<p>I actually do love it, or I wouldn't stick around. Older d. is happily ensconced. Younger one is several years away (and I will require info. on schools that can accommodate Div. I gymnastics with high-powered concert pianitizing - love the word - so far, Univ. of Denver fits the bill, but am already looking for others.)</p>
<p>But I love it when parents get good information they can make use of. I enjoy the little spats back 'n forth, even though they sometimes go on a little too long, and I am as least as guilty for this as anyone else. I think it's terrific when the occasional high schooler gets on here, and gets to engage in intelligent conversation with a bunch of adults. I am appreciative when I see lots of adults caring about other people's kids, even at this distance.</p>
<p>The addictive quality is that, cumulatively, the posts are rather like a Rorschach of American culture, atttitudes toward education, toward money, toward the young, toward status and prestige and class, expressed by so many caring and articulate people, all in one place. We would make quite the cocktail party! (including those of us who don't drink much ;))</p>
<p>And then - who could fail to appreciate the rooting sections - for Andi and her son, for Berurah as good things continued to land in Kansas, for Suz and her daughter's recovery, and for those trying to figure out what to do about cheating!</p>
<p>Yeah, I like CC too, and I appreciate everything the moderators and the participants do to keep CC so interesting and informative and welcoming.</p>
<p>The thing I like about CC is that, for an internet discussion board, the quality of the discourse is quite high. If you want to see how low it can go, check out some of CC's unmoderated competitors (shudder).</p>
<p>I like coming to CC and talking ad nauseum about a topic no one else around me wants to discuss. Around here, if it isn't UT/A&M, then it's a "Which college? Now where is that? Do they have a football team?"</p>
<p>I also enjoy the great talent and senses of humor of the participants on this board.</p>
<p>I remember that the first time I got on CC I wondered if I would ever be brave enough to post. But over time, I heard the voices of friends. I have come to experience very real love and concern for so many who have shared their triumphs, their expertise, their disappointments and their fears about college. During each step of my son's application process, I felt the support of this community, whether I wrote about specific details or not. And I have been able to share a little of what we have been through in hopes of being helpful to someone else. I would miss this place. But there's another kid to get to college, and I ain't goin' nowhere.</p>
<p>For me, I love the writing of some parents. I admire the fact that they express things so eloquently, it certainly helps me with my English, which I do need in my job. So thank you all parents.</p>
<p>I love the thoughtful, eloquent posts on a variety of subjects. I enjoy the fact that many people post to provide others with info, not just to get info for themselves. I also deeply appreciate getting so much information that has been of great use to my S and to the other teens whom I encounter.</p>
<p>mini: How old is your daughter? My sister is a gymnast, and I look forward to seeing what you find in that department. She's in seventh grade, though, and won't be going to college for another few years... :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
I am appreciative when I see lots of adults caring about other people's kids, even at this distance.
[/quote]
And as a kid who's always tried to get by on her own because her parents were too busy arguing...I'm grateful for that. More than I know how to say.</p>
<p>[ul][<em>]I love the wonderful information available here - better than any other source of college guidance that I have found.[</em>]I love the generous spirit with which experienced ccers answer questions, no matter how many times that question has been answered before, in an effort to help those new to the process. [<em>]I love the supportive atmosphere and the way folks genuinely RUSH to help - whether it be re college admissions, teen angst, teen-parent relations[</em>] I love the cafe for travel advice, humor, word play, nostalgia and whatever [<em>]I love the agility of the minds here [</em>]but most of all, I love the warm feelings that well up when reading such beautiful thoughts as that of thisyearsgirl (above) responding to mini's and NSM's appreciation of how ccers help other peoples' kids[/ul]
<p>Momof3, I too was a long-time lurker and only felt comfortable posting when I got to the point that I felt I was among friends, caring people who would be supportive. After I finish scouting colleges for D#3, I may see if the dog wants to go to college so I can still hang around of this board.</p>
<p>I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has shared so much information about the confusing world of college admissions. </p>
<p>It is hard to believe that only a few months ago I didnt quite undertand the difference between EA and ED and much less have a clue about the drawbacks of the ED option. To think that the first time I saw the acronym HYP I immediately thought it was a typo and wondered why would people discuss hip replacement on a college information site.</p>
<p>I have come a long way since those first few days and have you all to thank for feeling so well informed and prepared to tackle the process in a few months.</p>
<p>"mini: How old is your daughter? My sister is a gymnast, and I look forward to seeing what you find in that department. She's in seventh grade, though, and won't be going to college for another few years..."</p>
<p>9th grader, and will be a Level 10 next year (highly rated as a 9 regionally, though she just had a knee operation). But she has also just received a scholarship to the Mannes Summer Piano Institute in New York - she is extraordinarily gifted in that department. Fun kid - never opens a book by choice. But regardless of what she takes up, she is going to go far!</p>
<p>My feelings are very much along the lines of justanothermom's. The helpful replies to the sometimes real neophyte questions I've asked have been much appreciated. Though I'm still very much a newbie, I commend the community at large, the moderators and the folks who started this website, too. :cool: Many thanks.</p>
<p>I have heard of some wonderful third tier animal training schools, not so sure about the Ivy League . . . or maybe your dog would prefer an LAC? Dogs are often found in classes at Sewanee! :)</p>