Is there a higher GPA requirement for *maintaining* the better scholarship such that she would have that added pressure as well? The current scholarship requires a 3.0 to keep it but the higher one requires a 3.5 to keep it? I have no idea, but I thought it would be worth asking. I agree with Barbara - two or three hours per week sounds quite doable in general terms, but I know nothing about the demands of athletes.

(((ScoutermominIL))) I am so sorry that things are so stressful in your home right now. It sounds as though you ds is suffering from a bit of "paralysis." I agree with the other poster that he may be fearful of "jinxing" his number 1 choice. It is disheartening that he cannot embrace his in-state safety, but I completely understand that if y'all are transplants. I agree with others that you need to sit down with him and have a heart-to-heart talk about all options should he not get into his REA school. Unfortunately, this can escalate the stress level, as you don't want him to think he *can't* get in. So, it has to be done in a delicate way. The other thread about elite schools sending viewbooks, e-mails, etc. to students who aren't qualified is one thing. The reality is that elite schools also reject MANY students who ARE qualified. Would he be willing to sit down with you and develop a plan of action to get at least a few more things taken care of prior to the REA announcements? If you approach it like a little business meeting and help him get a plan of action/timeline for getting in some other apps/scholarship apps in? Particularly the scholarship apps. One of my many mantras is, "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." My guess is he has two weeks before the REA decision comes out. If you had a calendar and helped him plan out a reasonable amount of application work during those two weeks it might help distract everyone from the looming "big day." I certainly hope he gets into that #1 school! He also needs to realize that a deferral may happen as well. Many Ivies (unfortunately) defer a lot of their applicants which only prolongs the angst. I totally get where you are coming from - I was a complete basket case as well. The reality is that the REA school box has been checked off and no amount of worrying will get the decision here faster or affect what it is. I say this as a complete and total hypocrite! I am a person who can prove that worrying works: 95% of what I worry about never happens! Ha ha! Yes, I realize that is a logical fallacy. My ds was deferred from a top school that defers very few applicants, but he did gain admission in the RD round. With Harvard, MIT, and others deferring 70-something percent of their applicants, that isn't always the case and, that reality needs to be presented as well. I can only offer what my friend whose daughter had been through the admissions process a year before my son told me last year: Next year's holiday season is going to be so much more enjoyable for your family. It is so true. It has been awhile since I first read that article, and I was too lazy to re-read it. Some kids choose to aim high, not because their parents push them into it, but because they push themselves into it. My ds attended a summer program at his current school the summer after his sophomore year in high school. That became the "dream school." It's hard to keep your kids from having one, no matter how hard you try. And really, once they latch onto it as a "dream," it is hard not to have that dream with them. So, we looked at what it might take to achieve that, and ds did what he could within the areas he could control - course selection, grades, test scores, high achievement in ECs, striving for leadership positons where he could. However, I do think it is important to be matter-of-fact and pragmatic about choosing all the schools one applies to. "Well, Junior, I really hope you get in to Dream School U, but if you don't, let's think about what else we might do." Looking at the math is helpful because it is objective. Your odds (EVERYONE'S odds) are LOW. When you look at results threads on CC (granted one can't know the quality of essays) it's easy to see that NO ONE can call what is going to happen. The parents need to be objective but supportive. The challenge is that too many parents cannot be objective and vicariously tie their children's academic successes to themselves. It is important to balance big goals with reality. For some students, those top schools are fantasy. But for some students they are reachable. If they want to aim for it, they should be supported in that endeavor, IMO. I whole-heartedly agree that not all state flagship schools are created equal! There is no way that our state flagship could compare to Michigan, UNC-Chapel Hill, UVA, Cal, etc. I know what it takes to get in there, and it isn't much. The standards for receiving our state's lottery scholarship are appallingly low. Yes, we have an Honors College, but not all of those are created equal. In comparing it to ds's other two Southern flagship schools where he applied, our Honors College was by far the least impressive. It's just a label for kids that have a certain GPA and ACT score. The type of work ds is expected to do at his school does not compare at all to what is expected of the kids at our in-state flagship. The rigor, expectations, and critical thinking required are all vastly higher. I also agree that one doesn't need to go to an Ivy/top tier school to get a good education and have successful career - however that is measured. As long as the potential exists at a school, a student willing to avail himself of opportunities will do fine. But not all schools have the same level of potential. They just don't. ETA: @ScoutermominIL - I think you need to throw on some other safeties. Maybe some big state U's that offer generous merit money to kids with high stats. Edited again to (hopefully) fix all my errorrs. Ack! I really should not post until after that second cup of coffee!!

^I just read that article. The whole thing in the original article about the girls thinking how great she was *really* bothered me.

It's marketing. I don't get why this is a big deal. Yes, students may be too naive to realize this, but this is where parents should step in. The challenge is the lack of knowledge of the parents combined with the "snowflake" mentality that so many parents have about their children. For some reason, people just don't take the time to educate themselves about the eligibility to "purchase" college.

Ds applied to 11 last year, but his list was reach-heavy. I do think the numbers are creeping up each year. A couple of students with similar stats to his from his alma mater who are applying this year have 14 and 19 schools, respectively. Ds thinks that is excessive. It is certainly more than any in his class applied to.

We are flying ds home for Thanksgiving this year, but I am not sure whether we will do it again. Because he is on quarters, it is less than two weeks before he will be home again for the Christmas break! He really wanted to come home, though, and they are out the entire week. Although he isn't coming home until Sunday so he can attend the "Big Game." He flies back the following Saturday as it was MUCH cheaper than flying on Sunday. Home six nights. I am very much looking forward to seeing him, but selfishly wishing my in-laws were not coming up. Even though they will only be here two nights, I have the feeling that most of the time ds will be truly at home (physically in our house!) will be when they are here, so I will have to "share." He already has commitments for Tuesday night and gathering on Friday with friends. I'd probably be more generous if my f-i-l weren't such a PITA. I digress. I think we will probably fly out to visit ds during the week of Thanksgiving next year. Spend a week or so and make a little vacation out of it. We are leaning towards this plan rather than Parents' Weekend in late February. During Thanksgiving break, the dorms are open, but the cafeterias are not, so we will probably feed a few next year! ;)

At all but one of ds's schools, a "housing" deposit was distinct from an "enrollment" deposit. What is unethical is to make more than one *enrollment* deposit. At many large state U's one must get housing deposits in to avoid undesirable housing situations. There are exceptions if there is guaranteed honors housing, etc. I think for the big state schools folks making multiple housing deposits is a big money-maker. We did make more than one housing deposit. We forfeited most of that money. Only at our state flagship was some of it refundable since we canceled prior to a certain date. We still lost most of it, however. Had we waited another month to tell them "no" on housing, we would have lost it all.

Yes, I get this. An 800 on the Lit exam is MUCH more impressive than an 800 on the Math 2 exam. Our goal was to have all three test scores start with a "7." Ds did get the 800 on the Math 2, and he achieved the goal on the other two. Really a 720 on Math 2 is NOT a very good score percentile-wise, but it is on other exams. Our goal probably should have been based on percentiles, but one cannot even be in the 99th percentile on the math 2 test - which is why I think if that one is chosen, the student better rock it!!

Okay, here is my lame confession: when I first saw the subject title of the thread, I thought this was going to be about some sweet Black Friday deal on Rosetta STONE!

I agree with this 100%. I believe a perfect score of 800 on the Math 2 is the 85th percentile. OP, what age is your dd? Do you live near a testing site? I ask because we started early on Subject Tests, and I am very glad we did. Ds did Math 2 at the end of his sophomore year, Chemistry at the end of his junior year (three days before the AP Chem exam), and Lit in the fall of his senior year. He only added Lit because one of his schools "recommended" three Subject Tests. I am glad he had it, however, to show breadth. I think if you have time, I might not try and take all three at one time. Yes, I know they are only an hour each and all multiple choice. Two might be okay, but I have heard that three is pretty draining. I have no experience with the foreign language tests. As far as AP courses being good prep, I think this is generally true. Note that there is a wonky T/F section on the Chemistry Subject Test that might need some separate prep to become familiar with the format. Ds did well on his AP World History exam, but when doing a practice test for the World History Subject test, he did not do well, so we decided against that one. To be fair, it was six months (maybe longer??) or so after he had taken the AP World History exam. It seemed much more "factoid-ish" to me. Actually, when I checked his practice test I really got kinda ticked at him! I kept repeating, "We learned this in our homeschool before you fired me!" *I* could have done pretty well on it, I think! Anyway, unless it is essential that you take them all at once, I would spread them out. Just my $0.02. ETA: Maybe this link to the percentiles will work. http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/research/SAT-Subject-Tests-Percentile-Ranks-2012.pdf

The curve is much more favorable on Math 2. Ds took it after completing Calculus (there's NO calc on it), so he went back and did some refreshing of topics. There is a College Board prep book specifically for Math 2 that has 3 exams in it. He worked through those, and maybe did a bit of additional brushing up on Geometry if memory serves me correctly. Need to be through Pre-Calc to take Math 2.

(((Faith))) - I am so sorry to learn all this news. So much to handle at one time. I will pray for strength and endurance for you and healing for your ds and dd. The physical conditions are enough on their own, but how much harder to throw in the emotional aspects on top of them. Please take care of YOU, too.

Where he winds up may affect what he needs/wants!! And how much space he has in his dorm room. Of course, some things will be necessary anywhere. My ds mostly received cash for graduation, and he used some of that to purchase dorm items. Some things ds received for graduation gifts (which were intended to be taken to college) included: Monogrammed towels Tool kit Monogrammed laundry hamper A new bible in a translation he did not have desk lamp All of those would be easy/good grandparent gifts. Ds also really likes having a white board calendar in his room. I will say a lot of cool dorm stuff tends to be seasonal, so there is some benefit in waiting. If he is like my ds, he is probably hard to buy for. Are there any clothing items he might need? Regardless of climate, he would need a raincoat. Does he own a suit? ETA: Once we knew where ds was going, we chose to give him a bicycle for graduation. Again, that might not have been wanted or needed at all depending on where he landed.

I've seen this happen, too. Such a shame. I get it though - it WAS tedious for him. Ds had EVERYTHING completed when he filled out his college applications - badges, project, leadership, paperwork - all of it. He truly was just waiting on "them" for his Board of Review. There was a big push last December by a lot of boys because the cooking badge was going to become a new requirement if everything was not completed by December. My ds had done that badge anyway, but because many had not there was an inordinate number of boys who got all their paperwork done around the same time and thus more than the normal amount of reviews.

Are you talking about your free scores that you chose with your most recent test? I found this which says you can only change the recipients nine days after the test. It doesn't give any more specifics other than to log in to your account. No idea when the last test was adminstered (so don't know if it has been nine days) or if this is what your asking about, but thought I would try! http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-score-choice

Agree 100% with LoriD! I think it looks like you are "trying too hard" otherwise.

My ds was in a similar position although all of his requirements had been met. His read something along the lines of this, but had "awaiting Board of Review." I like the above except I would probably add the word "anticipated" in there somewhere.

I am copying and pasting in an article I found since we have had much discussion about National Merit on this thread. This article talks about those who do NOT qualify for financial aid but who are looking for/expecting large amounts for National Merit. I am adding it because there is a specific section on the Colleges That Change Lives as well as a short (very short) mention toward the end of some schools that do grant a lot for National Merit. I hope it is helpful for someone. http://www.thecollegesolution.com/different-scholarship-results-for-national-merit-finalists/

Just Agree With Me :)

Yep. One of ds's friends did this.

I have seen it suggested that one list schools alphabetically on the FAFSA so as not to tip one's hat as to "favorites."

Sorry, I am not understanding what you are saying??? The generic info/blanket policies are the ones that yield the most money. Arkansas awards $10,000 per year for National Merit Finalists. You have a deadline by which you have to choose them (or any other school as your first choice school), but it is a known amount. Alabama provided full out-of-state tuition for five years, housing for the freshman year, an iPad, a stipend, and $2,000 for study abroad. Ole Miss' was a bit more convoluted to figure out (had to call a couple of time before I "got" it), but worked out to full tuition and housing (not meals) for four years. There is a cap on the "official" National Merit Scholarship award - I *think* it's that one-time $2,500? Or the schools can set it at an amount of maybe $2,000 per year? I really dont' remember!! Old and crazy! But there is a limit as to what is "official." The rest is deemed by the schools who give large awards to be an "unofficial" National Merit award. Most schools will label whatever that capped amount is as the "official" part. This is so that students can be named National Merit Scholars. The only way one gets that label is to receive that one-time award from the National Merit Corporation itself, a corporate-sponsored award, or through an "official" scholarship given by a university. So, most school designate a portion of the award (if it is > the cap) as "official" so students can claim that title. Perhaps you are saying that some schools do not advertise National Merit awards? Probably because if they are not significant. Anyway, it is those blanket awards that CAN add up to significant dollar amounts for National Merit Finalists. A lot of the higher ranked schools give nothing for National Merit. Ds's doesn't. So, if he had not received that one-time award from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation itself, you are 100% correct - it would have yielded him nothing. But I do think it is incorrect to state that obtaining National Merit Finalist doesn't amount to much of anything or that it is overrated. It certainly can if one is willing to attend a less prestigious school. That is the goal of those schools, IME - to poach top students away from higher-priced alternativies. I should also add that my perspective comes from a place of not qualifying for ANY financial aid. So for US, there was a HUGE difference in cost for one of those "lesser" schools that offered a large National Merit package and those for which we had to pay full freight because no merit aid of any type was offered.

Ugh. I have a friend who I fear was unaware of this. I don't even know if her son knew he was going to take the gap year (he's in a Rotary exchange program in Japan) at the time he took it. I have no idea what the timeline is for that program. Gosh. Now I'm afraid to even ask her. Hope the GC at the school knew to do this.

This was not the case at ANY of the schools (some private, some public) where ds received merit aid. The point being - call and find out!!! Interestingly, we needed to file the FAFSA for our state's $2,000 lottery scholarship, but it was NOT required for the the large $10,000 per year scholarship from our state's department of higher ed. Go figure.

I will just say that this depends on the schools one is considering. National Merit would have reaped large merit rewards at all of ds's safeties (all SEC schools). I know some folks have issues with attending schools in the South, but several of these *do* reward National Merit in a substantial way. Ds did not choose one of those, but that opportunity *was* there. He did receive a NM Scholar award of $2,500 directly from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. So, like Regentrude, it didn't amount to much based on his ultimate decision. But it *could* have had he chosen differently.