My Wait List Story

Parents Social Lounge
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<p>Hi, everyone, </p>

<p>I just got news minutes ago that my son has come off a waiting list (for a summer program) that has kept us in suspense for the last month. More than two years ago I heard about a summer program for middle schoolers called [url=<a href="http://www.mathpath.org%5DMathPath%5B/url"&gt;http://www.mathpath.org]MathPath[/url&lt;/a&gt;], and since I heard about it I thought that would be a good program for my oldest son, who likes math. But I knew that when this year (the first year that he has been old enough to apply to the program) came along, it wouldn't be a cakewalk to get into the program, because applying involves solving several mathematical problems and writing up proofs of the solutions. We NEED a program like that to help my son learn proofs, but the Catch 22 is that until he gets that program we are rather clueless about how to help him advance to that level. </p>

<p>The hard deadline for applying to MathPath for this year is next week, 15 May 2005. I had my son first submit application materials in late March, so that he would have time to apply to another summer program in case he got dinged in admission. The answer we got when he first submitted his application was that he had very strong letters of recommendation (yes!) but that his application quiz score was borderline, so that he was on a waiting list. Knowing about waiting list management from learning about the college admission process, I had my son IMMEDIATELY send out an email thanking the program director for letting him know, and expressing the hope that he would be able to attend the program. The director's reply to that was along the lines of "since you are so eager to attend the program, take a month and redo your answers for questions _<em>, _</em>, _<em>, and _</em>." Unfortunately, during April we were also very busy making a scholarship program application for the same son (for which decision news won't arrive until November), so my son had little additional time to dress up his quiz answers. On second thought, he did notice some unwarranted assumptions he had made the last time, and he did send in revised quiz answers a month after sending in the first quiz answers. </p>

<p>The REAL BUMMER came when we were informed by email from the director that there were still enough mistakes in his second round of quiz answers that our son was STILL on the waiting list as of the beginning of last week. But, again, I encouraged my son to do the best he could to maximize his chances, so as soon as he finished his last exam in his classroom math class, I had him write an email saying thanks for the information, and letting the director know the names of certain books he is now reading about math now that he has more free time. Then today's news came. Whew! My son was very eager to meet an online friend (who got into the program early, with a well-done quiz in the first place) and room with him at the program, and now that is possible. </p>

<p>Morals of the story: </p>

<p>1) Apply early enough to be able to correct mistakes in an application. </p>

<p>2) If put on a waiting list, indicate continued interest RIGHT AWAY. </p>

<p>3) Indicate with every communication something that you are doing to get ready for the opportunity you are applying for. </p>

<p>4) ALWAYS have a Plan B, and Plan C, etc. If my son had been rejected up front, we would have had time to apply to another summer program out of state. Even today, we have time to apply to a (now unnecessary, for us) local summer program that is not too bad. Keep beating the bushes for new opportunities up till the last possible moment (and many thanks to Carolyn for posting the NACAC link about colleges that still have openings for this fall). </p>

<p>Best wishes to all of you who are awaiting news about an application referred to a wait list. The emotions are gut-wrenching, and I feel for you. </p>

<p>Have a happy Mother's Day.</p>

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<p>Congratulations! Very good advice on always having a plan B, C, D. My D was rejected from a program last year that she was SURE she would get in to. And then this winter did not make the "cut" for the school play (never had that happen before, and has played the lead--very surprised/stunned). In both cases, came up with a plan B, but after the fact. The upside of all this rejection is that I don't think she'll be making any assumptions about colleges, and will have plan B, C, D and E in place (I'll make sure of it). :)</p>

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<p>Hooray Token! I really like your advice. Summer programs seem to be increasing in importance and value. Timely advice!</p>

<p>Congrats!</p>

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<p>Great story! We had a similar experience this summer as S was rejected from choice number 1, and immediately launched into option 2 for summer (which worked out). D was waitlisted for her option number 1, but kept up the emails and telephone calls expressing interest. She was accepted three days ago. So all well that ends well, I suppose.</p>

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<p>How do you ask the recommendation from the teacher? Looks like all the summer program need at least 2 rec. letter. Do you just give them once as plan a.b.c.d..., my d got rejected from A and we are working on plan b..., I feel bad keeping bothering the teacher.., what happen if plan b do not work either? it is really close to summer already.</p>

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<p>I believe that most teachers will have the letter as a word document or some such - they will likely just need to change the salutation.</p>

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<p>Sorry but I find it disturbing that you titled your topic "My wait list story."</p>

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<p>It's interesting to see this very old thread revived. To answer the question in #5, another part of my plan A, plan B, etc. planning is to have a depth chart of recommenders. I ask my son which teachers or other adults he knows he thinks are the best match for each program he is applying to. We try, ideally, not to bother any adult more than once a year (once in a while a hard requirement to get a recommendation from a current math teacher, or current English teacher, necessitates more than one letter per teacher). So far we have been okay. </p>

<p>Post #7 needs some explanation. What's the problem? </p>

<p>Good luck to everyone waiting for wait list news right now.</p>

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<p>I was glad to read this - especially the part about sending the follow up letter to the program director - I am glad someone "revived" this thread too!</p>

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<p>Hi,
I just thought I'd mention The Art of Problem Solving. I believe their website is artofproblemsolving.com but if that doesn't work just google "The Art of Problem Solving" Its a great way to learn about advanced topics in math including proofs. My son loves math and has been lucky enough to attend a Math Circle (The Berkeley Math Circle). Another option for advanced math is to find a Math Circle for your child to attend. I know for my son (going to Caltech next year) Math Circle opened up a whole new world of math for him.</p>

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<p>Am I the only one who is horrified that someone goes through this kind of thing for a MIDDLE SCHOOL summer program? I'm glad my kids missed out on that.....</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Am I the only one who is horrified that someone goes through this kind of thing for a MIDDLE SCHOOL summer program?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Possibly. It was a cool program. Most of the parents I met after I drove my son out there were parents who had gotten to their wits end trying to find interesting programs for their math-avid children in their home towns. One parent was moving across the country so that her son could attend Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology (that's a public magnet school in VA) this school year. The lectures on projective geometry by UC Berkeley Professor Robin Hartshorne were MAJOR COOL, according to my son, and I saw the end of the program during which I finally saw a succinct lecture on the Banach-Tarski paradox. It's fun for the learners who are ready for it; I highly recommend MathPath and I know of some young people who will be attending this year.</p>

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<p>tokenadult, I take it your son attended this program last year? How did he like it? Thanks for the information on the waitlist situation. I'll keep it in mind.</p>

<p>Oaklandmom, As far as I know there are very few Math Circles. I haven't been able to find one anywhere near here. I can't remember where I found the list - it was a while ago - but there weren't more than half a dozen listed in the country. Do you know whether there are others, and where they are listed?</p>

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<p>Replying to post #10, yes, the Art of Problem Solving Web site is very cool (it's where I learned about CC ;) ) and very helpful. Congratulations on the Caltech admission. </p>

<p>I have been trying to form a mathematical circle in my town for a few years. I am not a mathematician--hence my interest in summer programs--and so far haven't succeeded in putting together anything like the math circles in the Bay area, San Diego, or Cambridge, MA. But I will keep trying. In just a few years, my son will be taking university math courses with math majors. Even after he is off at college I will probably keep my interest in helping other learners in my community find interesting, challenging math learning opportunities that they enjoy.</p>

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<p>tokenadult, we cross-posted. I'll look into this program for next summer for my son, who will be going to CTY this summer. I'm not sure he'll be able to qualify, but it's the kind of thing he would love. Do you know where it will be held next year? </p>

<p>I printed out the qualifying test from the website. The problems look like fun!</p>

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<p>I think the location of each year's MathPath is set after the current year's is over. We didn't know that 2006 would be in Santa Cruz until sometime around the turn of the year. </p>

<p>Best wishes to your son at CTY.</p>

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<p>Thanks; he's taking Probability and Game Theory at Franklin and Marshall (I think we talked about this before?) He was desperate to take this course - he's very interested in strategy. He got in trouble in English class recently, because an idea struck him during class, and then he was caught writing down a new notation he'd invented to analyze strategic decisions.</p>

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<p>NYMomof2 and tokenadult,
I do understand that there are very few math circles out there. I know the people that run the Berkeley Math Circle is very interested in seeing math circles started in other parts of the country and I believe it was just last year that they had a conference on math circles. I just went to their website to see if I could pass on some info for you and found they were trying to start an outreach program <a href="http://mathcircle.berkeley.edu/outreach.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://mathcircle.berkeley.edu/outreach.html&lt;/a>. Maybe they could be of help to you. I also know they are hoping their alumni will start math circles in the future.<br>
My son's admission to Caltech is very exciting..it was an excruciating decision - Caltech or MIT..but in the end Caltech won his heart just like it had the first time he saw a brochure! Thanks!</p>

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<p>Thanks so much, oaklandmom. I'm happy that there's some hope of finding a Math Circle - I'll get in touch with them. </p>

<p>Congratulations on your son's admission to Caltech! My son is hoping to go to MIT (at least at this point - he's 13). He loves the Caltech/MIT pranks.</p>

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<p>Wow, I thought the middle school thing was just meant to represent the college process...didn't realize it was true until I read the other posts.</p>