College Admission Help

College Admission: Accepted? Rejected!

When did choosing a college become so hard?

After three children, 12 SATs, 14 applications, eight essays, and $1,000 in application fees, the Clancy family college admissions process is finally done.
I think.
Four years ago, my oldest, uncertain about his aspirations, headed off to college, laptop computer and pillow in hand. Nine months later, Conor returned home, did a "gap semester" aboard a Caribbean schooner, and is now happily attending community college while interning as a sportswriter with a regional newspaper, a career path he wouldn't have chosen in different circumstances.
My middle child, a strong student, knew she wanted two things from college: an education degree and a school with a good football team. Mary narrowed it down to six schools. When her top New England pick wait-?listed her, she packed for a large Virginia school with a five-year master's and an equally impressive tailgate tradition. Four months later, Mary came home, the pull of her family and friends too powerful. UNH, luckily, was just 45 minutes away. Her original acceptance reactivated, she's now spending the semester in Galway, where life and the pubs are just what Tom Brady ordered.
One to go. A talented and bright three-sport athlete, my youngest son was inundated with recruiting letters. I suspected that, unlike his siblings, Joe's performance on the field as well as in the classroom would dictate his decision. Included in his factoring: Did he like the school, the kids, the coaches? Was it close enough, far enough, big enough, small enough? Was there a degree to turn his math prowess into a career? And -- vital to me -- if Joe couldn't play football, would he still be happy?
A wise college counselor once told me: "Kids just don't walk through a magic door at age 18, ready for college. Give them time, choices. They eventually get there."
We're close. Joe will make his selection any day: Prospective college athletes often have the benefit of finding out their admission and financial-aid status earlier than the regular applicant pool. Then there's the matter of the requisite letter of commitment. Once that's signed, Joe's college choice will be final.
I think.

College Admission: Accepted? Rejected!