<p>Kricket,
also look at Bowdoin - strong in neuroscience and they offer a 3-2 engineering program (don't remember the details).</p>
<p>Bowdoin is ... idyllic!</p>
<p>I'll throw my hat into the ring:</p>
<p>Screen name: OhioGolfer</p>
<p>Is your Junior male or female: Male</p>
<p>Home state: OH</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: Midwest or Mid Atlantic</p>
<p>Specific preferences: Mid-sized to semi-large (i.e. not a 30,000 student place, but not something smaller than his high school of 2,200), good opportunities for non-music majors to participate in marching band and other ensembles. Good breadth of offerings in sciences and humanities.</p>
<p>Academic interests: Astronomy, Physics, History, Engineering</p>
<p>Schools on child's list of possibilities: WUSTL, Case Western, Miami (OH), Lehigh, CMU</p>
<p>Shools visited: WUSTL three weeks ago. Miami (OH) and Case in June. Remainder in the fall.</p>
<p>Senior year courseload: APiterature, US Governmnt (can't take AP due to schedule conflicts, but will self-study for exam), Advanced Robotics/Astrophysics, Physics, Chemistry, Band. Will take AP Government, AP Lit and one more AP exam.</p>
<p>Study plans for SAT: Will not take SAT. Has severe standardized test phobia, which has gotten better, but is particurly bad in math/science. Took Princeton Review course for ACT, got 28 composite, 32 English, 31 Reading, 26 Science, 25 Math, 10 Writing, 31 English/Writing on April exam, and is retaking in June to bump up his Math & Science Scores.</p>
<p>ECs: Marching, Concert & Jazz Bands (has qualified for top concert band each year -- his HS is one of top 3 bands in the state), Eagle Scout (should receive in August/Sept), NHS, Boy's State, Various academic awards, music awards. Citizenship awards. Member of Band Council, Squad Leader. Led various charitable ministries for church. Organized various scout events. Traveled to 24 different countries. Many public speaking engagements. Selected to participate in Astrophysicis/Robotics courses, which are offered at only 9 schools in the country.</p>
<p>Summer plans: Boy's State, Finishing Eagle Project, River Cruise from Passau to Budapest, Organize Band Camp, Work with church groups.</p>
<p>Welcome aboard OhioGolfer. Those are some very good schools on the list. I'm just curious -- if your son's text anxiety is worst for math/science, why did he decide to focus on the ACT (which has a science section) rather than the SAT?</p>
<p>lol, whoa. </p>
<p>just telling you guys that you're all amazing for knowing so much about your kids! i doubt my parents even know what classes i'm taking this year, neveretheless next year, lol. "oh, you're taking the sat today? good luck!" our family is more individualistic, i guess... :P</p>
<p>Welcome to the Junior thread OhioGolfer, good to have you aboard. My D wants a mid-sized school too, from 5-10k would be ideal. However, she will likely apply to some of the larger state schools as well. Sounds like your son has an exciting summer to look forward to!</p>
<p>This summer my D will be attending Grinnell's Summer Honor Scholar's Program. It's a month long program that includes math and writing classes and science projects. After writing many essays for selective programs, she's happy to have an acceptance and be getting out of town for part of the summer. She'll likely spend the rest of the summer hanging out with her little sister and getting a start on admissions essays.</p>
<p>She took her two AP exams last week. She would have finished up her SAT subject tests on Saturday but we had a "Twilight Zone" moment -- both of us were certain that she was signed up for the test, but when she went to designate what schools to send the score reports, there was nothing. I checked my credit card records, and sure enough, nothing. I have plenty of Senior moments, but she's usually pretty on the ball with this stuff. So she'll finish up testing in June instead.</p>
<p>The list is shaping up, she hopes to visit WUSTL and Amherst this fall. It looks like she'll apply to somewhere between 6-10 schools depending on visits and early results. So far her list includes 2 rolling, 1 EA, 1 Interum and a couple of RD schools. </p>
<p>It's been a long and often stressful year. I'm very glad that this summer will be relatively easy going and unstructured. Hope everybody else is hanging in there too!</p>
<p>precocious -- amazing? Nah. Anal retentive, yes. :) </p>
<p>What I'm amazed with are the kids on this board who are able to do all of this stuff on their own! Some kids, on the other hand, need a bit of a push and some encouragement along the way.</p>
<p>Thank you for the invitation to this topic. I've participated everywhere else on the forum first.</p>
<p>Junior: Male</p>
<p>Interests: Science/premed or research, either bio, chem or biochem, some combination.</p>
<p>Area: Probably California, maybe Arizona, Oregon, Washington</p>
<p>Type of school: Midlevel, not a UC</p>
<p>He hasn't done much research yet. I've made an enormous list that he will have to cut down. If I can remember them all they are U of Arizona, Arizona State, Northern Arizona U, Whitman, Whitworth, U of Puget Sound, Santa Clara, U of the Pacific, St. Marys, San Diego State, USD, Cal State San Marcos, Cal State Channel Islands, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, Cal Poly SLO, Cal Poly Pomona, U of Redlands, Chapman University, Azusa Pacific, Biola, and California Lutheran and possibly some other Cal States</p>
<p>I would like to see him cut the list down to 8-12. How many schools do other juniors plan to apply to?</p>
<p>lol, Peggy I did play soccer for about 10 years but no singing;)</p>
<p>I realized tonight that I don't think I've filled out my preferences for college yet on this thread so decided tonight would be good. Any feedback on possible colleges to investigate would also be appreciated :)</p>
<p>Screen name: zpmqxonw</p>
<p>Is your Junior male or female: Female</p>
<p>Home state: WA</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: Boston!</p>
<p>Specific preferences: I'm pretty flexible but preferably small to medium sized (0-5000). Would like friendly atmosphere with lots of intramural sports and clubs. </p>
<p>Academic interests: Physics or Engineering</p>
<p>Schools on child's list of possibilities: OLIN:), Harvey Mudd, MIT, and UWashington</p>
<p>Schools visited: Just UWashington so far (instate) may be traveling out to Boston in early September before fall quarter starts.</p>
<p>Senior year courseload: This is very tentative so far because I've run out of math and science classes to take at my community college for winter and spring quarter. Looks like I'll be either commuting to the university each day or pursuing an engineering internship during these quarters (sort of like a gap semester). Anyway, fall quarter will hopefully include the following: Calc 3, Multivariable Calc, Chemistry 3, and Physics 3. Winter quarter if down at the university probably will consist of: Differential Equations, Thermodynamics, Elementary math-based physics, and an elective. Spring looks like: Linear Algebra, Modern Physics (!), Elementary-based physics 2, and another elective.</p>
<p>Study plans for SAT: Taking June SAT in about 2-3 weeks (eek!). Planning on studying a little from the blue book if time is available. Took SAT 2's in US History and Math 2 last month (May). Will take science SAT 2's (Chemistry and Physics) in September or October.</p>
<p>ECs: Taekwondo is my main EC. Been practicing for over 12 years, past captain of junior and senior state teams, trained at the Olympic Training Center, and generally just like to spend lots of time training. Don't compete as often now (currently injured) but working hard to make a comeback;) Also, try to volunteer at the elementary school when I can and am a member of National Honor Society. Attended NASA SHARP last summer :)</p>
<p>Summer plans: Probably some more classes, maybe an engineering camp, and maybe helping my dad out with his computer engineering business. Also planning to devote lots of time to essays and applications.</p>
<p>MrsP, with the advent of the Common App I think kids are applying to more colleges than they used to, so 8-12 wouldn't be all that unusual. But I still think that for most kids, more than 8 is unnecessary. Particularly if the list contains a lot of non-Common App schools. My son's list is at 7 schools, only 2 of which accept the common application.</p>
<p>Looks like my daughter will apply to 8-10 schools. She has 6 definites and will likely add a few more. Between a few very selective 'lottery' schools, a few with possible merit aid, any some safety and match schools, it adds up quickly. She has 4 possible non-common application schools, one private and the others state schools. The state school applications are not too bad. But even if they take the common app, many of the others require a lengthly supplement. I started making a spreadsheet of the essay topics so that she can get an idea of where there might be overlaps, but when it comes down to it, there's a lot of work involved. Luckily she will only be gone for a month this summer so she'll have quite a bit of time to work on essarys. After a month of writing, the number of schools she applies to may be reduced!</p>
<p>One more thing, in looking at the essays required by the different schools, it was interesting to see how much they varied. Of those with the common app, WUSTL didn't ask for any extra essays, Yale had one optional essay about anything, Rice & Princeton asked for the most additional information and were the most specific with their questions. Brown has its own application and it's pretty extensive. So, it's not just how many colleges they apply to, but which ones as well. I'm guessing that the Cal State colleges have some sort of common app like the UC's which would greatly reduce the time (but not the money) it takes to apply to multiple schools??</p>
<p>The Cal States have one application that the student uses to apply to all Cal States. There is a fee for each school you apply to, which limits the numbers unless you don't mind spending money for schools you know your child won't go to. If ones GPA is high enough, the student is likely to get into all the Cal States applied to.</p>
<p>Darn, I just accidently deleted this whole thing!!</p>
<p>One more time:</p>
<p>Screen Name: ag54</p>
<p>Junior son</p>
<p>Home state: Texas</p>
<p>Preferred location: Texas or Southeast</p>
<p>Specific Preferences: Depends on whether he decides to continue playing football (dad's hope), or hang up his cleats (mom's hope!!)</p>
<p>Academic Interest: Business (at this point)</p>
<p>School Possibilities: (if no more football) UTexas, Notre Dame; (if still playing) Trinity, Rhodes, Wash U, W&L (DIII schools)</p>
<p>Schools visited: UT, Notre Dame, Trinity, Rhodes</p>
<p>Senior Year Courseload: AP English IV, AP Calculus, AP Env. Sci, AP Govt., AP Econ, Executive Board (leadership planning period), Football, and Teacher's Aid (double blocked for freshman football period so he can torment his little brother)</p>
<p>Study plans for SAT/ACT: has taken both, liked the ACT better so is prepping and taking again in June, then NO MORE!! </p>
<p>EC's: Football (surprised?)- 3 year letterman, Captain, All District; La Crosse- 3 year letterman, tournament summer teams; 7 on 7 team- 3 years; Power Lifting- 3 year letterman; Student Council- 2 years, just elected Executive Board for senior year; NHS; little league football asst. coach; little league 7 on 7 coach; volunteer at Assisted Living Facility (great Bingo Caller!)</p>
<p>Summer Plans: 7 on 7 has already begun and will go til state champs in early July, Lacrosse tourni team will start up and travel north for tournaments, plus off season weight training for football, coaching a 7th grade 7 on 7 team, and working about 10 hours a week at the Assisted Living facility</p>
<p>Screen Name: sapphire07</p>
<p>Junior female</p>
<p>Home state: NJ</p>
<p>Preferred location: Mid-atlantic, Virginia</p>
<p>Specific Preferences: Small/medium, suburban maybe rural, not terribly cold</p>
<p>Academic Interest: Psychology... education... english... prelaw... </p>
<p>School Possibilities: W&L, Dartmouth, Bucknell, U Richmond, Colgate, Muhlenberg, Dickinson, Lafayette, Lehigh</p>
<p>Schools visited: Wesleyan (legacy), W&L, UVa, W&M, Bucknell, Susquehanna, Muhlenberg, Gettysburg, Dickinson</p>
<p>Senior Year Courseload: not exactly sure yet</p>
<p>EC's: Year round swimming 21+ hrs p/w 9 yrs, (4) yr varsity XC, (4) yr varsity swimming, 2 yrs JV softball, 1 yr varsity softball, (captain) varsity XC and varsity swimming</p>
<p>Summer Plans: volunteering, XC camp, etc</p>
<p>Screen name: RWT</p>
<p>Is your Junior male or female: I'm female.</p>
<p>Home state: CA</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: CA, but I can settle anywhere.</p>
<p>Specific preferences: Would prefer school to be in or near a suburbs or city with plenty of green. Good biology program a must, vocal groups a plus.</p>
<p>Academic interests: Biology (Science), creative writing, English</p>
<p>Schools on child's list of possibilities: Carnegie Mellon University, UCLA, Occidental College, Whitman College, UCI, UCD, UCSB, UCSD, U of SAn Francisco, UCR, Boston University</p>
<p>Schools visited: I will visit most of the eastern schools this summer.</p>
<p>Senior year courseload (tentative): AP Chem, AP Bio, AP Eng Lit, AP Civics, AP Econ, AP Japanese, Calc, Theatre 2</p>
<p>Study plans for SAT: Already took in April (got a 1840). Will retake in fall... Will study over summer.</p>
<p>ECs: Community service, vocal lessons, musical theatre, creative writing, club. </p>
<p>Summer plans: Work, volleyball, going to NYC to visit family/visit colleges on east coast, volunteer at hospital</p>
<p>UPDATE:
My male, math/science type son has finally got motivation and is off the couch! Got a job for the summer and started an additional job now, is taking driving lessons, signed up for community college online class, joined a project at school. Wow!</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: UT Austin, Trinity U (San Antonio), Rice (reach), Texas Tech, Texas A&M, (He doesn't necessarily like A&M or Tech, but they are financial possibilities.
Any suggestions for other possibilities??</p>
<p>His SAT 1 was 2220 - M800, CR690, W730. (Drat that 690 - would be better for merit aid if all scores were above 700...He does not want to take again, but he might in October) Took Chem and Math II in May and felt good -so hopefully those are over!</p>
<p>It's nice to see my boy growing up!</p>
<p>anxiousmom, tell him to take it again.;) That merit aid gets sweeter above 1500, if that is important. Usual suspects for your kiddo would be the small LAC's like Austin College, Southwestern, Hendrix, Rhodes, and Millsaps if he likes that type of school (my D preferred them). I would also look at Centenary, TCU, and University of Arkansas Honors. If he's willing to look further afield I have lots more merit suggestions. P.M. me.</p>
<p>Not a parent, but in the high school class of '07.</p>
<p>Screen name: peindre?</p>
<p>Is your Junior male or female: I'm female</p>
<p>Home state: CA</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college:
Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Canada, just say NO to Southern California and remote rural areas for the most part.</p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.):
Any size, hopefully at least 1500+. My hs has 1000 kids and as long as it's at least about twice that size and/or near an urban area with good public transportation or stuff within walking distance I'm pretty much good to go. Relaxed, intellectual but not extremely competitive among students or cutthroat because when you're past childhood (or at any time for that matter) that kind of behavior is really immature and silly, IMHO. Hopefully there'll be a fair share of dorky people so it won't just be another 4 years of everyone being cooler than me. Lots of clubs and all that kind of crap, hopefully some community service ones. And I want to go someplace where double majoring wouldn't be too big of a pain in the a**.</p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests:
Anything but math, science, or economics. Seriously, I kind of want to major in everything. I'll probably wind up having a double major with a minor in French, as I really don't want to forget my French but there's too many other things I also like.</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities:
Reed, Swat, Barnard, UCB, UCSC, UWash, Cornell (yeah I know it's rural but the student body is huge and I'm a sucker for trees and forests and green), Brown, U British Columbia, U Victoria, U Chicago, Wesleyan, Bryn Mawr.</p>
<p>Schools we've visited:
All of the Claremont Colleges except Harvey Mudd because I'm really not a math/science person (sister just graduated from Scripps so we went there once a year or so) and loved them for years until I recently realized that SoCal wasn't for me and the location sucked and now my parents are kind of ****ed :-D, parts of UCB, Sonoma State (20 minutes away, have done summer programs there, good little school, pretty campus for a CSU), UCSB (ugly, ugly campus), Occidental (pretty campus, dorms looked decent from the outside, weirdo location up a steep hill), UCSC, San Francisco State (UGLY), USF, parts of UWash. Lack of time & money = can't go to the Northeast and visit. </p>
<p>Senior Year Courseload (tentative):
Peer Support, AP French Lang, AP Eng Lit, AP Bio, Jazz Band, AP US Gov't, fill-in-the-blank for vocational ed credit to graduate</p>
<p>Study Plans for SAT/ACT:
Took SAT I for the 1st time in January, no studying because I feel that studying for standardized tests defeats the whole purpose of them. Actually, I think standardized tests are a bunch of bull*****, but I don't have much of a choice. Parents thought (probably correctly :-D) that I was just being stubborn and silly for my attitude but were pleased with the results: 800CR/600M/710W. Math is uh, shall we say, not my thing. Mom: "well, you probably would have done better on the math if you had studied" (good friend actually studied and got a 690). Dad: "I'm just glad you broke 600". Aren't dads the greatest? :-D Not retaking woohoo! Anyway, took SAT II US Hist & Lit a few weeks ago, will take French next month.</p>
<p>EC's of Note:
art on my own time, concert and jazz band (poor school = both bands the same period, only jazz band is on my sched), youth action council, peer support, various stuff with church youth group, Sierra Service project each summer since '04.</p>
<p>Summer Plans:
Going to France & Italy with French class for 2 weeks in late June, visit Reed, UW, UBC & UVic, do stupid summer assignments for Gov't & Eng Lit :-(, hopefully SSP again.</p>
<p>Although I think your SATs are fine, I wonder if you might be a philosophical match for some of the schools which aren't big on standardized tests either: <a href="http://www.fairtest.org%5B/url%5D">http://www.fairtest.org</a></p>
<p>In particular, I wonder about Bates, and Bowdoin. Also Welleslely might work for you. Wonderful access to Boston and all the surrounding colleges/Unis. Middlebury sounds like you also, but it is a "village" location, which might be rural in your book.</p>
<p>Screen name: Btysmom</p>
<p>Is your Junior male or female: Male</p>
<p>Home state: Florida</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: Florida</p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): He does not care. We (his parents) feel that a small or mid sized school in a small or mid sized city would be best for him.</p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests: Film production, game development, business</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: Full Sail, UCF, FSU, UMiami, USC, NYU.</p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): Full Sail</p>
<p>Senior Year Courseload (tentative): Physics, Statistics, English, Amer. Govt., Psychology, Applied Economics</p>
<p>Study Plans for SAT/ACT: He will be taking it for the first time in June. He has only done a little study using Grammatix materials and the Blue Book. </p>
<p>EC's of Note: Beta Club He managed a group developing a video game and was a web executive for an internet media network. He also produced an internet radio program. Most of his extra curricular work has been related to new media.</p>
<p>Summer Plans: perhaps visit more schools</p>