<p>D1’s Math II SAT was somewhat meh. I kept nagging her to study, she didn’t listen, and there you go, meh results. She’s prepping for the Dec 13 ACT and needs to work on the math; all the other sections seem fine. Plan is for the March SAT, APs in May, last round of subject tests in June. Possible retakes in the fall if needed.</p>
<p>The UC server, of course, crashed on Nov 30. The next time it crashes should be in a year, and D1 will be applying. OMG. I’m stunned how quickly it’s all going to roll by. I made some comment to her about how she’s almost a senior. She eyed me and said “Sorry it’s gone by so fast for you.” I’m looking forward to reminding her of this conversation in 25-35 years, when she’s looking at a high school junior of her own. :)</p>
<p>^At least she took the Math II, I finally gave up when it became obvious that D2 had forgotten almost everything and would need to do substantial prepping. So, no Math Subject test for a kid interested in science.</p>
<p>It is waaay too fast! As much as I use this space to complain about all the hurdles, it’s going to be too quiet too soon!</p>
<p>I asked our GC, she said they would send home the PSAT scores in mid-Dec. I think they have them, just slow to distribute. S so far has not done any ACT prep for the Dec 12 test. I think he’ll be fine on the science, english, and reading, but would like some math and writing review. I really hope he does well enough that he won’t have to retake in April! With SAT in March and 2 AP’s in May, he’ll be tested out (no SAT II’s needed for schools he’s looking at).</p>
<p>Our GCs like to give out PSAT scores in one-on-one meetings with the kids. Took forever after 10th grade; S finally just went and got them himself (late Jan., I think). Will probably do the same for these scores. He’s in no danger of being a NMSF or anything so they don’t really influence his testing schedule. In a shocking twist, he has actually started the ACT on line prep.</p>
<p>No NMSF chance here either, but H’s employer gives corporate NM scholarships that D1 got even though she wasn’t even commended. If it wasn’t for that possibility, he wouldn’t even be taking the SAT.</p>
<p>PSAT scores are distributed late at D1’s school, can’t remember if it’s December or January. Probably the later date. D1 was telling me horror stories of the PSAT testing. One kid in her magnet was taking the test in a PE period. The teacher messed up, and the students only had half the time allowed to take the test. Then the school principal did a PA announcement during the test. Sheesh!</p>
<p>Many of the juniors in D1’s magnet pulled all-nighters Tuesday night finishing up the first big massive English paper. There were many sleepy heads, which maybe didn’t give the best possible impression when 8th graders and parents toured the school. I pointedly did not ask D1 what time she went to sleep.</p>
<p>My son got his PSAT and SAT scores (from Nov. 7 sitting) back on November 24th. Neither were what he was hoping for, so he will be taking another SAT next year.</p>
<p>DD got her PSAT’s and she actually went down from her 10th grade try. Hmmm, now what to do. I’d signed her up for ACT in February and SATs in March. I feel we may need to start researching some other colleges that now fit more into her “match” categories instead of her “safeties”. Gulp.</p>
<p>PSAT scores were sent home over xmas break last year and I expect the same this year. S did well last year, but not NMF well, so I am hoping for better. Unfotunately we live in MA and NMF cutoff is pretty high. S will take the SAT again in May and probably 3 more SAT2 tests in June. That will be it as far as standardized testing for him. Well except for any AP classes he takes sr year. </p>
<p>We are planning a couple of college trips for the Feb and April breaks. Not sure if these will be family trips or if H or I will just go with him and leave D and other spouse home.</p>
<p>We’re also planning a Feb vacation college trip, which I need to organize pronto, since we’re heading south with all the spring breakers. April vacation is tied up with baseball. Off to price airfares…</p>
<p>DizziMom: My D will be on that same test schedule. Wished she could have spent more time using online prep course, but HS and real life intervened. </p>
<p>One thing, am making sure she loves ALL schools on her list, down to the safeties! </p>
<p>Only one more college trip until Senior year. One of the good things our S’s college search is that she went to all of them and was able to get those out of the way.</p>
<p>D1 told me that her school doesn’t release PSAT results until February! For the rest of you waiting, you can think of my D1 and think that at least you don’t have to wait a couple more months. :)</p>
<p>I need to look at the calendar and figure out when D1 can do a visit to Santa Cruz. She’s also planning on applying to a couple of Cal States that supply lots of entry-level staffers to the state legislature, an interesting approach to take. The Cal State app is dead easy and requires nothing from her GC–no recs, no transcript unless you’re accepted and choose to matriculate, so it doesn’t “count” against the 9 apps allowed. No other visiting plans than virtual ones. I’ve given D1 instructions to start drilling down through websites of another 10-20 schools that might be of interest. Waiting to see what her semester grades will be like, and her ACT score, before committing to more visits. D1 likes the Claremonts and wants to visit, but our earlier plans to visit came right at the nadir of AP Chem. Here’s to hoping for an uptick in her grades to make her want to visit. </p>
<p>Other than that, she’s got a visit to Chicago coming up at the end of the year for her synagogue youth group, and then a trip to DC in February with her Jewish Civics initiative class. What with all that and some winter clothing, we told her to consider all her travelling and gear her Chanukah present, and and awfully big one at that!</p>
<p>Oh, and drove with her on the freeway for the first time :eek:</p>
<p>PSAT scores are due this week for us. Interesting that D got her SAT scores (taken in Nov), before PSAT scores taken in Oct. She’s not too worried about the PSAT scores - she’s probably not going to make the high cutoff for NMF in MA! </p>
<p>Talked to her about researching colleges, nailing down a list of the ones she’d like to visit. We need to get going on this, especially if Feb vacation is going to be our college visit time. We talked about researching one college a week - all of us - 11 yr old S included! I told him he was in charge of coming up with one fun fact about the school. He’s more thrilled than D is !!</p>
<p>Talking of my S, yesterday D was wondering if I had heard from some cousins. S pipes in “he is too busy with his ECs (soccer)”. D just stared at S and asked “Did you just say ECs? Mom - you’ve corrupted this 11yr old!” Too funny…</p>
<p>Slithey, glad you’re here to post about the freeway travel! I’d be a heart attack victim after such an experience, I’m afraid.</p>
<p>Ugh… I hate thinking about standardized tests. DS still hasn’t received his PSAT scores. They are supposed to get them next week. I think he should study for the SAT during Christmas break and take the January test. I just think it’s the best block of time to do so. However, he is wildly unenthusiastic about standardized testing in general and I know there will be much more fun to be had doing other things. Once he gets his scores I think we will sit down with a calendar of school and test dates and summer program application deadlines and see how it all sorts out.</p>
<p>2blue, I tell people that I never fear for my life, but I do fear for my pocketbook D1 is driving our old reliable Toyota Camry, which will be totalled out if it’s in any sort of accident. Since the Camry is our third car and we would probably not replace it in the event of a crash, D1 understands that it is in her best interests to drive safely. </p>
<p>arisamp, I think I’d like to hire you to crack the research whip over my D1, please. Speaking of family research, the two adults just finished reading “Save the Deli”, and the description of the smoked meat sandwiches in Montreal is making us drool. Unfortunately, D1 says she does not want to consider McGill.</p>
I pointedly did not ask D1 what time she went to sleep.</p>