<p>Congratulations to everyone!</p>
<p>D decided last week but I waited a few days before sending the deposit just in case the reality of going away hit too hard and she changed her mind. She seems settled in her decision, but momofzach I could have seen a similar reaction as your son.</p>
<p>I will hold the deposit to the end of this week to revenge because my daughter made me wait to the end of December last year to press the submit button on the Common App.</p>
<p>BKCS - Congratulations on BU! Just in case Irish punk rock is a favorite at your house, the hottest annual musical act ticket in Boston is the three-day St. Patrick’s Day concert by Boston’s favorite sons, the Dropkick Murphys - the Boston Police drum and pipe band even join in. We saw them here - it is a VERY wild evening!</p>
<p>MOSB - Congratulations on Oklahoma! I did costumes for it at our high school a few years back (including a Victorian walking suit for Gertie, I think, out of my daughter’s old Laura Ashley curtains - shades of Gone with the Wind!), and love the music and dancing (although I can never warm up to the “Poor Jed is Dead” scene - what on earth is that about?)</p>
<p>TXArtemis - For next year, I think if you make a strong red dye, and then gradually add a little green, you will wind up with maroon. It works with paint, at least.</p>
<p>MomofZach - If the college has an online acceptance form, maybe having a little ceremony while he pushes the send button would give him a sense of finality that mailing a check would not.</p>
<p>
Congrats to TxArtemis’ S on becoming our latest U Chicago Marroon </p>
<p>MomofZach~ I think it is a normal reaction your son is having. He had a wonderful Holiday dinner with Family and even though he knows he wants to move away, being far is tugging at his heart.
I would revisit the reasons he picked Lebanon and see if they still stand.
Yes, it is not an easy time, but you cannot go in with regrets.</p>
<p>We did make a little dance and song ritual every time we submitted apps, and we did the same when we accepted the offer to his school. As 325 noted it gives a sense of finality.</p>
<p>Sending {{Hugs}} your way.
</p>
<p>Waving to all</p>
<p>Momofzach: I would give him a day or two to think things over. He may not be willing to talk, but you can try to figure out why he’s waffling. I’m guessing that it’s either something a relative said yesterday, or the realization that he will be too far away next year to make it to family events. Good luck getting things sorted out.</p>
<p>D made me promise that she could come home for Easter next year. I told her yes of course, as the college is only 1 3.4 hours from us so barring snow it should not be a problem. I figure if she thinks she can handle it with her studies, no worries about providing transport.</p>
<p>I hope people had a lovely weekend. We finally got some spring weather, hurray!</p>
<p>I was grateful my D had come to terms with committing to a school before seeing my H’s giant family yesterday. I had told her it was OK to go to Easter and say “I’m still deciding” if she had to, but I secretly hoped she could “try out” saying she was going to XXX school. </p>
<p>I had wondered a week or so ago if we should wait and deposit until after doing this experiment. It just happened that she has been pretty settled and was ready to do the paperwork already. And I think the more she answered the question, the more comfortable she felt. But that was just luck - any of these kids might have been in “zach”'s shoes and realizing it didn’t feel like he wanted it to feel. I’m glad there is one more week to talk about it and feel confident.</p>
<p>I will say, though, that my D did get rejected from schools she had been dreaming of for years, that she did go on a WL, and has had to push the committed feeling to her chosen school a bit. There are things she is wondering about - she is confident, but also aware that some of the negatives she is concerned about may turn out to be true.</p>
<p>This is not necessarily a bad thing - she’s going with her eyes wide open. And honestly, so did my one-and-done ED D1 4 years ago. She never thought she’d be doubtless and fancy free at her #1 pick (which we keep reminding D2). There have been disappointments and frustrations - in 4 years, I have heard “I hate Tufts!” quite a few times, usually about red tape and the #%$*@ hill! </p>
<p>D2 saw a lot of smiling faces as she described what she was doing next year (this is not a snobby group when it comes to college anyway - they’re mostly excited she’ll be near NYC, and that she seems very happy). I’m wondering if zach sensed disappointment from family, or whether the doubts arose truly from within himself?</p>
<p>I know the Class of '10/'14 group is going strong on this forum a year later. I think that will be helpful to many of us, as these kids do the REALLY hard work of transitioning into their new life. I do think our group here will mean an awful lot to many of us over the next few months, as kids anticipate leaving, as parents anticipate the changes in their households (count us among the empty-nesters), and as the unknown becomes more real for everyone.</p>
<p>It could have been any one of us coming back from this weekend with the same experience as momofzach. Thank you for sharing it - and know we’re all here for you.</p>
<p>PS - D2 said yesterday, “I know let’s do XYZ next year for the egg hunt …” and several voices said, “Duh, you won’t be here!!” She laughed and said, “OK, I guess I’ll just organize one at school then!” This from my Jewish kid - she just likes the game of hiding the eggs for the kids, is a champion scavenger hunt creator, too. But I saw that look in her eyes - the “Wow, I really am leaving” expression.</p>
<p>**The SS Indecision sailed on April 1st.</p>
<p>The ship will stop in a few additional ports this month with the last port of call scheduled in 6 days when all final commitments to schools are due. </p>
<p>Just a reminder that while many schools are stating that acceptances need to be postmarked by May 1st, that date is a Sunday and the post offices are closed. The last day for postmarks is SATURDAY, APRIL 30th. (Unless your chosen port/school will accept an email or will extend to Monday, May 2nd - many will not so be careful!</p>
<p>Just a reminder - all luggage other than those items you will hand carry will need to be tagged and left in the hallway outside your stateroom by 10 PM on Saturday night. Please have your bags ready for crew pickup before joining us at the poolside farewell buffet.**</p>
<p>momofzach, I think your son’s second guessing is perfectly normal. My son did the exact same thing after a call from both an admissions person and then the head of the department from his sister’s alma mater which was high on his list. The school itself was a perfect fit, but the major was not. This school, however, required an extra level of paperwork to apply for financial aid and when we found out the major was not going to work, we decided not to finish the finaid stuff and the sticker price was not affordable. That made it a bit easier for son to say thanks, but no thanks.</p>
<p>momofzach - Don’t let Zach back on the ship!</p>
<p>^^Emmybet well said yes the '10/'14 are going strong, can you believe they only have 3 weeks left in their Freshman year 
</p>
<p>That was the first holiday that S1 did not make it home and thank goodness for the posts of other parents on the '10 thread:) They carried me through :)</p>
<p>Yesterday, was our last scavenger hunt as parents. S2 will be away next year and we will be empty nesters…:eek:…</p>
<p>
I hear you, 2education, our one and only is leaving too… :(</p>
<p>Effective Wednesday morning, April 27th - the gangways will become ONE-WAY off the ship. This is necessary to allow all of the last minute decision makers to safely disembark from the ship. Anyone wanting to reboard will need special clearance from the Captain and that may take up to 48 hours to process. Don’t forget to take all of your belongings with you when disembarking.</p>
<p>Thank you for the words of encouragement. </p>
<p>First let me start by saying, everyone was extremely proud and supportive of DS. In my immediate family, my husband and I are the only ones who have completed college educations. (In my husband’s family, both parents and all siblings have them). So there is some “unknown” for them. Much of college, in their eyes, involves what you see on TV - parties, nerdy library scenes and such. Their understanding of the admittance process, finances and majors is next to nothing. When I went to college, I did it all on my own. My parents drew a circle on the map and said “You can’t go any further than this and we don’t have any extra money to give you.” I did it on luck, prayers and scholarships. </p>
<p>Their questions were mainly things like where is that school and what is that major and why are you going so far if we have good colleges right here. (He is only going @2.5 hours away). I think the last one tugged at his heart strings a bit yesterday since we are such a close knit family (and one family member is fighting a losing battle with cancer). There was also some good natured teasing by his uncles about me falling apart when he leaves. DS is an only child and we are close.</p>
<p>I spent a few minutes over breakfast this morning talking about his decision and admitting I had not mailed the deposit yet. He admitted to receiving an email (answering a question about majors) from School B. He asked the question 3 weeks ago to try and get some additonal clarity since he was so torn. He, unfortunately, is like me and always second-guesses his choices wondering if he made the right decision. (Case in point, I have been repainting my bedroom for a year and have small swatches painted on one wall to help me choose a color. Color still isn’t chosen. And buying a car…forget about it!)</p>
<p>I put the check (and accompaning paperwork) on the fridge and told him to let me know when I should mail it or mail it himself-but either way, soemthing has got to go in the mail Thursday. I also reassured him that I don’t think he is making a mistake and that, if he finds out he did, he isn’t stuck there for 4 years. He can always transfer (God help me!!!) to another school next year. He looked a little lighter after that.</p>
<p>I also think it will help when he goes to back to school tomorrow (we’ve been on Spring Break) and he can share. His decision was made after school closed for break and he is not a big social networking guy so only his gf and select friends he saw over break know right now. I agree with “saying it” will make it more real.</p>
<p>OWM: I loved your report of your visit day with your son - honestly, it brought tears to my eyes! He is clearly going to thrive there, and what a great feeling for both you and he to know that.</p>
<p>I love AvonHSDad’s coin flipping station - !</p>
<p>CONGRATULATIONS to ALL - and best of luck to those making final decisions…:)</p>
<p>momofzach-- I think your son will be just fine. Let his decision sink in for a couple more days, and then he will be ready to mail that check. </p>
<p>Like many others here, I will also have an empty nest next year. 
It feels so strange to be on the “other side.” Seems like not that long ago I had my first baby, and now my youngest is leaving home. My H is excited to have an empty nest, but boy oh boy, am I going to miss my daughter.</p>
<p>lol, you guys make me laugh- coolweather, the revenge for sending the common ap on 12/31 and avonhs dad for the one way gangplank.
Congrats everyone with decisions and congrats to some who are still waiting for decisions. At least you have some decisions to make, and they must be good if they are taking so long 
Yesterday was a harbinger of what our life is going to be like when S goes 2000 miles away for school. Made a big dinner, S breezed in and out to eat at least but it was pretty quiet. Looking longingly at the family next door with their children & grandchildren hunting eggs in the yard and having a big dinner. All I could say was well, they are much older (a little maybe, but not that much). Oh well…</p>
<p>AVON: I love the image of the one-way gangplank!</p>
<p>We will be empty nesters next year also. I feel like we have transitioned into it somewhat, because my daughter has been very independent since she started driving last year. I’m looking forward to the freedom, but dreading the quiet house. Like Omom, I feel like my daughters were just little girls. It seemed like I blinked and they grew up.</p>
<p>We will be empty nesters as well, which is all for the best. A package of Ramen noodles goes further split two ways rather than three. My calculation of college costs means that Ramen a couple times each week will probably keep us under budget.</p>
<p>So many happy “disembarkations” in the last 3 days!</p>
<p>Ohiomom and rom828 – Congrats on Duke! </p>
<p>3278… and TXArtemis – Hurray for the U of Chicago decision!</p>
<p>VAMom – Congrats on Princeton!</p>
<p>Bkcsmn99 – Yay to Boston U! </p>
<p>Mosb – Congratulations to sb on getting the lead part in Oklahoma! </p>
<p>We are still on the ship. DH and I had a weekend away and left DS to think about his choices, hoping that without our constant questions he would reach his decision sooner. Before we left he narrowed his choices to 2; late yesterday when we came back he told us that he is thinking about 5 schools now. Oy! Someone push us over the board! I think that for him saying ‘Yes’ to any of school would be very easy, it’s saying ‘No’ to the rest of them that is so hard….</p>
<p>FlMathmom – I am curious if your son’s friend made her decision by now or is it that hard for her as well? </p>
<p>AvonHSDad – Thank you for making the countdown announcements fun to read! They would be terrifying for me otherwise.</p>