<p>I wouldn't count on him hating the Core requirements (and there are schools such as Brown that basically have none). My S hated many of his HS classes, but loves Chicago's core. You can't tell until they get there.</p>
<p>LooseCannon--if he is really going to "hate the core" at Columbia, he should not apply/go there??? Think carefully about his college list. There are so many excellent options for college a kid like your son without him having to do things he really "hates." I'm sure there will be some classes that he won't like, but if they are pre-reqs for getting a degree in something he is interested in, he will do them. No need to add extra things to his "to do" list just because it's good for him (like eating turnips). He does not have to achieve perfection in every area! You know that your son will have many excellent choices when it comes to college if you look at HIM, his interests, and find schools to match HIM, not try to change him into what you and the counselor think that certain schools want.</p>
<p>I think it would be inadvisable to go into a Core school like Chicago or Columbia unless that's what you're looking for. My S chose Columbia especially because of the Core, but after almost four semesters, it's wearing a little thin for him. It's still been a great experience, but I can't imagine a student getting thorugh that who didn't especially choose it to begin with. There are great classes, but there's also a lack of choice. It's not for everyone.</p>
<p>I just used columbia as a hypothetical. No one is going to force him to go to a school where he doesn't want to go.</p>
<p>I have to admit that I wish he'd end up somewhere in the NY metro region. Somewhere near home. But he'll go where he wants.</p>
<p>Okay, LooseCannon! But think carefully about where you try to <em>guide</em> this kid! You mentioned how polite, nice, considerate, etc. he is. He may be feeling lots of pressure to do what YOU (not he) wants! That's pure speculation, but you know, just watch out for that. He really does sound like a great kid!</p>
<p>Columbia, huh? Sounds like this may be about Ivy admissions after all. There are plenty of schools in the NY metro region. Not to be nitpicky, but saying you wish he would go to Columbia on page 6 doesn't jive with saying you couldn't care less where he goes to college as long as he's happy on page 2. </p>
<p>It is normal for us to have high hopes for our bright kids, I know I did and still do. But perhaps you have some inner conflicts of your own to work out? I know I certainly did when my kids were in the midst of this. It was hard for me to look into the eyes of my "gifted and talented" daughter and tell her that she didn't have to go to Stanford just because her father and brother went there (and which is in our backyard), and that she could find success and happiness at any one of a hundred different colleges, and then feel true joy for her when she fell in love with and chose a "not top ten" school on the opposite coast without even applying to Stanford. It's even harder on her father, LOL. But it's her life and as much as she won't admit it, having her parents behind her on her choice and giving her the freedom to be truly proud and joyous over it is more important to her than the logo on her college sweatshirt will ever be.</p>
<p>Loose Cannon,</p>
<p>It seems like you are most interested in sharing your feelings with other parents rather than advice, but I want to offer one more thought that I haven't seen mentioned yet. If you have a local college or even a community college, I would check into letting your son take a science class there. Perhaps your son's high school could help out. To me, this offers 3 benefits: </p>
<ol>
<li> You can offer your son the science classes he craves.</li>
<li> The college course would probably be more challenging and perhaps be more interesting to your son.</li>
<li> Taking the college course would show the GC that your son is willing to make the extra effort that she wanted to see him make.</li>
</ol>
<p>I said columbia as an example of a school with a core requirement. And yes, I'm human, I'd love if he went to columbia. An Ivy close to home.</p>
<p>But its going to be his choice. I'm butting out. I even started yesterday. He asked me if he could/should </p>
<p>Cut class (the one he hates) to work on his project for next weeks competition.</p>
<p>And I said "Its your choice".</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>It seems like you are most interested in sharing your feelings with other parents rather than advice.</p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>Yes, that's true. I'll compare to GC to a doctor. Everyone in the world can give you advice. In the end, you have to 1) go with your gut and 2) listen to someone you trust. </p>
<p>I trust our GC. That wall of college acceptances that hang up in the school near the guidance office is extremely reasuring.</p>
<p>I offerred my son college courses for this summer. He refused. He wants to be outside and play. And I'm fine with that. The first thing he is, is a kid.</p>
<p>LooseCannon- I knew several "nice, polite" sophomore boys that turned into holy terrors as juniors/seniors. You want him to be a kid, then lighten up a little.
His focus might change quite a bit in the next year and a half. I can't believe you even HAD a college counselor meeting. That shouldn't really start until mid-junior year (with a little preliminary work before that). Neither my kids or I even knew what a "core" WAS when they were sophomores!</p>
<p>No, i think having a meeting is okay, you have to plan classes, etc</p>
<p>And at Ds school, they get a college planner as freshman, they arent hit over the head with it, but are introduced to websites, a plan for classes, etc</p>
<p>i don't have an issue with that kind of stuff</p>
<p>Loose Cannon,</p>
<p>I'm sorry - I don't think I made my suggestion clear. I wasn't suggesting summer school. I think you should ask your son's high school if he can take a college class for high school credit during the school year. Most colleges offer flexible schedules that can fit into a high school student's school day. </p>
<p>I wouldn't want to go to summer school either, and I don't blame your son for wanting to have fun and relax. But the idea of a college class during the school year might appeal to him.</p>
<p>LooseCannon--I'm not quite sure how to put this, but, you aren't afraid your kid will not be accepted anywhere are you? You keep referencing your GC's 100% admit rate. But you then go on to say it is because she makes sure all kids apply to an "ultimate safety." I agree that it is sound advice to have at least one no-fail school on the list, but it is not that big of a deal to make sure that a kid gets into college <em>somewhere</em>. There are colleges out there with nearly 100% admit rates, the only reason a kid wouldn't be admitted is if he didn't complete the paperwork. And some on this board have even been admitted to colleges (or so the say) without having completed applications. So just because a counselor has a 100% admit rate, because she makes sure all kids apply to a real safety doesn't make her that impressive, it's just common sense! You say you trust her, and then you say that she will sometimes recommend one student over another to a school--that would give me pause, if I thought for a minute that she might recommend another student <em>instead of</em> my own child. In other words, I wouldn't put all my trust in such a one! Are you sure you are not a little afraid that she is not going to go to bat wholeheartedly for your son, just as he is, for a college that would match him? I wonder . . .</p>
<p>Intellectually, I'm not afraid that my son won't get in anywhere. He will positively get into CUNY, which is pretty much numbers driven, unless there is some totally drastic change. You need an 80 average OR 1200 (old) SAT to get into the what would be his first choice CUNY. He was joking with me just last night to let him take the SATs next month so he could skip the next two years of high school and go to CUNY. (And please, my friends, don't tell me to consider this, its out of the question. Executive decision).</p>
<p>I guess emotionally, I am afraid. I read these boards, and it can be a bloodbath.</p>
<p>I'm also paranoid that kids get rejected because they are too good (the so called Tufts syndrome). My daughter was rejected by two of her safeties. Of course, we didn't worry about it because she was accepted in far better schools. The GC said we didn't show "interest", and that was probably why she was rejected.</p>
<p>I don't know how many schools my son will apply to. Its way to early to even think about it. But my daughter applied to around 10 schools. She only visited one of them before applying, and only because we'd never even heard of it until the GC suggestd it. She didn't show any "interest" that I'm aware of to any of the other schools. So they must have felt she'd be a good fit.</p>
<p>I can't see my son showing interest in anything. He's not like that. He's quiet. Its not that he's not interested, its that he's introverted.</p>
<p>Its stupid to dwell on this. He's young, he's not ready for this, and he will get in somewhere.</p>
<p>This is true as long as he applies, as apparently he is planning to do, to a good range of schools. I have been reading some admission blogs with more than one panicked student that has multiple rejections and wait listings and waiting to hear from just one more college. My heart goes out to those kids.</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>but it is not that big of a deal to make sure that a kid gets into college</p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>You know something, it is. My kid goes to a very competitive school. And if you think the kids are competitive, you should see the parents! It is a big deal. You try telling a parent that his kid is not going to get into CUNY. I know one such parent and kid. The parent believed her, but the kid refused to believe her. Guess what? She was right. She made the kid apply elsewhere, and he's VERY happy.</p>
<p>I know another kid who also couldn't get into CUNY. She suggested community college for him, where he is learning a really interesting trade. I was speaking to the parent and the kid a couple of months ago. The kid could not be happier. In fact, I was jealous! I wanted to learn his trade!</p>
<p>These kids are not applying to only schools where you get in if you can sign your name and write a check. She is very realistic. She meets with each kid, with their transcripts and SAT scores, and has tons of suggestions. And virtually all of the kids are happy a year after graduation (at least, the ones that I know).</p>
<p>You can question her all you want. I adore her. She's absolutely fabulous.</p>
<p>LooseCannon--I still say that it is not that big of a deal to get in <em>somewhere</em>, if you include the whole range/universe of college choices. Your CUNY example actually supports this. The kids who didn't get into CUNY did have other options. They got in <em>somewhere</em> and it turned out to be fine. Never said that anyone was <em>only</em> applying to schools where you only have to sign your name and write a check. But these are out there, you know, a safety net, I guess. </p>
<p>But it can be a big deal to find/get into a good match that is somewhat (maybe highly) selective, esp. once you start narrowing the parameters somewhat. That is what is tricky. I think that is what you're worried about. Of course he can get in <em>somewhere.</em> No question. But relax. There are a ton of great schools out there that will love your son--just make sure to apply a range of selectivity. Definitely include some reaches along with some sure bets and some in-betweens. And don't let the GC's lack of enthusiasm for your son's accomplishments throw you. Your son will find his place!</p>
<p>Don't let the competitve atmosphere of your school eat away at you! May I suggest you join us in Sinner's Alley for a night out?</p>
<p>
[quote]
5) Winner of National Math Contest
[/quote]
</p>
<p>What national math contest was this? That would provide some perspective on what the probabilities are.</p>
<p>I would just like to put a different take on the thread. There is also a developmental issue here. Don't extrapolate from your son's present situation. My son showed enermous personal growth between the end of 10th grade and the beginning of 11th grade. He was able to see beyond the next 12 hours. We have just started our college tours (somewhat grudgingly) and today he takes his fitst official SAT. It is quite amazing that he is beginning to see what this process is about. It sounds like you live in NYC on the Upper West Side and go to a private school. We are in the same situation. We are trying very hard not to push him and for him to remain a kid. After some discussion we are letting go back to his camp to be a counselor (a place that he dearly loves). Try and relax and the let the process take its course without pushing him too hard. You don't want to lose him.</p>
<p>Your son can nevertheless stand out, but this depends on where he is coming from (i.e. region, public/private school)</p>