Appalachian State!

Noah has chosen to attend Appalachian State University this fall and we are so excited.  He has been awarded several scholarships and intends to study English.

Let's be honest, the college application process has been challenging.  Jessica and I consider ourselves fairly well-versed in this game, but it has taken us by surprise at several turns.  The dumpster fire that was FAFSA this year, caps on federal loans, the high price of college, and delayed deadlines for commitment have made for a pretty wild ride.  Noah was fortunately accepted into and was awarded scholarships to attend several schools, but the toughest part was deciding where he would best see himself next year.  He has always had one foot in the Humanities/English world of academics and one foot in the art world - so from the start we knew it would be difficult to narrow it all down.  

By March, he had narrowed it down to either Appalachian State or Savannah College of Art and Design.  He told us that he could see himself at either school, and each of them had their perks.  He had essentially boiled his decision down to its essence: liberal arts state school or a 100% private art institute.  

The trouble was...we didn't know any detail about scholarships, aid, costs, etc.  And the federal FAFSA delay dramatically exacerbated the problem.  The clock was ticking though, so we decided to make a full push towards seeing what we could make happen for SCAD and/or App, in the hopes that we could find out this information faster. Once we finally got actual particulars, the choice was clear.  Looking at the opportunities, possible majors, and with his scholarships and aid - the best option for Noah was obviously Appalachian.

This whole process was really, really tough though and to be honest - I have regrets in the way we handled some of it. For parents and advisors, we walk a fine line between presenting the most realistic college options and being a dream crusher.  We do however want our kids to see all their options and make an educated decision about next steps, and at the end of the day - that is what Noah was able to do. 

On a personal level, I couldn't be more thrilled that Noah will be attending App State.  Jessica and I have consistently thought that it could be such a great fit for Noah's personality, gifts, and academic interests.  He is a super creative kid, with a legion of interests.  Yes, he loves all things English - but he is equally enthralled by the arts, media studies, history, education, and journalism.  App offers pathways for him to try out each of these, and in a college town setting full of coffee houses, hikes, and creative endeavors.  I can't wait to see what's next for him in Boone!