<p>Go2mom, I’m so, so sorry about go2dog… That’s so heartbreaking. 
Hugs to you and the whole go2clan.</p>
<p>-gina-</p>
<p>@ognopgod - A fuzzy navel or 3 sounds completely awesome right about now, lol. To answer your question, my DS is wanting to study Marine Engineering. He knew he wanted to be an engineer for years, and we’re total ocean nuts by nature. When he found out about this degree, which is mechanical + electrical engineering focused on the ocean, that was it. 
I think he’s making a great choice, not just because it really suits him, but because it is a very in-demand degree – and will be even moreso by the time he graduates, with the expansion of the Panama Canal and of the Houston Ship Channel. Add in all the offshore activity, and I can see why they have a 98%+ employment rate within 90 days of graduation. I think I’m in the wrong business! :-)</p>
<p>@2014novamom - Your DS sounds like one busy bee!! My DS would be absolutely drooling over a robotics competition – not to mention one sponsored by ThinkGeek!! I’m just as bad with them – I could happily hand over my whole paycheck to those people, lol.</p>
<p>I so appreciate all of your kindness. Thank you.</p>
<p>Go2mom - I’m so sorry you have lost your little four-legged family member. We had a similar experience last year, so I can definitely empathize. If and when you feel ready, I’ll tell you what has been wonderful for us. We called the rescue organization of our dog’s breed for our state and rescued a little guy who had been terribly neglected. He has just been the most loving dog and we felt it was a fine way to remember our little female who died, by helping another dog of the same breed in need.<br>
Comforting wishes to all of you and hope that go2girl comes through all these challenges with flying colors.</p>
<p>go2mom - Adding my deepest sympathies for your loss. I am another that has a shadow (75 lbs!). I can appreciate your feelings of possibly wanting another pup to see your youngest though these tough years. Sending hugs to the entire go2family.</p>
<p>go2mom- I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my Alaskan Malamute almost two years ago and swore I wouldn’t get another dog. I love dogs, but figured when my nest was empty, I wouldn’t want the hassle of having to be home right after work, etc. Well, a new little dog captured my heart when a rescue group was at PetSmart and I had dropped in just to look at the dogs. I had to bring him home. He was mine from the first time we snuggled in the store. Give it a little time and then see. Your husband may realize he misses having a dog too. </p>
<p>S14 must be feeling better because he went to play Ultimate Frisbee. He’ll take SAT IIs on Saturday. I’m not worried about him studying- he just took AP tests for APUSH and APBio and he’s going to take US History, Biology, and English Lit. I think he’ll do ok having just studied for those AP tests. The next weekend will be ACT Round 3. He has finals in between that time. </p>
<p>Our seniors also do a camp out in the parking lot and it was last night. They block off the parking lot so the underclassmen can’t park. They usually block off the teacher’s parking lot too. They have a Senior Breakfast and Graduation practice this morning so the sleepover is the night before that. There were only about 20 kids out there this morning. We had some threatening weather last night so I think they got stormed out.</p>
<p>Sending you virtual hugs and my deepest condolences for the loss of your little shadow/ fur child. It’s so difficult to lose a beloved family member. Maybe when enough time has passed the right pup will come into your life!</p>
<p>{{HUGS}} to go2family!</p>
<p>I’m missing my DS14! He’s having a good time at Boys State - said he was running for Land Commissioner. I go back to pick him up on Friday.</p>
<p>So sorry to hear about the loss go2mom… Dogs are so wonderful, they are family. Patient, unconditional love (ok, they do get jealous if we hold smaller kids) and just the emotion in their eyes just makes us fall for them. </p>
<p>Reading all the other posts make me think about the timing of taking subject tests in June, too much going on in the kids lives right now. I think taking the subject tests in May is better, or are there other issues at that time too? This is my first time going through this barrage and it is so confusing at best and worried at worst.</p>
<p>chrysanthMum–I think each student needs to look at his own schedule and determine the best time to take the tests. I almost said ‘ideal’ time but realized there is no ideal time.</p>
<p>My son took the SAT in the fall of Jr year b/c I knew that his winter sport would not allow time to focus on the Jan or March exams. Some students are in the throes of final exams by June 1st whereas here in the Northeast, exams are still two weeks away for public school students. Students in other parts of the country are out of school already. It might be difficult to rally for yet another exam after the last final.</p>
<p>Some people avoid May due to the stress of studying for the AP exams at that time, but May could work well b/c of all the related-AP prep taking place.</p>
<p>I am also going through this for the first time so know as little as you do!</p>
<p>CT1417, you are right… It depends on the school. </p>
<p>For all of us who are going through this barrage, here is something for a change!!! The APs sound exciting and made me go back to those wonderful years. You might have already seen this thread, it made my day 
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/1510320-official-thread-high-school-class-2029-a-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/1510320-official-thread-high-school-class-2029-a-2.html</a></p>
<p>go2 - So sorry to hear about your poor little companion. It is a real shock to the family whan a pet leaves the home. Hope go2D had a great time at HOBY. Our DD still talks about here HOBY experiences and is in contact with many from both the state program and the WLC in Chicago last summer. I am sure go2D had a great time even though it upset her end of school year schedule. Our D now wants to do a full visit to Loyola this summer. She was unable to participate in HOBY this year due to her end of school schedule and mandatory workshop sessions and meetings for her upcoming Immersion trip to Ecuador.</p>
<p>Agreed, no ideal time with all these kids have going. S3 took subject tests in May to coincide with APs, and allow more time to prep for his last run at the SAT in June. S2 was just starting testing, taking the SAT in May and subject tests in June. He retested in the fall. S2 didn’t have any EA/ED schools on his list but I noted it would have been a problem and started earlier with S3 with the goal of being done Jr year, giving him that option. S3 has one school he may consider ED. We have several schools to visit this summer before he decides. </p>
<p>Regarding placing housing deposits early…
There are schools, usually those with rolling decisions (which are awesome safeties, early admits to have in your pocket early and ease stress) that do ‘encourage’ a deposit which is needed to get information to make a housing deposit. This is done because housing is offered in the order of receipt of deposits even if your student is honors with scholarship eligible for those awesome super suites. They have to get the deposits in and be in line. This pecking order can follow them each year as long as they are in the housing system. Some schools have a housing shortage so this compounds the concern. Some schools simply ask for a housing deposit, not both. </p>
<p>Ask these questions when your student is considering a school, know the ins and outs. Putting a deposit early and then picking another school is not a problem. You simply must let the first school know before you accept and deposit and the second. Double depositing is unethical and prohibited by the common app (schools have the right to rescind). One or more deposits are usually non refundable, read the fine print. </p>
<p>I’m not pointing this out because I think there’s something wrong with it, simply because if this is your first you may not know this goes on at some schools. We deposited at a rolling admissions school to ensure housing for S2. When he was accepted to a school he knew he’d attend over that school he contacted them via email & certified mail, to housing and admissions that he wouldn’t be attending. One deposit was refunded. The deposit that wasn’t I considered insurance and a cost of the admissions process.</p>
<p>Blueiggy – Thanks for the tutorial on housing deposits. I’m still unclear about double deposits, however. If student A applies to state U & places a deposit and then applies to private u and places a deposit, how is this unethical? Student A won’t know for months if he/she will be accepted to either.</p>
<p>A99, housing deposits are different than “attendance” deposits and housing deposits aren’t subject to the double-deposit issues, as I understand it. The problem arises when you have to make an “attendance” deposit in order to be allowed to make the housing deposit. You can’t make an attendance deposit before being accepted, so the hypothetical you proposed doesn’t come up.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information on the housing. D will apply to the state university which has good engineering program and will note it down.</p>
<p>Yes, this is only going to come up with a few schools, usually rolling decisions, and they vary as to requiring the admission deposit prior to the housing deposit. Just ask the specifics at each school so you know what’s most advantageous to your student. Asking in that schools forum is often a good idea as they can often tell you “Yes, if your student wants prime housing deposit ASAP” or “If you know it’s your students #1 place the deposit, but if you’re waiting on EA/ED schools waiting until late Dec to deposit will still give your student prime housing…no rush.”. The double deposit comes into play when a student commits to attend more then one school via the attendance/enrollment deposit at once. Housing deposits are not a commitment of enrollment (I’ve never seen it, read all fine print). There is nothing wrong with having an enrollment deposit at school A, being accepted at school B, notifying school A you are not attending, and depositing at school B. You can’t (or shouldn’t) hold spots via enrollment deposits at multiple schools at once.</p>
<p>Our DD’12 got into the state flagship honors college pretty early under rolling admissions. We paid $250 to reserve her housing preference. She ended up going elsewhere, but we had peace-of-mind. Will do the same with DS’14.</p>
<p>So much to know with the first headed off to college. Thanks everyone for the heads up on these small but important details. </p>
<p>How many days until the ship sails, Captain Avon?</p>
<p>Agent99, I am with you. My son is the first to head off to college too. So hence the feverish note taking and reading on what to do! :D</p>
<p>Yay! We have a senior in the house too. Our first one!</p>
<p>Today it’s his last day of school and just finished with math finals this a.m. SAT II tomorrow, perhaps… We’ll decide tonight …whether he’ll sit for it or not since zero prep had been done and perhaps waiting till Oct/Nov would be better? Decisions, decisions.</p>
<p>Good luck all who are taking the SAT, SATII tomorrow!</p>