I have no doubt she will get into college, but it would be nice if she was ranked properly so the State schools were her guaranteed safeties. I know there’s no way she isn’t top two, and her GPA is not where they say it is. Thats the real rub. Here let me share the stats with you all:
ENG 1 92, ENG 2 92, ENG 4 (DE) 90, Public Speaking 93, ALG 1 92, GEOM 97, BIO 98, CHEM 97, PSYCH (DE) 85, WORLD GEO 88, W HIST 96, SPANISH 1 (JR HIGH) 85, LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION 93, AG 95, ART 1 (DE)86, SOCI (DE) 100, ALG 2 (DE) 90, PROF COMM (DE) 95
I left off PE, health and DE courses they are saying dont count. She entered junior year with 16,5 state credits and 18 college credits. Her Dual credit GPA is 3.83 calculated by UT system
OP - How do you know that she is top 1 or 2? Her grades are strong but certainly not perfect. The top 5 students at my daughter’s school never had below a 99 in any class for all of high school. Just because you know what classes other students are taking, doesn’t mean you know what their grades are.
Also, GPA scales vary widely school to school. At my daughter’s HS, a 92 was a B+ and only counted as a 3.3. Be sure you have your school’s grading policy to refer to and not basing your calculations off of another scale.
Her competition are A,B students and skip or are soft on the DC courses. Grading policy goes from 4.0 to 6.0 for DE Core courses. 5.0 for all other DE. With a class of 23 secrets aren’t a thing. She saw on paper she was #1 the end of the soph year and now shes told 3. She and her Senior friends were only ones to take summer DC, Both were A though one isnt being counted. Not sure how she could drop for doing more? No grades arent perfect, but since she knows who the other kids that try are its pretty easy to narrow down.
HS- advice on the internet is worth what you pay for it- but I’ll put in my two cents anyway.
1- focus on your D, not the other students. The student currently ranked number 1 might be someone’s nephew, the cousin of a US Senator or head of DOE, etc. But it doesn’t matter. Focusing on them is a waste of time. Is your D a better student? Perhaps. But you will never win this argument.
2- The GC and Principal need to be your biggest allies in your effort to get your D the best college education you can afford and is what she wants. Right now (contradicting the principal by showing him the handbook? Not your best move) they are NOT your biggest allies. So concentrate on that. Befriend them. Show them gratitude. You know how hard they work under less than optimal circumstances… enlist their help and getting your D what she needs, don’t antagonize them by implying that they are either incompetent or petty jerks.
3-Every college is going to recalculate your D’s GPA according to their own protocol. Some for some colleges, this will be a boost for her, and at others, it will be a negative. Nothing you can do about it. I know people whose kids are in schools where courses have funky titles (“Themes in British Literature” NOT AP Lit, even though the class is MUCH harder than an AP Lit course and is graded on a tougher curve) and again- it’s a waste of time to fight the protocol. Do what you can to make sure that everything on your D’s transcript is accurate and that the description of the school system (which you can get from the superintendent’s office) reflects the demographic reality in your community, and then let the rest go- because there’s nothing you can do about it.
4- I know this seems unfair. And maybe it is. But there are thousands of High Schools in America, no standardized grading system and no standardized curriculum across the country. Adcom’s know this. So focus on helping your D be the best student she can be given the limitations of the current HS and trust that she will end up somewhere great where she can really soar.
5- DE may or may not be advantageous to your D. She should do it because she wants to, and not because it may help her (or might hurt her). An 85 in Psych for example- often one of the easiest Freshman courses, graded very leniently-- if she wants to study Psych and that is the only way to do it- great! But her performance in that course doesn’t automatically scream “Kid who is the top of the class”. At some colleges, just showing up for lectures and not falling asleep during the breakout tutorial nets you an 85 even if you bomb the final.
@mathmom I don’t think you understand how important rank is in Texas for admissions to UT or A&M. If his daughter is 2 of 23 that is top 9% and an auto admit to A&M. If she is ranked 3rd that’s 13% and not an auto admit at A&M. You have to be top 6% for UT so she would have to move to valedictorian. As someone who actually attended a very small high school where the GC was unethical, I know exactly what OP is facing. The GC clearly has issues with student and was already not going to go out of her\his way to write a fabulous counsel’s report.
Agreed for most part. Psych was her first course taken as a Freshman. GC encourages freshman to take it first, many dont do well. Im not implying shes a Prodigy, but I wont let her be defined by a tiny school and their antiquated views. All I can do is support her taking into account her goals. I however cant sit by and allow glaring mistakes to be present knowing the cost. What kinda Dad would I be to play nice and not dare say hey you left off an entire semester here…or this is entered wrong? They are in the business of educating kids and collecting state funds. I put heavy emphasis on the first, its their job!
Baylor, A&M, UT, Texas Tech and possibly Rice<<<<<<<
That is an interesting list. Have you discussed finances? And you have no idea of a ballpark test score? And as per above, those grades seem unlikely for a tippy top kid however you weight it?
If she has the right test score, she would be academic admit for A&M, right? And top 25%?
And RIce, they care about weighted GPA? Baylor too?
I got further in my kid’s HS when I pitched it as “wanting to help the entire class” and NOT wanting to advocate for my own kid.
So- your interest in an accurate transcript is “to help all the kids show colleges their entire HS record”. Your interest in getting a copy of the district report is to make sure the kids all shine in the context of what’s available at their HS, NOT “My kid is so special”.
Acknowledge how hard the GC works. Acknowledge to the Principal that keeping up with the paperwork, the mandated testing, the stressors of “less money but do more” is a very tough job. And ask how you can help get the transcripts for the ENTIRE class ready for college application season. They won’t let you see the other kid’s records (obviously) for privacy reasons, but you can volunteer to write short blurbs for all the courses, for example, and then have the teacher’s edit them for accuracy. You can volunteer to staff the “off to college” night where you have the booklets and info packs available for every state U in Texas AND a number of privates. You can invite an Adcom from a college in Texas that has never admitted a kid from your HS to come and give a talk on “what we look for”.
yes. Rice would be a Sky lvl. Baylor possible with good ACT and is first choice. State schools are next such as A&M, UT, Texas Tech etc. Baylor is alot more but what price do I put on my child? She would only be housed for a year as her grandparents live 20 mins away. No she doesn’t get a 100 in everything. This is one of the poorest districts in the US and her opportunities are very small, so she has to create them. Shes doing that. Rice and Baylor all take into account weight and Rigor. Baylor more so and they look at what was offered. She has seized every opportunity to the point next year the GC has no idea what classes she can take other than 2. I wish there were better school options here but we work with what we have.
Blossom, Boy have I tried. When I pointed out the transcript issue they found several of this this years seniors had same problem. Take sports, they have no funds, I tried to help and got donations and offers of supplies from Major stuff which they didn’t accept. It defies reason. They do not want parent involvement, refuse to answer emails in writing, and any attempt to speak to most teachers or GC is immediately answered by the Principal. Where I come from that’s circling the wagons. I could give so much more info but would identify the school if I did. I appreciate all the input and support, even the dissent. I am a realist but I also know when I smell a rat.
Do you have a handle on finances? You have run the NPCs and have an idea of your EFC? Make sure you have time to spare for this part of the game. She sat the PSAT? No 9th grade PSAT scores?
PSAT end of this month. They didn’t even offer it until I brought it up. She has some options and family help. She will need scholarships etc but alot of folks rooting for her as a first gen. Mom and I want her to break free and fly. State schools would be very friendly to her, need based, but if she gets accepted to her target we will work hard to allow it. Yes we know how expensive it is. That is precisely why we are paying such close attention now rather than be surprised. All we can really do is let her work the list and wait and see. In the end we will give input and advice, but if she doesn’t make the final choice we aren’t respecting her or her wishes. She has to want it and feel like shes a fit. Shes not a party kid, and isnt interested in party schools. Thats what made Baylor so attractive to her. Rice as well but that would be a reach and isnt likely unless miracles happen.
I think a call or an email to the Superintendent’s office might be warranted, because you have asked in writing and have been ignored so far.
Be sure to stress that you are not trying to get anyone in trouble, you are trying to advocate for everyone, not just your child. You understand that this process can be confusing, and you are trying to make it simpler so that future families don’t have similar concerns. Despite how much you feel they are intentionally hindering your efforts to get information on how the GPA , WGPA, and class rank should be calculated, you want to stress instead how grateful you are to the GC for the efforts in assisting with scheduling the dual-enrollment/college courses, etc. (Acknowledging that “the process is confusing” gives them an out to dismiss past problems, but allows you to then clarify that you want to keep the focus on solutions and improvements.
I recall using a phrase like “thankfully we are all working toward the same goal - to provide the best possible education and future options for all students”.
If the Superintendent is not helpful or responsive, perhaps there is someone at the State Department of Education who can provide assistance.
I think you have a clear understanding of how the politics of your school works. Make sure you are documenting all of the school contact even writing brief description of any conversations with date & time. That way you have proof that you tried to work with the principal & GC if escalation becomes necessary.
Have you considered Trinity in San Antonio? They have a large endowment and give both merit based & financial aid. The merit is based on gpa
(recalculated by TU) and ACT/SAT.
I dont think she has…I will mention it, but am honestly trying to let her lead. She is very strong willed and focused, I may as well have two wives…lol
@sahmkc I do understand how important rank is in Texas. I think the OP should do their best to see that their daughter is treated fairly, but if they antagonize the GC too much they may ended up shooting themselves in the foot.
It really is a double edged sword. That is why I am so conflicted. It scares me how when it comes to this the GC is so standoffish but she doesn’t hesitate to send my D to help the freshman struggling with DC classes. Right now I am letting things simmer and waiting to see if they rectify it internally.
Not sure, but its not just UT. That includes any public university such as A&M, or Texas Tech. Either way I think for now at least I give a little time and try and play nice. I will wait a week or so and try another angle to achieve the goal.