<p>We would like to know your thoughts.
My daughter applied to Appalachian State, and got on the waiting list. She finally got her acceptance, but it was for the spring term. She got into several other colleges, but they are private colleges, which are much more expensive, even with financial aid. I am concerned that if she takes the semester off, or goes to community college, she will end up giving up. She has always been a good student, but she is quite reserved, and I am concerned she will have a hard time relating if she starts in the spring. I just think her adjustment will be easier if she goes straight into a university setting in the fall.She is so happy she got in to APP, that she doesn't want anything else. What would you suggest?</p>
<p>That she go to App State, but take several community college classes in the fall. This also will keep her in the habit of studying.</p>
<p>If she is willing to wait, and financially it is the best option, I think you should let her take it.</p>
<p>About CC classes - make sure it is allowed… And find out if the credits will transfer.</p>
<p>What are her other choices?</p>
<p>Wingate
Barton
Lynchburg
Mars Hill
still waiting on Charleston Southern U, but she doesn’t care anymore, now that she got APP.</p>
<p>Let her go! And congratulations. Now the hard part: what to do in the mean time. It’s certainly an important conversation to have. Some kids have traveled, some have taken courses at a CC, some have worked. Whatever the activity, or combination, just remember it’s short lived. Always keep that “Spring Term” timing in mind. Talk also about the differences of starting in the Fall (when most kids start) vs starting the spring. It’ll feel somewhat different and hopefully the college makes a point to be sure the newcomers feel welcome and she can easily similate.</p>
<p>I really hate those spring admits. The University of Maryland does that too.<br>
I second the community college suggestion. Ask APP what classes it will accept from your community college. Also look into whether the CC has any honors courses or any scholarships your daugther could apply for. If she takes some CC classes, have her go in and talk to an advisor and ask what classes students really like.</p>
<p>If she is excited about the spring admit, I would encourage her. She will adjust.</p>
<p>Agree with nngmm - check that she can take CC classes and still enroll in the spring as a freshman, and then celebrate that she got in where she wants to go!</p>
<p>Thanks so much, everyone! We are going to let her go…I just wish she would be able to experience, fall orientation, freshman moving into dorms at the same time, sorority rush, football season, etc. I’m not worried about her academic progress, she will do fine in that area. It’s the social part that concerns me. I got alot of great advice here, though! Thanks again for your replies!</p>
<p>I think she’ll have a fine time with some CC courses, working to save money in anticipation of starting at APP in the springtime. She might even treat herself to something special that Spring, to focus the earnings on that. (a new bike, a springtime garment, hearts-desire bedspread for dorm room).</p>
<p>I’d double check with APP that she’s guaranteed oncampus housing in the Spring, and if necessary, make that conditional for her accepting their Springtime admit. I think as long as she moves onto the campus, has a roommate, and joins clubs, she’ll do fine socially. It’s just a four month difference, and she clearly wants to go there much more than the others.</p>
<p>Is there any way she can email someone else who’s in the same position during this coming autumn?</p>
<p>Best wishes to you both.</p>
<p>Why not call the school to ask what they do to encourage the newcomers to feel “at home”? You’ll probably feel better if you realize she won’t be the only one starting in the spring.</p>
<p>Who knows? Maybe between now and the fall, a spot will open up. That happened to the daughter of a friend.</p>
<p>Also - check what her options, if anything, are to take classes at Appalachian State during the fall. For example, at Maryland, the kids who get spring admit can take some classes at Maryland in the fall - at off-peak hours. They cannot live on campus, but can use campus facilities. I don’t know if Appalachian does anything like that, but you should check into it. Otherwise, I agree with previous posters - cc for the fall.</p>
<p>Is she in state for App? If so, the local cc will have an articulation agreement in place for App state. She could even start taking some classes this summer. Get some of her basic GE’s out of the way between summer and fall. I know our local cc advertises this for all the local kiddos who are going in-state (NC), especially for the required PE, english, histories… </p>
<p>I would definitely have her look to App in the Spring, CONGRATS!!</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>Wouldn’t be surprised if she deposits for Spring and then they move her to fall…seems to be a pattern this year; as soon as they know the kid is definitely coming, miraculously, they find room…let’s see if this school follows the trend…I know of three other schools, so far this year, that this has happened…</p>
<p>Good strategy for the schools to figure out who “really wants to be here”…</p>
<p>mcgeesmom - My son also got waitlisted at Appalachian and admitted to the Spring semester. I had the same worries as you but I did talk to the admissions counselor at App and feel much more comfortable now. He indicated that there will be 300 students that will start in January - they will (all 300!) go to orientation together and he said their roommate will be in that group of 300. All 300 are also guaranteed housing on campus.</p>
<p>My son (like your daughter) wants to go to Appalachian - he has no desire to go to any of the other schools where he was accepted! I am hopeful that spring admission will be a good thing. He is going to take some classes at CPCC here in Charlotte (we got some recommendations from the App counselor on what classes will transfer) and hopefully get a part-time job or do some volunteer work until January. I think these extra few months will give him a little more time to mature. Another parent told me her child did a spring admittance and it was wonderful as they didn’t have the hectic ‘move in’ period. Hopefully, this will be a good thing for our kids!</p>
<p>Congratulations to both of you with kids accepted to Appalachian. Many kids in my sons’ classes took a gap year to wind down from school. It was something encouraged by our school counselor and something my son seriously considered doing. What your kids have is even better in that it is only a half year and they don’t have to apply for it. Hopefully they can find some activities during this time that they can enjoy. A job, to earn some $$s and learn to handle the finances. Some trips to visit friends. Volunteer work. Maybe a course or two, here and there.</p>
<p>If I were in your kid’s situation I’d…
Work during the summer, maybe take a transferable class or two at the local cc
then travel or visit a relative out of state the weeks my friends are leaving for college so I won’t have to be waving goodbye to everyone…</p>
<p>cptofthehouse - Thanks so much for the positive response! I hope you are right and I do think the ‘gap semester’ may be a good thing. </p>
<p>Batllo - my son wanted to travel out of the country for the semester… :o) sounds great but unfortunately - financially that is not possible. Your suggestion that he visit relatives during the time the other kids are leaving for college may work! I do think that is going to be a difficult time when all the other kids are going off to school…</p>