Parents of the HS Class of 2020 (Part 1)

Overnights are great if staying at a Hotel in order to experience what the town or city offers. We had been to OSU (we are OOS) a few times for a tour, orientations, moving in. etc. But for the first time, I got to go to a Football game and experience the scene. OH Boy!!!

I wonder the same about overnight visits. I wouldn’t chance it with my kids, bc a bad host would completely ruin the school for them.

Quick question - how quickly does one need to respond to an alumni interview request. My S20 got an e-mail yesterday offering an interview. I told him that he has to respond by today.

He says that he hasn’t finalized his schedule yet and wants to respond by tomorrow. I suggested that he at least write back tonight saying he appreciates the opportunity and will respond tomorrow with dates/times. Thoughts? Can he wait until tomorrow?

Sitting waiting for my district to call a snow day, and happy DD will have the day to finish up a scholarship application due Sunday night, and a special program one due in a little bit.

We just got the snow day call!

Question - someone told S20 that he should put down a deposit for a school to get on the housing list even if he isn’t sure he’s going there. S20 is convinced that it’s not binding and it’s worth the $100. This doesn’t sound right to me but maybe I’m being silly. Thoughts?

@Octagon It’s probably a good idea to touch base with the interviewer. If you’re in an urban area, then the interviewer probably has many irons in the fire, and an extra day won’t matter much. Available slots will be more plentiful the sooner your S20 responds.

@NYC2018nyc Most people will tell you it’s unethical to deposit at a school that your S20 is not yet intent on attending. If any portion of the deposit is refundable, and you need to deposit in order to get in line for housing
then I’m more on the fence.

Here’s what the CB says: https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/applications/ethics

Sometimes colleges have non-binding housing deposits that are separate from the enrollment deposit.

We put down a deposit on one school we aren’t 100% intent on to get on the housing list. They encouraged us to do it and pointed out it was 90% refundable before May 1st if we changed our mind, so I’m sure they have a lot of people doing that.

I told mine to reply ASAP (within a couple of hours). Even if you don’t know your schedule, let them know you received the email.

I dont think showing interest makes a difference in this scenario. My kids have been awarded more but the $$ has not been from admissions but from depts, honors programs, or competitive merit (which they applied for or knew they were being considered for and where invited to interview weekends.)

Interview weekends, absolutely attend. General admitted students days, marketing/skip.

General question: D received an inquiry from Colby inviting her to interview with an alum. She filled out the requisite form and submitted it but hasn’t heard back. Should she (a) sit tight or (b) reach out to Colby’s admissions office?

Check with the school about how they assign housing. Some do it based on when they receive the housing deposit. I know so many kids that made end of April decisions and ended up with terrible housing assignments at our state University. But the big one in the neighboring state doesn’t start assigning until after May 1st. If it’s first come, first serve and there is any chance he will go there, it’s worth making the deposit.

@Snowman66 I think that your daughter’s GC is brilliant at having them do that exercise!! I wish more schools would do that. It so hard watching these kids beat themselves up when decisions come out and they are deferred or denied after years of giving it their all. Especially hard when other kids they know get in and they then tend to focus on what they know about that kid and wonder if he/she could get in what is wrong with them when really the AO just has a quick snapshot to look at. I am sure doing that exercise was extremely helpful in the most important thing of all that this whole process overlooks
the mental health of our kids!

@Auntlydia Mine hasn’t heard back yet either. I think she requested it about a week ago. Maybe they’ll hear something this week.

@AlwaysLearn thanks - glad to know D isn’t the only one.

We are planning on getting DS20 a new laptop for graduation. Any suggestions on what to get/best places to buy? Do colleges often have discounts available?

Regional Admission Counselors of California (RACC) offers this exercise at different high schools. You can find one of the fictitious school profiles and applications here: http://www.regionaladmissions.com/case-studies.html. They set up groups and everyone reads the applications by themselves and then talks about it. It is amazing how each person who reads the application has a different impression/opinion of the applicant and each prioritizes who should get in differently.

If you Google “mock college admissions” you will find some schools have other fictitious applications on their websites.

@mtemmd I would first investigate if the intended major has any specific computer requirements.

If none, we purchased a laptop that can be used as a tablet with a digital pen for our sr. It can be used to take notes in class and converted directly to pdf.

@amsunshine Just use your current insurance. If she gets sick at school, she can go to the student health center for free. If she needs anything beyond that, she’ll be at the ER and your insurance will cover it under emergency services.