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We have finished mailing the acceptance letter (and the ones declining admission). Pressure is finally off. I want to thank the several people who gave me advice on several forums (including College Confidential's own Roger Dooley). I have a lot of catching up to do at work. Meanwhile, let's hear how other parents are surviving/thriving.

amd

By collegemom on Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 10:35 pm: Edit

Hi, amd -- glad to find your post here and to know all is well and more relaxed in your household. Now you turn your attention to that graduation party, perhaps?

And going into summer, it's amazing how many get-ready-to-go-to-college questions/issues come up! More fun in store, but it's far less stressful!

By collegemom on Tuesday, April 30, 2002 - 10:37 pm: Edit

Forgot to point out in my prior post that I'm Anon Mom on the PR board. =)

By Roger (Roger) on Wednesday, May 01, 2002 - 09:59 am: Edit

Thanks for the kind words, AMD. I'm glad College Confidential was helpful in meeting the challenges of the college application process - feedback like that keeps us going!

On a more general note, I think one thing for parents to watch out for after the commitment letters go in is "buyer's remorse". It's a natural thing - the kids start to wonder about the schools they turned down. (The same thing happens when you buy a house or a car - the ink is barely dry on the contract and you start wondering if you made the right decision.)

I don't think there's a lot the parent can do, other than avoiding second guessing himself/herself (particularly if the student chose a different school than the parent wanted). Just being supportive and sharing in the building excitement about going off to a new adventure in the fall are probably enough.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Wednesday, May 01, 2002 - 06:48 pm: Edit

My son has left his name on one waitling list. However, he is becoming increasingly more committed to the school that we sent in a deposit for. (I am certainly glad he is getting excited about his 2nd choice.) When we were talking the other day I asked him what he would do if he got in to choice #1, and he said he didn't know. He was pretty sure he would stay with choice #2. I then asked him if he wanted me to call and have his name taken off the waitlist. He said, "Not yet!" So we will see. I do not expect that he will be accepted to choice #1, so it probably won't be an issue.

By amd on Wednesday, May 01, 2002 - 07:51 pm: Edit

As long as he is focussed towards Choice #2, this probably is the most sensible thing to do. If by some chance something comes through, you will have one more choice. Also, you can understand exactly how the process works - what do they send by May first week, when do they start calling people off waiting lists, etc.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Wednesday, May 01, 2002 - 08:28 pm: Edit

His waiting list situation is a little different. He is on the waiting list for a specific teacher. He is the only student on that teacher's list. If the teacher has room in his studio, my son will be offered admission, otherwise he won't. The teacher did not sound too optimistic. My son spent all last summer working with this teacher and I think this is the teachers way of letting him down easy. I don't think he intends to take him, but I could be wrong. I certainly have not said that to my son.

By amd on Wednesday, May 01, 2002 - 08:36 pm: Edit

You are right, this is a special situation.

'I don't think he intends to take him'

Well Shennie, it is the teacher's loss.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 04:09 pm: Edit

amd - I guess I don't really see it that way. There are a lot of kids out there who are better on the instrument than my son is. That's OK. The teacher at Rice only accepted a few students this year, including grad students, and he obviously had the opportunity to take a couple freshman that were more skilled. That's OK. My son will do very well wherever he goes.