it matters at this point, but just out of curiosity. So, I truly appreciate your honesty - and I have to say, it’s really cool to read about your high-achieving kids. With a little bit of luck thrown in. Good for them! I’m happy for them. :)</p>
<p>And good news from me: My last day at work is tomorrow. I work in a field which I do not love, so I am going to go back to college in the fall to pursue something else. Until then, I shall live the life of leisure!</p>
<p>I am offering myself up as a Boston contact to any who have kids going to school in this area. Send me a PM if you are interested. And I am requesting a Milwaukee contact if there is anyone in that area. (or anywhere closer than Cleveland) I am probably that paronoid parent, but you never know when something like 9/11 or a weather issue may arise. We had lots of folks on travel from work when 9/11 happened struck and many folks were thousands of miles from home and couldn’t get home. And I am willing to step in to maybe help those a little homesick going to school in this area. My 11yo is miss congeniallity and will probably be going to school right in Boston near Simmons and the Fenway next fall. She would love to take a college kid out to eat some night. ;-)</p>
<p>omom - good for you! Best of luck! So, I guess, going back to college is your kind of “mother-daughter” thing. It’s so exciting! </p>
<p>Greatkidsmom – hope you are feeling better.</p>
<p>Mosb – I have no idea how he will decide. The problem is that we were very careful (most of the time) about putting a school on the list. My criterion was: “If this is the only school you are accepted to, would you be happy there?” So, his favorites are changing daily. We eliminated 3 and now down to 6.</p>
<p>My S’s passion was directly related to his major. But one or more of his colleges asked what was his intended career and he put “science research”. Because he had no research experience, I thought that he would be better off putting “undecided”, but he would not have it. His words: “There is NOTHING undecided about it!” And that brings me to another point – some of his success is due to the fact that he knew when to listen to me and when to disregard my advice. </p>
<p>Kathiep – Looking at the results from our HS, I have to agree that well pointed students had better outcomes than well rounded ones. However, this is a trend that can change. If most of the applicants become well pointed one year, adcoms will start looking for well rounded. The trick is always to be “the underrepresented minority”.</p>
<p>I wonder if we could chat about this on the shutterfly site. Can that be used for a chat site? PS - We’re doing an accepted student visit in Boston in two weeks!</p>
<p>oregonianmom – cool! Can I ask what college and what you’re changing to? (And from?) I think I will do a career change when my kids are all grown up… in ten years, so I have plenty of time to think about it.</p>
<p>I’m a medical laboratory scientist about to become an accountant! I’ll be attending Linfield College in September. I’m excited to learn something new.</p>
<p>Last two decisions have arrived! I had to call my daughter since she’s off on a college visit on her own. (Thank goodness she gave me the go-ahead to open them!) A rejection from the second-reachiest - no surprise. And a big fat acceptance from Hampshire, which is not her dream school, because no sir, she’s not silly enough to get caught up on a dream school. It’s just the school that feels like home, the place where she belongs. ;)</p>
<p>The aid was not as much we’d hoped, but not as little as we feared. I’ve been at the spread sheets all day and am composing an appeal. </p>
<p>Oh, to those changing or hoping to change careers: I am in the middle of same, but too embarrassed at this point to say what (no, not a stripper!) My sister quit her high-powered executive position last spring and became a zumba instructor. A friend of mine has been a scientist for about 20 years, but has wanted to teach for about the last five, and finally took the plunge. She’s getting her teacher’s license while assisting in the school her kids and my younger two attend.</p>
<p>Today is a much better day in our house! D was very sad yesterday with 2 rejections and a wait list from schools that she thought she truly fit in - but all three were tippy top ultra reach schools. She fell asleep at 7:00 pm. She is now focusing on the schools that did show the love. We are planning trips to U Chicago and Georgetown next week and hopefully that should help her with her decision. I can already feel the emptiness when she leaves. She is our baby and we will be empty nesters…where did all the years go?</p>
<p>Dandemom - I hope your D will be happy at Chicago or Georgetown. My D and another strong kid in her school were waitlisted by Chicago. It’s a tough time for senior kids.</p>
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