I was placed in the waiting pool at 2 schools. I wrote them an email saying that i would like to stay on the waitlist. If I would be taken off the waitlist, I wouldn’t get financial aid, right?
@nikolaanna It depends on the school.
I wonder if need-blind applies to the wait list as well :-?
Would Andover/St.Andrews (the only need blind schools I am aware of 
) be need blind to waitlist applicants…
DA and Groton are need blind…
But I don’t know about for the WL
@Atria I don’t know if they’d be need-blind for WL kids, but they won’t accept you without meeting your financial need.
Ok. A lot of you experts have schooled me on the wait list @cameo43 @laenen @SevenDad @doschicos just to name a few. I’ve heard you. I love the school that chose us. I have relayed the information as bluntly as I can to my DS. Last night I asked him the chances of the Islanders making it into playoffs and he gave me the complicated scenario…to which I answered, getting off Groton WL odds?.. We are up in Boston for revisit day (yesterday) of the school that accepted him. I have the contract, which I was going to drop off on our way to airport this afternoon. Poor DS looks at me and says, but we still have 5 days to hear from Groton. Grumblesigh
My question is this–should I take him to Groton and let him tell them in person (he has already sent a personal email) that they are his number 1 choice? This way he can say he left it all out on the table and gave it all he had and walk away with no regrets. Or do I duct tape his mouth and put him on the plane – ok that’s a bit harsh, he really isn’t going on and on about it, but just when I thought I had gotten through…so I have to admit, I’m frustrated. I’m inclined to do the former not because it will give him any chance…but because he may need the closure.
Thoughts?
Can you afford to lose the SMS deposit? If so, I would say that he can take the spot if it comes up at Groton (because it’s more likely to come up after you’ve paid the deposit) but do nothing more except send in the enrollment. I would not visit Groton. They do not want WL kids pleading their cases in person. But that’s my opinion. Curious to hear what others think.
I think its important that he goes through the mourning process on his own terms. If he thinks it would help, go to Groton. Make sure that he’s prepared to put his best foot forward and let him try. Otherwise he may always have doubts and may blame you for not allowing him to make this last effort.
Besides, he may decide that, after seeing Groton again, he is happy with the school he got in to.
@gardenstategal and @HMom16 I agree with both of you, hence my seeking advice. I don’t think Groton wants kids on their doorstep, but yet we are in from Texas, and I don’t want DS having regrets. I thought this battle was over, but it appears it is not. And yes, we can afford to lose the deposit, but I’m not fooled into thinking visiting Groton will open a slot. I’m more hoping it gives him peace of mind that he did all he could.
Sometimes I hate being a parent…why can’t I just “kid” again? :((
Can he call and try to set up an appointment at least? Because if they say no, he will be in the same place without the trouble at your end or the annoyance at theirs. Or do you feel he needs to set foot on campus to let go?
Good suggestion! Not sure as to his feelings on that…I hadn’t even mentioned the possibility of going at all to him…
@buuzn03 There will be one more hockey player opening at Groton as of today.
Tough call. However, there is definitely no need to send in the deposit to SMS to the very last minute.
You know what? You only live once. Go for it and go to Groton. What do you have to lose? Maybe they’ll appreciate his moxie.
@buuzn03 I agree w/ @Doschicos - go today, though, as they have a revisit day starting this evening and including tomorrow. I am sure they wont have time for a waitlisted kid once the re-visit starts, but show up today and don’t leave until they see you!
I agree - go for it! And no you don’t have to send in your deposit until the deadline. If you’re waiting for another school, or simply having trouble deciding, then don’t feel badly about taking the time given to you.
Update–thanks to everyone for their input!!! So, right now we are at Logan waiting for our flight home.
I decided to just lay it all out for DS this morning. I told him if he wanted, I would take him over to Groton. But he would have to put his dress clothes on, he would do all of the talking, tell them they were his #1, etc. Just put it all out there and walk away with no regrets. Then, he would have to let sleeping dogs lie and let it be. He thought for a moment and reached over to pick up his SMS stuffed lion. 
I am SO glad.
A bit later, he said, I just don’t know why they didn’t want me…of course, I agreed and said we will never know. Then he said, on Groton Day (Groton is SMS’ rival), I’m going to get on the ice and show them what they missed out on!
And THAT is the kid I know & love. End of saga…I’m flying home with a SMS Lion!
Appreciate y’all!
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@buuzn03 – I would absolutely NOT let my child visit the school. This is a learning process to make your efforts and MOVE ON.
What will happen when a girl dumps him? What will be his definition of “leaving it all on the table” and to have “no regrets”.
Hopefully, you left it all on the table in the application process. If not learn from how you could have done it better and plan how to make the adjustments because 4 years will come fast.
To be clear, I would be supportive of the mourning process but not to the opining one. Time to “Cowboy Up!”
@buuzn03 --We look forward to cheering him on during that hockey game!! Look at it this way-- he gets to deliver a better “check” in person during the hockey game ) <:-