<p>Motherof4Pearls (great name by the way), Curmudge and Mudgette have a good idea of where they are headed - he just likes to hear us "talk", and we're more than happy to oblige. Some great advice comes out of these kinds of threads, if one has the patience to bear with them - advice that may apply to situations away from the OP :).</p>
<p>Also, we are all really interested in the progress and the finale of the "Curmudgeon Chronicles".</p>
<p>Cur Quote: "when I saw the 35 pop up on the screen the sounds of "harvard-type" bells and the ca-ching of merit money at a "Duke-type" school simultaneously but momentarily entered my mind."</p>
<p>I can't resist reminding you that earlier this year, you told me that the schools my son would consider a good fit and your daughter would consider a good fit were miles apart. It's amazing what one top score can do to your thinking. And you're right to think that way, as another poster put it: "Still, curmudge has maybe been "under shooting" for a while now and I am glad we got a chance to give him a boot in the b*tt!"
She deserves to reach high, and knows that's where she belongs. And regardless of the outcome, she will have been right. Good luck!</p>
<p>'Mudge, I would never dream of dropping an "I told you so" on you. Other people, other issues, other circumstances...yes. But you've played the cards you thought you had as they've been dealt the bestest you could and I can't second guess any of it.</p>
<p>I am happy that some re-shuffling seems to be in order. And I still owe you an e-mail 'cept that now I need to get off to the doctor. Again.</p>
<p>"Evolution, over next 6-7 months, is a certainty."
SBMom is oh so right. And therein lies your parental duties..to help her not hyperfocus and to model for her that there are many roads to Nirvana, all of them valuable and worthy options. My S is attending a school that he barely warmed up to until a second visit in April..which we considered the "giving it one more chance" visit..this school within driving distance from home etc..
Now I get phone calls stating "I have never been happier in my life." In his voice is respect for his hall mates and teachers. His new pals intrigue him. </p>
<p>Have her apply wherever you think she might stand a good chance of having a happy four years of growth with great adults as mentors and coaches and with peers that she will respect and who will also color her days with their talent and their friendship.<br>
The final list is the beginning of another process that extends till mid April. My S liked all his other schools so much that there was sadness in letting go of imagined lives at his other schools.</p>
<p>
[quote]
"Evolution, over next 6-7 months, is a certainty."
[/quote]
Yes, but with Curmudgeon involved, it would be a big mistake to rule out the possibility of intelligent design, as well.</p>
<p>LOL driver!!!</p>
<p>One last thought, which I doubt is very original. The schools which seem to fit so well in September or October may not be the right choice in April. My S applied to a diverse set of schools, both in terms of selectivity and merit aid (or lack thereof!). The school which was #1 in September, and where he had done summer research, turned out not to be the best choice in April. In the end, he came down to 3 close choices and settled on Dartmouth, which is the perfect school for him. I just wouldn't have predicted this last fall. Also, regarding essays, I agree with the idea of finding the best prompt. My S, ever the efficient one, wrote 1 essay before senior year started, and adapted it to each school. In fact, for the University of Chicago, he created his own prompt, for which his essay was a good response. This seemed to work for him, since the essay really showed who he is. Hope this helps!
P.S. I have to put in a plug for Dartmouth -- I've never met so many happy, bright, friendly and normal kids in one place before. I want to go!</p>
<p>Cur,</p>
<p>Just a few thoughts on many of the great suggestions that you have received. I am sure I have previously expressed some of these ideas in "secret", but that is what secret friends do. At times it is beneficial to be exposed to viewpoints different than our own. I believe that many CC members have a lot of faith in your daughter and the avenues open to her. I, for one believe that she has unlimited potential and you will be very pleasantly surprised with the end results of her college search adventure. Like they say in BB - the scorer does not give you points for the shots you don't take. </p>
<p>Don't believe everything you read or hear. In regard to demonstrating interest, there is a perception that this must be shown for certain schools, otherwise give up all hope of admission or merit funds. I wonder how much of that is hearsay and how much is personal knowledge? My experience is similar to the one expressed by kdos above. In our case, minimal or no shown interest, but very favorable results. All schools like to feel loved, but I don't believe that to be an end all be all. At least not from what I have seen or experienced.</p>
<p>Use the old formula of 2-3 reaches, 2-3 matches & 2 safeties. Just make sure she can be happy at any and all the schools she applies to. As far as D3 BB at the right school it can be a great experience. A lot of work, including 6 am practices, but if you love the game, the way I believe your daughter does, it can be a great experience. The kids on the team can get very tight and be a great support/mentoring group. It can be a great fun experience both socially and athletically.</p>
<p>Go for the brass ring - it can be a great ride. Remember schools are looking for more than stats. They are looking to complete a complex puzzle of the campus mosaic. The question is where and how does she fit in. She has great stats, but so do most of the applicants at the top schools. So what is next - lets see - a musician - a top female athlete - from rural Texas - I highly doubt many of the other top stat applicants can offer such a unique combo of attributes. Now add a 35 ACT and its BINGO - no more calls we have a winner.</p>
<p>I will contact you later for some more info so I can forward the previously mentioned info. Good luck, you and your daughter both deserve it - but lets keep it a secret.</p>
<p>Not to mention the fact that this is a girl who wants to do research (DING!) in neuroscience (DING! DING!). And - trump card - the goats.</p>
<p>DING! DING! DING! Case closed.</p>
<p>"Use the old formula of 2-3 reaches, 2-3 matches & 2 safeties"</p>
<p>This is where I disagree with respect to this particular applicant. I think it is wise to add more so-called reaches and matches since the financial aid component is so critical. This is what our school advises ONLY in this type of situation. I know only too well that admission is a crap-shoot, but I strongly feel that this applicant has an extremely good chance of multiple admissions at highly selective schools. I would get as many good applications out there (for schools she would love) as can be realistically done.</p>
<p>I agree with MoWC</p>
<p>I will third that, and add Berurah's S as exhibit A.</p>
<p>ST2, that was very open of you.;)</p>
<p>Donemom, Yeah.Yeah. You got me. LOL. As do most of the posters here. Some of them virtually own me for my many "we'll never be there" posts. Sure I'm inconsistent, but I'm not bashful about it. I do however prefer to think of it as "highly adaptable to changing circumstances" rather than everyday inconsistency.</p>
<p>Driver-That was funny. True but funny. (edit:Well, maybe not the "intelligent" part, it is me we are talking about afterall, but the "design" part. LOL. Do you think there is room for the concept of "obsessive design"?)</p>
<p>Everybody, thanks. I have learned so much from you people and not just about this process or how this process affects my kid, but a lot about courtesy and respect, too. And I do like to chuckle and smile, both things I get to do here often.</p>
<p>For the record, curmudgeon is one of my favorite posters. I lurked for a long time before posting anything and I have to say, I really appreciate this group.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do you think there is room for the concept of "obsessive design"?
[/quote]
Let me check my Old Testament, and I'll get back to you.</p>
<p>Even surprised myself by going public - Cur - you know my feeling about that - always willing to share experiences in private.</p>
<p>In regard to the formula. Had great success in using it, and I can only go on personal experience. In theory I absolutely agree that more than 8 applications are ideal in this situation. However in practice, I found that getting 7 - 8 good or great applications was about the best I could hope for. Anything over that number seemed to present great difficulties. I would rather have 7 - 8 great applications than a lot of so so applications. Each application required supplements, merit essays and quite a bit more. So if you can get more of the good ones - go for it - but lots of luck accomplishing the task. I can well relate to Cur's situation -as our applicants share many traits. For background - the count was 7 for 7 with sizeable merit money at all 7. Cur knows the list of schools, so he is in a position to judge for himself.</p>
<p><for background="" -="" the="" count="" was="" 7="" for="" with="" sizeable="" merit="" money="" at="" all="" 7.=""></for></p>
<p>wow ST2 ...YOU rock! Seriously!</p>
<p>You know the essay I would like to read from Mudgerella?</p>
<p>"A day in the life".</p>
<p>Hint hint, bash D with a cast iron skillet</p>
<p>
[quote]
because of an interesting prof there who he had been communicating with,
[/quote]
---kdos/above</p>
<p>Pic a prof, any prof. Lots of good female ones at WashU.....</p>
<p>kdos</p>
<p>Just sent you e-mail</p>