@AnRsMom that is so great that she is already in her first choice, what a weight off her shoulders. I do think people apply to too many schools these days. Right now we have 6 on D20s list. I think D15 did 11, I have no idea why. I think here in NC we worry -especially if you are from a large county - that you can’t count on anything being a sure thing. We will apply early, and have more safeties to apply to later if we start getting bad news, or waitlisted.
@MuggleMom - thanks for your honesty!
@ITBgirl - we are in NOVA from a very large and extremely competitive county which is why we are casting a wider net and applying to rolling admission schools this summer and planning on EA applications. There are no “sure things” if you are from NOVA – mainly because both the standard of the competition and the density of competitive applicants is very high.
@scoutmom2002 we are in NoVa too!
@milgymfam - years ago I had a co-worker whose daughter was going through college app process and he told me “you’re screwed if you are from NOVA”. The majority of my friends’ kids in college are all going OOS. But that’s also in part due to the NOVA attitude that if you can’t get into top 3 then go OOS.
@scoutmom2002 we are fairly new to the area- two years now- and homeschool, but my daughter’s friends all have been told similar things. Both of mine were intent upon leaving the state so it’s not something we’ve fretted about, but it does seem to be a crappy situation for local students.
I’ll add this comment for everyone as it’s particularly applicable for the average 3.0-3.4 kids. If at all possible…do Admissions Interview even if it’s optional!! Check with colleges your kids are interested in (especially their top choices)…many will offer Admissions Interview now during the summer BEFORE submitting college apps. This is great to do before school starts and life gets busy.
Both my S20 and D20 did Admissions Interview at CNU - there are certain programs/scholarships that require Admissions Interviews (i.e., President’s Leadership Program at CNU). S20 did Admissions Interview at UMW this past Monday.
The admission interviewers take notes and IMHO this can only help improve your chances for admission. If an in-person interview is not feasible, try calling to set up a telephonic admission interview - doesn’t hurt to ask.
My son submitted his apps today. The final list in order of preference is Arizona, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, and LSU. U of A, WSU and LSU are very strong matches if not safeties. I thought the Oregon schools originally would be reaches, but I think his SAT score should put him in. We’ll see. His true safety is Northern Colorado, but he’s not going to apply unless he starts getting some rejections.
Now the waiting begins.
@Johnny523 how nice to be done, we are no where near to submitting his common app
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@Johnny523 congrats…I’m jealous. While we submitted several apps to colleges they are not considered “complete” and will not be reviewed until they receive official transcripts from the high school which doesn’t send them out until likely September. Also, we don’t have any letters of recommendation yet.
@scoutmom2002 curious how the RMC visit went last weekend?
@scoutmom2002 Only one of the schools requires recs. I’m not sure if they consider the apps before they get the transcripts. He’ll figure it out.
My son’s common app essay is just about finished. He hasn’t started on the supplements yet. We schedule our college meetings to avoid stress. We are meeting next Thursday to discuss next steps-starting common app, essay deadlines, etc.
He has one rolling admissions school so will get that done next week. He had two but took Boise off his list at least for now.
Wow! I’m impressed some of your kids have apps in already! My son has been busy with a summer class that just ended and a job.
I’m also impressed with all the apps already in and some early acceptances…yeah!
We are waiting on the Cal State app to open on 10/1, but right now I’m pushing S20 to finish up his pre-calc honors summer homework. He is also re-taking the SAT in 3 weeks and his cross country summer training started up a few weeks ago. Luckily for us, the Cal State app has no essays or personal statements and requires no LORs. It is very straightforward and we only complete it once for all the Cal State campuses he wants to apply to. Then we just have to send in his SAT score. Grades are all self-reported so he doesn’t need to send in a transcript until after he graduates. If he gets accepted to the Cal States he’s applying to then I think he will be done and won’t apply anywhere else.
I think completing the FAFSA will be more complicated than his college apps…lol.
The FAFSA isn’t that bad because it will import your tax return info. At least it did the last time I did about 5 years ago.
My son’s English teacher had them write their essays in class at the end of last year. And he did all the data entry on the common app earlier this summer because he didn’t realize it was still last year’s app, but it all rolls over so he had everything ready to go on the 1st except for the school-specific questions.
I am so impressed with all the kids that are already submitting their apps - congrats to them and to their parents!! S is still working on his Common App essay and still has to do the questionnaire for one teacher writing his rec letter. Most of the schools on his list have EA so hoping to be done by 11/15. Keeping my fingers crossed on that one!
@eb23282 - RE: Visit to Randolph-Macon College. Well, unfortunately giving an extra 30 minutes to account for traffic on an early Saturday morning was not sufficient. Started at 9am and we arrived at 9:30 (took an extra hour to get from NOVA to Ashland, VA). That being said, we actually didn’t miss the entire powerpoint/overview presentation. The school is very small but it does offer equestrian sports for those interested (not us). There are freshmen dorm options - some are community style bathrooms but they do also have some that are suite style. Campus was well maintained and for a very small school they do offer a lot of activities and fun things to do it seems. I think a little too small for D20 but she liked the vibe better than Roanoke College for some reason. She did like that the train station is nearby for quick train ride to DC or Richmond. It’s didn’t make her top 3, but not totally off the list either. Definitely worth visiting.
Yes, I’ve been there and really liked it - just wish it was a but bigger. Was curious what others impressions were because the programs they have really impressed me. Interesting they’re promoting the equestrian team. I know the barn is about 2 miles down the road and the woman running the program is absolutely fantastic.
@eb23282 - one of D20’s friends does equestrian and is looking at schools with equestrian programs. That’s how it popped on our radar. I agree in that I wish it was just a tad bigger.