Yes, odd. It’s seems like a weird contortion, if a school is saying “oh, I think you’re overqualified for us, and likely won’t come here, so we’ll test your commitment while protecting yield, and try to entice you with this non-credit perk.” Maybe, given the rising popularity of gap years, they thought it would appeal to students kind of wanting a non-academic internship break (and willing to pay for it.)
But, for whatever it’s worth, I thought I’d pass it on in case there’s something to it…!
@93pilots, and it’s good if it helps the narrowing process! What are his top choices now?
All this talk of flying alone has me nervous. D is scheduled to visit Allegheny on her own this upcoming weekend. She’s never flown alone before, and the only flights I could get where she would arrive/depart by the specified times were 1-stop connecting flights. She doesn’t have to change airlines, just gates. She won’t have checked baggage, just a carry-on. Any tips??
She just needs to pay attention. Gates change, planes are late, bathroom stops are necessary. When the first plane lands, go to the gate for the second, make sure everything is on time, then go to the bathroom.
Having snacks in her backpack is also a good idea.
It will be fine.
@LilyMoon I should let @techmom99 answer for herself but I believe they live close to Post as well. I have had conversations with her about his being able to live at home and take the bus. I know about bit about Post since 5 years ago I toured the school with D12.
@klinksa Flying alone is VERY VERY safe. WAY wafter than putting your child behind the wheels of your car. My son has been flying on his own since he was 7. (But only not-stops) I few him back from the east coast with a transfer when he was 12. I guess if you kid gets lost easily (mine doesn’t) it might be a worry.
Make sure their phone is charged so they can call you. Instruct her as to when it needs to be off. I always had my D12 text me when she got into the terminal proper. And when she made her connecting flight.
If she has never flown before talk her through the check-in. I think the hardest part is the security line. If they are younger than 18, you can get a pass and help her through to the gate. But otherwise just talk her through it… what she needs to do. Maybe there are video’s online.
Remind her she to ASK for help if needed. Grown adults do this all the time. If she can’t find airline employee, stop and ask a kind looking adult. When she departs her first flight there is usually an airline stewardess at the door to help people. She should stop & ask for directions to where she needs to be for her next flight.
I’m sure I can come up with more but I have to get to a meeting.
@klinska chiming in to say, I think she will do great and doing this is a confidence builder. We had a similar situation couple of weeks back, I worried about unfamiliar airports and plane changes too. Didn’t walk S through the gate but have stood and watched from afar as he went through. If she has flown with you she likely knows the drill and you can check in by text, etc. Is the school picking her up?
@inthegarden my S seems to be doing elimination rounds instead of identifying top choices. I predict a long process with maximum drama. He must have succeeded in loving his safeties because most of them survived the first cut (even though his targets, and some reaches, came in for him). But at least American was easy!
Thanks @twoinanddone @curiositycat333 and @93pilots – I have taken screenshots and will make sure to review with D. She’s generally got a pretty good head on her shoulders, so I think she’ll be OK. The school is picking her up, and I’m pretty sure they won’t leave without her. 
I’m vividly remembering when we visited London a couple of years back and she got on the Tube ahead of us and the doors shut before the rest of us could get on (her dad, me, little sister, and me). She had the presence of mind to get off at the next stop and wait for us!
my D has been flying on her own for a very long time, First, as unaccompanied minor and since High School we have been able to let her go to gates on her own. As a matter of fact, she flew to phily and back this past weekend. One time though they were not going to let her board the plane because she had a guitar with her, and it was considered an extra carry on, or something like that. While she was discussing with the gate agent, they were going to close the boarding doors, and then were not going to let her board. She let them know that this was unacceptable, as at the time she was under 18, and they would be in a boatload of trouble.
We feel very fortunate that D was accepted to American. but with no merit (ouch!!). once we here about her rejection from GW (we dont expect her to get accepted, as its a reach), then if she really wants to go to American she is going to call and see if there is anything they can add to the pot. Elon came back last week and gave her merit aid after all this time. Makes this all interesting. College Of Charleston showed no love, so they are out, and I believe Indiana is out.
@CoyoteMom LOVE the index card story! congrats to your son <:-P
@MSU88CHEng congrats on the additional scholarships, merit and the honors college too!! <:-P
Love this @tacocat333 “The deal is his mental health day cannot impact MY mental health” Isn’t that the truth! I feel guilty, but I’m so much less stressed since my daughter is away for a few days. I’m not worrying about her, but focusing on my needs he he.
@klinska She will be totally fine flying alone! It may be a little strange at first, but after the first time, she’ll feel like a pro. Carry on’s only are great and I agree with bringing snacks. Remind her only to buy water after she gets through security!
Reading everyone’s comments about sitting in on classes, well, we just never did that. I talked about possibly doing it, but D (or I) just didn’t have the patience and felt it could all be too misleading or something. No overnights here either, hope that doesn’t hurt us down the road, I’m sure there are benefits to doing it, D was just so positive about where she wanted to go - we did visit her top choice twice, that I insisted on.
We are back from admitted student day with overnight. Son had a great time and can see himself there. They did a great job of pairing him with a current freshman with the same major and interests. BUT when asked is this the one? We were told it’s “definitely, probably #1.” Can I get a translator??
We did put down the refundable deposit and told him he has until April 14 to decide so we can have time to request refund from whichever school he decides against. Not sure what extra information he’s going to get in the next few weeks but maybe just having time to ponder will help. I also think he’s just having a hard time saying, “this is it!” since it’s such a big decision.
@smakl70 sounds like you are very close! Congrats on a successful visit! Which school?
@klinska Valparaiso U.
@LilyMoon and @curiositycat333 - Yes, we live pretty close to Post. Do you, LM?
Techson17 enjoyed his weekend at the upstate SUNY and I just found out that he has been offered an additional $1K in scholarships. The Fafsa was only sent to the school today, but I don’t believe that we will get any FA so I am happy for additional merit money. So far, he has $4,500 on a SUNY costs of about $22K total, so we are under budget. The best part is he really liked the school.
As far as H not helping to move him up, my other kids are more than happy to help. They are planning a trip to Niagara Falls on the way to dropping techson at school. The only issue is that I may have to rent a car and only two of them are old enough to drive a rental, although all 5 have licenses. I didn’t get to go away to college, so I have really enjoyed moving my kids in with their stuff from home. It’s like when they were little and I used to pick their clothing for day care and then I could imagine them all day in the outfit I put them in when I missed them at work. If I set up their rooms, I can visualize them in it and it helps with missing them - at least for me. The one year we didn’t move D09 up because she had a job on campus and stayed all summer, I made her send me pictures of her room when she set it up.
H still wants to negotiate with Post but I am ready to pull the plug and commit to Fredonia. I really don’t think Post will give Techson17 another $8 - 10K on top of the 22,500 already offered and that’s what it would take to match the costs.
Adelphi is pretty much out of the running as it would have to give Techson another $16K or so to match SUNY and it’s not happening. My son is a wonderful kid, but his stats just aren’t topnotch. I just have to decide if we are going to attend the scholarship dinner or rescind our acceptance. I am leaning towards that so as to give the spot to someone with a lot more disposable income than I have or perhaps with a lot better stats than Techson17.
I know that we really didn’t let Techson17 cast a wide net - no OOS schools, no reaches, no schools that required the CSS, but I think that he will wind up at a good place.
@techmom99 Yes, we live near Post, so we must be neighbors! My son graduated from SUNY New Paltz, so I am familiar with an upstate SUNY. Sounds like your son is happy with Fredonia. I totally get your desire to help your kids move into the dorm. I feel the exact same way. My son even said that he wants to help my daughter move in, so my guess it will be a big, messy affair with lots of trips to Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond
After working in NYC after college, my son now lives in CA, so my daughter fell in love with the west coast. Although she applied to schools all over, her dream has been to go to college in CA. That is why we are headed to UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz for spring break. Her top seems to be Davis, but we will see how the visit goes.
We are on the North Shore. D09 and S12 went to Plattsburgh. We toured New Paltz with D but she felt it was too much like our town, so she opted to go further upstate. All 7 of us, plus 2 dogs and a cat, went to move D in the first year. We had an assembly line to get her stuff upstairs.
I personally love California and have most of my mom’s family there, but H would never move that far away from his mom (actually, neither would I). I do have friends, both of whose parents have passed on, and whose only son is out there, who are thinking of moving there because there’s nothing to keep them here.
@techmom99 We are on the North Shore as well, down route 106. Wow, all 7 of you plus dogs and cat! That must have been something to see. So you have plenty of experience with move-in and must have it down to a science.
With both my kids in CA, I would love to move there, however H works here, so that is the problem. Maybe we could be bi-coastal. 
@techmom99 , I’m guessing the cats weren’t team players in the assembly line! :))
@techmom99 Sounds to me like he’ll end up in a great place!
@LilyMoon My D also fell in love with CA when we visited. She did have an opportunity to go but had something she liked better here on the East Coast said she’ll just wait until grad school! big plans! LOL.
And @techmom99 , I’m in your boat. Now that all the offers are in, and he has some pretty impressive acceptances and awards, I’m pretty sure TacoSon is ending up at a small state school about 90 minutes away – and it’s honestly a perfect fit for all of us.
Kid flying alone tips (learned the hard way last week):