<p>After many months away, I have returned from the depths of work...family and my bs daughter.</p>
<p>To all those that I have missed hi again. To the new parents and students on the site...welcome.</p>
<p>My d is a senior at Deerfield. She entered as a new sophomore in the fall of 2010. Her bs experience has been incredible. As I make this post she is waking up in Thailand after spending 30 days in China with her class from DA. </p>
<p>I am preparing to make my 6th trip to DA since last September, to do college tours and interviews.</p>
<p>Parents and students please feel free to post to this or e-mail with any concerns and/or questions. As I said when we began at DA, it exceeded our wildest dreams. BS is not the right thing for all kids or families. But for those who choose this path, and commit fully, will reap the rewards of a fantastic education and experience.</p>
<p>I clearly remember this site being my lifeline during those tough times; application processes to acceptance, to decision to dropping off.</p>
<p>I am happy to be back and to be of service in any way I can.</p>
<p>Wow, scary, a senior? Yep, guess that’s right. Time really does fly.
Alex’s mom, please give us your insights re the college app process. We are one year behind you and can benefit by your wisdom and sage advice. RB</p>
<p>We’re in the same boat. Getting ready for college visits after D’s year abroad. Looking forward to our last year at Taft and mourning that it’s coming to a close at the same time. It’s gone very fast for sure! Glad you returned to the forum. Seeing your post made my day!</p>
<p>Start yesterday…lol…sorry to say but start talking to your child now!!!</p>
<p>I love the advice the head of our college advisory group…this really needs to be your child’s journey. Most parents need to just advise not drive this process. Very few parents will need to “step-up” their involvement. As difficult as it has been for me, I have taken the back seat and just been the driver, when needed.</p>
<p>My d decided she wants to have all her visits and interviews completed before Labor Day. This would have really tough if we hadnt started LAST year. My d has spent this summer in China (one month, leaving the day after SAT II) and is currently in Thailand (until July 30th). But we have been working on it. One interview before she left, a week of tours and interviews upon her return and then 3 the 2 days before Labor Day weekend. Many schools want the student to call and be proactive about interview dates, but I just explain that I am calling on her behave, due to her summer community service. I have called, never e-mail! I get their name and send a thank you note, snail mail of course. The people I have contacted seen to be very nice and understanding to our situation, and very helpful. </p>
<p>She informed me she will select one “early action” school to apply to in November, then about 12-14 during the regular application time. </p>
<p>DA recommended that the students NOT write their essays until they return in the fall. Look at the questions and begin thinking, but no not write them. The idea is that they will be very reflective over the summer as they mature and face their senior year at bs. </p>
<p>Also, we were advised to take all interviews, even if they are not required or have any weight to the application (some schools openly state that the interview will not influence the application, or lack their of). BS students tend to interview very well, due to the education system they are involved in (ex-Harkenss Method of education).</p>
<p>One last thing…keep in mind that schools keep records when you visit, tour, attend information sessions. D interviewed with a school in June that she had toured and taken an information session in June 2011. The interviewer brought this up when she introduced herself. She seemed impressed that after seeing other schools she was making a second go around to interview at the schools that she is very interested in. Note: this school is close to DA, we honestly cant do this with every school.</p>
<p>^^As you well know from having your daughter there, both of you are in great hands. DA’s advisory is great and will take out a lot of “bumps” that are present in college discussions between parents and non-BS kids. They will do right by their students and parents. I have no doubt that both you and your daughter will get amazing advice, support and instruction in the process. However, always keep in mind that their (and all schools) goal is still the good of the entire school over an individual. They want to make sure that the entire class looks good and kids are placed well. If that means that they will push your kid into your second choice-but still amazing by all criteria-college, because they must push another kid into your kids first choice, they may do it. This is not a criticism of DA, just an observation about all schools. Which is why you absolutely as a parent, must be involved in all aspects of the process. Not necessarily hands on, but at least to the level of knowing everything that goes on and why all decisions are made.</p>
<p>I am in total agreement with you. I learned as a new parent, no one will advocate for my child more than me (the parents). </p>
<p>I admit as a community college professor, I have lots of help from the college placement office. I also began this process years ago and made all efforts to give her the tools to maximize her potential, ex. summer programs and bs reading list when she was in middle school (Dana Hall School had a great summer reading list for middle
school kids). I also spoke to local and college librarians, excellent resources, and they love to help out parents that show interest in their child. </p>
<p>As a parent, I have let this adventure be “student driven”. As I talk with my daughter I find that the kids listen to older students as they went threw the process.</p>
<p>During the middle of junior year my d met with her adviser and they developed a list of schools in three categories, safeties, matches and reaches. I reviewed the list in detail, reading reviews and combing the web sites. I added schools that I felt would enhance her options and guide (low key).</p>
<p>Wow. All great advice. Thanks!
Agree, that this is the student’s opportunity and time to shine and at this point; my grey cells are withering anyway. Fit, fit and fit is reportedly what this is all about.</p>
<p>How can you tell good fit? With universities, it appears to be a more daunting task than BS. One college counselor at DS’s school suggested going on website for each school and trying to jot down impressions of what the school is trying to communicate about themselves and what they value. Any other way?</p>
<p>to rbgg - there is nothing like being there to get that gut feel. If you are able to visit places prior to applying, that’s the best. If you are even borderline insightful you will be able to figure out if something will work or not extremely quickly.
If you can’t visit - a good way to gage is to see what kind of kids from the previous years applied/got in. And while fit and comfort of life are extremely important, dont forget that its ultimately about academics. All colleges are not created equal - your kids experience will come not only from the great facility, library, the gym, but also from the quality of professors and the kids that are surrounding yours. If there is room for intellectual discussions within and outside classes, good study groups etc, then the better the college experience will be. Dont forget that the college rankings are extremely easy to manipulate so when comparing colleges academically look at the 25/50/75 scores.</p>
<p>After the bs experience, I think many of the kids will know where they will “fit” in. My d loves Smith…the housing system is what she thinks she really wants, (though when she went to revisit day at Lawerenceville, the housing system is so much like Smith’s, she didnt like the informal campus???). </p>
<p>We were able to rule out large schools…somewhat decided when looking at bs and choosing DA over Exeter. The feeling of " community intimacy" is still important to her. </p>
<p>Look to your child and his/her bs likes and dislikes to help them rule out or in some of the major categories. </p>
<p>I did place some restrictions early on. I “strongly” suggested liberal arts schools, knowing her love of humanities/english. Thus she has always highly considered the LAC’s, plus they are big with her bs. And I pretty much ruled out the west coast, due to its distance from us, midwest. Also due to the fact that we are a very small family and we know no one our that way. She went along with this decision, it also helped narrow down options.</p>
<p>Bumping this…
Visiting colleges has definitely helped this summer. Some we thought would be shoe-in’s for the list, were lack luster in person and vice versa. DS walked away with crossing some schools off his list and putting others on. Off to NJ this weekend! Even though both of mine are now enrolled in a CHASED school, we will be taking a drive-by Lawrenceville, can’t wait!!! Going to see the big P, but first a little detour to see this very esteemed BS!!! :)</p>
<p>Just wondering for those supporting seniors getting that college list ready, how is it going?
A second question, for those of you who have lived thru Junior year with your son or daughter, is Junior year really stressful? My Junior is taking 6 Honors and AP courses and is already tearing his hair out. Is this really going to be the worst year of his life???</p>
<p>Yes our D had a very stressful jr year last year. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. She made her college list early and did most of her college apps over the summer and I can already see that she’s turned the corner. She has one more SAT and then it’s just a matter of staying on top of her homework and preparing for her end of year IB exams. The stress is certainly at a lower level for her final year.</p>
<p>We started visiting nearby different types of colleges in sophomore year, often combined with other family travels. It helps a lot to see a LAC (liberal arts college), large state U, performing arts college, small private college, medium sized private college, etc. My daughter quickly identified the “type” of school she liked, which narrowed her list a great deal. Within the type she liked, we visited about 8 schools. We got heaps of info on potential majors. HINT: visit early (sophomore or junior year), when school is in session and everyone else is not visiting. February of sophomore and juniot year, or March spring break is good, the seniors will not be swamping everything.</p>