The basic advice we have been given is to ignore prices, for now - have her apply to schools with the programs she wants, fill out her FAFSA, and see what financial offers she gets.

This isn't how we planned for things to go, but life loves to throw curve balls.

ION - my coworker's car got towed due to outstanding parking tickets. She is pissed cause it was her ex who accumulated the tickets but releived it wasn't stolen. Gotta drive her around to get stuff paid and get the car back.

This is the company in Seattle--the one in San Fran lamely decided they didn't think I had enough experience.

Well, the relocation package is pretty standard, and not much to be negotiated there. The only problem is the TIMING--if only this had happened last week, I could've worked out the 30 days notice and all that jazz much much easier, and the moving in to an apartment there, and GAH.

The benefits--does anyone actually manage to negotiate benefits? I mean, vacation days, that sort of thing? It's usually a pretty standard "this is what we do, you get X days" thing, no?

It's really just the salary. Well, and possibly the start date. Didn't actually discuss that part.

Congrats on the job offer, meara!

When I graduated in 1989, we were told to apply to 3 to 5--one safety school, one reach, and one to three in between. I applied to five, and looking back, it's SO obvious I had no clue what I wanted. All I knew for sure was I wanted out of state, but east of the Mississippi, and at least 5000 undergrads, because my graduating class had ~120 students, most of whom I'd started first grade with 12 years before, and I wanted to go somewhere where there would always be new people to meet. I did apply to one state school as a safety (Auburn) but was accepted or waitlisted everywhere I applied.

I was the only kid in my class on the competitive admissions rollercoaster. The other kids at the top of the academic track did Alabama or Auburn, or UAB if they were pre-med or nursing. A few others went to smaller state schools, but probably less than half my class went to college.

The benefits--does anyone actually manage to negotiate benefits? I mean, vacation days, that sort of thing? It's usually a pretty standard "this is what we do, you get X days" thing, no?

I think that if they have a graduated program (e.g., you get 2 weeks the first year, 3 weeks the next) etc., you can sometimes say you want credit for coming in with experience.

You can definitely negotiate one time expenses like the moving package.

I don't remember how many colleges to which I applied. Four? Six? Got me.

I seem to remember this same advice in 1985. I applied to 3ish...don't really remember. I got in where I wanted and only lasted about 3 months. Ah well.

Ten years later, they doubled it. Two long-shots, two average, two safeties.

Congrats on the job offer, meara! Too bad it's not for here, though.

Congrats on the job offer, meara. If you're at the low end of the scale that means you've got room to move up when it comes to raises.

More money NOW, of course, is better.

Juliana, I kind of love your hair exactly as it is now. However the solution to helmet hair is not to grow it longer, but clearly to cut it shorter.

I applied to four schools and got into three.

I graduated in 88 and applied to 3 schools (U of So. Carolina, U of GA, and GA Southern). I got into USC and GA Southern.

I graduate in '93, applied to 6 colleges/universities, got in to all of them, and went to the small private Lutheran college that offered me a half-ride plus room and board. The other schools either didn't offer any ride or didn't have housing for me (it's okay, I would have been miserable in AZ). My only requirement when applying was 1) good liberal-arts education and b) kick-ass theater program.

Still would have like to go to Occidental, but eh. Money trumped.

In '84-'85, I applied early to 1, got in, and my inherent laziness kicked in.

But I think the standard was that you applied where you really wanted to go early, and then had a few back-ups just in case. It couldn't have been too many because acceptances were announced at lunch in front of the whole school.