<p>Jersey, are you TRYING to make the rest of us more anxious?!! :)</p>
<p>DS has about 10 schools on his (really mine, but that's a detail) list, but he's working on his essay in APEngLit which is a help. He actually talked about some of the "stupid" questions. His teacher is using UChicago's essay question list, and it is definitely a start. A couple of the schools on his list just want a writing sample, so he'll be able to get some apps in with that.</p>
<p>My issue right now is the GC. I sent her an email a month ago and resent it yesterday. I'm not sure what the transcripts look like, how they submit grades (weighted? unweighted?), what his ranking is, how she'll assess the rigor of his classes (5 AP's to date and honors, his first "fluff" class is photography this year to satisfy fine arts), whether the transcript includes SAT/ACT scores, etc. If it's this difficult to get a response, I'm concerned how long it will take to get her things in to the schools.</p>
<p>He did have an interview with a "traveling" admissions counselor from one of his schools, and it went well and is further getting him focused.</p>
<p>I keep thinking it will be all over when the apps are done, but I know it may be even harder when the decision process comes next!</p>
<p>I don't even want to think about the school counselor right now. I asked her just before school ended and again in August and I still don't know D's GPA (I only know the calculation up to the first or second marking period of Junior year).</p>
<p>I told her in August that because some schools D is applying to that I need the transcripts to go out. She told D to stop by early in the year but she has since been tied up with class changes, etc. and said she would meet with the seniors soon about college applications.</p>
<p>SOON?!?! Ugh. I hope she doesn't totally spazz out when D walks in there with a list of 13 colleges to send transcripts to and 13 Letters of Recommendation that she needs to fill out.</p>
<p>The first application deadline for D is October 10th at Florida State.</p>
<p>Son is home on an Ike day today. Wouldn't this be a great time to do applications? </p>
<p>Funny thing is, when my daughter was a senior 3 years ago, she had a "Rita" day off from school. Same suggestion, same blank stare, nothing done.</p>
<p>Nice to know we're not alone in this process. Although I've gotten some great information about schools, testing, applications, etc., I think the camaraderie of other parents is the best part.</p>
<p>Received an email from the GC, and we have an appointment with her next week. I'll be busy getting the apps together so she can get started, as I doubt there will be another chance. She's used to UC and CSU schools, but I can't believe DS is the only kid looking a little farther afield.</p>
<p>So-Finally had a great conversation with S-hmm-he wants to apply to exactly one school (that we actually think is a great fit) either EA or ED (but we worry about ED and merit $$ which is a need) and does NOT want to travel to look at a few great midwest schools -esp. with me, his mom, and "do I really think that would be fun-to travel together?" (OK -just know this is the kid that said he would love hashbrowns and eggs before the ACT tomorrow at 7am on a Saturday). OK-this is so not easy. He does have a few others in mind but he a very linear guy.</p>
<p>Histmom - My son really isn't interested in any CA schools, but he'll have to apply to a couple. May try UCSC and Sonoma State, but will know more after we meet with the GC. DS hasn't done himself any favors with EC's or grades which matter more to UCs that some of the OOS LACs on the list.</p>
<p>Oregon - I feel your pain! My son came up with a few schools in the NE he wanted to visit, I bought the tix, reserved hotels, now he's not interested. ARGH. Needless to say, we're going and I hope he brings an open attitude and gets excited. </p>
<p>I wonder how much of the negativity and feet dragging is actually based on fear on the kids' part?</p>
<p>cpeltz - my thought exactly about the "fear factor"!! D's first app is due on Thursday, and the dragging has reached a critical point. She decided today to do the school app for this first app, and take more time to complete the Common App for the others, but at this point you have to wonder if a rushed application is going to be good enough....</p>
<p>Rachacha -- Is there really a school with an application deadline of next week? That makes me worry that my daughter needs to get going! Is it for an ED application?</p>
<p>One more big event down - son has his senior pictures taken today, again resisting....sigh. But it's done and he looked so handsome and grown up it brought tears to my eyes.</p>
<p>cpeltz: UCSC is on one of my D's list too. Both are also applying to UCD, Cal Poly and CSUMB. Sonoma is closest to us but neither is interested because of the "everyone goes there" factor.</p>
<p>I do think you hit the nail on the head w/ the "fear factor" This whole growing up thing is scarey and the more milestones you reach the closer it gets.</p>
<p>After a year or so of reading this board - and learning much from all of you - I thought I should introduce myself as a parent of a Class of 09 senior. </p>
<p>D1 is our first to go through the college admissions crucible. Although she is not a CC academic phenom - her mother and I are proud of her solid 3.3 GPA in all honors and AP classes. Along with her 28 ACT score, I'd say she is a poster child for the "B+" student thread. (I'll post there as well if I ever find it again!)</p>
<p>She has a long and changing list of schools she is interested in from all over the country - primarily large schools with respected academics, a wide range of majors, school spirit, football, active greek scene, etc. She is captain of her varsity field hockey team and is being actively recruited by several schools. She will also likely apply to a few high reach colleges as well. </p>
<p>Thanks to the good advice from those of you who have gone through the process, especially with regard to the importance of applying early to schools with rolling admissions - she has already submitted several applications and in fact was accepted this week by two of her safety schools - Arizona State University and Louisiana State University. When she shared the good news with her guidance counselor, she was told that she is the first person in her class of over 350 to already have an acceptance in the bag! That said, she is still looking ahead to applying to her match and reach schools - she took the ACT again this morning and then had an admissions interview at Lehigh this afternoon. It is no doubt going to be an interesting year! </p>
<p>Since you do not seem to be getting the desired result from your child's guidance counselor, may I suggest that you cc that next e-mail to the principal? I know that would get my attention, as a teacher, if I knew that the e-mail also was going to my administration.</p>
<p>I wish that all of you had a wonderful guidance director as my son does. He needed his GPA and ranking for a scholarship form. He got a pass to guidance, walked right in and got the information. Yes, we are in a school of about 400 students. My son's graduating class is just 90. But our guidance director makes every effort to help all students with whatever they need. </p>
<p>My son's first app is due Nov. 1. I am confident, as is he, that everything will be sent on time.</p>
<p>JerseyShoreMom
Judging by the number of NJ license plates in the parking lot, we were not the only two who made the trek to PA for the ACT's. My D felt it was worth it to squeeze in one more ACT test and then take the SAT subject tests in October. She has declared that after the October tests she is done with the ACT's, SAT's, etc. </p>
<p>She had visited Lehigh twice before, and took advantage of taking the ACT in Bethlehem to arrange for an interview while we were there. We also toured Lafayette on the way home. A long day.</p>