<p>I have a freshman in high school, and am wondering when I need to beging thinking about my sons college decision process. His school (private) will give him the PSAT this year, and he did the DUKE TIPS SAT back in 7th and was state recognized in that. The question is where to start? Best books? When to visit? Best test prep if shooting for a top twenty college? Any and all advice is appreciated especially if it is to go back to sleep and think about it again in a year. :)</p>
<p>At this point, just worry about how your new freshman is making the transition to high school! Sometimes it can be pretty rocky.</p>
<p>Past that, just take the college prep track classes at school. Honors level classes if they have them at the 9th and 10th grade level. If you happen to drive near a college while on vacation, just walk around the campus and buy a Tshirt. No pressure...</p>
<p>No need to test prep until the grade 11 PSAT--that's the one that counts for PSAT purposes.</p>
<p>We started attending the roadshow meetings that occur in the fall of the school year when D was a junior--if a college she was interested happened to be in town, we'd go. There is so much going on in senior year, it isn't always possible to attend during grade 12.</p>
<p>So at this point, have S take the more challenging classes, have him get used to doing his best in them and take a 2 year long nap.</p>
<p>(But YOU should hang out at CC and get all sorts of info and advice about the process, so that when your college derby starts, you'll be ready!)</p>
<p>go back to sleep and think about it again in a year :)</p>
<p>But do make sure that he takes the most challenging classes, and if he has any thing he is passionate about, help him develop it. If not - help him find something he really enjoys doing.</p>
<p>If you start too early, you risk your son burning out too fast and hating the whole process. Kick back for a couple of years and then worry about it.</p>
<p>Thanks. Going back to sleep for a while :) I will hang out and lurk till it matters.</p>
<p>Mostly you can go back to sleep, but...</p>
<p>Between naps, do some research pertaining to the SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as SAT II tests). Read the information on the College Board site (<a href="http://www.collegeboard.com)%5B/url%5D">www.collegeboard.com)</a>. See which tests are required at the colleges that your son might apply to. Ask parents of upperclassmen which tests are usually taken by kids at your son's school and whether the scores tend to be good or bad. If your son is shooting for the top 20 colleges, he's going to have to take at least two of these tests, and you may not get much guidance from his school on this topic because only kids who are applying to top-tier colleges take the tests at all.</p>
<p>Two things to think about:</p>
<p>1) Timing. It may be to your son's advantage to take one or more SAT Subject Tests at the end of 10th grade (in rare cases, even 9th grade) if he has completed a very comprehensive or advanced course in the subject. The idea that the SAT II tests can only be taken after the SAT I is a MYTH. Many students can and should take one or more SAT II tests earlier. For example, at my daughter's school, many of the top students take AP U.S. History in 10th grade. It is to their advantage to take the SAT U.S. History Subject Test at the end of that year, because the subject is fresh in their minds at that point and because the AP course provides excellent preparation for the test. Don't assume that the school will inform you about situations like this, though. They may not. At my daughter's school, nobody tells the kids that it might be a good idea for them to take this test in 10th grade for the simple (but stupid) reason that college counseling doesn't start until 11th grade.</p>
<p>It may also be to your son's advantage to plan his course schedule with the SAT Subject Tests in mind. Remember that students can't take these tests at the end of 12th grade; they need to take them at the end of 11th grade (or beginning of 12th) or earlier. So it's best to take courses that provide good preparation for these tests in 11th grade or earlier. For example, if your son does really well in high school biology and wants to take AP Biology, he might be better off scheduling the AP course in 11th grade rather than 12th grade so that he will have a very thorough background in biology by the end of 11th grade and be well prepared to take the SAT Biology Subject Test at that time. </p>
<p>2) Not all high school courses cover the curriculum that the SAT Subject Tests assume they have covered. The people who design high school curricula have many priorities other than these tests (which, as I have mentioned, only a small proportion of kids take). Their coverage of material may not be a good match for the test. For example, in my daughter's school, the physics teachers tell the students that the county-mandated curriculum omits some topics included in the SAT Subject Test in Physics, and they offer extra materials for self-study for those who plan to take the test. If the curriculum in a particular subject at your high school is not a good match for the SAT Subject Test in that subject, your son may want to select a different test or study the missing material on his own.</p>
<p>Good point on the SAT 2 tests, Marian. D had to prep with an SAT Biology book--even after 2 years of hs biology, there were topics that still weren't covered.</p>
<p>Let's wait and see what your S will be like after he has adjusted to HS 2 years). It is very different, without all those perks and bonus points in the academic areas (as in middle school). There are girls, possible sports, etc. Many things can affect what schools, when to look. Hopefully, your S will remain a terrific, motivated, kid. But, as a teacher, I have seen so many change dramatically. The parents actually told me I was keeping their child out of Harvard in the frshman year! By the time senior year came around, they were grateful that the child went to a CC. (I know, nothing wrong with that - but considering they knew he was going to Harvard...) Let him be a freshman and a sophomore. Let him adjust. Let him learn good study habits. Let him dabble in HS classes and see what he really wants to study in college - different schools have different programs. Your S may change in terms of likes and dislikes between now and then - they do mature and grow up a lot. The schools that seem wonderful now may not seem so great later, and you might have to start all over again. Don't put too much pressure on him about college. Let him enjoy HS. He is this young only once!</p>
<p>Welcome, scottieut. And good for you for realizing that one option, at this point in your kid's life, is to go back to sleep and worry about it another time. :)</p>
<p>That said, the best college prep that your S can do at this time is to take the most challenging courseload available to him. And to follow his interests in and out of school, whatever they may be.</p>
<p>Welcome.</p>
<p>If you can stand one more piece of advice, scottieut, I would like to suggest that you shouldn't let your son drop his foreign language too soon.</p>
<p>Some kids get bored with foreign language and want to drop it in favor of "cool" electives or AP courses in other subjects. If your son wants to do this, have him go to the Web sites of colleges that he might want to apply to and see how many years of foreign language they require or recommend. He is likely to discover that some of the colleges want applicants to have at least three, preferably four years of a single foreign language. So dropping Spanish or French after Level 2 in order to make room in his schedule for computer science or psychology or whatever might not be a good idea.</p>
<p>Scottieut--</p>
<p>Welcome to CC!</p>
<p>As an addendum to SAT Subject Tests, your S may want to take the test in a subject that he won't continue to study. Example: at kids' HS, physics is taught freshman year, so many kids take that subject test at the end of 9th grade. Otherwise, just let him enjoy his HS experience and focus on making that transition a smooth one.</p>
<p>scottieut,</p>
<p>Don't go back to sleep. Starting now is the best chance of making the grade. Preperation is EVERYTHING!</p>
<p>I am in the same boat you are. My son is a sophomore in HS, and also participated in DUKE TIP back in 7th grade. We live in Missouri and he wants to attend Duke or Washington University [both of which are $30,000+ year]. He is being geared to graduate Summa Cum Laude. </p>
<p>His HS counselor is an excellent asset so I suggest you open dialogue with the HS counselor first/immediately. </p>
<p>At my son's HS they assign counselors based on last name and thus the same counselor stays with the student up through their senior year.<br>
Pro: familiarity with student and student's needs.
Con: counselor may be busy with current Senior class so YOUR son has to make your son's needs known.</p>
<p>I opened the dialogue first and then put the responsibility to follow up with my son. I placed the call to the HS counselor at the beginning of the school year and received a lot of helpful advice. The counselor called my son into her office and their "road to college" relationship started from there.</p>
<p>The counselor made me aware of the HS "College/Career E-Notes" in which the HS posts COLLEGE FAIRS & OPEN HOUSES. This is a handy newsletter that benefits all students [does not just apply to graduating seniors] however some material [scholarships, open houses] only applies to current year seniors. </p>
<p>The sooner you begin to familiar yourself with what is "out there" the more apt you will be by the time your student is in his senior year. </p>
<p>The HS Guidance Office usually has a wealth of FREE information. Go there before you buy.</p>
<p>Have your son take the ACTs and SATs every year. It gets the student familiar with the testing format plus colleges ONLY look at the highest scores.</p>
<p>You may register on line for the tests at the following sites:
ACT - <a href="http://www.act.org%5B/url%5D">www.act.org</a>
SAT - <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com%5B/url%5D">www.collegeboard.com</a> </p>
<p>In general:
HS class choices are VERY important in the freshman year.
Start thinking about "which college" in the sophomore year.
Visit colleges of his choice during the junior year.
Solidify his college decision in the senior year.</p>
<p>Freshman, sophomore, junior years:
Keep taking the tests.....every year!!! Identifies strengths and weakness. Don't cram it down his throat.....allow him the opportunity to still be a kid [he has his whole life to be an adult].</p>
<p>Senior year:<br>
Start cramming. </p>
<p>These are really good websites:
<a href="http://www.mapping-your-future.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.mapping-your-future.org/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.petersons.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.petersons.com/</a>
go here for starters<br>
<a href="http://www.petersons.com/ugchannel/file.asp?id=1397&path=ug.gs.planning&sponsor=1%5B/url%5D">http://www.petersons.com/ugchannel/file.asp?id=1397&path=ug.gs.planning&sponsor=1</a>
<a href="http://www.petersons.com/vcc/articles/freshsoph.asp?cid=vcc_newsletter&WT.mc_id=225&WT.mc_r=180%5B/url%5D">http://www.petersons.com/vcc/articles/freshsoph.asp?cid=vcc_newsletter&WT.mc_id=225&WT.mc_r=180</a></p>
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<p>Create a "College" folder in your email to store/save all pertinent data. It gets pretty busy after a while.</p>
<p>Keep in touch.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone again. I do appreciate the thoughts. </p>
<p>The posts about letting him be a kid and grow at his own pace are well taken. I am happy to go to sleep for a while longer and keep my eyes open, not his.</p>
<p>In terms of changing radically during HS, I am not too concerned. His school if K-12, and the social scene/pressures will not change radically.</p>
<p>In terms of the SAT II tests, this could be a challenge. His school does not "teach to the test" at all. It is a small classical school very strong in the humanities. Thus, additional study aids for SAT II math/science testing would be necessary in all likelihood.</p>
<p>The foreign language comment is well taken as well. He will have seven years of Latin behind him this year and will take either three more years of that or three of Spanish.</p>
<p>Again, thank you to everyone. I know you all have stressed about this a lot for your own kids and have a lot to offer.</p>
<p>Don't stress about the math - a good algebra 2 test will cover everything you need. I do agree that it makes sense to take subject tests in May or June of the school year you take the course. Probably won't be necessary freshman year, but might well be a good idea for one or two of his sophomore year courses. If your school has college nights where admissions officers from various colleges do presentations I highly recommend attending. You don't have to bring your kid unless he's interested, but it will give you a better feel for the process.</p>
<p>Oh yes--start putting away $$$$$$$$$$$$$ for college...just think about what the cost will be in 4 years!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Have your son take the ACTs and SATs every year.
[/quote]
[quote]
Senior year:
Start cramming.
[/quote]
Not everyone would agree with these particular suggestions.</p>
<p>Get ready for testosterone. Prepare for your previously articulate son to cease to speak except in grunts.</p>
<p>Avoid video games. Subscribe to literate magazines.
Buy ProActive Acne products.
Stock up on on frozen meat so when his urge to consume enormous amounts of protein strikes you are ready.
Decide if you are pro-semi-clothed posters of women or against.</p>
<p>Kiss him a lot. Now.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Get ready for testosterone. Prepare for your previously articulate son to cease to speak except in grunts.
[/quote]
Now here is someone who is preparing you for what really is to come.</p>
<p>Yes, kiss him a lot, now... if you're still allowed. My S ruled out kissing at about age 4. Hugs were still allowed.</p>
<p>Alumother, you made this mom of a 12.5 year old boy laugh and cry at the very same time.</p>
<p>Yeah, testosterone is already here, and the growth spurt along with it. He remains articulate though more soft spoken as his voice changes rapidly. A physician father of thirteen tipped us off on his favorite acne products. And the desire for protein has already been handled. Fortunately, he still allows kissing for the most part except when in front of his friends. Got that part covered.</p>