What do you mean by a celebration OP? If by celebration you mean an invite all the neighbors and families in her class to a big blowout party, the. No. That’s really tone deaf. But if you mean cook your kids favorite meal or go to your kids favorite restaurant for a “congrats all your hard work paid off” meal— sure. Have fun. Just don’t post about on social media. Because tone deaf.

And btw, my answer would be be the same if your kid got in to a non-Elite school, or RD, or was going to a community college. To me it is less about celebrating an Ivy, and more about recognizing all the work that went into wherever they end up— and the college admissions game being over.

Some of these are such crappy responses! OP, ignore the negativity. I’d celebrate by going out to dinner and maybe opening a bottle of champagne at home and letting DC have a few sips. I’d make sure it was clear we were celebrating the good luck as well as long road and hard work. And a PP made the point about fearing to disappoint if they aren’t happy at that college; I’d make sure to have conversations about that during the spring and summer. But for now, no gift but a family celebration. It’s a milestone and worth celebrating.

Anonymous wrote:When DD got into Berkeley, which was where she wanted to go, we got a cake that said, "It's Berkeley, bitch!"

DD got the love plate at dinner that night, my ex came to dinner, and then we whipped out the cake. DD's younger sisters screamed congratulations and threw confetti on DD. It was something that really only cost $30 or whatever, but totally marked the occasion and made DD feel loved and recognized.

Haha PP this is awesome!! You sound like such a fun, close, down to earth and loving family - having parents who aren't overly stuffy and know how to have fun / laugh is a true blessing. I think your family is going to stay close even as everyone grows up and moves out, and your kids will WANT to spend time with you. From someone who has similar (and amazing) parents, keep up the good work! My adult siblings and I loove coming home - it's a warm, comfortable and happy place. Family inside jokes are the best

Anonymous wrote:When DD got into Berkeley, which was where she wanted to go, we got a cake that said, "It's Berkeley, bitch!"

DD got the love plate at dinner that night, my ex came to dinner, and then we whipped out the cake. DD's younger sisters screamed congratulations and threw confetti on DD. It was something that really only cost $30 or whatever, but totally marked the occasion and made DD feel loved and recognized.

Yuck.

Well, it's customary to give a $25 savings bond but do what feels right for you.

Why does only an "elite" school warrant celebration? Plenty of kids get in ED/EA to their first choice schools - many of them state schools or LACs. If my son gets into his first choice school early, I'll do cartwheels around the house and maybe we'll go out to dinner. But beyond that, no big celebration.

Anonymous wrote:Celebrate as a family. Don't open it up outside the immediate family because so much of getting into a school is luck, and being financially able to commit to a school irrespective of aid, and thus able to apply early, is a huge blessing that a lot of people don't have (and makes it easier for your child to get into said school). Having a celebration outside of your family is too boastful.

Lots of my kids' friends already committed to top schools because of sports. Nobody is celebrating. My kids say that nobody celebrates getting into college, some people celebrate graduation with the college theme

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if an Ivy, a new Jeep would be a proper gift.

No need to wait til college. My kids' high school student parking lot is littered with these.

They are fun cars but you need to wait till the new version of the 2018 is being released as it has better safety features. It is coming out on the 29th. We plan to get one soon and pass it to our child.

Celebrate as a family. Don't open it up outside the immediate family because so much of getting into a school is luck, and being financially able to commit to a school irrespective of aid, and thus able to apply early, is a huge blessing that a lot of people don't have (and makes it easier for your child to get into said school). Having a celebration outside of your family is too boastful.

If your kid is lucky enough to be admitted early, you're going to send dc off to celebrate with friends who didn't get in early and are feeling demoralized and worried?

It's insensitive and overkill. Getting in early IS the prize. That IS the reward, assuming you don't have to worry about paying for it. Kid can enjoy and relax.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New car and summer backpacking in Europe

+ last minute winter break ski trip with friends or is that overkill?

It's overkill and out of reach for MANY families. Is it overkill for yours? Only you can answer that.