<p>Me: "S, did you ever hear back from Northwestern?"<br>
S: "Yes, letter yesterday, I think I was accepted or something."<br>
Me: "should we look at the letter together and talk?"<br>
S: "Can't, it went out in the trash. I'm going to the free state school. Northwestern's too expensive. Forget it." (upper lip quivers just a bit and he walks out of the room.)
Me: "Just for grins and giggles, lets see what the deal is with financial aid."<br>
S (returns to room): "Whatever. Won't be good. I was waitlisted, they didn't really want me." (pretends to read Mad Magazine but keeps looking at my computer).<br>
Me: "They've offered you a scholarship that will cover 1/2 the cost."<br>
S: "Really? Me? I can go to Northwestern?!?!" (eyes go just a little bit moist, face shines so bright it could light up the eastern seaboard). </p>
<p>This is the same boy that told me a thousand times that he was fine with the way things had worked out and it didn't bother him at all that he didn't get into any of his preferred schools - "no biggie mom, I'm fine". He would have been fine - and the scholarship he'd already achieved was awesome! But it is SO nice for him to get into one of the schools he really wanted. I am SO glad I asked...just one more time...about Northwestern. </p>
<p>Good luck to everyone out there and thanks so much for the support this community brought us during the long months of frustration!</p>
<p>You tell the tale perfectly. His pretending to look at the magazine while still intensely interested in what you are doing reminds me of how our cat tries to pretend to be ignoring us sometimes. I’m so glad you followed through.</p>
<p>I have a friend who had this same thing happen with her daughter, who ended up with a full ride worth 50,000 per year. Threw the letter in the trash without reading it. I made darn sure to get to the mail first everyday so I could ask son about letters from schools. At USC, they send an email whenever financial aid is posted or changed in any way asking the student, and sometimes the parents, to check the website. Good idea!</p>
<p>I am so happy for geeksrule and her S! I can hardly believe, though, that kids throw letters about admissions in the trash. My kids know that would incur the wrath of gladmom. :o</p>
<p>Congrats! What a great story! I know exactly how it feels to get to go to your “dream school” and know it’s not driving your parents into debt forever.</p>
<p>He is so happy, has already signed up for housing and moving everything forward, such a contrast to how he was approaching things for the other school, dragging his feet and absolutely unenthusiastic He’s a very cool kid, very modest, so much fun to see him get this kind of reward. I think he’ll really like Northwestern too, the engineering program seems to “fit” him so much better. </p>
<p>Why they throw things away? I have no idea - he’d even read it and knew it was an acceptance letter, but I think he just couldn’t believe the financial side would work. A very good growth experience for him. Thank goodness for the web site…God bless the internet!</p>