<p>Agreed, PV. We need to help our kids focus on their own talents and what will bring them happiness in life, including developing friendships, love of learning, helping others etc, vs. propagating the myth that an Ivy education is the ticket to happiness. Maybe focus on the Bill Gateses who drop out of Ivies to pursue their passions, or Oprah and other people making a difference in the world who never attended HYP.</p>
<p>It would be interesting to know how many “Ivy+MS or bust” parents are actually Ivy+MS grads. </p>
<p>I know we live in a different era now (meaning I’d doubt I’d get into my non-HYP Ivy in the current admission climate), but I think more than a few of us place zero premium on our kids going to our alma mater or its ilk.</p>
<p>As more and more mom-and-pop colleges start to charge $50,000 a year, I may have to just hold my nose and bite the “Ivy+MS” bullet.</p>
<p>Looks like a 4 average would be low for Andover, but what is the low end of brilliance? You also have to consider grade progression. Are child’s grades going up or down? I had a horrible prep year at Exeter coming from a public middle school where I literally had to do know work. I did not turn my grades around until winter term of my lower year. I never had stellar grades by anyone’s estimation, but I was admitted to NYU where I had a 3.5 GPA after my Freshman year allowing my to transfer to Berkeley. </p>
<p>It sounds like your child is in a much better position than I was, and if their grades continue trending upward then the school of their dreams is still well within reach. </p>
<p>As an aside do not focus on Ivies. Let your child explore who they are and choose a school which best fits them. I wish I had gone to St. John’s College instead of Berkeley but St. John’s was not even on my radar screen.</p>
<p>Glad to report my kiddo drastically brought grades up. Ivy leagues are NOT the focus, but excellent grades are and the push brought out the best this term. Summer program: swimming in the pool, leisure art classes, and SAT prep. What, you didn’t think it would be all fun and games did you. Thank you for your input, all of you. We actually put some of it to use. Now to prepare for next year.</p>
<p>How “drastic” was the improvement, satellitemom? Trying here to get a sense how much improvement is possible in one term. Congrats btw. That’s great.</p>
<p>Satellitemom, that’s wonderful! I’m so glad, and I bet it made him very proud.</p>
<p>Picked up two 5’s, and was a borderline 4/5 in one class. Discussing issues with teachers, going to the mathlab, and downright putting more effort made the difference. Time management was more straightforward and it really worked.</p>
<p>Congrats, @satellitemom. First year is always a tough transition while student learn the rules and the pacing. Even those from strong schools find BS grades tougher because they try not to be suspected of “grade” inflation. </p>
<p>Glad he found his “groove.” You can rest a little easier with that one less thing to think about!</p>