<p>peindre- It sounds like you might like Whitman in Washington State.</p>
<p>Yeah, I've looked into Whitman but I just don't think I could deal with the location. Same with Bowdoin & Midd, two schools that I really used to love a few years back. I really, REALLY don't want to be in an isolated, tiny rural utopia where everyone knows each other's business and there's really no place to escape; the main reason why I didn't rule out Reed & Swat because of their size is that you can easily get to major urban areas without a car within a reasonable amount of time.</p>
<p>Screen name: Mathmom</p>
<p>Is your Junior male or female: Male</p>
<p>Home state: New York</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: I've got a bias for the coasts, but we're open to anything. He says it doesn't matter he'll be behind a computer screen the whole time.</p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): Computer science. As high powered as possible - he really flourishes when stimulated and he's rarely been challenged in high school.</p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests:Computer science. (Has been since he was six or seven.)</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities:MIT, Caltech, Stanford, UCBerkley, Carnegie Mellon, UCSD, RPI, WPI, Case Western. </p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): We did a CA jaunt in April. Saw Caltech (loved it, but he thinks he might miss winter - this from a kid who never goes out in the snow, though he does like to ski about once a year), Stanford and UCBerkeley</p>
<p>Senior Year Courseload (tentative): AP English 12 (maybe - he'd rather just do honors English), AP Chemistry, Differential Equations (a post BC Calc course), AP Economics, AP Latin, Honors Astrophysics. (I've told him if he could find a post AP Computer course I'd let him out of AP English. Anyone know of good online courses?)</p>
<p>Study Plans for SAT/ACT: PSAT in line for NMSF. Should be getting SAT scores this week. He sort of took a school discounted Kaplan course - we were very disappointed - especially with the way they didn't address the writing section. I forgot to sign him up for SAT2s last June - but he does have a 790 in Math1C. He'll be doing USHistory, Math2C and Physics this June.</p>
<p>EC's of Note:
-Academic team. (It doesn't win much, he volunteered not to go to the nationals which you can qualify for by answering online questions.)
-Science Olympiad - he's won first and seconds at regional level and fourths and fifths at State Level.
-He's done some computer programming for various biologists at Einstein Colllege of Medicine and has earned money doing freelance programming for a firm in Boston. (Mostly dealing with databases for websites.) He's also programming for online game mods. (A very useful EC I'm sure! LOL) He's built his own computer, installed Linux - the usual computer geek stuff.
-he's read hundreds of sci-fi and fantasy books</p>
<p>Summer Plans: More freelance computer programming. I hope to line up some volunteer computer work at Senior Center. Maybe take drivers ed.</p>
<p>Screenname: Massmom</p>
<p>Junior is male.</p>
<p>Looking at blue states/states where there is good skiing. Might bend the blue state requirement if the skiing is really good.</p>
<p>Looking for a medium to large school (nothing the size of a large high school) with a variety of people, majors, things to do. Looking for college town experience. </p>
<p>Schools currently on list: UC Boulder, UVM, U Mass, Wisconsin</p>
<p>Have visited UC Boulder, UVM, U Mass. Combined the Boulder trip with a ski weekend in late Jan. Spent two days at Vail and one at Copper. Given the pathetic NE ski season this year, he was suitability impressed. His father is a UVM alum, arranged his class schedule one year to have Tues. and Thurs. off and bought a student mid week pass to Mad River Glen. Understands that the skiing is poor in Wisconsin, but has several camp buddies that attend and is attracted by the college town atmosphere.</p>
<p>Senior year schedule: AP European History, Pre-calc, Calc (4x4 block scheduling), English, Chem 2, Law, Conflicts in Modern Society. Most are honors courses, except for Law and Pre-calc</p>
<p>Took SATs in May, will take ACT in June. Took prep course, hope it helped, we'll see. </p>
<p>EC's: Works after school every day as a counselor at a Y after school program, Certified snowboard instructor, works every weekend between Dec. and March. Camp counselor (finally) at summer camp he has attended since he was seven. Won leadership award last year as a camper. Football and track freshman and sophomore year. Stopped as a junior to work. Much better fit for him. Loves football but isn't big or fast enough to compete in a very strong program. Loves kids. Favorite cousin/babysitter.</p>
<p>Summer plans: Leaves for camp right after his last final. Comes back with a few days off before training starts next year.</p>
<p>Looking at history/political science major. Actually is pretty unclear as to what he wants to do, but that is ok, he will figure it out.</p>
<p>UPDATE: Sorry, but I've gotta brag a bit, and since I can't do it around here, I will write it up on CC</p>
<p>My junior S got awarded the Principals Award which is the top award at our school and goes to the outstanding male student (a female wins one also) for academic merit, leadership and character. Woo hoo! It was a complete shock to us, and we are so proud...</p>
<p>I have to admit, one of my first thoughts was that it will look great on a resume. Another thought is that thankfully he will not be just considered a number when it comes time for the counselor to write the recommendation (there are around 500 kids in his class) and I was really worried about that.</p>
<p>ag54,</p>
<p>Congrats to your son! Any leg up in this competitive environment is great. Plus, it's nice to have the acknowledgement!</p>
<p>Screen name: Ohio_Mary (now THAT'S creative). I've read thousands of posts on these boards and should be fired for my lack of productivity at work since discovering this website! Help me!</p>
<p>Is your Junior male or female: Female</p>
<p>Home state: Ohio, naturally</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: Both D and parents highly desire a college within a 4-hour radius of home. She can go wherever she wants for grad school though!</p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): Large or medium. Have checked out the small LACs and wasn't impressed.</p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests: Neuroscience, possibly to go into pediatric neuropsychology or psychiatry. Has younger brother with disability in this area which has prompted her interest. But, may change mind entirely after summer internship! Who knows?</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: OU (Honors Tutorial College), Miami U of Ohio, U of Pittsburgh (mom's alma mater), Ohio Wesleyan, Baldwin-Wallace. Maybe Bowling Green. Maybe more? </p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): All of the above except Bowling Green. </p>
<p>Senior Year Courseload (tentative): Taking all her senior-year classes at local college: Psych, Bio, Chemistry, Music, Creative Writing. Ohio has program where state pays tuition & books for kids to go to college while in HS. She's tired of the HS rut plus has enough credits to graduate HS now. Took one AP class in junior year -- Calc A/B.</p>
<p>Study Plans for SAT/ACT: ACT score 33. Done! Took a prep course and was glad for the practice it gave her.</p>
<p>EC's of Note:
- Musical theatre since age 10; about 20 shows so far with various roles, from chorus to lead. Biggee: Had lead role in recent statewide high school play. Extra in several independent films.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Art awards for last 3 years -- clay, pen and ink, colored pencils, acrylics. One of her paintings was on cover of brochure for art show last year. Notable mainly because of her strong science interest, shows well-roundedness.</p></li>
<li><p>Missionary work - 3 trips to Mexico since age 12 on medical/dental missions. Last 2 were self-funded through her own fundraising efforts. She got to assist with minor surgeries and took vital signs for people in villages. Fluent in Spanish. Very active with faith-based activities. Planning a summer 2007 trip to Peru for mission work of some kind.</p></li>
<li><p>Teen Institute (state-funded anti-smoking, drinking, drugs) group. President last 2 years. Many fundraisers and leadership conferences for this.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Summer Plans: Internship at major hospital in neuroscience department.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your son ag54! It's always great to see hard work acknowledged. I have the same worry about my daughter's counselor recommendation with a class of about 350. It was compounded yesterday when she found out that her counselor of 3 years is leaving and there will be a new person to write senior recommendations next year. Oh well, nobody ever said it was going to be easy. We'll hope for a good person and be sure to supply them with lots of supplimental information.</p>
<p>entomom, good luck with the counselor thing. There have been plenty of other threads with worries about counselor recommendations, so I know it is a common worry. To me, it just seems so silly to expect a counselor to REALLY know ALL of the students when it is a large graduating class. Your situation is totally exacerbated with the old counselor leaving. That leaves your poor daughter having to get to know the new counselor in the few weeks of school next fall before she starts applying to colleges. Yikes!!</p>
<p>And, thanks for the congratulations. It is really nice for him to be acknowledged. (and it doesn't hurt the resume either)</p>
<p>i'm a student too.</p>
<p>Screen name: crziecow804</p>
<p>Is your Junior male or female:female</p>
<p>Home state: California</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: just not south. </p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): urban</p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests: um. not sure yet.</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: uc's( irvine, cal, la, sd, r), uchicago, northwestern, williams, stanford</p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): harvard, yale, princeton, wellesley</p>
<p>Senior Year Courseload (tentative): AP gov/econ, AP lit, AP physics B or AP Chem, advanced journalism, ap stats, ap calc bc</p>
<p>Study Plans for SAT/ACT: i'm hoping my june scores will be good enough </p>
<p>EC's of Note: jv tennis, v. track, editor of school newspaper, flute and piano (passed advanced and won awards), freshman, soph, junior advisory boards,
etc etc</p>
<p>Summer Plans: college apps, summer school, relax.</p>
<p>Entomom, My oldest was in this situation with a brand new guidance counselor his senior year, and he was applying early to one college. He scheduled a meeting with his new counselor at the beginning of the year, took a detailed resume and some college essays he had done in AP English junior year. They talked for about an hour and he went by a few more times when he had something new to discuss. </p>
<p>Because his counselor was not only new to his school but new to counseling, he also took some examples of GC letters he found online. This might offend an experienced counselor, but his appreciated it. I think he told her he had some examples with him and she could have them if she would like to start a file that all the counselors could use.</p>
<p>Mathmom, your son sounds like my oldest. I don't know of any online classes, but he might be interested in MIT's OpenCourseWare, "a free and open educational resource for faculty, students, and self-learners around the world. OCW supports MIT's mission to advance knowledge and education, and serve the world in the 21st century. It is true to MIT's values of excellence, innovation, and leadership."</p>
<pre><code>* Is a publication of MIT course materials
* Does not require any registration
* Is not a degree-granting or certificate-granting activity
* Does not provide access to MIT faculty
</code></pre>
<p><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://ocw.mit.edu/index.html</a></p>
<p>Mathmom
You could be describing my S. My S took 1 semester of English 4 on-line, and a term of English at Caltech. That fulfilled HS graduation requirements. That course was free for FL residents, and I don't know how much it costs for out-of-state folks. Stanford also offers courses with credits. We didn't pursue other options.
Caltech cares less about scores in Eng than they do in math/sciences. Everything about your S's profile looks just right.
For the record, kids drive into the mountains to ski. It's not far. Orientation usually takes place in a ski resort (of course, that's in Sept)</p>
<p>Screen name: Mombot</p>
<p>Is your Junior male or female: Female</p>
<p>Home state: WA</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: North of the sun belt except maybe San Diego</p>
<p>Specific preferences: Was interested in large schools but now open to smaller LAC type schools. Definitely outside the Pacific NW</p>
<p>Academic interests: Math, languages, history, economics</p>
<p>Schools on child's list of possibilities: Notre Dame, U of Chicago, Carleton, Macalester, Northwestern, U. of Wash, Middlebury..to be honest she is looking for ideas in the match/good bet category as her list is top heavy.</p>
<p>Schools visited: U Wash, Lewis and Clark, Reed, Penn, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Harvard</p>
<p>Senior year courseload (tentative): AP English, Calc BC, AP psych, Honors chem, newspaper, senior world history (required).</p>
<p>Study plans for SAT: You must be joking right? Showed up once and did fine, but steadfastly refuses to indulge in obsessiveness about standardized tests.</p>
<p>ECs: editor in chief of the newspaper next year, cross country captain, teen court (city allows teens charged with minor traffic infractions to go to teen court instead of traffic court), NHS, track and field, math tutoring, peer advocate/mediator, link crew</p>
<p>Summer plans: goof off, maybe work part time or do volunteer work if she can't find a paid job, take an art class (won't fit in her regular schedule and she needs fine arts to graduate, and apparently 10 years of piano doesn't count)</p>
<p>"
Mathmom, your son sounds like my oldest. I don't know of any online classes, but he might be interested in MIT's OpenCourseWare"</p>
<p>I've pointed this out to him and suggested that he could go through course materials as an independent study with the high school teacher as a theoretical mentor. I think he thinks tough that she wouldn't be able to help him if he got stuck. He probably knows more about programming than she does. :-/</p>
<p>Screen name: 2mch2sn
Is your Junior male or female: male</p>
<p>Home state: MD
Preferred geographic location for college: NE, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-west</p>
<p>Specific preferences: LAC or State U honors programs</p>
<p>Academic interests: Liberal arts or social science--possibly English, Political science, international relations, economics, psychology, history. </p>
<p>Schools on child's list of possibilities: Colgate, Skidmore, St. Mary's of Maryland, U Delaware, Haverford, Goucher, Dickinson</p>
<p>Schools visited: All of above plus Union and several with his school including Georgetown, Catholic, Washington College</p>
<p>Senior year courseload: AP English, AP Calc BC, AP Spanish language, AP Euro, Integrative seminar (humanities capstone), electives (probably film and creative writing).</p>
<p>Study plans for SAT: Did well on PSAT but not enough for NMSF in MD, will probably be commended. SAT I January scores were good, planning to retake in Oct. SAT II--received Math IIC score this week and was disappointed, taking US History and Spanish June 3. Will probably assess SAT IIs again after scores are received.</p>
<p>ECs: ice hockey, track; theatre and theatre critic; community service; writing; did Princeton Model Congress (loved it); NHS</p>
<p>Summer plans: Will spend half on SCA volunteer crew; half attending theatre program.</p>
<p>Screen Name: Erin's Mom (well, I am!)
Is your Junior Male or Female: Female, and her brother is a sophomore</p>
<p>Home State: CA
Preferred geographic location for college: Mid-Atlantic, MidWest. NOT California, surprise, surprise.</p>
<p>Specific preferences: LAC, small schools</p>
<p>Academic interests: Archaeology, Chemistry, Classics...wants to major in Archaeology.</p>
<p>Schools on list of possibilities: Wash U, Bryn Mawr, Oberlin, Dickinson, College of Wooster (she's primarily looking at schools which offer undergrad Archaeology major.</p>
<p>Schools visited: Bryn Mawr, Dickinson. She absolutely fell in love with Bryn Mawr. We plan to visit Oberlin and Woo this summer.</p>
<p>Senior year courseload: AP Lit, AP Calc, AP Gov, Psychology/Soc, plus TA-ing for her Chem teacher</p>
<p>Study plans for SAT: Collegeboard had one for $69.95 which was cheaper than the group one our HS offered and let her concentrate on her weaknesses. Her SAT I was 2060, which I thought was pretty decent, but compared to some of what I've seen on here, not so great! SAT II's she's taking tomorrow.</p>
<p>ECs: Relay for Life, Project Helping Hand, founded and/or officer for several school clubs, student rep for the school district, published in HS poetry journal and local newspaper</p>
<p>Summer plans: trying to get her an "internship" with one of my clients (either the Landscape Architects or the Art Installers); basically she needs some work experience so she knows what the rest of us working stiffs go thru. Also might take Latin online.</p>
<p>Update :)
Male, Texan son.
Child's possible academic interests: cut and dried subjects like math, physics, chemistry or engineering ???? Does not like to write papers!</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: UT Austin, Trinity U (San Antonio), Rice (reach), Tx A&M, UofMiami, USC, UGA? Needs to be financially affordable.</p>
<p>SAT/ACT: Commended on PSAT. (Fingers crossed, hoping NMF cutoff will go down two points from last year - not likely!) Took SAT l once: CR 690 / Math 800 / W 730 = 2220. Will retake to try to raise CR above 700 - hoping for a magic 1500+ to help with merit aid possibilities. UPDATE: Just got back SAT II scores: Math2C - 780, Chem -800. He's done with these!</p>
<p>EC's: Poker, videogame, Spanish club (who-hoo. That took a lot of convincing on my part!) recreational Tennis. typical laidback boy...UPDATED: Courtesy Clerk at grocery store, and will teach tennis to low-income kids. Yeah!!!</p>
<p>I'll update as well. </p>
<p>Male from Delaware</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: Generally Virginia and the Carolinas. Delaware for in-state tuition. Possibly Maryland. </p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): Rural or suburban. Maybe urban, so long as it's not a huge city. The "right" size seems to be around 4-5000 undergrads, but that's a surprisingly difficult size to find -- most schools on his list are somewhat smaller LACs (with a few much larger universities). Greek okay, but shouldn't be overwhelming (i.e. less than 60%). Football team is a plus. </p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests: Economics right now. </p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: Elon (first choice), Bridgewater, Winthrop, The Citadel, Lynchburg, McDaniel, Roanoke, UNC-Asheville, App Sate, UDel. </p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): Mary Washington, James Madison, VMI, Muhlenberg, Randolph-Macon, Elon, Furman, Winthrop and Presbyterian. Maybe a few more in the Summer, along with a return trip to Elon. </p>
<p>Senior Year Courseload (tentative): English 12, AP Chemistry, Calculus, AP European History, AP Human Geography, First Aid/CPR, Computer Programming with Business Applications. </p>
<p>SAT/ACT: Just wasn't his day on the SAT. Looks like he's one of those who do a good bit better on the ACT (28). While I would like him to take a run at the ACT again to see about maybe hitting 30, it will probably take an act of God to convince him to take either SAT or ACT again. :) </p>
<p>EC's of Note: Volunteer firefighter/rescue squad takes up a lot of time. Has a lot of regular training, as well as weekend training at the State Fire School. He hopes to continue in college. Some of the college locations don't have volunteer fire, but most have some form of volunteer rescue/ems service. By the time he graduates HS he will have earned his EMT-B certification. </p>
<p>Summer Plans: Work, continued volunteer work.</p>
<p>Since lderochi is updating, I'll do the same. S has had a few changes since the original post. </p>
<p>Male from Florida
National Hispanic Scholar</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: South, especially Virginia and North Carolina. So far he's dead set against Florida (the affordable alternative, naturally) but I'm trying to get him to consider a couple of in-state schools. </p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): He's flexible on urban/rural/suburban. I think rural would be his last choice but he wouldn't rule it out for the right fit., so long as it's not a huge city. He doesn't want a big school, which is why he won't consider UF. Greatly prefers a LAC. He'd like his college to be under 5 or 6,000 undergrads because he wants small classes and faculty interaction. Doesn't care about sports or fraternities. Not "preppy", "quirky", "nerdy" or "crunchy" -- just average. </p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests: Business, with a philosophy minor. VERY subject to change. </p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: U of Richmond, Denison, Davidson, Wake Forest, Elon, Rice (not much chance with his stats but he loved the school when he visited), UVA (probably too large), maybe Rollins or Stetson if he'll consider in state, Emory and Rhodes are other possibilities. Wish he would consider some of the CTCL schools but he's feeling overwhelmed with college admissions stuff right now and wants to think about other things for a while. Can't say I blame him.</p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): UF, Rice, American, Mary Washington, Washington & Lee, UVA, Davidson, Elon, Wake Forest, William and Mary, U of Richmond.</p>
<p>Senior Year Courseload : AP English Lit, AP Biology, Honors PreCalculus, Honors Spanish 4, Honors Logic, Honors International Relations, Honors Theology (required), AP Government/AP Economics </p>
<p>SAT/ACT: 1330/2000 SAT, 29 ACT. Retaking both in the fall. SAT IIs 630/610, waiting for 1 more score. Disappointing SAT II results mean that he will concentrate on ACT prep this summer and hope for at least a 31 so he won't have to submit SAT scores at all. </p>
<p>EC's : Started a reading mentoring organization at his school that partners with 3rd graders in neighboring elementary school who need to improve their FCAT scores. Has participated in forensics and swim team but dropped those to get the mentoring thing going. He may rejoin the swim team next year. Also works part-time about 15 hours per week as a cashier at the supermarket.</p>
<p>Summer Plans: He'll work about 30 hours a week. Going to Boys State in Tallahassee for a week, will do some swimming to get back into shape for the team and, of course, ACT prep! That is, if I can figure out how to disable the Playstation...</p>