"The Best of CC: Vol. I" ?

<p>Amidst all the mundane chatter that many of us enjoy posting on CC, some of the members leave the occasional nugget of wisdom, the joy-producing humorous insight, or even the classic "words to live by." In 2005-06, Andi's very talented son came up empty after applying to top universities, and she spent the next year chronicling his journey through a gap year, the lessons learned, and his success in applying those lessons a year later. The result is one of the greatest pieces of CC literature ever generated for college-bound students and their parents:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/192395-no-acceptances-one-kid-s-story-year-later.html?highlight=andison%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/192395-no-acceptances-one-kid-s-story-year-later.html?highlight=andison&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>A couple years ago, admissions officer Ben Jones offered a poignant "50 Things" that he left as a gift of lessons to the MIT class that he'd just helped to recruit:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/230458-benjones-s-50-things.html?highlight=Ben+Jones%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/230458-benjones-s-50-things.html?highlight=Ben+Jones&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Recently, DTDad left a student who was crushed by a rejection from her dream school a brief but celebrated message about rebounding from heartbreak:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/473798-being-rejected-never-hurt-so-bad-2.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/473798-being-rejected-never-hurt-so-bad-2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>A compendium of "The Best of CC" could be a great resource to college-bound students and those of us who live the process with them (especially over the coming week and a half!). What posts from the past (or the present) would be in Vol. I?</p>

<p>Thanks gadad, for the reminder of Ben Jones's touching, witty, and wise "50 Things." For those who haven't seen this, it's a must read. I just shared the link to my D, who'll enter college this fall. Bet I won't be the only one.</p>

<p>Here's a direct link to the page, which has moved:</p>

<p>MIT</a> Admissions | Blog Entry: "50 Things"</p>

<p>Indeed you're not the only one, Marathonman.
"50 things" could be a small book in itself, with beautiful and funny illustrations, just right for small graduation presents.
Are you there, Ben Jones? Will MIT give you a cut of proceeds, or vice versa? You probably could make it fast enough for this season through lulu.com
The kids might even read it, if it's a graduation present and not just an email link from a parent.</p>

<p>Here is the link the the thread with the "best of" threads, topics, posts, etc from 2005-6, and 2007. Great read! <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/398072-2007-college-confidential-writing-awards.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/398072-2007-college-confidential-writing-awards.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>A quote from gadad that belongs in this thread:

[quote]
...while your head will lead you toward making a living, your heart will lead you toward making a life. The former is necessary for security; the latter for happiness. You're going to want both.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>There is now some "longitudinal" info. on CC...and it's possible that some of the experiences, and choices, made by others could provide some insight to this year's crop of newly admitted students as they make their decisions about next year. </p>

<p>A couple of my "favorites" (with apologies, in advance, to those who might not appreciate being considered "case studies...)</p>

<p>Andi, and Andisons disappointment at no admissions/waitlists, and then no admissions offers. Based on subsequent posts, he's now happy at MIT after taking a gap year.</p>

<p>Curmudgeon's daughter...admitted to Yale with no (or little) funding. Decided to take a full ride to a college considered less prestigious. Appears to have been a perfect fit....just named a Goldwater Scholar in her sophomore year.</p>

<p>Any others?</p>

<p>I love this idea. I was not part of CC back then, but Curmudgeon's humor & his highly forthright, informative posts about his D were some of the first to catch my eye. I think he was suffering from CC withdrawal at about the same time I was made aware of the site. He began posting again & I've learned much about the financial realities of college costs from him. How cool is the Goldwater! I was also intrigued by frequent references to Andi's story & went back to the archives to learn of the heartbreak followed by a wonderful gap year & an MIT succes story. I think virtually every new poster is steered to her posts & benefits from her wisdom. </p>

<p>Stories like these are going to be very helpful to all this year's grads, many of whom are struggling with disappointments, searching for $$$, and confused about which path to take. Everyone gets knocked down from time to time, so hearing about kids who got right back up --and were stronger than ever -- is just the ticket.</p>

<p>Right, Andi was the first story that caught my eye, then Beruruah's & Curmudgeon's. There was another one that was before my time, but was frequently referenced, It was a poster who turned down Yale (IIRC) for a full ride at Vanderbilt. Anyone remember his name?</p>

<p>Was it Evil Robot, audio? I remember the story and for some reason that name comes to mind.</p>

<p>Oh, yeah, here it is: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/37237-long-financial-road-matriculation.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/37237-long-financial-road-matriculation.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>There was also one from a mom who researched full rides for her kids (were they twins or were they just close in age)...and she posted a ton of information on how she researched this and what she found. Curmudgeon will remember that poster (I'm too old to remember...but it wasn't that long ago).</p>

<p>You mean this one? ;)<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-i-ve-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html?highlight=what+I%27ve+learned+about%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-i-ve-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html?highlight=what+I%27ve+learned+about&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Thanks Curmudgeon...I knew you'd remember that thread. I thought it had a lot of helpful information from a completely different perspective than the one usually found on CC.</p>

<p>There are so many stories (case studies) I could cite, but I'll pick one for now. </p>

<p>I can't find a particular thread to link y'all to prove my point, but if you search this forum using mini's name and "Smith", his D's college, you will find a truly perfect match of kid and college. I still marvel at the initiative, adventurousness, courage, social conscience, and commitment of this kid. Her college saw it in her, nurtured it in her, rewarded her for it, and then set her loose on the world . Literally. </p>

<p>Rushing by herself to India to help after the tsunami (with school support). Florence for a year. A Stride research scholar.</p>

<p>(My kid had trouble getting to Memphis.) </p>

<p>Sic'em, kid. I'm a big fan.</p>

<p>Let's not forget Originaloog, and how it was really important for his son to graduate without debt. Attends RPI, is a compsci/cogsci dual major and is graduating this spring.</p>

<p>Digmedia's son at Ohio State U</p>

<p>"Rushing by herself to India to help after the tsunami (with school support). Florence for a year. A Stride research scholar."</p>

<p>Thanks. I'm blushing to be the dad. You can add a 5-year full-tuition plus massive fellowship plus travel funds for a Ph.D. program in Musicology/Medieval and Renaissance Italian Studies at Princeton. Great kid, if I may say so myself (I just did :rolleyes:), but so much of it was made possible by the thoughtfulness and thoroughness of Smith in finding opportunities for her (and making it affordable, no less!). We will be eternally grateful.</p>

<p>Congrats to your d. on the Goldwater!!!</p>

<p>Congratulations to Mini's daughter and to Mini.</p>

<p>Congratulations to Curmudgeon's daughter and to Curmudgeon.</p>

<p>wow, mini...that is just beautiful..and curmudgeon..GO RHODES! Nice Goldwater outcomes for them indeed.
Carolyn interviewed evil robot on her webpages. what a nice kid.</p>

<p>


:eek: Good gosh, mini. Are you just cartwheeling to work these days? </p>

<p>I'd say that's a keeper. ;)</p>

<p>We would not have even known about Santa Clara University (were DD is a sophomore) had it not been for Carolyn. Along with some of the threads, there have been a number of posters who have also been a huge help.</p>