Originally Posted By RoadTrip As many of you know, my 23 year old daughter graduated from college last May and moved back into our house to get herself established in her new job and save for graduate school. She's told us that she will be moving out on April 1. She's found another young woman (24 years old) who is buying a 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo and wants someone to share the condo with. It is in a very nice area just about 4 miles from where we live, and the rent seems fair so she is really excited. I asked how that would impact saving for graduate school, and she said she knows friends who are going to graduate school while living on their own, and she thinks she can too. She may have to take some student loans to do it, but she doesn't see that as a problem since we paid completely for her undergrad degree. She feels that she has graduated from college, has a professional job, makes pretty good money and really should be on her own. Although we would have never asked her to leave, I must say I agree with her thinking. It will be difficult saying goodbye to our daughter once again like we did 4-1/2 years ago when she moved away to go to college. But I'm proud of her for wanting to take the next step and am confident in her ability to handle it. I will miss her, but it is her time to fly.
Originally Posted By friendofdd I understand your feelings, RT, although it has been over twenty years since our nest was finally empty. I gather she will be close and you'll get to see her frequently. It's when many months go by between visits, because of distance, that it gets much harder.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Now that I'm becoming an uncle I pay a little more attention to child stuff. Hope she enjoys her new venture. <has a professional job, makes pretty good money> That's my goal, even if I have to relocate.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<That's my goal, even if I have to relocate.>> That may be necessary. My daughter's original goal was to find employment in the relatively small college town where she went to school. She soon found that there was really nothing available there that provided the money or experience she needed to meet her long term career goals. If you relocate it may end up being very good for your career.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well trippy - these are very much signs that you and your wife are very successful people. It sounds like you have a duaghter in which to be proud. I can only guess at your emotions (I love my little one's dearly) - that sense of pride that she is growing up to be a sound young lady, and yet a slight sense of loss. Thankfully you and your wife seem to be very close and get the best of both worlds - having your place to yourselves ;-) and being able to see your daughter with relative ease!
Originally Posted By sherrytodd Hmmmm. Plus, last child moving out means only one thing really. The ability to make whoopie in any room in the house at any time.
Originally Posted By LVBelle LOL sherrytodd! Surely that's not what happened when I moved out... At least it's only a few miles away, RoadTrip! When I left home, I really left home! I left Phoenix to come to Vegas for my very first time living away from home! I think it's sweet how much you love your daughter!
Originally Posted By trailsend >>>>Hmmmm. Plus, last child moving out means only one thing really. The ability to make whoopie in any room in the house at any time. <<<<< Oh yes, 'tis so true. ;>
Originally Posted By LuLu Very exciting! On her own yet close, sounds perfect! And yep, ya done good!
Originally Posted By Beast77 Congrats on her planning for grad school! I would advise her do it sooner then later. Most people who start working (especialy at high pay) find it hard to leave their job for grad school. It gets even tougher when they get involved in car payments, rent/mortgage... so, I would push her for sooner rather than later. Plus, as for paying for grad school... for most (unless we are talking MBA, MD, or JD) programs, the education pays for itself. At the university I work for, we employ over 90% of our grad students as TAs (Teaching assistants), RAs (Research Assistants), and GAs (Graduate Assistants). As long as the person is admitted under regular status (3.0 GPA+, good GRE socres, good letters of rec)they are pretty much guaranteed one of them... it is a sweet deal too. For instance, TAs will just grade papers for 1 undergrad class (if in a masters program), or teach 1 undergrad class (if in a PhD track)... it is 3 hrs of teaching and about the same amount of grading each week. RAs get paid to reasearch for their degree, and GAs work 20 hours a week in administrative tasks for the school... In exchange for that, they get FULL waiver of tuition and fees (in state and out of state), medical, dental, vision, about $1500 per month living allowance (rent here is about $500 for a 1 bdrm apt.) and most students with outstanding GPA/GREs get fellowships on top of that... these can easily bring their monthly stipend up to $2500-$3000... Not bad for 12-20 hrs a week... and NO LOANs after graduation. Plus, if that is not enough.. they can get additional financial aid on top of everything... So, grad school is not as expensive as most people think...again, unless we are talking medical, law or business school... in that case, there just isnt much in the way of funding.
Originally Posted By Beast77 Oh, one more thing... Another reason she may want to enter grad school sooner rather than later is this: When reviewing grad school applications, students who took time off between their undergrad program and grad school actually lose points for each year out... moving slowly down the list regardless of GPA/GRE. Anyone 5 or 6 years + out of school is pretty much going to have their application "round filed" (garbage can) just due to too much time out. This is because the longer they are out, the less likely it is that they will successfully re-adjust to academic life. The drudgery of classes, papers, and gradig criticism. It has been seen that people who take gap years (0r 2 or 3) are MUCH more likely to drop out of grad school to go back to their life of 9-5 and decent paychecks. It is just too hard to go back to being a "starving student" once you ahve tasted the "outside" life. Knowing that, decent grad programs put way too much investment into students that can walk away easily. This too is not true for graduate MBA, and JD programs... they are the reverse.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Another milestone in our lives - children growing up and leaving. This set-up sounds good..
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<< >>>>Hmmmm. Plus, last child moving out means only one thing really. The ability to make whoopie in any room in the house at any time. <<<<< Oh yes, 'tis so true. >>> A luxury I shall never have I fear. O.O
Originally Posted By sherrytodd <<<A luxury I shall never have I fear.>>> Let's face it VCR. You don't seem to be having any problems finding places to make whoopie. Where do you stash the kids. Closet? Dungeon?
Originally Posted By MissCandice I am glad she will still be close by. Sounds like you raised a good kid there.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Um...ancient Chinese Secret... One of us, usually me, has to get up at least once in the middle of the night to feed, change, the baby. He goes back to sleep pretty fast. And when I return to bed, I have a little trouble going back to sleep. (*evil grin*) I keep saying "Not tonight honey, I have a headache," but she just won't listen!
