Okay - my daughter has picked her college and it's not the one I think she should attend. So, is this my decision or hers? That is the question.
Given I'm paying, I have a vested interest in the outcome of this decision. My choice for her is the school that best (in my opinion) prepares her for a future career. My choice school also is located in an urban setting where I know she won't get bored and will have many new opportunities.
So, why did she pick a dinky, liberal arts college in a country locale to study English, her native tongue? Because it's safe and cozy feeling after months of being stressed out by her high school college counselors. Argh.
It was also the advice of these professional college advisors that my child would fit best in this setting. What do they know? They don't know much about her except her grades and SAT scores. Frankly, if I had the chance, I'd put my foot up their you-know-whats for butting into matters where I don't think they belong.
As the biggest fan of my daughter's, I think my assessment of her talents, dreams and desires are much more on point that that of practical strangers. But, it's them she listened to. And, I'm pretty distressed about this. Why? Because I do not think it is okay to be mediocre. And, this is a pretty mediocre school as far as I can tell.
Okay, it's nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report - as a liberal arts college. That's not much to go on. This only makes it better than all the rest of the dinky schools that didn't get ranked. I must stop now because I'm about to go on a rant and it's a waste of my time and yours. The deal is cut, the check is mailed, and I've got to accept the fact that my child is going to spend 4 years there.
But, I don't like it.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
College Gitters
Yes, we've got the gotta chose a college in 10 days gitters. And, that's us, the parents.
We just found out today that the school my daughter really wants to attend awarded her less money than we had hoped. The reality that I'll never be able to retire -- and I'm getting tired -- is starting to hit home.
I had my children in my mid-30's. I didn't realize that would mean I would have to work until I died. I already have one child in college and this second one will drain our life's savings. And, we did save. We fore went vacations, cars, bigger houses, etc. to save for these college tuitions. The problem is we look rich compared to all the other folks who spent their money having a good time while we put it away for this rainy day.
I really love my daughter and I want her to be happy. So, tomorrow I'm calling the college financial aid office to enter my plea. I know going in I don't stand much of a chance, but I must try. I really want my daughter to attend this school, which is a very good fit for her.
That also brings up the fact that she didn't work as hard as she could have during her high school years - but neither did I, so who am I to point fingers?
I guess I'll be homeless when she finishes college, since my only option is to put my house up as colateral for loans to cover both her tuition and her brother's. Oh, well...
I won't need all that room - or will I? These kids had better get good jobs when they graduate coz there won't be room for them to live with us in our car.
No kidding!
We just found out today that the school my daughter really wants to attend awarded her less money than we had hoped. The reality that I'll never be able to retire -- and I'm getting tired -- is starting to hit home.
I had my children in my mid-30's. I didn't realize that would mean I would have to work until I died. I already have one child in college and this second one will drain our life's savings. And, we did save. We fore went vacations, cars, bigger houses, etc. to save for these college tuitions. The problem is we look rich compared to all the other folks who spent their money having a good time while we put it away for this rainy day.
I really love my daughter and I want her to be happy. So, tomorrow I'm calling the college financial aid office to enter my plea. I know going in I don't stand much of a chance, but I must try. I really want my daughter to attend this school, which is a very good fit for her.
That also brings up the fact that she didn't work as hard as she could have during her high school years - but neither did I, so who am I to point fingers?
I guess I'll be homeless when she finishes college, since my only option is to put my house up as colateral for loans to cover both her tuition and her brother's. Oh, well...
I won't need all that room - or will I? These kids had better get good jobs when they graduate coz there won't be room for them to live with us in our car.
No kidding!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Internet Happy Ending
I heard the most wonderful story today on the evening news.
A father and daughter separated over 30 years ago found each other thanks to Google. This is just one incident that shows how amazing is the power of Google and of search engines in general.
You can virtually find anyone or anything via your favorite search engine. I've been working with Internet technology since the early 1990's - in fact, one year ago I was awarded a patent for my pioneering work. And, frankly I'm not all that impressed with how things are going.
While there have been some major improvements to the technology we had 10 years ago when the web started to be used in earnest, the innovation I expected to see has been stunted by the need for profit by the business entities who now are driving this market segment.
Back in the early 1990's, Internet technology was being developed with government funding - hence the claim by Al Gore that he invented the Internet. That quote was taken out of context, but the point today is still valid... government works for the benefit of the people, while business works for the benefit of the stockholders.
So, I've got lot's of ideas about where the Internet should be headed and I'm not going to post them here because I haven't protected my intellectual property at this point. But, I intend to do so and then get started on taking the web to the next level... unfortunately, patents take about 8 years to get awarded. So, it may be awhile.
A father and daughter separated over 30 years ago found each other thanks to Google. This is just one incident that shows how amazing is the power of Google and of search engines in general.
You can virtually find anyone or anything via your favorite search engine. I've been working with Internet technology since the early 1990's - in fact, one year ago I was awarded a patent for my pioneering work. And, frankly I'm not all that impressed with how things are going.
While there have been some major improvements to the technology we had 10 years ago when the web started to be used in earnest, the innovation I expected to see has been stunted by the need for profit by the business entities who now are driving this market segment.
Back in the early 1990's, Internet technology was being developed with government funding - hence the claim by Al Gore that he invented the Internet. That quote was taken out of context, but the point today is still valid... government works for the benefit of the people, while business works for the benefit of the stockholders.
So, I've got lot's of ideas about where the Internet should be headed and I'm not going to post them here because I haven't protected my intellectual property at this point. But, I intend to do so and then get started on taking the web to the next level... unfortunately, patents take about 8 years to get awarded. So, it may be awhile.
Friday, April 3, 2009
My Child is Great!
This posting is all about my daughter - I am a proud Mom.
I've had the opportunity to read some of my daughter's writing lately and I must say she is really a talented writer. I'm not just saying that because I think my child is the best. As an English major myself, I truly think she has a gift for descriptive narrative and poetry. In fact, she is competing for a literary scholarship at one of the colleges she may attend next year.
What I don't understand is why my daughter reacts negatively when I praise her work.
I know a thing or two about the English language and writing styles, and I have even read a book or two (ha, ha). And, I'm a fair writer myself - much of my professional success attests to this fact. So, it must not be that I am unqualified to critique her work that sets her off. It must be that mother-daughter thing.
Oh, that I do understand.
When I was a teen, I rarely got along with my own mother. I do now, but that's because I am a natural peace-maker. In other words, I give in and let her get her way. That's only part of the truth. I learned some insights about my mother when I was in my early 20s that made it much easier for me to make these compromises with her. She can't help herself and I can. So, I am in complete control of the situation and I let her think she is. Works out well every time. And, I'm a lot less aggravated when I'm around my mother.
I guess my daughter and I need to reach this same equilibrium in our relationship -- and that will probably also take a few more years to achieve. In the meantime, I will try to ignore the hurtful things that float from her lips (probably without touching her brain on the way out).
Well, I will not stop telling her how much I enjoy her writing. She'll have to get used to hearing it.
I've had the opportunity to read some of my daughter's writing lately and I must say she is really a talented writer. I'm not just saying that because I think my child is the best. As an English major myself, I truly think she has a gift for descriptive narrative and poetry. In fact, she is competing for a literary scholarship at one of the colleges she may attend next year.
What I don't understand is why my daughter reacts negatively when I praise her work.
I know a thing or two about the English language and writing styles, and I have even read a book or two (ha, ha). And, I'm a fair writer myself - much of my professional success attests to this fact. So, it must not be that I am unqualified to critique her work that sets her off. It must be that mother-daughter thing.
Oh, that I do understand.
When I was a teen, I rarely got along with my own mother. I do now, but that's because I am a natural peace-maker. In other words, I give in and let her get her way. That's only part of the truth. I learned some insights about my mother when I was in my early 20s that made it much easier for me to make these compromises with her. She can't help herself and I can. So, I am in complete control of the situation and I let her think she is. Works out well every time. And, I'm a lot less aggravated when I'm around my mother.
I guess my daughter and I need to reach this same equilibrium in our relationship -- and that will probably also take a few more years to achieve. In the meantime, I will try to ignore the hurtful things that float from her lips (probably without touching her brain on the way out).
Well, I will not stop telling her how much I enjoy her writing. She'll have to get used to hearing it.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
College Choices, Oh No!
It's April 1st and my daughter only has one month to pick a college to attend next year.
This is definitely a difficult decision and the hardest choice she's had to make so far in her life. And, it may be true that the school she selects will determine the path she takes for the rest of her time on this planet. Or not. Who knows.
Times have certainly changed. When I was a high school senior, I had two choices (not 7). I could go to our local community college (hell no!) or I could go to the state university (less bad). Too bad I wanted to explore going to school out of state. And, I had to pay for my own room and board. My parents were separating at the time and they could barely afford the $628/semester price tag. I worked two jobs (one on campus before classes and one after in the evenings) and it was hard. But, I admit I really learned to appreciate the value of a dollar. More importantly, I learned what I was made of. I worked so hard, I graduated in three years! I made it and it's still one of my life accomplishments for which I am very proud.
Today, semester costs have skyrocketed to over $20,000! No student can afford to pay their own way anymore. How can you work off that price tag at minimum wage? Impossible. And completely unfair. I read an article that said colleges and universities raised their tuitions to attract a better class of student. Yes! One such school's tuition went from $14,000/year to $43,000/year. And, the number of student's applying increased by 40%. How weird is that. People are stupid. They believe something is better because it costs more.
By the way - my daughter has applied to that school and been accepted. And, yes. We are going there on Friday for an accepted student day visit. Guess I'm stupid too. (I do like their architecture - sigh.)
This is definitely a difficult decision and the hardest choice she's had to make so far in her life. And, it may be true that the school she selects will determine the path she takes for the rest of her time on this planet. Or not. Who knows.
Times have certainly changed. When I was a high school senior, I had two choices (not 7). I could go to our local community college (hell no!) or I could go to the state university (less bad). Too bad I wanted to explore going to school out of state. And, I had to pay for my own room and board. My parents were separating at the time and they could barely afford the $628/semester price tag. I worked two jobs (one on campus before classes and one after in the evenings) and it was hard. But, I admit I really learned to appreciate the value of a dollar. More importantly, I learned what I was made of. I worked so hard, I graduated in three years! I made it and it's still one of my life accomplishments for which I am very proud.
Today, semester costs have skyrocketed to over $20,000! No student can afford to pay their own way anymore. How can you work off that price tag at minimum wage? Impossible. And completely unfair. I read an article that said colleges and universities raised their tuitions to attract a better class of student. Yes! One such school's tuition went from $14,000/year to $43,000/year. And, the number of student's applying increased by 40%. How weird is that. People are stupid. They believe something is better because it costs more.
By the way - my daughter has applied to that school and been accepted. And, yes. We are going there on Friday for an accepted student day visit. Guess I'm stupid too. (I do like their architecture - sigh.)
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