<p>On the subject of college visits, I have to say they have brought on quite a change in my own reluctant son. Where he had been showing up with shaggy hair, backwards baseball cap and frayed jeans along with the assumed bored and somewhat annoyed attitude, he evolved into a neatly trimmed, engaged kid who spoke up clearly when asked to say something about himself. The metamorphosis has been remarkable. I think the original attitude was a response to his presumption that college was a scary unknown that was being forced on him. Seeing these schools and listening to what happens there, and with whom (lots of attractive kids on these tours!) has made the prospect a lot less intimidating and a lot more enjoyable. At home, he's been asking about other majors and career paths, as well as mentioning ECs he'd like to do while at college (he wants to sing! who knew??). It's been a fascinating change and totally unexpected. He is willing to do the work now, thank goodness.</p>
<p>Although each visit is totally exhausting, I highly recommend doing them especially if your child is resisting the whole process.</p>
<p>Jolynne, I just told my son's girlfriend that she also needed to create a chart just so she knew when the deadlines were. My son has one, and so far, he has been on top of things. He has the Common App completed, but needs to do the essays. He told me that when he completes his work in his creative writing class, he works on his essays. Nice strategy. </p>
<p>The chart idea is something that I shared with my students, because some of them are very busy and need some organizational skills. And in most cases, their parents never thought to suggest a chart. One of my students did not even know that the state university was Common App. That should save her some time.</p>
<p>Wondered if anyone's son/daughter were submitting a 'resume' as a supplement to the college apps? I know there is an opportunity to do this; just not sure if it's a big advantage or not? </p>
<p>In son's case--he has very thin EC--they are mostly stuff he just likes to do on his own (playing rock n roll instrument, teaching himself computer language, doing computer artistry projects on his own). Not sure if this would lend itself to a resume (no exhaustive list of clubs, etc.). But...maybe not to do it would be foregoing an opportunity?</p>
<p>Jolynne -- My daughter was not intending to include a resume and I know my older daughter was not required to send one for her applications. </p>
<p>I'll bet your son will find clubs that he'll want to join in college. My older daughter was quite the computer kid and loved to program, etc.... and there really weren't any clubs at high school that she could join except math club and she was involved with the theater group for a few years. She preferred a part-time job and while she had enough ECs didn't have a lengthy list. There are so many more students with common interests at her college and she has joined several computer related clubs in college. One is a club that interacts with senior citizens and provides one on one support to get them acclimated to email, online banking and using the internet in general.</p>
<p>That's interesting, AdvicePlease, and nice to hear. Hope son finds some involvement that he enjoys in college. I know sometimes it's not even so much what you are doing as much as you are engaging in a common activity w/a group of fun people. I think he'll see this, eventually. :-)</p>
<p>Some people just don't need to be around other people. H and I are that way, and so is D. She sometimes chooses to hang out with friends, but doesn't need it the way many teens do. So if your son seems happy with what he's doing, don't sweat it.</p>
<p>Thanks for that encouragement, jaf. And, it's true. Son does have a nice group of friends; although thinking he's looking forward to a larger social circle/experience in college. Of course, being worried about many things, I told him about & emailed the "Haze" video link (elsewhere on CC). I hate to be a downer but I seem to be, often!!! lol</p>
<p>Well there's plenty to be worried about when they leave the nest. I can work myself up into a near panic just thinking about it and it's a year away. I have to consciously work to not think about it too much.</p>
<p>I've been working so hard to help son have opportunities to attend anywhere/the best/as far way as he wants, that as the process finally gets some traction (filled out a few apps already), I can find myself filling the upcoming 'organizational/college ap' vacuum with worry about what will happen when he gets there! lol If I got to work to pay for school, that should help w/taking my mind off it! Not to mention all those financial aid forms...</p>
<p>It is hard thinking about them leaving.....my older daughter is in her 3rd year of college and my younger had her first day of senior year of high school today. Next year they'll both be gone and it's hard to think about. I know that they are both great kids and are growing up into amazingly mature adults. I think I have more sadness than worry....although the worry is certainly there. </p>
<p>Lucky for us that there is the internet and cell phones....I've definitely kept in almost daily contact with my older daughter....which has been fun!</p>
<p>That's nice that your daughter keeps in touch, AdvicePlease! Thinking that might be more of a girl thing, though--not expecting daily (voluntary!) contact from my son when he goes away. :-)</p>
<p>Now that the apps are progressing, starting to have a little panic attack that son did not apply to enough safeties. Although, he will apply early to our state college (Rutgers). Just wondered---I know in-state students get tuition breaks---is it, generally, also true that they might be looked at more favorably, admission-wise? (I know some schools have percentage limits on out-of-state-students, but just thinking generally, beyond that..)</p>
<p>Sr. year started yesterday. TwinK wants todrop Spanish 3 in favor of AVID. both are sigle period offerings offered only the last period of the day. I don't like her reasoning (she has no friends in the class) but believe she will get more out of AVID this year as it will be a place where someone else is nagging her about her college stuff. any thoughts? We haven't told her yes or no yet.</p>
<p>Hi Historymom - Would this mean she'd have only 2 years of a foreign language? Would that hurt her chances at the schools she's interested in? I don't know what AVID is either, so it's hard to weigh one against the other.</p>
<p>I had to give in to my son's argument not to take French 4 this year. He's not a natural at French and none of his schools require 4 years of a FL even though some of them recommend it. Instead, he's doubling up on math. Can't argue with that :)</p>
<p>Son started school today. I wonder how it's going as he told me last night everyone's "freaking out" on Facebook about starting senior year.</p>
<p>I've been biting my tongue over D2's senior year schedule. It was a total mess and had to be redone and I had a hard time staying out of it! grrr... It is hard because she already knows where she is going because of athletic scholarship offer...as long as there are no last minute changes!!!! She has an easy senior year planned according to her. AP Stats, AP psych, dropped AP physics for regular physics because "I don't need that", has her broadcasting class, dropped Spanish 5 for Accounting to get ready for college business classes, dropped AP Lit because she will get the same credits at her college choice as she already earned from AP Lang last year and will take Mythology and Modern Fict/Non-Fict instead and then a two period, 2 quarter Mentoring program where she will try to decide whether she wants to be a business major or follow an interest in human biology/health care. GC didn't have a problem with her schedule so I guess I just need to let it go! Wish me luck!</p>
<p>historymom--I had the hardest time convincing son to stay w/Spanish. He absolutely hated it (I wonder if there could be a better way to teach it than the 'rote' method?). I did notice on some college apps they suggested that you take 3 yrs of a lang., though.</p>
<p>SueD--good luck to your son w/the senior year jitters. This morning before the first day, son said w/a big smile: "I'm finally a senior!" Then, when he got home, collapsed on bed for a nap. :-) I think it is stressful/tiring to start any school year.</p>
<p>NorthMinnesota--your daughter's logic re: her classes seems to make sense (she's thinking it through, it appears). The Mythology & ModernFict/Non-fict sound interesting!</p>
<p>Good luck to all as they start this big, final year!</p>
<p>acceptance thread?? don't get nervous, its way too early for nervousness...</p>
<p>just spoke to my '08 son who has his first college class tomorrow at Washington and Lee...he's had a great orientation and feels comfortable already...my '09 daughter hasn't yet sent her apps--there's time for the college app process for our HS seniors...my daughter told me earlier that she loves her AP Lit class, also taking AP Stats, and AP Psych, (so far just so so) I am proud that she still has the eagerness to actually learn and continue to develop strong relationship with her teachers. Its tough to maintain the balance of having a good senior year vs getting totally caught up in the application process...for us too...good luck to all who start tomorrow!!!</p>
<p>A little off-topic, but my D was saddened to hear on her first day of senior year yesterday that a classmate and fellow member of her confirmation class got into an accident driving to school and is in guarded condition with a serious head injury. It was revealed that a friend received a partial cell phone text message from her very near the time of the crash. Please tell your children not to talk on a cellphone, send text messages, change the radio station or song on the ipod at ALL while driving. I hope this girl recovers to enjoy her senior year and beyond.....</p>
<p>On a better note - the earlier mentioned problem with the "third GC in three years" has been solved. Many concerned parents of seniors beat me to it, so all seniors affected have the option of returning to the GC they had two years ago...WHEW! Now we have the overnight visit this weekend to worry about....</p>