<p>Northstarmom, that is a neat story. I know several super intelligent but late blooming boys, but boy when they bloom! My good friend has a son who just graduated magna cum laude this year (at age 25).</p>
<p>D is a Rice junior, with senior academic standing, majoring in Biochem. Still loves the university, her college, her friends. Tears up just thinking about graduation! Worked in a NSF sponsored lab last summer and has committed to next summer in the same lab. Missed President's Honor Roll for the 1st time last semester with the first "B" of her life. Back on this semester. Keeping fingers crossed for decent aid just one more year. Overall, we're happy with her college choice!</p>
<p>I guarantee you my eldest son and I would be thrilled if he had a 3.3 cumulative GPA. His GPA is improving, but it will take a few more semesters like his last one for him to even hit 3.0!</p>
<p>My youngest son just finished his first semester at Tulsa with a 3.07. He needs to keep a 3.0 to keep his scholarships, so we'll hope he does better in the spring to give himself a little more breathing room.</p>
<p>Son in his third year (senior status long time ago- AP credits) now in an apt and doing well. Finally going to declare his math major, after many math and physics college courses. Apparently getting along well living in a 4 BR/2 bath apt with his 5 apt mates- juniors except for the soph HS friend he added- of course standards of college guys ... haven't seen it since move in day and probably don't want to. The Honors program at a top public liberal U has been a good fit. He told me he could graduate this spring- but then no honors, not as well prepared for grad school, etc. No reason for my barely 19 yr old to rush through college. He has learned a lot in and out of the classroom- there's hope for him... Grades? GPA? We can ask, but he doesn't always tell. Not all A's, but definitely mostly, especially in math (no different than in HS- he still puts in the effort where he chooses to). The age/grade discrepancy has meant he's still mature for his age but perhaps not as mature as the most mature of his grade and certainly not the least mature (this goes along with being gifted)- can't imagine him only being a freshman in college. I was thrilled/relieved this fall when he assured me that he plans on grad school- I hoped he would based on his ability and personality et al but one can never assume anything. He also seems to be planning in advance more than in previous years- my little boy is growing up... Living off campus (technically- next to campus buildings on the edge of campus) didn't distract him, he is focused on academics as well as running.</p>
<p>S is a junior at our State Flagship. Loves the city life, loves his large school. Started with one major PoliSci, added the second one, Econ, last year. He is on track to graduate in 4 years with both. GPA has been steady throughout, 3.95 after last quarter. Honors program, general and departmental, lots of hard work. Fin Aid stayed pretty good so far(different scholarships and grants every year add up to full tuition). This year S moved from the dorm into a large house with a group of friends and is having a great time. He is writing his Honors thesis now and is planning to take LSATs next year. Will probably apply to Law Schools(with possibly deferring the attendance for a year).</p>
<p>DS graduated last week from Cornell, a semester early...he is starting law school at U VA in August...we're VA residents...the in-state tuition break is huge for undergrad, miniscule for law school...financially, talk about doing things backwards!</p>
<p>Still, as a parent I have nothing but rave reviews for DS' college experience...he never particularly liked Ithaca (and doubt he'll really like Charlottesville--he's a big city guy)...but he loved his academics and ECs; made wonderful friends and generally took every advantage of the many and diverse opportunities Cornell offers. He has never considered the "where" of his school as an important factor...He's a responsible, considerate, interesting adult now...and Cornell had quite a lot to do with that very positive outcome!</p>
<p>DS himself would tell you that he loved his college life, but about half-way through junior year second semester, concluded he was "done" with undergrad...so he looked at the three majors he was on track to finish by May of 2009, chose the one he was closest to finishing and applied to graduate early. Despite what appears to Mom to be a potentially serious relationship, he chose to go to law school far away (GF still has 5 semesters left at Cornell)...it'll be interesting to see how the long distance thing plays out...both of them are very open (w/me and each other, anyway...don't know the extent to which they discuss it w/others) about how they intend to stay together; they understand the difficulties of long-distance relationship maintenance (especially with their respective difficult academic programs)...I guess we'll see...they're pretty comfortable w/it...</p>
<p>In summary: Hurray for Cornell; the school has done well by my DS...now on to law school!</p>
<p>Sapling is second year at UChicago. Thriving. Loves dorm, too.</p>
<p>child loves usc but not making great grades despite studying hard
soon to be a junior
engineering is quite rigorous and there are really no easy classes except the general ed ones.
just flunked a class and dropped one so I am having a harder time with this than child is
consider asking child to drop out a semester and regroup</p>
<p>One DD is technically a junior transfer at 18, but mainly due to units earned locally, so we hoped it would work well for her. She made great grades, had some tough upper div classes and rose to the challenges as well as making a new BFF and getting to know tons of great new people.</p>
<p>She earned the units locally so we can use her university budget to pay for a small private school and it is proving to be a great place for her so far. Especially after she watched her sisters fight it out at big flagships.</p>
<p>D2 is a senior at Berkeley, a science major and this was probably her best term, she is loving the upper div work, anatomy lab was amazing, she got As & A+s & has formed some good relationships with profs and is on track with her plans for med school in a couple of years. This was her happiest, least complaint semestre and that was great from my perspective.</p>
<p>We have had lots of bumps and bad spots over the past 6 years of university and this fall was a real blessing. I do not think I received any tearful phone calls!</p>
<p>D1 is doing very well but I'm ready to ship her back for spring semester! ;)</p>
<p>Mathson did very well. He dropped his only elective which he didn't like that much, since he was taking the big time sink computer science course. He still needs one elective to graduate, but since he's a sophomore he's got plenty of time!</p>
<p>DS is a senior at Case Western, a dual biology and history major, who struggled a bit early on. This past semester he seems to have finally come into his own getting straight A's in his 4 science classes. He has been doing research which he seems to enjoy and is hoping to get the results published before leaving Cleveland. </p>
<p>He's trying to get into med school but it doesn't look promising and is currently a bit short on a plan B.</p>
<p>My DS is in a 7 year BS/MD program. He is now a sophomore and has continued to be a straight A student throughout.</p>
<p>Some of you may recall my New Year's day lament last year, when D didn't want to return to school after the holidays. This year is very different, I am happy to report! She transferred from a smallish LAC to Vanderbilt for sophomore year, and she has found the academics to be more in line with what she wants. Her grades this term were excellent, and she enjoyed her classes. She is on the board of a service group and is looking forward to serving during Alternative Spring Break. In the fall, she will study abroad (probably U of Edinburgh). Law school seems to be in the picture down the road. She has a wonderful roommate and is slowly meeting people. All in all, everything is working out well.</p>
<p>Like swimcatmom's D, she has been feeling "not quite right." She has been extremely tired all break, and she has been visiting doctors. Today she had a couple more blood tests. She had issues with a medication that were straightened out, but it then became clear that it was more than just the meds. Hopefully, she'll be diagnosed before leaving for school next week.</p>
<p>Hope everything turns out okay, kelsmom!</p>
<p>swimcatsmom, how is your D?</p>