<p>So, my student has just started (Florida starts early) his sophomore yr in HS. He is in a highly competitive public high school. Just figure the most competitive for the state. He has a A to A- average (not A+. all in A range and no Bs-in a school that does not weigh for honors-and all his courses are honors-some accelerated and one AP so far) but has gotten straight As in all sciences and math . He is ahead in math so that he has had a much harder curriculum than his peers-the only one in the school his year to be this far ahead. For instance, he got an A in AP calc AB (Freshman year) which is usually taken in 11th or 12th-and a 5 on the AP Calc AB test his freshman year-with Algebra in 6th, geo and trig in 7th, Alg2 in 8th and Calc in 9th--all As (not A+). A drummer/percussion/snare-he has done the highest level (level 6) and gotten 97-99s (A+) for 7th, 8th and 9th. He will take honors chem and physics next year along with honors 10th grade English and SS and Honors Spanish 3.He is nationally ranked in tennis and competes in chess. Has done math league and their Science Olympiad team placed among the top 25 nationally two years in a row. Has played first chair in music for All County and All State. Took a trial SAT at a prep center and got a 710 math and low 600s in others wiithout any prep. figure it will raise if he preps. Hadn't reviewed geometry and algebra for a couple of years. So, what do you think he should do to prepare for applying. What should he apply to?</p>
<p>“figure it will raise if he preps.”</p>
<p>you better hope so.</p>
<p>Well first off I find this post to be most likely false or incredibly exaggerated… Anyway, if in fact this “kid” is real, I suppose s/he would stand a good chance at the “selective places” as you say…</p>
<p>However this post really lacks any validity imo…</p>
<p>He’s barely halfway done with high school lol what kind of chances were you hoping to get?</p>
<p>yeah, I figure it will. The scores are from a prep program that gives pre-tests and feedback to lock you into an expensive prep program. His major experience so far is a 5 in AP calculus AB test and As in Calc. Math is obviously a strength but got A+ in Honors 9th grade English. He needs a few months of prep for the tests. His scores qualify him for CTYs programs so I figure that there is probably a developmental trajectory that suggests a rise in scores from his, that were based on skills acquired in 9th and what he will get as a junior or senior. Figure he will end up with close to an 800 in math if he reviews math he got As in years ago, and if he reviews the strategies for the verbals-like not to guess unless he can eliminate…blah blah. I figure he will end up with at least 780 math, 700 V and 700–maybe higher. So, if we presume that he can raise his scores in the next 2 years, and he continues in college level math getting As, what do you think?</p>
<p>That’s alot to assume… if you read the thread on improving chance me threads, one of the tips is not to make one until you’re a rising senior at least… maybe junior… noone can predict what will happen to a 14/15 year old in terms of college…</p>
<p>Wow you guys are quick. You are right, he is only one year through with high. It is a genuine. post and I am listin things far less amazing than most who post here.He is very strong in math. His other classes are honors but not years accelerated. I am not saying he is amazing or walks on water or is a genus, Why would you guestion the veracity of this post? I am not saying he gets all A+s and has 800s. No. He is very very strong in math. He is musical and athletic. He is not very studious. He is not someone who studies like crazy to make sure he gets 100s. He is social, fun and involved but he won’t get 800s for that same reason. He does a limited number of ECs and does well with them. He trains in his sport but that takes a lot of time. He competes in USTA tournaments but does not do varsity. He has to make choices about the few ECs he is involved with since they each take a ton of time. He would like a strong engineering school and I hope he can get some financial support. When I read what is posted by others, I am amazed so I am not sure why anyone would question how authentic I am being. I know not many kids take the math exam so early but that is his strength-he loves all of that stuff-science and math and it is easy for him. Humanities…another story.</p>
<p>I guess a better question is what sort of things he should do to be competitive for competitive schools.</p>
<p>there isnt much we can tell u. as long as he continues on this path he should be fine. Come back in a year or two and we can tell u the chances of him getting into some good engineering schools. here use this thread.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/769210-complete-usnews-2010-undergrad-engineering-rankings-phd-granting-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/769210-complete-usnews-2010-undergrad-engineering-rankings-phd-granting-schools.html</a></p>
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<p>find some activity that he genuinely loves and, most importantly, enjoy high school :)!</p>
<p>As someone said before, his only advantage in grades so far is his extremely accelerated math. Assuming he continues with this, especially with an interest in engineering, this can only help him.</p>
<p>But I have to ask - why don’t you let your child have a chance to decide and investigate these things for himself? He is obvious motivated enough to become successful in school and in various sports and other extracurriculars. He is only a sophomore and is most likely more focused on being successful in school and having a fun and rewarding high school experience. Needless to say, he is on the right track to get into a very good school. Why worry so early?</p>
<p>Good points. Many seniors are just thinking about these things. It would be a lot better if they considered some of these things earlier though. But not too early, right? He is probably exploring this too and luckily my exploring does not preclude his-so you are totally correct He is totally enthused by all his activities and classes but needs to decide which to pursue and because he loves them all equally, it is not obvious if he should focus on science, music or sports. He does each at a very high level requiring tons of time. This year each will require even more time and it would not be ideal for him to continue trying to balance everything as there are only so many hours in a day. He has already given up competitive swimming and downplayed chess. If you have any experience with Science Olympiad let me know what you think of it. As I said, they win Regionals, States and are usually among the top Nationally. Do colleges value that over dabbling in lots of ECs?</p>
<p>If he is this bright, no way do you need to be spending money on a prep course. You add his practice test scores together, and he would not break 200 on the PSAT. He needs to be shooting for 220 by fall of jr yr. Probably ought to be taking SAT Math 2 soon, while the stuff on the test is still fresh.</p>
<p>But it is way too early to chance.</p>
<p>Colleges do like to see that you are passionate and very successful at something. For example, I am a competitive rock climber ranked second in the nation - naturally, that takes up almost all of my time so I have little time for other extracurriculars. For college, you either need to do absolutely everything and be EXTREMELY well rounded, or have a unique, interesting passion that you are successful at. I would say, if your child enjoys Science Olympiad…let him take it to the fullest extent. It would certainly only help his college resume.</p>
<p>Science Olympiad would probably help his resume, especially if he enjoys it and the team is really good. Also, it would help his resume if he did some volunteer work. I don’t see why he took calc last year. What math classes will he take for the rest of his high school career?</p>