<p>So, after a few weeks of nagging my parents are finally starting the financial aid stuff today. I just found out that my dad lost all of the paper tax information from 2009. And, since his computer crashed earlier we lost all of the copies of the information on his computer. And, when his computer crashed we lost his password to his Turbo Tax account. And, my parents haven't written any of the parent statements yet. </p>
<p>This is some advice to future applicants. NAG THE HELL OUT OF YOUR PARENTS. I was trying to make this process "stress free" for them by not nagging them. Now, we probably won't get everything in on time. I feel angry at myself because I didn't nag them enough. So, if you don't take anything else from my post remember to: NAG NAG NAG.</p>
<p>(1) Parent statements are generally not required, but are merely optional. Further, the filing of a parent statement, like the filing of teacher recommendations, is beyond your control and schools will not penalize you if these items are filed past the deadline.</p>
<p>(2) Regarding the financial aid info - this stuff is critical, but if circumstances prevent timely filing, send an email to the admissions office(s) explaining what has happened to prevent filing. Explain the circumstances and provide a realistic estimate of when the stuff will actually be filed. Don’t be optimistic in your estimate, be realistic - the schools will rely on what you tell them, so don’t mislead them. Oh yeah, and do this now. </p>
<p>(3) While you are waiting for your parents to finish their parent statements and parent financial statements, be gracious, be helpful, and, in case I forgot to mention it, don’t nag! :)</p>
<p>Hey everyone, sorry about the way that came off. I was pretty stressed when I wrote it because, you know, I might not been able to apply. After three hours of searching through paper, we finally found the “tax section.” This has over seven years worth of documents that I will have to search through in order to find the 2009 stuff. I’m hoping its in here. As for the parent statements, since both of my parents get the day off tomorrow (there’s snow in NE) I know what they’re going to be doing…</p>
<p>And, in all seriousness, over-nagging your parents probably isn’t the best idea. I just was pretty scared there for a while b/c I thought I couldn’t apply.</p>
<p>I completely understand your frustration and your stress, ifax. It gets extremely overwhelming in the last few days. X________X</p>
<p>However, most of the financial aid papers are due about half a month later from the actual admissions papers, so you have a bit more extra time. Good luck in everything!</p>
<p>My parents have been slow about parents statements and PFS too, although it’s getting there… I hate it when they pull “boarding school wasn’t my idea and I have xyz to do”. Well I don’t CARE if it was your idea or not, this is part of the application and it needs to get done!!</p>
<p>Dodgersmom, the problem with (1) is that parent statements are actually attached to student essays for schools using gatewaytoprepschools. On top of that, once the form has been submitted it can’t be changed, therefore, if you have to wait for your parents to finish and go past the deadline, your essays will be late as well… Also, I’m pretty all of the schools I’m applying to besides Exeter and Deerfield don’t say anything about parent statements being optional…?</p>
Good luck in everything!</p>