Twin update

Parent Cafe
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<p>I saw evil_robot write his long update and some other CCers who have sought help from the parents board give updates, and although I haven't posted much in the parents forum (or on CC at all) recently, I thought I would update a bit. </p>

<p>As my English teacher always tells me, "This, too, shall pass." And it has! Really, winter depression senior year is an awful thing - the snow just drags on and on and on, school slowly loses any semblance of meaning, college seems miles away - but FINALLY it's over! In past years, March has been the longest month, dragging along until spring finally pops up, but this year, March is a blessing. </p>

<p>So far, I've only heard from one college (University of Michigan) where I've been accepted, and I've also been accepted to the Residential College there. I have to tell you, when I got the admittance letter, I started crying. It wasn't even that I'd been accepted to a good school - it's just that some school, *some*where wanted me. Feeling accepted after a year of rejection is immensely satisfying. </p>

<p>And just like icing on a cake, the same week I heard from UMich, my ongoing science project took 2nd place at the statewide student symposium AND was invited for presentation at a NATIONAL MEETING IN CHICAGO! YAY! This is the big meeting where 10-15 thousand people doing research in my field congregate. So that was pretty exciting. </p>

<p>Moreover, as twinmom (and, of course, everyone else who knows about my being a twin with a super duper genius) encouraged me to, I am slowly getting to ok and even comfortable with being my own person, with my own strengths and my own accomplishments. For him, though, I'd like to say that I'm ridiculously proud of his humble self - he's 3 and 0 right now: Harvard EA, Yale likely, and MIT RD. And he only applied to 4 schools. :) Yup, I love my brother and his huge accomplishments, and I'm proud of us as a pair. </p>

<p>Lastly, I am going to Europe for the first time this summer! Ok, that was kind of irrelevant. But I'm really excited to practice my French and Italian. Oh, and I should also mention that I had a Juilliard audition, and that I will hear from a plethora of schools soon and will keep you all updated. </p>

<p>Thank you to the parents who have consoled, reprimanded, suggested, and informed over the past year. Let's hear it for e-families! </p>

<p>Much love,
frecklybeckly</p>

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<p>Yay, Becky! Nothing like a long cold winter to make Spring seem even better. Great news and yes, keep us updated on April news too!</p>

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<p>Congratulations Frecklybeckly...... huge win on the science project, must go while in Chicago and get a steak at Harry Cary's....(not sure of spelling, he was the announcer for the Cubs) the steaks are gigantic....</p>

<p>How I can convey to you to hang in there??.... only 2 wks left and you will have a better sense of where your future will lie......the limbo land you are currently in is depressing....especially with a person such as yourself, so motivated and such a take action type of gal.....it is very hard to have to wait to find out where you will go to school......my advice is to not take any college rejection personally.... you are obviously a well qualified candidate and soon the cards will be dealt.....</p>

<p>I listened to a few of your recordings one morning and found them to be beautiful and I hope that very soon your songs are joyful songs once more...</p>

<p>Very tough to have the competition for a slot be your twin... very hard for your twin to have early writes and acceptances.... but I promise you that once you are at school.....no one will know you were an early write or early acceptance unless you tell them...... once in, your are in...whether you hear in Dec or February or April 1st....you have come this far, hang in there..... so, sing a completely new song every day for the next 15 days....or write a letter a day to a friend....or start some tomato seedlings or something to distract you for the next two weeks.... read Mary Queen of Scots, or Middlesex or some obscenely long book, crochet a scarf for a present for XMAS for your brother in his new school colors....actually, if you are going to Europe this summer, start reading about where you are going.....the D & K eyewitness travel guides are awesome, so go to a local bookstore or go online to one and look at books for your summer destination.... or read a biography about a historical figure...have you read about Maria Callas? get her autobiography (I think she wrote a book about her life.)</p>

<p>anyone who goes to Europe the summer before college has a lot to grin about! keep singing......and let us know about YOUR choices come early April please!!</p>

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<p>Becky,</p>

<p>I have followed your saga and am so glad you have heard such good and well-deserved news. I know how it is to have a sib very close in age who was Miss Everything, though not close as a twin. Not always easy. You should be very proud of yourself!</p>

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<p>Woo hoo! Congrats!</p>

<p>Aren't you a gorgeous girl....have fun in Europe.</p>

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<p>Hi frecklybeckly, I had once listened to your download of songs...you are a great singer and very accomplished. Congrats on getting into UMich - enjoy yourself in Europe!</p>

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<p>Becky, Wow. Congratulations to you on both the science fair win and U of Michigan. I have a strong feeling there will be more to celebrate in the weeks ahead. How cool to see you developing your own path. Enjoy!</p>

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<p>Hi frecklybeckly,</p>

<p>As I mom who waited with others anxiously on the Yale board during the EA round (my son was rejected), I am so very happy to see things looking up for you!! You are so right in that spring brings such a freshness and renewal. Congrats on your UMich acceptance...my son was also accepted last month, and like you, he felt a sense of wonder and gratitude that he was actually ACCEPTABLE to someone! Congratulations on your science project's doing so well...I hope you very much enjoy your presentation in Chicago! Enjoy your upcoming trip to Europe...have FUN, and take lots of pictures! I wish you the very best of luck as you await the upcoming decisions. We're pulling for you from here in the midwest!</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>Thanks, parents, for the warm wishes. Best of luck to all your Ss and Ds and their college searching. :)</p>

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<p>Frecklybeckly:</p>

<p>Congrats on UMich and on the Science competition win. My S will be taking part in one tomorrow and is quite frazzled about it (and I have to cook tons of food to feed the hungry masses). I personally like UMich and Ann Arbor a lot. It's great you have that acceptance and can look forward to more. Enjoy the feeling!</p>

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<p>Oh Frecklybeckly,</p>

<p>You have no idea how happy I was when I read your post. In fact, I called my family into the room and shared it with them! I am so delighted to hear about your accomplishments and fine attitude. Of course you are really proud of your brother; I'd venture a guess that you always have been just as he is rightfully proud of you. You are both amazing individuals in your own right ... different ... and you know that. Once again, being a twin is just not easy, but the bond that you share can't be negated. Few truly understand.</p>

<p>I can't wait to hear about all the additional good news that I know is just around the corner. Best of luck in the BIG science meeting. Keep us posted. </p>

<p>-TwimMom</p>

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<p>Hi Becky - congrats on the above and especially congrats to getting your spirits renewed!! The science project thing is a biggie. I'm one of the judges for our regional science fair and the projects naturally fall into one of a few categories:
[ol]
[<em>] The get-me-outta-here type (I actually had one student tell me that he didn't care what score he got because he didn't care about his project)
[</em>] The vast majority of average projects
[<em>] The really good ones I like to judge and hear about
[</em>] and finally, the ones that go on to Nationals and Internationals - the superstar ones (we had some great ones this year).
[/ol]
Apparently you were in the last category. Congrats!</p>

<p>
[quote]
I had once listened to your download of songs.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What's this? How do I find these? (You could also PM me with a link)</p>

<p>.</p>

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<p>On the Yale board, I posted several links to my singing clips. I think they've since expired. Let me see if I can repost them.</p>

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<p>twinmom, thanks for your message and your ongoing support. good luck to your twins!</p>

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<p>Beck,</p>

<p>Congrats on UMich and the science competition. You'll do great where ever you end up and as an added bonus you, have another school (your brother's) where you can scout cute fellas :). See he does have some usefullness ;)</p>

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<p>Becky,</p>

<p>Congratulations to you. As the mother of 2 daughters going through this process I know how difficult it can be when 1 twin gets so much attention for an exceptional choice. It's wonderful to hear about your success but even more so to hear how proud you are of your brother. I think that's what parents wish their children feel for any siblings, not just twins. It just seems to be more obvious with twins. I wish you all the best. </p>

<p>By the way, Ann Arbor is one of my favorite college towns. Everyone I know who went there absolutely loved it.</p>

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<p>Hey, all - here are the links to the song files. They were made back in October, so I do apologize for a few technical problems (some sharp notes, lack of support in a few spots, etc.) that I have since corrected. Enjoy! :)</p>

<p>(Faur</p>

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<p>Congrats Becky! Pardon me if I ask a rather self-serving question: Michigan has a pretty stiff out-of-state surcharge for admission. For music performance majors who are selected through auditions, does the School of Music provide any significant financial assistance to offset the out-of-state charge?</p>

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<p>I actually haven't heard from the School of Music yet, nor have I heard from the office of financial aid. Unfortunately, I can't answer your question. (I hope they do, though.)</p>

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<p>Absolutely gorgeous songs, Becky.</p>