<p>"This shouldn't be all about you. Get your kid involved." </p>
<p>That's where it came from, to answer your question. Also the idea that I thought this was a college parents' forum designed to discuss/hopefully answer the kinds of questions I'm attempting to find answers to. Not everyone is an expert yet, kids or parents.</p>
<p>And I'd give the same advice to any parent. Just my opinion, but I think you are too sensitive--I really did not mean to criticize or upset you. But, I shall refrain from answering any more questions from you. You know, I did put some time and effort into answering your question, and I don't think attacking me for doing so is appropriate.</p>
<p>Obviously, we are on different wave lengths. It happens. So, I'll bow out.</p>
<p>It really is a crazy process. For fun, read "Take my Kid". It has some valuable insights on the process and kids. </p>
<p>As far as picking school, the top choices are always, oh so fun to pick. Harvard vs GT vs Yale. Of course she's loves that highly selective LAC. The hard part is picking out the schools she will like from the many, many less selective U's to be her safety or match in terms of likelihood of acceptance. We have friends who did not spend much time on safeties, and was still fortunately accepted to a school that I would not dub a safety, but their D did. And they are all so disappointed, since all they wanted were those glittering top choices. I am not about to tell them that they were lucky she got into the safety as they don't feel good right now, but they are, because of the attitude. Our journey was made so much easier by the fact that our son really liked all of his choices, and ultimately fell in love with the school that was not a "reach".</p>
<p>I could just as easily have said what jonri did--as parents here, we often remind each other to keep focus on who this is all about--our kids. Not a criticism, just a friendly reminder. To all of us--easy to lose sight of this.</p>
<p>I stated early on that my S would be okay with attending his state U since we know that it has much to offer and he will certainly find peers.</p>
<p>It's a tough world out there, jonri. Certainly to listen to you is to prove it. Not to put too fine a point on it, but we came close to losing our S in January. If you read all the posts you read his stats. He is continuing to work hard and continue grueling ec's despite stresses which might send you (certainly I) to bed for a couple of months hiding under the covers. No, he won't be going to Michigan or Wisconsin, EA or rolling admission or whatever. He will be sticking pretty close to home at least for the first year until doctors determine the cause of his condition. Your tone was unnecessary (unless you hadn't read the entire thread in which case it might be understandable).</p>
<p>I see everyone here trying to put together the almighty "list" and I was simply attempting to do the same--trying to understand the process. Nope he's not in love with any highly selective LAC at this point--hasn't had the time.</p>
<p>What % of the kids who applied ED got into Trinity, Ilsa? I know a number of very selective schools where ED has a big punch, and others where it just is not a big deal. Son was not going to apply to EA to a certain school (laziness) but got an eye opening surprise upon seeing the stats for it. He had about a 50% chance of getting into the school which to him was just fine. But when he saw the early vs regular numbers, it turned out that the RD numbers were in the 20% range. Made him hustle that app right out. And it turned out that this year the total acceptance was waaaay down for them. He was very glad he got that app in the door. It turned out to be the school for him. </p>
<p>Certainly with State U in the picture, especially with rolling admissions, he has his safety and can go to town with this choices.</p>
<p>Can I break up the tone of this thread to say that my D2 will be attending Trinity, applied ED1 and was accepted by a "small" envelope in the mail!</p>
<p>If I had looked at Naviance-Family Connection only, I would not have expected a YES decision; I would have expected a wait-list; she has hig GPA and not so high SAT.</p>
<p>Needless to say, we are thrilled; it was the last of 23 schools she looked at, including CA, IL, SC, VA, CT etc. And was her first choice. And yes, we did the interview and attended session where she spends a morning with students. I highly recommend doing everything possible at any school your child may be interested in!</p>
<p>Ilsa, I too missed the reference to your son's health. I am sorry that this is an additional factor. It is always better to be close when such issues are at hand. But it sounds like you have an array of colleges near you in the NE. It is true that it can be more difficult to be a "local" when applying to a selective school. He certainly should apply ED if that is his fave choice and the stats show that it will help him. In any case, with the state school as a back up and any number of smaller schools in your area that may take him right away, I think he is set in terms of safeties. </p>
<p>I have family in Delaware who just does not have such options, It's truly UD or bust for them. And UD is not a safety for them but a reach. Makes it difficult in such circumstances. My third one is heading out to college this fall and is going to his farthest school. All three have picked far away colleges but this one takes the cake. And he applied to the most local schools, and got some wonderful pickings that way with merit aid. But this one struck him as his best match. He fell in love, and that was it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
We will be using the endowment per student figure as a guide for DS.
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</p>
<p>Most reliable college guide there is!</p>
<p>It would be even better if universities were required to break out a per student endowment allocation for undergrad separate from the research business units, the law school, the grad schools, etc.</p>
<p>Trinity is highly regarded by prep schools, I know. It is among the top LACs in the east coast. I would have been delighted to have my son go there, if some merit money was forthcoming. I tend to like the LACs anyhow so I am prejudiced.</p>
<p>cpt: I think 69% of the kids who apply ED are accepted ED. That's 250 out of the whole admit pool of 2,000+. I'm sorry if it appears this is all about Trinity. I originally used it merely as an example. My kid is not at a prep school so I'm not even sure he'd be comfortable among so many prep school kids. I don't feel I have plenty of time, to be honest. I feel like I have three months. Then he starts a heavy load of four AP's in the fall. This is his choice. He enjoys challenging himself. Even in the fall I can't see him spending hours in front of the computer researching colleges since he has ec's which take his time until 5 pm or later each day. Like many boys (and all of his friends) he is enjoying the moment and not even thinking of colleges. Considering what he's been through, I feel it's the least I can do FOR HIM to do the <em>preliminary</em> research. I doubt this is highly unusual, even for parents of kids who don't have added burdens to deal with.</p>
<p>Is there a list of colleges with rolling admissions? These seem like the best as safety/match colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>It seems to me that state schools have rolling admissions. I don't think I've come across a private school that has rolling admissions. However, I could be wrong.</p>
<p>ilsa, We've dealt with our own health scares here so my heart really goes out to you. </p>
<p>Perhaps I can ask a few questions and the collective CC brain can come up with some possible schools. What major does your son want or does he have any major interests which might direct him as far as schools (things like marching band)? What size is he looking for? You said you want the northeast-- can it be rural or does it need to be near NYC, Boston or another major city? Does he like preppy or more liberal environments? </p>
<p>By the way, I stand by what I said: Trinity is a match and would be a good place to visit. Right now, I'm leaning towards recommending you also visit Wesleyan.</p>
<p>Here is the list of rolling admissions schools (and also EA and ED schools).</p>
<p>Ok, I found it: lac, intl rels/ language type major, northeast, 700-ish SATs. </p>
<p>Is the Baltimore/ DC area too far? I think it may have some very good options for him:
* I think he might be in the running for merit $ at American University in DC. Good intl rels program, good internships, etc.
* If DC is plausible, maybe have him apply to Georgetown EA. They have a hospital right on campus and it's tops in intl rels/ languages. It is a reach-- especially their school of foreign service-- but a great school with good medl facilities.
* Another top intl rels school with excellent medical facilities is Johns Hopkins. I don't know how close the undergrad is to the hospital but it's another good reach (not too high a reach).
* GW also has a good intl rels program with a medical facility. I would consider it a match. </p>
<p>They are bigger than what he wants but they're not huge and I know the Georgetown and AU kids in their foreign service have their own little 'community' of sorts. </p>
<p>By the way, a school we <em>loved</em> where he would likely get in is Hamilton. Small, liberal arts, nice kids, nice families, beautiful facilities, etc. It is rural and I don't know if it's too far out but you may be interested in them.</p>
<p>Thank you so much 2collegewego. Those sound like good suggestions. DC/Baltimore area is fine. Despite the little glitch in this thread, I am very appreciative of all the advice. I feel I have a much better handle on what kinds of schools he can shoot for, and the odds of admittance, after he has his safeties firmly in place. I think once school is out and we do some visits, he will diligently get into his "assignment" of coming up with a final list in the same way he approaches his schoolwork. Hopefully, we will both get into a mindset that it might even be fun.</p>
<p>IB, I hope what I write do not offend you.</p>
<p>What you are doing is to feed your child on the information you filtered. What if your child goes out to college and then realize there are thing he really care about is not there? You as a parent should do two things: make sure your child pick at least one safety and let them know how much you can pay for their education. </p>
<p>As other parents have said, let your child lead this process and provide your support. I think any student should be able to handle AP and search for their college. Image the interviewer asks "why ..." and your child answers "because my Mom said...".</p>
<p>Thank you for the link to rolling admissions colleges. </p>
<p>I wonder what stops the more competitive colleges from doing rolling admissions. If all colleges did rolling admissions, you would have a lot of kids applying to the top colleges first, then when they get rejected in 4 weeks, they could really get serious about targetting the less 'reachy' ones.</p>
<p>Don't worry about it, Dad II, my kid is way too smart to SAY "because my Mom said...." He is also way too independent to DO what "Mom says." No worries there. Our guidance counselor does not guide. My son does not go to a private prep school that has Naviance and hands out recommendations for safeties, matches and safeties to their kids. I will now be able to point my son to the schools that he has a 50/50 chance of being admitted to. He is already fine with his state U. He's smart but not a genius, and has found this semester very stressful due to his health issues. He asked me point blank when we were in the hospital if he could put off discussion of college until the summer. I respect this. I see nothing wrong with working in the meantime to be able to <em>point him in the right direction.</em> I must really be missing something here. Do you have a daughter? From what I've read, boys are often a little more laid back in this regard even in the best of circumstances. His goal has always been to do well and go to a good school; when he has the time to do the research he will.</p>