This is Austin, one of our Collegewise seniors. And that plate of goodness in front of him is full of cookies shaped like "A's" to celebrate his admission to the University of Arizona.
Whenever a Collegewise family shares good admissions news with us, our first question is always the same.
"What are you going to do to celebrate?"
I don't care if it's the first choice college that offered an acceptance or the safety school whose admission was hardly a surprise. When a proverbial fat envelope arrives from any college, acknowledge the success. Put the acceptance letter on the fridge. Do a family high five with your student and tell him how proud you are.
I hate to see the pressure of college admissions ruin what should be an exciting time in the house. The opportunity to go to college is one worth celebrating, and I can't tell you how much it means to kids to see their parents excited about the good news (even if they don't show the same excitement themselves). So don't reserve your celebration for the acceptance from a dream school.
And if your student is particularly happy about an acceptance, kick your celebration up a notch. Buy a cake or make cookies (in the school's colors, of course). Cook his favorite dinner. Or go out to her favorite restaurant. Parents can really set the tone for just how important these acceptances are in your student's life, so make sure you use this well-deserved excuse to commemorate the occasion.
And thanks, Austin, for giving us permission to share your photo.