We did look at McGill briefly (web site) but his GPA isn't quite enough to get him into their business major. I also think, perhaps, with only about 13% (I think that's the number I saw) US students, that may be a little too far outside his comfort zone. He is really a homebody, hasn't even gone to sleepaway summer camps except for a week during two separate summers...which is why I can't quite believe he's looking at Syracuse! Of course, he IS growing up and seems determined to spread his wings to some extent. Perhaps not all the way to Canada, though? Virginia...he seems determined not to go south. At the moment, he is really loving both Northeastern and Syracuse. Really, if Syracuse had the coop program that NU has, he would be done looking and he'd apply early decision to SU. But he really likes the idea of that coop, especially because he's working as an intern at an investment firm this summer and really liking it. We are visiting both schools, for the second time, within the next few months, and he may yet decide to apply early decision to Syracuse. At least that's what he's thinking right now. We are visiting UVM in a few days but he says he is only interested in UVM if he gets into the honors program there. It's an exciting time but also stressful and a little sad because I can't imagine DS not being here every day!

So happy for you judithn...took me back to when my kids were in college in our city, but living on campus. Sounds like a great conversation, and something she needed to hear, and you were able to do it in such a way that she really listened, and matured enough to apologize. You obviously have a great daughter, there, and now you have practice for when your son leaves home...heh heh!! We Moms have to support one another...our kids are in their early 40's, so a lot of this type of thing is behind us, but there are always things to work out. We do have very thoughtful children now...they just weren't so much at your daughter's age!!

Not sure how, if at all, the new 'rules' may apply to what you ladies are discussing, but thought I'd put them out here anyway. My 'too busy to pay attention' SS blew this one in his never ending 'verbal' and/or 'I thought I could' agreements with SGS's BM. from the IRS New Rules For Children of Divorced and Seperated Parents: Revocation of release of claim to an exemption. For tax years beginning after July 2, 2008 (the 2009 calendar year for most taxpayers), new rules apply to allow the custodial parent to revoke a release of claim to exemption that was previously released to the noncustodial parent on Form 8332, Release/Revocation of Release of Claim to Exemption for Child by Custodial Parent, or similar statement. The revocation is effective no earlier than the tax year following the year in which the custodial parent provides, or makes reasonable efforts to provide, the noncustodial parent with written notice of the revocation. Therefore, if the custodial parent provides notice of revocation to the noncustodial parent in 2009, the earliest tax year the revocation can be effective is the tax year beginning in 2010. You can use Part III of Form 8332 for this purpose. You must attach a copy of the revocation to your return for each tax year you claim the child as a dependent as a result of the revocation. Post-1984 and pre-2009 divorce decree or separation agreement. If the divorce decree or separation agreement went into effect after 1984 and before 2009, the noncustodial parent may be able to attach certain pages from the decree or agreement instead of Form 8332. The decree or agreement must state all three of the following. The noncustodial parent can claim the child as a dependent without regard to any condition, such as payment of support. The custodial parent will not claim the child as a dependent for the year. The years for which the noncustodial parent, rather than the custodial parent, can claim the child as a dependent. The noncustodial parent must attach all of the following pages of the decree or agreement to his or her tax return. The cover page (write the other parent's social security number on this page). The pages that include all of the information identified in items (1) through (3) above. The signature page with the other parent's signature and the date of the agreement. Post-2008 divorce decree or separation agreement. Beginning with 2009 tax returns, the noncustodial parent can no longer attach pages from the decree or agreement instead of Form 8332 if the decree or agreement went into effect after 2008. The noncustodial parent will have to attach Form 8332 or similar statement signed by the custodial parent and whose only purpose is to release a claim to exemption. The noncustodial parent must attach the required information even if it was filed with a return in an earlier year. Here is a link that might be useful: New Rules...

It is not too early to be thinking about planning for college. For some people, you are starting late. First of all, you son needs to be practicing for the PSAT. That test--taken only once in the fall of junior year-- is the only way he can qualify for National Merit status. There are the thick books that have practice tests. He should do them exactly as if he were taking it for real(timed and in quiet). Then, go over what he had problems with. The same holds true for the ACT and the SAT, if he plans to take it. Taking the tests more than once can really help. The book for the SAT is 10 Real SAT tests. They use old tests for practice. Both SAT and ACT have a website that will give him a practice question everyday. He should start today, and do the question everyday. He also needs one of the big, thick books with all of the 4 year colleges and universities in it. The current editions have the most up to date statistics on what the scores and grades of the incoming freshmen from recent years. It will give him a point of contact. There are many schools that most people don't know about that are fine institutions. You should go to the FAFSA site, and do a "practice" FAFSA, and that will give you your EFC (expected family contribution). Your son will be expected to contribute about $3,000 a year, which is not part of the EFC-- that is your portion. If money is an issue, then I would suggest lower tiered schools. To get much merit money, he needs to be in the top 20% or so of the applicants. Most lower ranked schools are trying to attract top students, so if they get a top applicant, they try to lure them with money. My youngest daughter was accepted into some top schools, but with no money. She also had some lower tiered school, well known schools, but not as highly ranked. She received Presidential scholarships (full tuition + fees) to two private universities. She also was offered 1/2 tuition at another school. She could have gone to any of our state universities on the bright future scholarship -- which was full tuition + book money. She received one outside scholarship for $2,000 a year for 3 years. Her last year she received room and board + salary for being an intern with the campus ministry. She didn't need to apply for the outside scholarship because of that. If your son is a top student, then he can get merit aid at some colleges. In-state universities can cost less, but they tend to have less merit aid to give. There is lots of merit money, if you apply to the right schools. There is a website called College Confidential. There is lots of information there. They have forums, but a large number of those who post worry about getting into the top schools. There is some great information there, if you gloss over the students with the out of this world statistics. Oh, have your son get involved in some activity. It doesn't matter much as to what, but some EC + some service hours can't hurt. Lastly, his junior year of high school is the critical year for colleges. Some schools discount freshman year, as it can be quite a change for some students. Sophomore year needs to be improving, and junior year is they most important year. It is the last full year that the schools see when they are making their decisions.