<p>
Really? They all sit for both halves at our school.</p>
<p>The 2009 CB report for AP-Physics C lists 6948 takers of Mechanics vs. 3224 for E&M. When S took the exam, the proportion was more like 2/3 vs. 1/3.</p>
<p>A bit off topic, but I’m curious: you mention that your son received a “likely letter” from an Ivy League school; I thought likely letters were reserved for the regular decision round, and were sent in the January-March time frame–no?</p>
<p>The Ivy Application (which is also engineering) is for a regular decision appication- the other two schools were for non-binding early action (not early decision) - one announced already and one coming Dec 15.</p>
<p>The Ivy League school sent him a likely admit letter at the start of November… our older child got one as well during the 2011 admissions cycle three years ago- but not until January/ Dad is an alum-- so they are legacies- maybe that was why it came so early…who knows…older sibling didn’t end up in any of these three schools anyways…</p>
<p>The score data also confirms that Magnetism is a more difficult topic-- any engineer would want to take it again – that is an essential foundation course-- and irrespective of what one’s AP score might be-- the point is that such courses are best taken as background- but any strong school rightfully requires the student to take their foundation year of physics-- mechanics and magnetism.</p>
<p>I don’t want to debate course quality-- my original question is whether/how colleges might react to the change in course selections and what would be the most well received plan?</p>
<p>Looks like OP has a resolution…but…for those looking at this thread in the future – Dropped classes could be a red flag – especially for an early admit. However, if child has a likely letter from an Ivy where there is legacy (perhaps a development admit, as well???), the dropped classes would probably make no difference at all.</p>
<p>I know of a recent ED admit to Emory who was asked to provide a detailed explanation for a poor mid-term grade. However, the GC was able to explain something about the grade, and the student was allowed to enroll.</p>
<p>I don’t see why it would be problematic to drop the class as long as he is still going to take the AP and self study or enroll at a college-- but I’d run it by admissions at the school of choice before making a mistake that would rescind.</p>
<p>You got two issues-- kid is ill and the teacher isn’t ideal- why not tell this upfront to admissions?</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for advice</p>
<p>We contacted the school he was accepted to and they were supportive of taking the class at our local college this spring.</p>
<p>GC strongly suggested doing this before taking any action at our high school.</p>
<p>It’s been a long year and well I’m back with good and bad news seeking some advice once again.</p>
<p>The medical issue resolved-- he had been diagnosed as diabetic in the fall-- but with massive weight loss and exercise, he’s actually doing fine-- he doesn’t need insulin and he’s eating well - amazing (although we must be reminding him constantly to avoid carbs/sweets).
The Physics class at the high school was dropped and he has been self studying for a few months and taking a class at local CC.
He is accepted to 5 colleges total-- all notified of the change in how Physics was being achieved-- no concerns. Down to deciding between two schools --1 week left!</p>
<p>Ok- that’s the good news…and now the bad.
Other than an “A” in Calculus, he blew third quarter (C, D, D in other classes)…and has essentially been acting “immature” and “unfocused” since January…he plays video games
endlessly- hours upon hours. Most ECs went away…yes, it looks like depression - or it could be acute senioritis given the early college acceptance? He doesn’t do too much else other than video games and one school club after school…we thought it was depression and he eventually he agreed to some counseling a few weeks ago after refusing to attend school. He stopped counseling last week aburptly, exhibited uncharacteristic behavior-- breaking several expensive things he owns and some of ours (he repaid for all of this with his earnings). (Therapist diagnosis code: “Adjustment Disorder”…isn’t that fancy lingo for immature?))!
He is days away from final exams in AP classes and AP exams and shows no signs of studying for anything. He even announced yesterday he is not taking his final exam and it’s his choice. (he would by default fail the course which is not needed to graduate- but clearly he would be rescinded unless we document a medical illness).
My husband and I disagree about the proper response. I think he should be restricted from video games (at the very least) and perhaps even institutionalized at this point- at the very least- have a psychiatric exam. I suppose he could just be a serious jerk - terribly immature and well, he’ll head off to college and once away from his “nagging mom” he will do fine. That is a best case scenario-- reality, he could commit suicide. (Therapist swears he hears/sees no warning signs of that). Husband says-- let him hit rock bottom and fail- then he’ll get help. That comes at a hefty price-- declared mentally incompetent, doesn’t graduate high school and then forget about college.</p>
<p>How do we know when to back off and let him fail - has anyone been through similar? Anyone had a child with a diagnosis of “adjustment disorder”? Or should we keep talking /advocating with the high school and get him graduated …and then the bigger issue, feel safe (when my gut says no) to sending him off next year. He says he has no interest in a gap year-- wants to head off – and we are talking about schools on the top 10 list for engineering.</p>
<p>Immediate problem-- what to do when he cuts school on final exam Monday?</p>
<p>HELP!!</p>
<p>I would schedule an appointment with your school and revisit the 504 plan you had in the fall-- at this point, you have emotional health issues to address. You should deal with the college issues later. You can defer-- or if no deposit has been made, write the school and ask for more time, alerting them of an illness preventing consideration at this time of the schools on the list.</p>
<p>My heart goes out to your family.</p>
<p>I’d also schedule an appointment with his endocrinologist asap – it would be very good to make sure that there isn’t something diabetes related that could be affecting his mood or his concentration.</p>
<p>Hello,
We actually tried to get an appt with one back in the fall…and the only two in our town would not take a patient under 18!</p>
<p>That is a good suggestion - would you mind PM’ing me if you have any thoughts on what are some things to be looking for-- aside perhaps thyroid dysfunction?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Sorry to hear what you are going through.</p>
<p>Your son’s case sounds worse than just a case of senioritis - he’s in a bit of a meltdown. It may have a physical cause so definitely keep checking it out, but it is just as likely to be mental/emotional. He sounds like he does not want to go to college/scared to go to college.</p>
<p>Even if he does get declared mentally ill and/or does not go off to college - his college career isn’t over. There is local state schools and community colleges and while it might not be “plan A” - whatever plan B is can be rewarding as well.</p>
<p>Btw - the deliberately “breaking stuff” incident is very disturbing - I’m surprised at the bland response from the therapist. I would also have therapy be a non-negotiable requirement for the son. And for me personally, if it were my son, I’d be seriously contemplating if I wanted to have any part of sending him away to a competitive college environment right now. I guess I’m with your husband on this one - complete with a move-out plan in the event the son doesn’t go away for college.</p>
<p>Didn’t deliberately break stuff as in with a plan…he was frustrated and in the moment acted irresponsibly…but this type of violence is indeed cause for concern. He saw the therapist that day…after which announced he would never return …</p>
<p>I have been suggested gap year for months…he says absolutely not…his reason - he said he’d never return to college… warning signs indeed</p>
<p>^^^^ annikasrrenson----- Do you mean a move out plan as in leave the house?</p>
<p>This sounds very concerning and not a case of senioritis. Has he had a complete blood work up to see if his diabetes is trully under control? </p>
<p>As far as his college admission choices go…DON"T SEND HIM. There is a problem and he will not make it in an engineering program right now. He sounds like he is crying out for help and the term adjustment disorder basically means that he is not coping with the adjustments that he should have been making. Sending him away right now is scary and even if he rants and raves that he wants to go and that things will be different, his actions speak louder than the words. </p>
<p>I learned from my experiences with my daughter that until she could walk the walk the talk meant nothing. She seemed to think we would buy into the childish behavior of giving her what she wanted when we knew it was not at all safe or realistic. There are too many kids that fall apart in that first year and sometimes the damage comes at a great price. Could he postpone his admission by one year? I would find that out. If he can’t then he could reapply next year. At this point it does not sound like he could handle the pressure of a top school or any school that is away from home.</p>
<p>OP I just read your last post and he sounds just like my daughter in many ways. Don’t go against your instincts. The price is too high.</p>
<p>After he makes a choice…(and he’s paying the deposit with his money), we have really until August to say to the college he’s taking a gap year…which is what I’m going to work on convincing him to do.
He needs to convince me he can take care of himself…
this conversation however will need to be deferred…the immediate issue is making sure he actually graduate high school…getting him back to therapy…</p>
<p>He would have to be bound and gagged to have his blood drawn another time-- we have to hold his hand and lay him down just to get a flu shot…he has been scared of needles since he’s been a toddler… his lips go blue and his face pale just when he gets a vaccine…
It’s a lucky break that he got sick when he did and lost the weight…or he might have been much worse if it happened a year from now away from home …</p>
<p>Ouch.</p>
<p>I would pick a college he can defer admission to for a year; make it clear that he has to do well at the local flagship if he wants to matriculate to the high caliber school a year from now; and ask him what support he wants.</p>
<p>As for uncontrolled diabetes problems, a quick check of the glucose log should make that question clear. Adrenal screening (both hypo and hyper) is a bit of a zebra, but I think reasonable. If low function adrenal disease is present in any related male family, screen for ALD. Thyroid screening is a good idea, and serum calcium.</p>
<p>Any competent internist can screen for everything but ALD.</p>
<p>overachieversmom – is there a Children’s Hospital in your area where your son could be seen soon? Otherwise, an up-to-date pediatrician or FP may be your next choice; most internists won’t see patients his age. There are a number of problems that might be contributing to the symptoms you mention. </p>
<p>With respect to his panic at blood draws, my daughter has similar reactions – turns deathly pale, clammy skin, faints, blood pressure drops really, really, really low, pulse oximeter shows rapidly declining oxegenation. Still, there are times when you need a blood draw. Have him drink some water an hour or more before the blood draw. Then all you have to tell the lab folks is, “He’s a fainter, and needs to be on his back when you do the draw.” Then, after they get the blood drawn, he needs to stay on his back until he feels okay, then sit up slowly, and not attempt to walk until he’s feeling good. They usually give D a juice pack when she’s finally sitting, but that might not be good for your son. D’s also found that the “butterfly” setup (I’m sure there’s a technical term for this, but “butterfly” is what the lab calls it around here) is less uncomfortable than the regular needle. After D keeled over at an earlier draw, one of the technicians told her firmly that it was her responsibility to tell them that she needed to be on her back – don’t expect the techs to remember or ask. Her doctor also told us that this is a reaction some people have – it isn’t something that they can just “suck up” and get over. It’s real, it may diminish as she gets older and heavier, but it is what it is. I still make her get blood tests when she needs them.</p>
<p>I’d recommend talking with your son about possible drug use, particularly pot, which can often cause disengaging school behavior. Maybe your spouse can get him to let him run one of those home multi-drug urine tests after a gentle discussion? They are available over the counter at major pharmacies. If he’s had a major change in a relationship of late, that may be disparaging to him. Clinical depression can occur any time, any day, and as many have said, any competent doctor can screen, diagnose and treat. Pediatricians often see kids to 21, at least ours do, which helps as the teen has known the doctor for years. Lastly, is it possible he’s changed his mind about engineering, and doesn’t want to disappoint you, his parents but wants too to let you know?</p>
<p>Kids and teens continue to say through surveys that they want parental involvement in their lives; often it comes after the tough guy/gal initial approach on their part which can be a test to see if you care “enough” and are willing to push through the barrier of anger and off-putting. You’re right to trust your instincts and I wish only the best for all three of you.</p>