Visit Update

<p>I just spoke to my daughter and husband. They had a very nice visit at USC today. DD really really liked the oboe teacher. She had a 1 1/2 hour lesson/audition. DD said she thought the lesson incorporated the audition....not a separate to do. But she had fun and like the teacher. She also had a nice time visiting with the two student ambassadors. Then they drove and walked around the Vista and Five Points. Tomorrow they are going to the Showcase on the Horseshoe. Tonight they will go out to dinner somewhere with our friend who lives in Columbia. At least she has good info to base her decisions on...</p>

<p>so far,so good!</p>

<p>DD and DH are on their way home. They went to the showcase which ended up being the Strom Thurmond Center. DD said it was interesting and there was lots to see. She said it would have been more fun outdoors. They are on the NC/SC border stopping at a place called "South of the Border". She says we've seen the signs before, but never stopped. They will take pictures. I have no idea what it is, but it sounds interesting. DD sounded very chipper, and they left Columbia BEFORE any severe storms hit...just some drizzle. They won't be home before about 2 am...so I won't really talk to DH until the morning. I WON'T talk to DD about this trip at all...I'm the "evil mother" when it comes to this college selection process and I've decided that saying nothing is better than saying anything. My husband, on the other hand, will speak up!!</p>

<p>Don't get too excited about "South of the Border" . It is basically a tourist trap truck stop place LOL. It's funny because there are sooooo many signs that the curiosity gets the best of you. It is good for a laugh though. My kids begged us to stop when they were small. </p>

<p>Was the Showcase inside because of the weather? I thought it sounded nice on the Horshshoe as well.
I understand what you mean about treading lightly - some days my D was a chatterbox and other times I thought she'd bite my head off if I brought up college. Once she made her decision though it's been all good. I can tell she feels less stressed .I guess they are thinking about it more than we know and need time to process their own thoughts. </p>

<p>Hopefully she'll come home in one of those up moods and want to talk!</p>

<p>Well..DD and DH are back but sleeping. From what they told me on the phone, they had fun. I'm dying to talk to my husband...not my daughter (too tempermental). However, my husband brought home a school newspaper and there is an article in it about the housing shortage for next year. I know they require freshmen to live on campus. Apparently they are tearing the Towers down. Does anyone know if housing for incoming freshmen will be a problem? I'm guessing we will be fedexing our deposit to some college, and housing IS an issue. We want our kid to have it!!! Maybe I'll call tomorrow. Maybe we'll send in the deposit if it is refundable by a certain date...maybe maybe maybe. My guess is that DD won't want to do anything until she gets back from CA...ugh.</p>

<p>That's interesting. When we were down last we were joking about how ugly and dated the Towers were ! It will be nice that the eyesore will be gone and some nice new dorms built ( though construction is never pretty). </p>

<p>From the SC website they don't seem too concerned about a shortage so hopefully not a problem. </p>

<p>Do you get to go along to CA? When is that trip planned?</p>

<p>thumper and PAMom
Theres no problem with housing for freshman.They discussed this at our parent sessions during the McNair weekend.The Towers site (which doesnt impact freshman) is being replaced with a new Honors Housing complex.And they've also opened new upper classmen housing (West Quad).Apparently they always have some kind of a waiting list for preferred upperclassmen spots and then it filters down over the summer months .</p>

<p>We go to CA on April 17....two overnights, one at Santa Clara and the other at U of San Diego. Maybe it will be cold and rainy :)</p>

<p>I was just at the UC San Diego attending a conference. Beautiful campus. But BIG BIG BIG. Many, many, many really, really really bright students there. it is a tough school. You will love the Price Center, and the area surrounding it with all of the food vendors. Almost felt like I was at a Renassaince Festival.</p>

<p>they do panic, however, whenever it rains in San diego. And by rain, I mean a tiny slight drizzle....something that we would practically still mow our lawns in. They are crazy out there. and RICH!!!</p>

<p>We are going to U of San Diego...not UC San Diego. USD is a smaller campus, but also very very nice. The weather there is gorgeous. We are also going to Santa Clara where it has been raining for days. We hope it stops before we get there!!</p>

<p>Thumper:</p>

<p>Ha-ha. The "rain" will be a drizzle. They postponed a Padres game because of a drizzle. Little leaguers from NJ would have still played in those conditions.!!!!!</p>