Thanks – it wasn’t a waitlist - I just used that as an analogy for her. What happened was just that she got a late acceptance to the honors program that she had really wanted to be a part of at the school she really wanted to go to from the beginning of this journey. She had just gotten over the fact that she had not been awarded honors at her fave, and was getting excited about the school where she committed. I think she felt like it was kind of analogous to an ED situation where she couldn’t back out after committing. I’m just giving her the time to process everything and see how she feels after having the space to reconsider. It has been quite a rollercoaster ride.
After much deliberation, my D finally committed today. She’s headed to American University! She loves DC and is excited to be going there, hopefully this Fall but if not she will just roll with the punches. We are all so happy to be past this part, and I have some time to breathe before starting again with DD24!
@amsunshine You’re doing everything right - just let her work through it all. Was the honors decision the reason that kept her from choosing that school? Or was there something else?
My D was ready to sign up for her school today but the system couldn’t find her ID, so we waited and then she got a huge admit packet from another school she had decided against. Now it’s back to second-guessing… She is also on two waitlists (both of which we can probably not afford without scholarships which I suspect we are unlikely to receive).
Even though I know in my heart and head that she will be fine wherever she lands, after the months of agonizing over applications and waiting out the results, it still feels like it’s a much bigger decision than it needs to be.
@Mamafx3 Thank you. Yes, the honors decision was one of the biggest factors that kept her from choosing the school. Financial packages had recently gotten closer and it just was a matter of choosing the school that not only gave her more money, but that showed her more “love”, I guess. She got honors at the school where she ultimately committed, and I think she felt that, despite the acceptance at her favorite, the failure to offer honors felt kind of like a rejection to her (especially because she really, really wanted to be part of that honors program).
@amsunshine It’s amazing the emotional toll of these rejections… even, as in your case, the perceived slight from lack of scholarships or honors designation. The honors acceptance does make her decision much more difficult. Good luck!
@amsunshine - I agree with everyone that you are handling it perfectly. Maybe also remind her that at this point there’s no “wrong” answer, just more than one right answer, which is also stressful.
@mtnsun13 My son made the same decision (ND) for the same reasons. And we all feel so relieved! It’s been a joy which has carried us through this strange time.
@amsunshine you gave the perfect response to your child and lost deposits aren’t fun but it happens many times, every year.
On another note, I have a sneaking suspicion that schools are not only unsure of their plans, they are not going to be super specific prior to commitment days. Unless everyone announced simultaneously which is not going to happen.
Also, many of the gap year answers are honest at this point. Until commitments are made and decisions announced. However I can certainly see a post decision date flurry and schools making “the tough decision” announcement changing their minds in the numbers or previous gap year allowances. This will be top of the house and the folks answering the questions now just aren’t privy to the decision making. They are using current rules and guidance from senior staff.
Hopefully this isn’t the case but so many schools will not be able to absorb the hit. In fact, if a college is not super well funded this economic hit may really impact the student resources and quality of faculty on campus for some time.
@GuineaHen Congrats to your son! We feel the same way. ND is such an amazing place! The community and out reach has surpassed our expectations. Our kiddos will be in great hands at this crazy time.
My D20 will attend Barnard in the fall, and obviously we have no idea if it will be in person or online. There is no way for colleges to know yet.
However, she just received an email from the college’s financial aid department that students receiving grant aid will be awarded a one-time $2,500 Summer Work Exemption Grant. This is to acknowledge that students may not be able to find summer jobs to supplement their contribution towards their COA.
I find this incredible - even in these uncertain times, they are thinking of their students and how this may be affecting them and their future. My D20 said it makes her feel “like the school really cares about their students,” and that couldn’t make her happier.
Kudos to Barnard.
@Dancingmom518 Your post is refreshing! My D20 is heading to Boston’s women’s LAC and she has experienced the same thing. Multiple webinars each week, postcards and packages in the mail, etc. Dare I say that it is the women’s touch? 
I truly do not think they could be doing a better job with what they are dealing with right now and I am excited for the girls regardless of what happens in the fall. I trust that all options will be considered and the proper choice will be made. Best to you and your girl.
@Dancingmom518
Wow! My D did not commit yet but I ll make her commit to first school that sends us an email like this LOL!
(She has two women school’s in her possibles…)
Has anyone’s child started course planning for the fall? My DD wants to take 18 hours. Normally I would say way too many but if they are online and she has nothing else to do… maybe not?
I am hoping campus reopens but I don’t think it is likely (State school). She is used to being very busy and all the extra time recently is driving her to distraction. Any thoughts? What are your students considering for fall course hours?
S20 has a June appointment with his advisor to plan out courses (virtually) . I don’t think he’s given it much thought other than that. I know he is really hoping to be physically at school, and not really thinking about the online option. He also has to take some placement tests.
My son has not even looked at the courses. I think he just plans of following the 4 year plan for his major and taking exactly what it has on there which is 17 credits for Fall…12 of which are lab classes, so I’m not sure how that would be if all online.
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My D20 has not even chosen a school yet, and I know she’s not yet thinking about classes yet. But D19 registered for classes a couple of weeks ago, and she signed up for a fuller load than usual. With all the uncertainty, I don’t see a problem with it. She can always drop a class, if it seems like too much once we get some clarity on what fall will look like.
Back in the day (lol)…I would often sign up for 21 hours (max allowed), go to the first week or so to try out all the classes/profs/schedule, and then drop a class or two to get to a more manageable load with classes I liked. It did backfire one semester, though, when I dropped down under full time, but it worked out.
You might check out ratings (ratemyprofessor, etc) to see how current students feel professors handled online teaching. Students usually don’t post ratings until after the semester is over.
Also, it might not be possible but, if you can avoid taking lab classes online, I would do so. I’m guessing that schools will re-adjust the courses offered (and who is teaching them) in the fall based upon how this semester went.
Mine will do an online freshman orientation at the end of June, and will sign up for classes then.
My son had decided a while ago to go to our local community college and then transfer after 2 years (for which I am now very grateful).
He has done some online planning for his Fall and Spring class schedules and he just made sure to avoid any gen ed class with a lab in the fall in case they are online.
My D registered for her one course for fall last week. She’s taking a gap year and had planned to take one class per semester at community college online all along, just for fun.