Will Ian change the ranking?

Maybe it's just me (and Diane) but this waiting to hear from colleges is stressful. Ian probably doesn't even give it a second thought during his days...but I find myself hovering over the mailbox. Ian applied to 7 colleges, some were long shots but you never know. We heard from SUNY Albany almost a month ago, he was accepted and was awarded the Frederick Douglass Scholarship (makes you wonder what he wrote in his essay) which pretty much covers the tuition. Ian relaxed because he really liked the Albany campus and now he knew he would be going to college somewhere. Today, acceptance letter from SUNY Buffalo with a $3,000 merit scholarship. This is humorous because he has now heard from choices #5 & #7 in the college list. Where are the UPenn (#1), Penn State(#2) & Cornell (#3) letters?

Tonight a woman from SU (#6) called to speak to Ian. He is one of 20 finalists as a Coronat Scholar. (Ian's response when I called, "I don't even remember what I wrote the essay about.") He has to spend 3 days and nights at SU in the University Sheraton in March with the other finalists from all over the country. One finalist is from Alaska...SU is definitely saving money on Ian's transportation costs. Three days of classes and interviews, dress attire required ...except I have this mental image of Survivor. Will the other 19 kids leave SU hungry, bruised and crying...or will Ian?

This is a big deal because the Coronat Scholar receives:

• full tuition and fees
• free room and board
• an allowance for books, transportation and personal expenses
• additional funding for study abroad
• funding for up to 3 summers of approved study, volunteer or research
• mentoring for Rhodes, Fulbright and other national scholarships

Did I mention SU was choice #6? (my choice #7, but I am told it's not about me) Talk about conflicting emotions...too bad I drank the champagne last night to celebrate Elliot!