bumpety bump!

Been down the road twice with our two sons. Older DS is now doing his teaching internship for his master's in education. Younger DS is a freshman in college (and yes, I miss them both a lot!) The search was interesting, and of course I had MY favorite choices. Older DS ended up at my favorite for him (and got a full-tuition scholarship) for his undergrad degree in music. It was the size of school he wanted (6000 kids) , in the Midwest as he wanted, and offered the high level of educational experience he desired, plus a great program for education majors. But it also meant meant we weren't able to make all his concerts (he is a violist) because the school is about 6.5 hours away by car, just over 4 by train. That distance was the real downside. Younger DS surprised us by putting that same school on his short list (because I kind of thought he might reject it since it was his brother's experience, and he always wants to be his own person). I was kind of hoping he would choose a different one, which was only about 2 hours from home - 4 years of the long drive or train ride and having to miss things was always in my head. He was awarded a presidential scholarship to that school, an amazing opportunity, and he had loved the place since we had looked at it 4 years earlier for older DS, and they have an outstanding history department (his major). I was stoked, because I was sure that would be his choice. And then, we made the" mistake" of making another visit to his brother's school, and giving him a chance to talk in depth with several people in his major, and in the master's in education program. He had already been awarded a full-tuition scholarship there. Well, as he told me later, up to that point he had been pretty well decided on the other school, but those final conversations made him realize that he would get an even better history education AND have the master's program, if he went to the same place older DS was going. And so he did, and he is happy with his choice. I guess my point in all this is that while distance is a downside, what matters most is that they are at the school that feels right, and offers them the best educational experience in their chosen field. Once they make their decision, the pressure is off. Just don't be surprised if they wait until close to the national decision date, and you get to worry about it for as long as possible !

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.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. A couple of laughs and a lot of right on from one of my favorite authors. There is not a Heinlein book which I have not read, and re-read and read again.