<p>Especially in sequential subjects – math and foreign language.</p>
<p>If, because of a bad teacher or for any other reason, your child struggles in one of these subjects one year, she’s going to continue to struggle because she won’t have an adequate background to enable her to handle the next level. So keep an eye on how things are going in those subjects. Algebra is particularly crucial. Without mastery of its concepts, kids can struggle through all of high school and even college. My daughter was a teaching assistant for a college finance course (at a top-20 university) and she was amazed at how many of the students struggled because of a poor understanding of basic algebra. </p>
<p>Another thing to think about as early as 9th grade (and this is my soapbox – the sound you hear is all the other long-time posters groaning) is the SAT Subject Tests. Find out what they are and whether your daughter is likely to need to take them. If she will need to take them, it is possible that it might be to her advantage to take them in some subjects in 9th or 10th grade – which would probably be before she takes the SAT itself. For example, if your school has a really excellent chemistry course and your daughter takes it in 10th grade, she might want to take the SAT Subject Test in chemistry at the end of 10th grade because she will be most thoroughly prepared for it at that time. If she waits and takes it later, she would have to review the content of her chemistry course – and I’m sure she doesn’t want to do that.</p>
<p>So sometime between now and the middle of her 9th grade year, read through some of the posts on this forum about the SAT Subject Tests (formerly called SAT II tests).</p>
<p>When S (who graduated from college in '05) was in seventh grade, his GC told him that how he did that year would ultimately determine the colleges to which he would/could apply. Basically, if he did well in seventh and eighth grade (it was a K-8 system), he would then qualify to take honors/AP courses in HS (since then, honors/AP courses have been opened to all students interested in taking them), and subsequently the tier of colleges for which he was sufficiently prepared academically.</p>
<p>Rather than focusing on specific schools/colleges, your D should enjoy learning for learning’s sake and try to get as much as possible out of her classes right now. Our HS provided us with a great document ([Choice</a> Not Chance](<a href=“http://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=216&Itemid=315]Choice”>http://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=216&Itemid=315)) as a guideline once the kids hit high school and to reassure parents that they shouldn’t get too fixated on the college admissions process too soon. The only exception as previously mentioned is the taking of SATII subject tests, which should be taken after students have taken those courses in HS, especially if they did well in the course.</p>
<p>We visited one school at the tale end of each kid’s sophomore year to provide a sense of what a college campus was like. That helped to formulate the list(s) of schools to visit junior/senior years.</p>
<p>As per Marian,
Just make particularly sure your D has a good Algebra teacher. Or that you can teach it yourself to her (like my dad did for me and I did for my son–when he would listen…). If your D wants any science or math related field, it’s probably one of the most important subjects she’ll take.</p>
<p>When I was in school we had Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II. Algebra I was the same as Algebra II. There is no difference (as far as I could ever see). Except maybe after two years you grew up a little more to grasp whatever concepts you didn’t get the first time.</p>
<p>So make sure pre-Algebra starts 7th grade… (getting off my soap box!)</p>
<p>I don’t think the OP should worry about SATs or college per se yet, but 7th grade is when important decisions about the high school track are made, especially re math classes. It’s very important that a kid take algebra by 8th grade in a lot of school systems if he/she is going to be on track to complete calculus in HS, and many selective colleges want to see that a HS student has taken calculus. That was not true 25 years ago, but it is now. You will find the same situation with foreign language; the colleges want to see 3-4 years of the same language, and if you can start in middle school and carry forward, you can place out of foreign language and/or have more room in your junior/senior year schedule if you’ve already completed the foreign language expectation.</p>
<p>So, don’t freak out about college now, but be aware of the ramifications of your D’s current placement, especially in math. It will have an impact down the road.</p>
<p>Is it too early to involve your daughter in the college process? Absolutely. Is it too early for you to begin setting foundations in place? Absolutely not. As prior posters have pointed out, it’s not too early to make sure your daughter in on an appropriate academic path, to see where she is standard-testing-wise. Money is a BIG issue for most families, so it makes sense to begin thinking about how education costs will be paid. </p>
<p>Fortunately you live in a state with a Public Ivy as your flagship university. (For gifted students in much of the country, instate choices are considerably less appealing.)</p>
<p>“The problem with this laissez-faire approach is that a 7th-grader, by not taking certain courses, is in effect making decisions about her academic future that she is unaware of and doesn’t understand, and which may foreclose later opportunities . . .”</p>
<p>The problem with this approach is that some students who are not particularly “free thinking” or even intellectually curious will discover, a few years later, that they aspire to colleges and careers that require good academic credentials. </p>
<p>Thus, it makes sense to work hard in school even if you do not feel inspired to do so. Otherwise, your later desires may be thwarted by your lack of academic achievements years earlier.</p>
<p>This is something that a lot of Asian American families seem to understand instinctively, but it has not necessarily made its way into all other segments of American culture.</p>
<p>Well it sounds like she is on the right track so far Math-wise. She is currently taking Algebra I, and getting a high A. She has a great teacher who works well with her. She is slated for Geometry in 8th grade. </p>
<p>I knew nothing of the SATII or subject tests, so I will look into that. Thank you! In Michigan if you stay in state, you didn’t need to take the SAT when I went to college, and it was the same several years back when my friend’s kids went off to school, but I don’t know if it still holds true. They just look at the ACT. Obviously at this point, it’s way too soon to know if she will still want to stay in state. I am planning on having her take the SAT even if she decides to stay in state. </p>
<p>The High School she will go to has the International Baccalaureate program. I am sure she will be in the program when she gets there.</p>
<p>I do not have my D involved in anything “college wise” as of yet, besides staying on track with her schoolwork. She does not know about this website, and I do not intend on involving her until she is needed.</p>
<p>I said not to worry about it because the girl’s already taking 9th grade math and advanced English. How much more do you want her to do? She’s only in 7th grade people!!</p>
<p>lighten up megan12
the MOM, who was the one with the original post, said "Thanks to everyone for sharing. " This thread does not need you to be the “Hall Monitor”</p>
<p>Didn’t think I was being “hall monitor” (kinda catchy though) - just trying to not stress “the MOM” out after some people told her she had to start worrying already and pushing really hard. These kids are under enough stress, and so are we. The kid seems like she’s doing just fine, and so is “the MOM”.</p>
<p>This was an excellent question to ask so an obviously gifted child can maximize her HS and remaining middle school years- never too early to find out how to work the system the most. This mom got several good suggestions for when to do what, including things that matter for GT kids (5th grade isn’t too soon for the talent search options).</p>
<p>To be honest, some of the precollege stuff can start in middle school. My son was in the G & T program which started in ES and was invited to join the John Hopkins program where they allow middle schoolers to take the SAT to help place them for taking enrichment classes. You can search John Hopkins middle schooler to find out. My son did take the SAT in 7th grade.</p>
<p>The other thing he did in middle school was start his foreign language requirement in 8th grade which for those students who want to (he didn’t) you can get five years of language in. At our HS the last 2 years are honors. </p>
<p>Other than that, I think developing a plan once she reaches 9th grade is more practical. Things like taking AP classes or deciding about taking subject tests because they both should be be taken the year you take that class.</p>
<p>I think whatever feels right to this family is whatever feels right. Myself, I’d lighten up. Too much pressure and preparation can burn a kid out, and we want her to enjoy learning, not grow to worry too much. And imo overprepping for undergrad isn’t always necessary;in my field (medicine), undergrad experience isn’t super important. If she’s going to end up in a field where she’ll go to grad or professional school, that will become ultimately more important. Undergrad is for good foundations, good experiences, and for exploring interests.</p>
<p>emsmom15: As someone already mentioned, middle schoolers can take the SAT or ACT either through a talent search (like Northwestern’s NUMATS) or they can take it by signing up directly through the college board SAT or ACT websites. It sounds like she is willing so encourage her to take a few practice tests so the format and timing is understood and tell her that she should do her best but there is no expectation for “STELLAR” scores. Afterall she is in 7th grade… no pressure:) Some testing locations put the younger students together in one room so they are removed from the typical hs age students.</p>
<p>There are fun enrichment programs on college campuses. I see you are in Michigan?? Michigan State University has the Math Science Technology camp ( I think 2 weeks for 7th and 8th graders) and Purdue has the GERI program. The courses are well taught and there is plenty of supervision. She might enjoy meeting some other bright students who like to learn and also she can explore a college campus. This time of year is best to start looking into these programs.</p>
<p>That’s great that she can start foreign language. Will her 8th grade class be counted on her hs transcript and into her hs gpa?? Our public school system just made that change for 8th grade students who are beginning language or are in honors math (geometry). They have till Oct of their 9th grade year to decide to take the credit (and grade) from their 8th grade class.</p>
<p>Those summer programs can be really helpful for G and T kids who feel somewhat alone in their schools. For some, those summer programs are a wake-up in that the kids realize there are other kids interested in the things they are intersted in.</p>
<p>jaylynn – I totally agree. Although it’s important for students to be on track for college with their courses, parents can just make sure that’s happening without putting extra pressure on the students. Some students, even some who are brilliant in humanities courses and will go on to take every AP but math, aren’t ready for Algebra I by 8th grade, and that’s all right. AP Calculus isn’t a prerequisite for college. Generally, I think 7th grade is too early for a student to be thinking about college as anything but something he/she will go to in the future. </p>
<p>As for timing the college search, this is what we’ve done. Junior year is for college visits – open houses where possible, regular tours if not possible. We’ve told our children that by the end of the junior year they need to have a list of colleges that they want to apply to. The summer before and fall of their senior year are for re-visiting colleges that they’re interested in – an open house if they’ve had a regular tour, a regular tour if they’ve been to an open house. That will help them narrow down the list (even if they’ve already applied).</p>
<p>This schedule can be skewed toward second semester junior year and first semester senior year for those who plan to wait until the second deadline to apply. However, some colleges will only consider students for scholarships who apply by the first deadline (often Oct. 15-Nov.1), so it’s important to get those applications in by then to be in the running for a scholarship.</p>
<p>My first child, a very advanced student, was dreaming and planning for college by the time she was in the eighth grade. She applied to her dream school, the place she’d wanted to go since she was very young, got in, and is gloriously happy there. The second, a junior, one who has had to work very hard to get good grades, is just now getting into it and has no idea where he wants to go. It’s going to be a much more involved process, and we’re not sure there’s a perfect fit. He may have to go to a partial fit. Every child is different. If your child is highly motivated to think about college at a young age, go with it. If not, I’d back off for a while.</p>