<p>I need to read “the Gatekeepers” - the title is perfect!</p>
<p>With ACT and SAT, my D’s score turned out to equal the exact same result - although she had thought the ACT was “easier”, but apparently not…!</p>
<p>I took English and US History APs - honestly though, I have blocked out the whole experience…!</p>
<p>In our area, almost everyone takes the ACT; only about 10% take the SAT. I think it’s partially a Midwest thing - we have a very large percentage of kids going to Big 10 schools, which accept the ACT. D took the ACT in April, SAT subject test in May (so she could take advantage of taking it at the same time she was in APUSH), and is taking the SAT in June. Hopefully that will be it - she is definitely one and done with the ACT. Since we haven’t pinned down schools to which she will be applying, thought she would play it safe and take the SAT subject test even though it may not be required by any of her schools. Definitely looking forward to a break from all the tests, etc. over the summer!</p>
<p>D has AP English Lang this morning and AP Art History this afternoon. She was about to rant about how nobody should be expected to test for 6 hours in one day…then she remembered that I had taken the bar exam (2 1/2 days, at least in Texas).</p>
<p>I loved the Gatekeepers. I just re-read it a few weeks ago. I’d recommend that to anyone.</p>
<p>OTOH, I hated, I am Charlotte Simmons. The protagonist is supposed to be a very intelligent girl who gets into a competitive college (supposedly Duke) and then proceeds to turn into a clueless bubblehead that lets everyone step over her. I kept waiting for her to get a spine. The book is filled with cliched characters like the stupid football player, the slutty sorority girl, the brainy unattractive nerd, etc. etc.</p>
<p>Haven’t read Gatekeepers or the Charlotte Simmons book - think I’ll try Gatekeepers based on the responses here.</p>
<p>Has anyone looked at the college essay book by Bauld? The first few chapters were very entertaining reading - his description of the admission officers trying to plough through the essays was funny.</p>
<p>D looked like a different person last evening. Came home after practice and enjoyed herself. Was relaxed - came skipping downstairs to help me with the groceries. Gone is the crabby, snappy kid from a couple of days ago. She’s so so happy to be done. [ Well, I had to point out that she’s not really done - she has to make the AP Bio and then the SAT IIs are around the corner] - but she couldn’t be bothered!</p>
<p>I’m with kathiep on hating “Charlotte Simmons” because of the cliched characters. I think of “Bonfire of the Vanities” as A Great American Novel, loved loved loved “The Right Stuff” and thoroughly enjoyed “A Man in Full”, so “Charlotte” was a huge disappointment to me. </p>
<p>arisamp, I like the Bauld essay book. Short, sweet, some great examples. That one I bought (used, Amazon, dirt cheap). Now to make D1 actually READ it. :)</p>
<p>Just to merge those two paragraphs, D1 read and was thoroughly entranced by “Bonfire of the Vanities.” I’m going to force her to read “The World According to Garp” this summer. :)</p>
<p>AP’S ARE OVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!</p>
<p>Sorry for that. English: the multiple choice was EASY EASY EASY. I seriously think I got 50/54 or more correct. The first essay went well. I don’t do well in analytical essays, which was the second so we’ll see. The last essay was ok. I may have referred to a “technology fetish” regarding a certain news network. Can you guess which? </p>
<p>We get out a month from today. And counting.</p>
<p>CIA - Congratulations! </p>
<p>This was the last AP this year for my S as well, but I didn’t see him yet today. Glad to hear that it was manageable.</p>
<p>Loved “The Gatekeepers”, but the essay book by Bauld is my absolute favorite on the subject. I took it with me on vacation and was done with it on the first day. Because I was laughing so much when reading it, both my H and S read it too without any prompting. Great book! S will re-read it this summer when it’s time to start on the essays.</p>
<p>S has the IB Chem test today and tomorrow. </p>
<p>And, I am at the end of the Gatekeepers; excellent book on the process (although scary for someone in a giant public school…I’m so jealous now of schools with those elite, involved guidance counselors!)</p>
<p>Our student said the AP Eng was fine–happy with the multi/ch, and the first 2 essays- felt they were strong–By the last essay–was running out of helpful examples/supportive evidence etc…</p>
<p>A very tired kiddo–given yesterday was AP Chem.</p>
<p>Friday is AP Latin - Vergil…</p>
<p>Anyone know what next years AP schedule is already?
If its like this years–our student will have back to back tests a day or so…</p>
<p>Missypie–Had to laugh, like you and the bar…
My hubby had 5 days of exams for architecture–so he too won’t have sympathy for 2 APs in one day… :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Congrats, CIA! Good luck to those still taking tests.</p>
<p>keylime, I read the Bauld book too, having heard so much about it here on CC. I loved it and confess to having read it a second time just for the fun of it. I hope I can get my son to read it before he leaves for his summer program. I think it would help him to have it in mind as he gains new experiences. I read it when my oldest was going through the process and my youngest was in his first summer program. He came home one day with the funniest story of what someone had said. I immediately said, “Write that down! It would be the perfect opening for an essay!” He did and emailed it to himself. Sure enough, it was the opening for one of his essays for the program he will be attending.</p>
<p>Even though taking two APs in one day can’t compare to longer professional testing, I think it’s good for the kids - they have done something they thought they couldn’t do.</p>
<p>As far as I can tell ACT/SAT was entirely regional, but now both are making inroads. At one friend’s private school, they recommend both and say that 1/3 do better on ACT, 1/3 on SAT and 1/3 are a toss up. We stuck with the SAT, since PSAT scores suggested that would be fine.</p>
<p>Our student is currently enjoying some mindless time with
Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !! </p>
<p>If the Ap schedule next yr is the same as last yr and this yr… the Comp Sci and Stat are back to back.</p>
<p>I did go to the college board site to look, but couldn’t find next year’s schedule. I thought someone posted earlier that next year’s AP schedule was available??</p>
<p>fogfog - if the schedule stays the same as this year, my D will likely have four APs in week 1 - all on consecutive days. Fortunately, not two on the same day!</p>
<p>[2011</a> Exam Dates](<a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ap/about/dates/next-year]2011”>Higher Education Professionals | College Board)</p>
<p>slitheytove-thanks for the link…looks like my D will have exams on 4 consecutive dates. Not looking forward to that …maybe I’ll go on vacation for the week!</p>
<p>Bauld! That’s the name I was trying to remember while standing in the library! Since I finished The Gatekeepers while in the hs pickup line 
I’ll look for that book next time.</p>
<p>I haven’t asked LuckyBoy about the English exam yet. He’s off for a pre-prom haircut right now.</p>
<p>Looks like S will have AP Art History and Ap Computer Science tests on the same day next year. I’ll bet thats a weird combo that not many students will have!</p>
<p>Hey guys, do any of you have experience getting out of tickets or at least getting them reduced?</p>
<p>I got a ticket in late March for speeding and my court date is approaching. I plan on dressing up and pleading to take a driving course so that the points do not go on my insurance (I know several people who have done this). How do I address the judge and/or the district attorney to ask for this? What do I plead? I am terrified of court!</p>