DD used Art Through the Ages, 13th edition. We also supplemented with "How to Look and Understand Great Art" by Prof Sharon Hirsch. DD decided not to take the test as the college that accepted her would not have given her credit for it. We're done using the book so if you're interested in a cheap used art textbook that weighs a ton, pm me.

You're the lucky one :-)

Yes, CMU's School of Drama had a lower acceptance rate than the School of Computer Science (6%). I was very amused when I found out that info when DD was applying.

DD is in CMU's School of Design. One of her Design classmate is a Presidential Scholar. I have no idea how he was able to get it or how much he got but I get the impression that it's a substantial amount. I didn't know about it when DD applied. I agree with Kathy. CMU is a great school and DD loves it there (but not the campus food.) Here's the blurb from their website: http://www.cmu.edu/leadership/pres-fellow-scholar/index.html Presidential Fellowships & ScholarshipsPresident Subra Suresh launched the Presidential Fellowship and Scholarship program in 2014 to provide critical financial support to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students across all of CMU's seven colleges and schools. The funds go to support a student’s academic expenses, such as tuition and graduate research stipend. By lowering the barriers of the cost of attendance for undergraduates and reducing the dependence on external funding sources for graduate students and faculty to pursue their research, endowed fellowships and scholarships will help ensure that CMU remains a world-leader in education and research for decades to come. As of February 20, 2017, related endowment funds and commitments of more than $285 million will support current and future classes of Presidential Fellows and Scholars across all seven CMU schools and colleges

In case he might consider being a patent lawyer, he will need a undergrad major in the hard sciences. This is according to a friend who worked as a paralegal in a patent law office. Most, if not all, of the partners had engineering or math undergrad degrees.

I haven't read through all the posts but I just want to thank OP for bringing this out in the open. As dd told me once, "We're not the touchy-feely type of people." I've come to realize that while we may not be a demonstrative family, it doesn't mean we don't love each other just as much. I'm not a bad mom just because I didn't cry buckets or know exactly what my dc did each day. I was sad then ds first when to college because he was the first. I was also sad for dd when she moved in in August, but her excitement made me also excited for her to be where she is now. I still miss both but the feeling of excitement and adventure is a much larger share of my emotions instead of sadness.

When we went to ds' student orientation, the guide warned us that the dorms are kept very, very warm during the winter and to not even bother bringing a comforter. Sure enough, ds only used his fleece blanket during the winter months. He said that was more than enough. Maybe ask students on the school's fb group about this?

http://6abc.com/politics/no-gas-tax-hike-in-new-jersey-for-now/1408561/ I didn't check to see what will happen next.

I still like written thank you notes and I expect my dc to write them every time they receive something, or if someone did something nice. I think it is one of the ways I can help them learn thankfulness and gratitude for others' kindness and thoughtfulness. I've also heard two teachers (one high school, one college) comment on how a thank you note made a student stand out because that student was the only one that acknowledged something the teachers did for a bunch of people.

Not a done deal yet. It passed the Assembly but the Senate still has until Thursday to vote on the bill. I think before they pass the bill, they should revamp the NJT and GSP organization to ensure the money does go to maintaining the roads instead of administration people. The turnpike is so expensive. Where is the money going?

Do you send the final transcript to the school or through the Common app? There is an option on the CA for a final transcript.

I agree that those things should already be provided. But I can also see why the schools don't. There are quite a number of students who don't know how to take care of things, or value things. I can already imagine the school constantly repairing or replacing those items. It would add up to a lot of $ for them.

One of ds' friend is renting storage from the school to store his refrigerator. The outside storage fees were just too much money. We are storing his bedding for him. If our house was bigger, I would have gladly stored all his things for him. Ds found this same friend's lamp in the giveaway room, so we brought that home and will give it back to him in the fall. Growing up in a third-world country, I really find it hard to discard things, much less those that are still in great condition, but I guess this keeps the economy going.

We went to pick up ds today from school and many other students were also moving out. DS told me that the lounge area is where people put stuff they are discarding. I also saw the custodian putting stuff in there. She said those were items from empty rooms that she just cleaned. Since dd is starting college in the fall, I knew I would have to shop for her dorm necessities this summer. Well, in the lounge, I managed to find (in very good condition): a waste can, a shower caddy, 2 large plastic drawers, a power strip, a hair dryer, a LED desk lamp, and tons of sturdy plastic hangers! I think I just saved almost $100. :thumbup: I told dh if I had known about the discard pile being such great pickings, I would have picked up ds tomorrow instead! (At first I was hesitant to take the items, but the custodian encouraged me to take them. I think they do eventually donate any items that are usable but it seems they get a ton of stuff being left behind by students, especially by those who have to fly home.)

I have family outside the US whom I keep in touch with using Viber or Line. Using these apps abroad does depend on wifi being available. Only dh has a data plan while dc and I depend a lot on our home wifi and free wifi outside the home to stay in touch with each other. Best of all, it's free. When we went to London a few months ago without ds, we were able to text and talk to him using Line's calling feature.

Carnegie Mellon University Major: Design Reason for choosing school and major: This was the program dd had showed us right before her junior year when she voiced that she wanted study graphic design. She knew she didn't want a fine arts degree; she wanted something different. So she found this program and aimed for it. (Of course, when she told me, I panicked because she had nothing in a way of a portfolio. She had to work hard on her portfolio.) We also know and have visited a church near the school that she can walk to, and there are a number of Christian clubs on campus. Anyone know anything about the Christian clubs on CMU? HEARTY THANK YOUs to: 1. MBM: When I panicked, MBM (not sure if she still checks the board) calmed me down by giving me very sound advice. She helped me to see that it was not impossible for my dd to get a portfolio ready. 2. Everyone who answered ALL my questions during the application process. I never could have gone through it sanely without your help!

DD was accepted at a number of schools but narrowed it down to Pratt and Carnegie Mellon's School of Design. She decided on CMU. BTW, Pratt was finally convinced that a homeschool diploma and final transcript from NJ is considered official and a GED is not needed. HSLDA helped me on that. Congratulations to everyone!

Does it matter which edition of LAoW to use?

What we did was to send the school the award letter from a comparable school that was offering more money, along with a letter making the request. DS was given $3000 more per year for four years. In my case, that was a very worthwhile $12,000 question. My neighbor did the samet for her high-stats ds and the school he's in now totally matched the money another school was giving him. I have a friend this year whose FAFSA EFC is lower than what the school expects them to pay so he's going to appeal using that.

So does this mean that I can use this to argue my case about allowing my dd to enroll in a private school in NYC without having to take the TASC or GED? I live in NJ which does not have any of these requirements. DD took 12 credits at our local CC (General Chem, Econ 1, Econ 2, and Statistics.) Would an AP exam with a score of 4/5 count towards the credits? This is an issue I am anticipating. We're still waiting to hear the school's decision but when I had asked last fall about accepting a hs diploma, the admission person looked up NJ's DOE website and unfortunately, the answer to the FAQ about a diploma made it sound like a hs should also have a GED diploma. There are information on that FAQ page that is outdated (thanks to me having two dc in public school so I know what is going on in that end) and I've used that argument for another school in another state which already accepted dd.

We're on a pay-as-you-go plan here in the US. Unless we sign up for roaming service, it won't be a problem for us abroad since we won't be able to make or receive calls. I don't think we'll need to make any calls anyway. We're planning on using messaging apps if our group gets separated. We have free wifi at the rental house and I'm making a list of places that offer free wifi in case we need it when we're out and about. Noting the availability of rental phones. Never thought of that.

I still get mailings for ds who is already in college. I'm presently receiving mailings for dd1, which is dumb since deadlines have passed except for those with rolling admissions; and for dd2, who surprised herself by doing very well in her practice PSAT. Yes, lots of trees being killed in my house but I do admit to enjoying looking through all the books and brochures. We are at the point where we critique and rate the marketing materials.

I just checked all our phone plugs and they're rated 110-240 V. So I'll only need a plug adapter. Does UK and France use the same plug shape?

This will be our first trip to Europe (UK and France). Will we need to purchase adaptors to charge our phones and tablets? For hairdryers also?

Same as Nan in Mass, we saved when the children were little but also decided to pay off the mortgage first. That freed up a bit more money to save afterwards. We told dc to study to get as best a grade as they can to get more scholarship since we knew we would not get any federal grants or loans. We only have one in college this year but will have two in college next school year. We will eventually have one year where we will have three college students at one time. By then, our savings will be more depleted and maybe then we'll qualify for federal grants/loans. I told the three older ones they have to pay for #4's college :laugh: We also lived fairly frugally since dh was in consulting for a time and there was always the question of getting another gig.