Parents of rising HS Seniors, here we go...

Parents Forum
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<p>I am not worrying about it :D
My D took SAT last weekend- was so stressed just because amount of time not effort involved.( at least that is how she put it)</p>

<p>Hoping she will write a good essay and I know she will have good recs, so expecting that will outweigh test scores.</p>

<p>Trying to look at one or two schools this summer- know they will be empty, but at least we will be continuing the process.
( her schedule is very busy with work at a residential summer camp)</p>

<p>Although she is going to take a gap year, senior year will be very busy she already plans to play on two sport teams fall semester, which dont really wrap up till mid Dec- and at this point she also wants to volunteer at the aquarium ( she wants to major in marine science) If that proves just to be too much- which I suspect it will, she can still volunteer with Earth Corps the organization that she wants to work with during her gap year.
( I may volunteer with her- I have been having such a great time working in my yard, I was thinking I should learn Spanish so I can work with local landscapers)</p>

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<p>Now that we're all here, does anyone want to share S/D's short list if they have one? That way we can compare notes on visits, info session, inside info, etc. I'll go first:</p>

<p>D. is interested in the human rights/development/social justice realm of international relations, which makes for an unusual list: Colgate, ConnCollege, UConn, Clark, Dickinson, Muhlenberg, Hobart, Drew, Kenyon.</p>

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<p>we are going to try and look at U of Oregon & Humboldt State-California this summer. Western Wa we will probably look at this fall.
She also is interested in Occidental/Lewis & Clark & Pomona.
UC Santa Cruz is top on her list, but as she is out of state- it isn't in our budget.
We will need to figure out when to go visit U of Hawaii-Hilo & Manoa</p>

<p>Currently very interested in marine biology, however this year she is taking chem, which she enjoys much more than predicted and next year her science will be physics which may change her focus yet again.</p>

<p>Two of my nieces attended Colgate MM88, the oldest has graduated, and her sister attended two years and is taking time off in Chile ( on a LDS mission)</p>

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<p>S has his heart set on studying film production and plans to apply to USC, FSU, Chapman, and UT-Austin (we are in-state). I may try to get him to consider Ohio, too. Not as prestigious a program, though it appears to be good.</p>

<p>He will also be applying for an Army ROTC scholarship. He loves military stuff (is very active in Civil Air Patrol) but is torn because of the 4 year service obligation after graduation. He knows he won't want to wait to start working in film.</p>

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<p>timely...you should pm digmedia for advice on schools for film production--and tsdad (USC).</p>

<p>shrinkrap...the SAT scores mean different things for different tiers. For the top tier (Ivy et al), a good rule of thumb is combined CR/M at 1450+ with V over 720. I didn't know this the first time around and would have made S1 re-take for those last few points had I known. For second son, I gave him the threshold number to hit if he didn't want to retake the test--and whaddya know--he did just that.</p>

<p>dufay...try not to worry too much about the writing score. The word is that adcom are not taking those scores too seriously and from my experience--that's correct. My son has terrible fine motor skills and his handwriting looks like kinder writing--which was duly reflected in his low writing score. However, his app essays were wonderful and clearly showed an ability to express himself in a a distinct and humourous voice. That's what counted for him--apparently.</p>

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<p>We are going on a college visit trip next week. We will be visiting University of Maryland, American University, George Washington University, and Ohio University. Son wants to major in journalism. We visited University of Oregon a couple of weeks ago (in-state for us, but he doesn't want to go there). He and H will also visit University of Missouri and Indiana University next month. We will also do a self-tour of Lewis & Clark when D goes to a summer program there in a few weeks.</p>

<p>Son's list currently contains:
U of MD
American
George Washington
Indiana U
U of MO
Ohio U
NYU
UNC-CH
U of Oregon
and Ryerson in Toronto</p>

<p>It will be really interesting to see what he thinks after we've visited some schools. So far he hasn't been super interested in this process. He won't really consider any LACs, and if he hasn't heard of a school, it must not be good. ;)</p>

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<p>Hi everyone. been lurking for a while and this is my first post (excitement).
DD #1 is a rising senior. Was totally not into the college search and willing to go with my advice (for my sanity) please go far enough away tht you can't come home every weekend to do your laundry". This was a big deal because she goes to an all girls catholic school where everyone stays in the city if not the borough.</p>

<p>She had nixed all catholic schools, but i insisted we go see loyola md (they had a convinient open house) and now this is her school. It's difficult to get her to consider other schools and we've been to a lot of them (wheton - "can we leave now?" after the introduction - jeez louise). But I remember when we were looking at highschools she was the same way about her present school - that was it no matter what i said.</p>

<p>I really appreciate reading these boards the info has made me seem so impressive to other parents, but it's strange to seemingly be the only parent this "active" in my child's search. She is slowly learning what she wants - good established study abroad program, History and French, swimming pool (she's a NYC lifeguard and wants to be able to have an on campus job), and no futher west then PA no further north than maine no further south than DC. and that still leaves a ton of schools. </p>

<p>I have to say that this has been a great time for she and I to get to know eachother. the 4 hour car rides can make for some interesting conversation. I'm enjoying the process very much.</p>

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<p>I don't have another hs graduate until 2012 but I felt compelled to post. I also have a '10 General. I have a superb email buddy that I met on CC who has forewarned me of the lifestyle and habits of the teenage male! :)</p>

69

<p>My D plans to apply to the following schools for Music Ed (in order of preference):
Ithaca
NYU
University of Rochester (Eastman) -Reach
SUNY Fredonia
SUNY Potsdam
Indiana University of PA (Cook Honors College)</p>

<p>Also will be applying for Secondary Ed (Spanish) at these schools:
SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Potsdam, Indiana U of PA, and a possible REEEAAACH to University of Penn</p>

<p>Still thinking of maybe something in New England as well or another NYC. At one point she had thought about Barnard.</p>

70

<p>I'm late to this thread, but also have a rising senior D - this is the youngest of 3, but she's different enough from her sisters that most of what I learned the first few times around doesn't seem to apply. She's got a life plan, a dream school, at least one safety she really likes, and bunch of nice matches, so I should probably just shut up - at least to her - and reserve any comments for CC. Still, I'm sharing the nerves with all you other class of 2008 parents. Good luck to all of us!</p>

71

<p>My D is planning to apply/audition as a violin performance major. She's looked at several schools already (McGill, Ithaca and Boston U still on the list, Eastman off), and we have a road trip coming up later this month (Peabody, Temple, UMD) and another to the midwest in October (Northwestern, DePaul, UMich, Oberlin). I'm happy that her working list represents months of preliminary research and has a nice mix of different locations, types and sizes of schools. So I'm hoping that after the last batch of visits and practice lessons/interviews, she'll have a final short list of 6-7. I am anticipating a grueling but exciting year ahead!</p>

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<p>First post; just luckily randomly ran into this forum! My S1 is a rising senior. He is doing a precollege program this summer and leaving on Monday. Feel like this is dress rehersal for next year. He is a good student, bright with decent gpa/grades/sat but not stellar. But he has high ambitions for college and its hard to keep him in the realm of good matches/ and safety schools. Applying to the pre college progams didn't help that as he was accepted at H,Y ,JHU and Columbia.
Also the duct tape is an item I will really need as he is a procrastinator and this is one of those times that just won't work!
To be honest, reading all of this and thinking about whats coming is turning my stomach! Also, we live overseas, so don't get too much opportunity to visit schools...did some last summer, but no time this summer at all.
Any opinions about the 5 college consortium ( UMass Amhearst, Amherst,Smith,Hampshire, ....) Thinking of UMassAmherst and or Hampshire as safety, as there is a lot of oportunity there also. Any thoughts?</p>

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<p>expatme...dont' worry about not being able to visit too many. Most of the info is online--or on CC. Welcome to CC. There are a number of expats on this forum.</p>

<p>Tips for expats:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>If your school isn't an 'American' school and/or doesn't routinely send kids to the US, consider hiring a professional guidance counselor through IECA <a href="http://www.educationalconsulting.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.educationalconsulting.org/&lt;/a> . Their membership requirements are stringent and the fees are reasonable--in general. Sooo worth it to take mom out of the role of being the nag. If you hire one this usmmer--they can probably meet with yourson while he is int he US? They can get him started on his essays and apps--and then edit/prompt via email. pm me for specific recs.</p></li>
<li><p>Do not waive confidentiality for the recommendations. Ask for five or six and send the best three. Have your S explain the American concept of 'soft sell' (ie if you can't say anything positive please turn down the request).</p></li>
<li><p>You might pm momrath about Williams. Her expat son had a wonderful experience there.</p></li>
<li><p>High SAT scores (+1450/ +720 CR) are the key to admissions success for boys--that plus one or two strong ECs. Those things help to diffuse the often less than stellar GPA. In my opinion.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>My D and I have just returned from orientation. She will attend Miami for poly sci and international studies. She and I are very excited for this next step. She will be living in the international living learning community.</p>

<p>I also have a rising senior as well. D is currently in Germany for the month on a school exchange trip. She went with us to all college visits for her sister and we have looked at Oberlin and Ohio Wesleyan for her. She does like Miami but older sister says ~ NO WAY =) She is interested in sciences ( pre opt. and genetic research but isn't ruling out dabbling in art history. She has taken SAT, ACT and subject tests BioM and Math I. </p>

<p>My thoughts are providing the school has the program of interest then it becomes a matter of fit for the parent and child which for the parent entails the financial fit. I will be posting for years as we also have an 11 yr D and an 8 yr. old D =)</p>

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<p>expat-
welcome!
the 5 college consortium is a great program, but you might want to do a little research about the safetly schools you mentioned. UMass Amherst is VERY different from Hampshire. Hampshire is small, and the students tend to march to the beat of a different drummer,if you know what I mean. If your s is more straight laced, that might not be the best fit for him.
You will lern a lot here! Again, welcome!</p>

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<p>expat</p>

<p>We visited Hampshire. I think it is a wonderful school, but wasn't a fit for our son. A friend's daughter will be going there in the fall and it's a perfect fit for her. She's very artistic and free-spirited with pink hair whenever she can manage it. The kids there are smart and they work. We were told 20 page research papers were the norm.</p>

<p>My son was looking for intellectually curious and unconventional students. This is true of Hampshire, but there are many kinds of unconventional and this wasn't his. His finalists were Carleton, Grinnell, Haverford, Macalester, Pomona and Reed. After re-visits he decided on Grinnell.</p>

<p>I understand it must be very hard to visit and your son may need to do a few more apps to get a broad range to visit after acceptances. We really could not narrow down about fit without visits.</p>

<p>The consortium is a great idea, but the schools are not as closely wedded as Haverford and Bryn Mawr, for instance, that coordinate schedules and shuttles and operate as one school on two campuses. Or the Claremont schools where you can easily walk anywhere.</p>

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<p>Expat, Welcome. We are also expats. How your son approaches the process will either keep your stomach churning for the next 9.5 months or allow you to sleep at night. </p>

<p>It’s hard to tell from your message whether you’re just being modest about your son’s statistics or if “decent” actually means very good. :) If he’s aiming for the same schools that he targeted for his summer program, then he’ll need better than decent: it’s tough out there!</p>

<p>You are absolutely correct to be focusing on safeties. Since your son will be in the States this summer I’d strongly suggest he do some visiting on his own. UMass and Hampshire are on opposite ends of the personality spectrum so it’s important to visit to see if either is a good fit. I’m not personally fond of the consortium concept as I feel it's an unnecessary distraction, but some kids are able to take good advantage of being part of a group of colleges.</p>

<p>Safeties are hard to find and hard to love, especially for a kid with Great Expectations. That’s why it’s important to spend more time on researching and visiting the less selectives than HYP etc. Visiting helps two ways: it puts a face on the college which encourages the applicant accept the possibility of attending a less selective school and secondly it demonstrates interest which can be very important at smaller schools.</p>

<p>In addition to the numbers, American colleges focus on essays, recommendations and extra-curriculars. Hooks, which set the student apart from the competition, can go a long way to compensate for less than stellar in other areas. The good news is that living overseas qualifies as a major hook, even more so if you’re posted in a “weird and wonderful” off the beaten track kind of place or exposed to a culture that is significantly different from that experienced by the typical suburban teenager in the U.S. </p>

<p>Colleges love expat Americans because they can get a global perspective without visa or language complications and since diversity is a keynote on campus today, they often “count” expats in the international pool. This is especially true of smaller liberal arts colleges in rural areas that have a hard time attracting cultural diversity.</p>

<p>The key point is to make good use of the experience in the subjective part of the application: essays, recommendations, resume. Colleges are looking for interesting kids who do interesting things. Your son should think about how his life experience would benefit the campus community and be sure to communicate that in his application.</p>

<p>Summer programs are great orientations and learning opportunities, but I wouldn’t count too much on them being precursors to actual college acceptance.</p>

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<p>Thanks all for your comments.
Momrath: I was thinking of the anxiety of sending my first off alone when I said precursor to next year. None of us think the summer program admissions are anticipatory for next year. And I am not really being modest about his Stats. Unweighted GPA around 3.5 (with 4 IB higher levels);
SATS first time around mid 1900's.
I do know what you mean about his expat experiences being a plus; and he is aware of it too. It's just hard to know where to start looking for safeties or what is really a safety vs a match. GC doesn't seem to really have a handle on it. Hopefully we'll get a chance to at least look at UMassAmherst this summer. He wants to be East Coast (except for an interest in UChicago) as it is close to people and an area he is comfortable in. Also thinking of PennState University Park; GW; American U...but again I am not sure those are real safeties...Honeslty speaking, I think a lot of my anxiety is feeling responsible for helping find the direcion.
Bentley was here and told him they would take him based on the conversation, as one of his interests is econ, but I am feeling that a broader range of Libe Arts being available might be better....Any suggestions of names to look at would be appreciated...I did check out all the names bethievt mentioned. Thanks.</p>

<p>Have taken the suggestion and contacted a counselor. Will see what I get back from them.</p>

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<p>expat, sending your child off across an ocean is truly an anxious moment! I think that's why we felt happy with our son's choice of a friendly, supportive small college. </p>

<p>Safties are getting tougher as the top colleges get more selective everyone's moving down a tier. I think it's quite common for GCs not to understand the seachange in admissions that's occured in the past few years; even moreso for an overseas school. Your best point of reference is to compare the statistics and profiles of graduates who have attended American schools, i.e., where were last year's class admitted?</p>

<p>Your son might look at some of the schools with student body percentages that are skewed more toward female as boys often have an advantage. These would include Conn College, Vassar, Sarah Lawrence, Bard and Skidmore. Macalester (though it's in the midwest) has a good reputation for recruiting expat kids as does Colby in Maine.</p>

<p>I would also recommend the counseling services of College Confidential. They are extremely knowledgeable and accessible.</p>

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<p>Two other schools I would recommend looking at are Goucher and Lewis & Clark. They were also on my son's list and highly value the international perspective. We also visited Beloit in Wisconsin and I've heard good things about Lawrence. Maybe I imagined it, but the midwestern schools all seemed warm and welcoming in comparison to others we visited.</p>