My daughter only applied to one honors program -- primarily because it was financially lucrative, and also because "this essay prompt doesn't suck". 😆 It was something about 'imagine a one of the following programs will be cut (basketball, theatre, or something else) -- state your case for keeping the program.' She was able to write about theatre, so she was happy.

My boys are interested in aviation, and I know some of those schools (University of North Dakota, for one) begin apps in July. 😲

hooray! My girl needs to reach out to FA at our school to ask what they need. In our FAFSA dashboard, we don't see anything that needs to be done, yet the schools dashboard states 'missing documents'. 😞

I can't help it --- this made me laugh out loud. I had this mental image of the Minions hopping into our FAFSA accounts and mucking around. Have to laugh, or we will cry, right?

I'd HIGHLY recommend The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook. While not specifically geared toward adrenal fatigue, it's so helpful, with actionable steps. https://www.amazon.com/Autoimmune-Wellness-Handbook-Chronic-Illness/dp/1623367298 Adrenal fatigue (HPA axis dysfunction) generally isn't mentioned in isolation --- meaning, when I received the diagnosis, it was in tandem with other issues -- Hashimoto's, estrogen dominance, a host of vitamin/mineral deficiencies, etc. My preference is a functional medicine doctor, because they at least spend time with you, trying to get to the root cause. I think part of the problem is that it's multi-factoral. It's hard to treat a root cause, when there's a lot of stuff going on. I have good times of year, and bad times of year ---- this year has been tough, since it's my daughter's senior year, my husband is in job transition, etc, etc. I have to be brutally honest with what I can manage.

That's where we are as well --- processed, SAI is slightly lower than the preliminary one posted when we filed. I THINK we're in good shape, but it's hard to say until we get the FA letters from the school. The last email from them said aid letters would begin to go out 4/1.

it's CRAZY -- On the other hand, I'm seeing in other groups that the processing seems to be faster? We didn't file til 2/7, so we've got a while. I just don't understand how there can be so many mistakes, at every level.

Absolutely! She wants to study neuroscience -- we went down and made a second visit to meet with the psychological sciences department, attended a class, etc.

I ALWAYS feel that the full pyschoeducational eval is helpful, even late in the game. My senior was evaluated just shy of 17 --- we were concerned about dyscalculia, and maybe ADHD, but ended up with anxiety. She actually decided to study neuroscience, and I think that her experience with our wonderful psychologist had a role to play.

Decision made for our girl! Bold us for WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY!

DECISION MADE 🥳 Rejected at Notre Dame, pulled the trigger on Western Kentucky University. ❤️ Signed up for TOP (Topper Orientation Program) in April, where she'll register for classes, get her ID, etc. Registered for M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, which is the transition/move in for all new undergrads. Bought official merch. 😆 I'm at peace with the decision, and feel like we can all breathe easier now.

RE: (C)APD vs ADHD --- When was his evaluation for (C)APD? Was ADHD ruled out first? Have you gone through any sort of therapy/treatment to help the (C)APD? I think a comprehensive evaluation may be your best bet. With my son who has (C)APD, he was evaluated, then the psychologist sent us off to the audiologist. Psychologist: "Hmm. He's an enigma. I can tell you definitively that he does not have dyslexia, nor ADHD. I think testing for APD is reasonable." His numbers at the audiologist were terrible, and we did therapy at home which helped tremendously. A comprehensive eval was very helpful for us, as I learned exactly what was going on, instead of guessing. It enabled me to better help him.

Hooray!

Maybe reach out to your son's admissions counselor? My path looked like this: Looked at the visits page for a departmental visit --- found none. Found admissions counselor's contact information and noticed "hey, it says we can text! Hooray!" Texted about a visit, told her what we wanted, and then my daughter got an email, copied to the admin asst of the department. The assistant took it from there.

Exactly --- my daughter went in to the request for a visit armed with what she wanted. In all honesty, I don't think the departmental visit is the norm at one of our schools. They met and exceeded our expectations, for sure. The department head actually took the time to talk about the program, ask about what my daughter planned for the future, and gently reminded her that her planned major wasn't a terminal degree. So for someone like her, it was very helpful.

I agree. I responded in a different thread, but I had a very good experience with one of our regional public schools for dept visits. I look at this like a second showing --- I'm interested, I've done a regular visit, I've been admitted, and I'm trying to decide. This weird lack of response for a smaller sized school would give me pause.

I'm sorry! Is he upset about it, or more 'que sera, sera'? This admissions stuff is beginning to feel more and more bananas every day.

I felt like the smaller regional school here did a much better job with the departmental visit. It was SO much more personal and attentive. (not surprisingly, as it's smaller) I spoke with admissions to get that set up, who then referred us off to psych sciences and we worked it out from them. For the flagship school, it was right on the visits page. I'd be concerned and annoyed, but I realize they're trying to serve different audiences at this point, right? Admitted students, students trying to make a decision, juniors beginning, etc. Hands down, campus visits have been so helpful. (at least to me as a parent)

I'd like to hear about your experience with a scholarship weekend. Is he liking a particular school (Baylor, Illinois, etc) or noncommittal at this point?

The visit went well ---- but I don't think we're any clearer than we were prior to the visit. The pull for the state flagship is non academic 🤣 She has friends there now, friends going in the fall, and the riding team (horseback) is the same discipline that she's been accustomed to for over a decade. However --- the school is SO FREAKING BIG. I also don't think the major is exactly what she wants. At the smaller regional state school, the neuroscience major is heavy on psychology, plus bio/chem/physics. At the flagship, it's flipped --- more bio/chem, with some psychology added in. She had a great time visiting the barn where the riding team practices --- she was able to see a foal that was born a few hours before we arrived, as well as visit with another foal that was about 10 days home. We've got one more long shot that releases next week. I need to prep for a letdown, even though she's pretty pragmatic. After that comes in, we will apply for housing at the flasghip, and look toward making a decision. It's SO challenging with everyone coming out at different times. Many of her friends have locked in decisions, so I feel a little pressured, but trying to stay the course and stay calm. We have a busy spring with activities for five children, so I'm trying to just enjoy the time we have with her. Fingers crossed for you ❤️ Congrats on the Vandy short list! My daughter has already said that if she didn't get into her long shot, "there's always grad school there" -- so sweet.

Sorry I missed this! My boys have been with Becki Hogan, and will continue with her in the summer and on to next year as well.

Time for a check in ---- how are we all doing? We're headed to a departmental visit this week to our state flagship. I thought we'd shifted this lower on our list, but she's taking a second look. We're beginning a two week Spring Break, and it couldn't be timed better. We all need it. How are you all?

My daughter took a dual credit Chemistry course through Arizona State University ---maybe this asynchronous format would work for you all? https://hs4cc.ea.asu.edu/

I don't have any direct experience, but Heather Woodie's site may be helpful --- https://blogshewrote.org/homeschooling-high-school-fifth-year/

Mr Ds Math has self paced options --- this also allows the student to drop into open office hours, which would be very helpful if she needed questions answered, etc.