<p>Son was accepted to his first choice school. Even better (for me) - instead of being accepted for fall, he was accepted for the second summer term. I've had real reservations about this big, impersonal state flagship/party school. I think I'll feel much better with his settling in during the summer instead of the fall frenzy. He may still choose the school that's "showing him the love," but things really do have a way of working out.</p>
<p>Congratulations!</p>
<p>Congrats! It's nice when things work out so well.</p>
<p>Congrats!
S1 was accepted for summer session at his first choice big state flagship. It was the best thing. He left right after graduation, had time to settle into study routine in the relaxed summer atmosphere with fewer classes. Did not have that loose-ends summer after graduation. And when the circus of fall term started he was ready to manage it. It was great and it got him into a school that probably would not have admitted him for the fall term since although his test scores were high, his grades were a little lower than they usually took.</p>
<p>Figuring out the campus and administration before the pressure of regular semester classes makes the adjustment a lot easier. Students also see the differences between high-school and college courses so it's also not a shock under a lot of pressure.</p>
<p>Mom23 - Congratulations! It's wonderful when things work out like this.</p>
<p>I went to summer school before the fall semester started and it was nice to get a head start on college. Congrats to your whole family for such a great way to end the application season.</p>
<p>Don't worry about the school size. People group themselves into smaller units no matter where they are- neighborhoods, if you will. The advantage of a large school is similar to that of a city versus a small town- there are more options for finding a compatible group. Dorms usually offer new freshmen plenty of neighborhood experience, and later he will discover his niche. A big school is really a collection of smaller units- he'll keep running into the same people once he is taking classes for his major. I also know that UW (Madison) is known as a "study hard, party hard" school- everyone needs to study but not everyone parties so that sort of reputation doesn't mean he will party. At a large school there is plenty of room to be in the minority and find like minded peers.</p>