<p>carolyn,</p>
<p>Has you D considered Bard?</p>
<p>I was looking up something for a friend about Bard and discovered thay have an "Immediate decision" program where you go in November, spend the day there, visit a class, have an interview, etc, and you get an answer in 24 hours. Pretty nifty EA program. Non binding it appears.</p>
<p>That's cute that she was so serious about it as a kid. I was like that too but I wanted to be a zoologist because I love animals. As an early middle schooler I had dreams of going to the University of Minnesota because they have a lion research center and since I looved lions and wanted to study animal behaivor, I thought it'd be a perfect fit. I even did my 7th grade research presentation (in this special program at my school) on why lions roar. Then I took biology in 9th grade and realized I wasn't that interested in the physical aspects of behaivor and much more centered on the mental aspects. Since zoology is focused so much on the physical, I realized psychology was a much better fit for me as I love the complexity of it and am extremely interested in it. The good news is I can still study animal behaivor as it relates to humans and I already have some future research on the lion pride social structure and its relation to social psychology planned ;) </p>
<p>It's good to have other interests though, it'd be good to explore those in college. Just one thing about college though, if you're applying to a psychology program, its EXTREMELY important to have lots of research experience, especially psychology but any research is fine (bio research would definitely work) and get good letters of recommendation from people you work with. That's the one piece of advice I've read almost everywhere with lots of emphasis. It's great that she likes psych though, psych lovers are always cool with me.</p>
<p>I agree about not worrying as much about the test, its a proven psychology fact that if you're interested in something, you tend to recall it better. The good thing about the test date though is that psychology is my second test and last one so I'll at least be happy that its in the afternoon and after it I'll be all done. I'll have a nice hour between exams too so I can relax and study before the psych test. AP Chemistry is actually what I'm worrying about, although the US History has become a frontrunner in my mind but because history comes naturally to me, its not so much of a worry. </p>
<p>Lol, yes, I'm going to bed now. I'm just a night owl so it's all natural for me. Plus I went to bed extremely late last night so I have to go back gradually from it. Naps are useful ;)</p>
<p>Screen name: obesmom</p>
<p>Is your junior male or female: Female</p>
<p>Home state: NY</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: northeast/midwest</p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): small LAC</p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests: religion, peace studies, gender studies/wm. studies, sociology</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: Earlham, Goucher, Juniata, Marlboro, Wells, Guilford, Mt. Holyoke</p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): Earlham, SUNY Geneseo, Binghamton, Wells, Marlboro, Ithaca</p>
<p>Anoel, I hope you have gone to bed and don't see this post until tomorrow morning. We are all night owls here, too - but there's big difference between 1 am and 4 am. I did think it was nice the way you used applied your pysch knowledge to confirm the fact that it is easier to learn something where interest is high -- I noticed that in the Barron's guide too - there were lots of tips on psyching out the test that were also connected to the concepts taught. I guess that is a definite advantage for taking a test when you've studies psych. </p>
<p>My d. is not going to apply to colleges as a psych major -- the tentative plan is to emphasize her interest and abilities in Russian. Russian study was very big during the cold war and just about every major college had a Russian department, but interest fell off with the fall of the Soviet union. Within the past 7 years every high school but one in California dropped their Russian programs - my daughter attends the only high school in the state where it is taught. The same thing has happend in other states - it has been dropped from about 150 high schools throughout the country. But there is very strong program at my daughter's school - they are one of the schools that has been piloting the AP test this year, so essentially my d. will be part of one of the first AP Russian classes in the US. </p>
<p>Many very top colleges have floundering enrollment in their Russian language classes. There just aren't that many high school students coming up who will have any background in it -- and yet there are colleges that already have several Russian profs on staff, who are running out of students who are able to study the language on an advanced level. This includes several top 10 LACs, where my daughter wouldn't have a prayer of admission but for her proficiency and her continued interest in studying the language. So it definitely looks like Russian will be her ticket to admission. She's also a talented dancer... but not amazing-talented, and female dancers are a dime a dozen, though her male dancer friends are very much in demand. </p>
<p>Psych is great, but it is one of the most popular majors at just about any liberal arts college -- so you are right, unless someone has done something to distinguish themselves, like research, it's hard to apply as a pysch major. I mean, you can get into the college on your own merits -- but you are going to need something else to make yourself stand out for the more competitive schools.</p>
<p>Carolyn, I listed my d's 3.9 GPA as a strength. Test scores are a big weakness - current SATs would be bottom quartile at any any of the most selective colleges, and it is highly unlikely that she will be able to pull up the math much on either the SAT or ACT. We're hoping for good writing scores, but that is still a huge unknown for everyone. (Yes, she writes exceptionally well -- but not in a way that fits a standard grader's rubric well -- too much creativity, not so good on staying on topic) </p>
<p>What is very weak on her transcript is math & science -- with her foreign exchange this year, she was unable to take either a math or science class. She hopes to make that up by taking trig and physics at the community college this summer... but there was a big line this past Friday which was the deadline for high school students to register, and the word is that those classes fill up fast - so she might not be able to get both courses, and the college may not let her take physics without the trig. She already has a full schedule for high school next year - no way to fit both courses on the roster. signed up for math or science next year.</p>
<p>So maybe it will be a lopsided transcript more than a weak one -- exceptionally strong on arts and foreign language (she goes to an arts high school), but with only 2.5 years of math & science. The extra half-year is because of credits that transferred from her foreign exchange school, but that is integrated science, and algebra/geometry after she has already taken those courses here. So I guess maybe she will be one of those "well-lopsided" candidates -- but I don't think the colleges particularly like "well-lopsided" applicants with SAT scores in the 1200 range.</p>
<p>SBMom - Bard also has a great merit scholarship program for students who are in the top 5% of their high school classes. It is not automatic, but those students can apply for a scholarship that will match whatever the in-state tuition is for the student's home state university. How cool is that?</p>
<p>I just found out from their site that they are also SAT-optional. Big plus for my daughter -- Bard is definitely on her radar, though my daughter's weakness in math & science (see above post) may do her in.</p>
<p>Hey all! My computer has been down!
Nice thread. </p>
<p>Screen name: Momnipotent
Child: D
Home state: Ohio
Locale of choice: not Ohio---prefer Midwest, East---no west or far south---Ga. ok</p>
<p>Specs: big city ok, likes popular music scene, wants DC area or Boston
Academic interest: government, international relations, etc.
Under the radar: Georgetown, Georgetown and Georgetown, as well as Boston U, American, GW, Vandy---all huge $$$ reaches.</p>
<p>We have visited Georgetown many times since 4th grade and she loves the area.</p>
<p>Correction to my last post - the Bard "Excellence and Equal Cost Program" requires that the student be in the top 10 (not 10 percent, but 10 students) of their high school class. I probably was thinking 5% because my d goes to a small high school. But it's still cool.</p>
<p>Screen name: Pyewacket</p>
<p>Female</p>
<p>Home: overseas American in Europe</p>
<p>Looking for east coast LAC 1,000-4,000 enrollment, prefer no frats, little emphasis on partying or sports, strong emphasis on student publications, theater, film. Access to city stuff but with campus community spirit.</p>
<p>academic interests: history, poli sci/government, journalism, English</p>
<p>current list: Barnard, Brandeis, Bryn Mawr, Goucher, Mount Holyoke, Skidmore</p>
<p>Visited: all of above except Skidmore, so far, also Brown and Sarah Lawrence and American U.</p>
<p>May try visits to Dartmouth, Middlebury, Wesleyan--if time allows-- because of geographic proximity to our upcoming travel itinerary.</p>
<p>D has English Language, Spanish Language, US History - all this week, then will take SAT2 US History on Saturday. Worried about the Spanish AP, though. We may be watching Univision for the next few days.</p>
<p>Holycow-
You might want to vist American in DC. Very strong IR and pre-law. Also a very large int'l population which might ease the transition back to life in the US. Merit $ available for good stats.</p>
<p>Screen Name: Marny 1
daughter is Junior
Home state: New York
Preferred region: Mid-atlantic & Florida
Campus preference: Wants urban or suburban area with easy<br>
access to city.<br>
Daughter seems to be average test taker and we expect SAT<br>
scores of 1600 on new SAT or 22 ACT. Therefore the schools
we're looking at may not be typical "cc" schools.<br>
Schools we've seen and d is interested in include Temple,
George Mason, Towson, West Chester and VCU (maybe).<br>
We saw York and Old Dominion, but d decided not to apply.
She thought York was too small. Though she does not
want to go to school upstate NY, she will be applying
to at least 2 SUNY schools probably Brockport and a
community college as a safety. Since she'll be applying to
7-10 schools, I think most of our college touring is done.<br>
If her test scores are better than we expect, she may also
apply SUNY Albany, U of Del. and College of Charleston.<br>
She has no idea what she wants to major in, so the idea of
a large school is pretty appealing.</p>
<p>Screen name: kathiep
Is your junior male or female: Male
Home state: Pennsylvania</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: Northeast (VT, PA, MD) but perhaps IL,(sister's college only), CO (grandparents live there), AZ (Aunt lives there)</p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): Not in a city, smaller then PSU, less then $30,000.</p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests: Computer Science, maybe game design</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: Still to see: Rochester Institute of Technology and Northern Arizona University</p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): Drexel, York, Juniata, Towson, Millersville University of PA, Kutztown University of PA, Champlain College, Principia College. Drive through- Washington College in MD.</p>
<p>Screen name: csshsm
Child: daughter
Home state: Louisiana</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: North and/or east of Louisiana</p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): She thinks that she wants urban and a school bigger than her high school, i.e., larger than 1,500</p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests: English, journalism, but basically undecided</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: Duke and Vanderbilt. Also liked UVA and Tulane(but says the latter is too close to home). This list may change greatly after May SAT scores come in---not sure what tier she is in yet.</p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): Emory, Vanderbilt, KY, UVA, W & L, Richmond, Wm. and Mary, Duke, UNC</p>
<p>Screen name: NCEph
Is your junior male or female: female
Home state: NC</p>
<p>Preferred geographic location for college: East, but maybe not</p>
<p>Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): probably a LAC, but maybe not. Minimal Greek presence preferred. She's concerned that some of the schools on her list may be too "pre-professional" in atmosphere.</p>
<p>Child's possible academic interests: math, philosophy, linguistics, psychology, music (probably as an EC: bassoon and voice)</p>
<p>Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: Williams, Swarthmore, UNC, Brown, MIT(?) (I'd like her to consider Carleton and Rice, too, but we're not sure what we think about the distance from home.) Although her stats put her in the top 25% for these schools, we realize admission to any of them is still a long shot, so we'll be working on some safeties to add to the list this summer.</p>
<p>Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): Princeton, Williams, Amherst, MIT, Harvard, Brown, Wesleyan, Yale, Columbia, Swarthmore, Duke, Davidson, UNC.</p>
<p>Screen name: SplashMom
Is your junior male or female: Female
Home state: TN
Preferred geographic location for college: South/Southeast
Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): Appears to be gravitating toward small LACs
Child's possible academic interests: International relations/studies, political science, pre-law studies
Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: Rhodes, Centre, William & Mary, Davidson, UVA, UT (safety), WKU (safety). Open to suggestions.
Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there):<br>
Rhodes - loved it
Centre - loved it - just returned from Junior Days this weekend
Sewanee - beautiful surroundings, but isolated - she's not interested
Emory - loved it, but doesn't really talk about it
UT - what can I say? D has grown up bleeding orange. We were season ticket holders for several years, and she is very comfortable on the campus, although she really does prefer a smaller campus. Her heart will always have a special place for them, but I would be very surprised if she ended up there. A definite safety.
Vanderbilt - knows it's a great school, but won't consider it ... too close to home
WKU - alma mater to DH and me ... DD felt obligated to visit. Good honors program with lots of perks, beautiful campus. She probably wouldn't have felt compelled to visit had it not been for DH's and my connection to the school. Probably a safety.</p>
<p>Could one of you fine folks please tell me how to add a school under the alphabetical listings on CC? I've looked several times for Centre, but it's not there and I hope there are parents other than myself who would like to discuss it. Thanks so much! :)</p>
<p>Screen name: Yankeegirl49
Is your junior male or female: Female
Home state: NY
Preferred geographic location for college: Mid Atllantic states
Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): Not less than 5000 students, preferably in a city or large college town, co ed. Her words "not in the middle of nowhere" (though Geneseo IS the epitomy of middle of nowhere)
Child's possible academic interests: Journalism, both broadcast and print, but will consider communications and wants to double major in poly sci
Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: Ithaca College, Syracuse, American U, Marist, SUNY Geneseo & Buffalo, NYU, Columbia, Penn State and possibly Tulane and Ohio U
Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there): Roger Williams, S CT State, American, Syracuse, SUNY Genseo, Ithaca, Marist</p>
<p>Screen name: Kissy
Is your junior male or female: Male
Home state: Midwest
Preferred geographic location for college: Anywhere warm
Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.):Medium-sized, close proximity to urban area, but no concrete jungles.
Child's possible academic interests:Business, music business
Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: Chapman, Redlands, Eckerd, Stetson, USD, Denver, Tampa, Flagler.
Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there):Stetson, Rollins, Jacksonville,Flagler,Tampa, Florida Southern, and some locals.</p>
<p>Screen name: Cali
Is your junior male or female: Male Junior
Home state: California
Preferred geographic location for college: Anywhere but California; South,
mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, we're all over the map!
Any specific things looking for in a college (large, small, urban, etc.): Not too
large
Child's possible academic interests: Math, Physics, possibly Engineering
Schools currently on child's list of possibilities: We're still developing list but
possibilities include Trinity U (TX), Tulane, W&M, WFU, Richmond, Elon, W&L
Schools we've visited (whether or not child is still interested in going there):
Trinity U, Tulane, Tufts, ASU, Boston College. Will do a college trip this summer.
Would have preferred to do it this spring but had varsity sport conflict.</p>
<p>This week is standardized test from hell week for my daughter: AP English Composition today, AP Statistics Wednesday, AP US History Friday, walk-in SAT II's in Math IIC, French, and US History on Saturday. Then she gets to have a nervous breakdown.</p>