<p>Kathiep - My S loves history, that is his thing. He is not taking a 4th year of language so it opens up a slot for him to take a second history class. He loves English also and the Irish Lit thing is only a one semester class. My S has an aptitude for math and science, but has no interest in it. As an engineer, I keep reminding him what the starting salaries are for engineers vs say a history teacher, but it hasn’t swayed him one bit. ;-( We are requiring him to take 4 years of math and science though, just in case he changes his mind and decides to go that route in college.</p>
<p>Class Rings! S got a notice that Balfour will be at the school all next week to take orders for class rings. I really liked how that tell you to send in the $60 deposit but give the parents no idea what the total cost will be.</p>
<p>mamom, I’ve tried to convince both of my Ds that they should look into engineering based on pay, job availability and not necessarily needing an advanced degree. While they’re both strong in math and science, it’s a no go for both :(.</p>
<p>re class rings</p>
<p>our students ring arrives in March…
was surprised at prices…</p>
<p>we did it as a memento–but didn’t go with an expensive syle–turned out the least costly signet ring style our student liked was also the most economical way to go</p>
<p>Talk of class rings makes me think of the scene in the book “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” where the class ring salesman was a former BMOC who was paralyzed in a car accident. Big dramatic presentation, even stoner Jeff Spicoli was moved. 
</p>
<p>Hadn’t thought about class rings at all, but that’s going to be in the “save your allowance if you want it” category.</p>
<p>Hi, I’m new to this thread. My daughter is a junior in high school and doing pretty well overall. She’s considering a music education major but doesn’t know for sure that’s the path she wants to take. She also likes math but isn’t sure what she would do with a math major. Accounting may be of interest to her but she really just doesn’t know. </p>
<p>So for now, she’s trying to balance it all. She plays the violin and is involved with several music groups, in and out of school. She’s not to involved with EC’s at school as a result but does play varsity tennis. </p>
<p>Today we were trying to finalize our list of colleges to visit over our February break. The tears started flowing. She says she wants to double major but that’s really hard to do with music education. With her possible interest in accounting, she doesn’t have too many options in colleges with that major and a strong music ed.<br>
I just need to place to come and vent/unwind/ commiserate/ and share experiences.</p>
<p>Smom, math… Wow, that opens many doors – financial and banking industry, insurance (actuary), consulting, grad school etc. Accouting has nothing to do with math, algebra maybe, nothing more than that, math-wise. There could be a good double major in music education/applied math. It depends on the college. Agree that accounting and music education is hard to combine. Just a suggestion: she could do 4 year degree in music ed. If that doesn’t work out for her in terms of job/career, she could spend a 5th year for a MS in accounting (check out the program at UNC business school, for example. They don’t require a background in business or accounting). A CPA requires about 5 years of college ed anyway.</p>
<p>Suzu - You and your D are doing great. Many families haven’t even started to research any schools at this point. Our kids have a lot of academic and social pressures on them right now. She should continue focusing on her passions, her classes, ECs, and standardized tests. </p>
<p>Make your best choices of schools to visit picking a few different types if you can - big, small, urban, rural, etc. Hopefully your visits will excite your D and help focus your search going forward. Your D might want to select a school that offers a broad range of options. I know I changed my focus at least six times until I graduated with an accounting degree. Because my school was big enough, I was able to ‘try on many hats’ starting with Math & ranging from Judaic Studies to Criminal Justice.</p>
<p>Three days until the Jan SATs scores get posted on CB…</p>
<p>and we are already nearing the middle of the third quarter…wow has this yr been busy…</p>
<p>We did get a packet several months ago (maybe it was even during sophomore year) about class rings. Just got tossed into the recycle bin after one look at the prices. I’ve had other folks tell me though that they got the rings and got them early - wore them during their school years.</p>
<p>I admit as an adult to thinking the rings are gaudy and silly looking. But, as a kid I remember being so proud of my class ring. I just took a look at the Balfour web site and it looks like the majority of the rings run about $259. I am surprised by the number of choices offered. This is for a kid who doesn’t ask for a lot, so while I would rather not spend the money, I will.</p>
<p>Our plans to visit colleges during Feb and April breaks are out the window. S will be taking drivers ed classes during Feb break (mandatory 30 hours class instruction plus 12 hours driving) and doing an SAT prep class in April. So I am going to start looking for ways to make short car trips and long weekend plane trips to a few places. I am hoping we can get some cheap airfares.</p>
<p>We haven’t had any refreshments for awhile, so here are some chocolate slightly spicy cookies (with cinnamon and cloves). D1 and the spouse adored them, but I found them a bit too fiddly to make. Anyway, there are leftovers. I think I added too much chocolate, which made the dough hard to work with.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions for a place to order class rings that may be a little cheaper than the reps that come to the school?
They are like used car salesmen and we would rather not use them.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>When are your '11ers taking the SAT? I’m taking Algebra II now (I’m on the ‘normal’ math track, not the advanced one) so I’m thinking of waiting until May or June.</p>
<p>May I’ll have 3 AP Exams so that doesn’t seem wise, but I think I can handle it. It’ll just be a very stressful month. </p>
<p>How much Algebra II is on the SAT? Does anyone know?</p>
<p>CIA, are you taking any SAT II subject tests? If you’re not, your plan sounds fine. The SAT I math only goes up through Geometry. </p>
<p>My daughter will be taking the SAT in March. Like you, she has APs in May and wanted to avoid more testing that month. She’ll take some SAT subject tests in June.</p>
<p>Slithey: correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the SAT math change a couple of years ago to include a small amount of Algebra II? maybe you are thinking of the PSAT?</p>
<p>It sounds like most folks here are taking the SAT’s (rather than the ACT’s). Or maybe they’re taking both. My D is focusing on the ACT (taking it in April - currently taking a prep class), and hadn’t planned on taking the SAT until she got a high enough score on the PSAT that she may qualify for NMS consideration, meaning she’s now going to have to take the SAT as well (probably in early fall). She only has one AP test in May (although she’s taking 5 AP classes her senior year). How did you decide which set of tests to take?</p>
<p>Some schools require SAT IIs and most don’t. I’m planning on taking the U.S. History one and perhaps Literature.</p>
<p>Do the colleges that require them, even if they don’t specify, prefer to see some variety in the subject tests? For example, if you take history, would they like to see you take a math or science one as well?</p>
<p>rodney, now I don’t know. I always thought it was just through Geometry. Here’s what they have listed as the algebra that’s covered on the test:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>D2 is taking Algebra and that seems to cover it, but I don’t know, is there some Algebra II in there? </p>
<p>CIA, when are you planning on taking those SAT II tests? Best timing would be in June. You might want to consider taking the SAT in March, which would give you lots of time to take it again if you wanted in the fall. Or, you could just wait and take the test in September. </p>
<p>cooker, your D will only have to take the SAT for NM, not any of the SAT IIs.</p>
<p>misswhite, I don’t know if this is cheaper, but at least it’s an alternative to Josten’s. [Welcome</a> to Artcarved - Your source for Class Rings](<a href=“Personalized Jewelry | ArtCarved”>Personalized Jewelry | ArtCarved) </p>
<p>My older two kids got class rings in their sophomore year and wore them into their first year of college and that was it. My youngest son refused to get one and thought they were pointless. I didn’t argue. </p>
<p>My son is doing the March 13 SAT and not taking any more subject SAT’s. He took the US History last year and did okay, but he’s not going to be applying to any schools that require subject SAT’s so no need to waste time or money. We’ll think about the ACT after March but son is doing a prep class at his HS, so we’re hoping for an acceptable score.</p>