Parents of the HS Class of 2011 - We're awesome!

getalifemom · July 1, 2011, 4:11pm

S is dysgraphic (and ADD) - a brain bleed at birth for which doctor’s told us he’d experience some degree of mental retardation (the term then) and learning disabilities at the very least. He made it to college before being diagnoised!

S struggeled in two classes last fall for which notetakers weren’t found and professors didn’t use or post notes. Someone on here suggested the LiveScribe pen, maybe Shawbridge, and S’s been using it for half a year. He went to get his accomodations renewed yesterday and the SAS director said the school had gotten a grant for using these pens with their notetakers. He asked S to write about his successful experience. * ** We highly recommend and will buy one for D if she’s interested. * **

mathmomvt · July 1, 2011, 4:26pm

bopper - S has to sign up for courses online starting mid-July. Like your D, there is a lot more leeway than I’d expected, partly because the kids have so many different combinations of AP/IB credit. The engineering college sent the kids a pretty detailed guide to picking their first year courses though, and S does have his picked out now that he knows his AP scores. His orientation will be the week before school begins (everyone at once) and it’s not so much about picking classes as about meeting people, finding their way around, etc. That part actually seems very similar to how things were for me back in the olden days ;-)

getalifemom: I’d be interested in hearing how the pen works for dysgraphic kids. My S2 is also dysgraphic and ADHD but he uses a laptop right now for all his writing in HS. What would the advantages of the livescribe pen be? What accommodations does he have for college?

olderwisermom · July 1, 2011, 4:36pm

FlMathMom: My son’s roommate is a full diploma candidate and he was told July 5. I do remember that the school got last year’s results sometime around July 4 while my son was in Michigan with my husband. Our IB coordinator called us with the results. It’s a brand new program for us and she taught the History SL class that year. She was eager to share the results. I hope she will do the same this year.

stillwater · July 1, 2011, 4:48pm

On the computer issue- Thanks ShawDad and others for the input. My D is not STEM so she doesn’t need that much sophistication, but what’s needed is smaller screen, light weight, long battery life, and a keyboard that’s not is ideally backlit. A 13" MacBook pro sounds good, still a little heavy, but my father-in-law insists they’re overpriced. I’ve been discussing with D the possibility of a less expensive laptop or desktop that stays chained down in the dorm and an iPad with a keyboard for classroom notetaking. There are some fabulous apps such as Notetaker. She could take notes with a stylus or by typing and it would all be searchable. That pen sounds good, too. Is it just for apple?

FlMathMom · July 1, 2011, 4:53pm

OWM - I just emailed DS’s GC and principal to see if I could find out anything. Will let you know. So curious.

FlMathMom · July 1, 2011, 5:39pm

Any of you with HS kids who ‘want’ to enter a $5,000 scholarship by Sunday, give it a whirl. You never know. [$5,000</a> Scholarship for High School Students, 2011 Scholarship Essay Contest | Joe Foss Institute](<a href=“http://www.joefoss.com/programs/scholarship-program/2011-scholarship-essay-contest-ind-day]$5,000”>http://www.joefoss.com/programs/scholarship-program/2011-scholarship-essay-contest-ind-day)

MilitaryMom · July 1, 2011, 6:04pm

D is getting the Acer laptop we bought in February as a replacement for our old laptop. I don’t like it and d does. She is taking that plus her desktop to college. We will buy a new laptop during the tax holiday in early August. This time I am going into a store and not letting d or s talk me into buying something online. Yes, it may be cheaper online but if it is hard for me to type on (like the Acer), it is nearly useless. D is the only one who likes the Acer and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the computer except that the keyboard doesn’t suit anyone else.

parentofpeople · July 1, 2011, 6:39pm

Thanks for starting the new thread, I never joined in on the old one because it seemed too established haha. Now that they have all made their college choices, I think it will be fun to follow how they do through the next few years, though I guess we will be following from afar! Soon to be empty nester here. DD is rising senior at Lehigh, and DS will be starting at UPenn CAS.

MaryOC · July 1, 2011, 6:43pm

Love all the formr lurkers as new posters. Welcome~

I was thinking I might be able to keep up more here, than on the old thread but Geeze… a girl leaves for a day at the beach at the bottom of page 1… and comes home to find the discussion at the bottom of page 6.

…all good stuff, though~

GSharpM7 · July 1, 2011, 6:47pm

As a parent of a 2014 youngin’, I realize that I have ventured where I don’t belong, but I saw the initial post and peeked. First and foremost, Congrats to everyone here!!! Secondly, Condolences, you are not done with Mr. Toad and his wild ride yet. Finally, love and enjoy your kids as-is this summer… they will be different people this time next year.

I saw the initial List, so I couldn’t help satisfying my curiosity by running it through the 2014 spreadsheet to see how the distribution by school came out. In case you have a similar interest, the results are below. I will leave it to you to have all the fun with who wins, who wins per capita, etc. My own alma mater (W&M) didn’t even make the 2015 list. A little disclaimer, the results are based on the raw data in the initial post. If the school names are not consistently entered (e.g. Yale and Yale University are different as far a computers are concerned) then the results will be off. I did try to manually strip off the stuff in parens.

Before I part, the technology is a year newer now, but some of the concepts are still the same. Click here if you would like to see the summary of the 2014 What Computer Should I Buy for College? discussion… take it, modify it, and make it more relevant.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/544629-parents-class-2010-a-2031.html#post10667705[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/544629-parents-class-2010-a-2031.html#post10667705</a>

I will now leave the awesome College Class of 2015 & Beyond alone to its own devices and go back where I belong. Sorry for the intrusion. ;)

miami of brohio 1
MyLB’s S

Adelphi University 1 
EmmyBet’s D

Auburn University 3 
ced2015 D
Lapagan S
ny2vamom

Bates College 1 
emilybee’s S

Bennington 1 
compmom

Boston University 3 
bkcsmn99’s D
Fishymom’s D
Momjr’s D

Brown 2 
Camathmom’s D
RenaissanceMom’s S

Brown University 1 
Mayhew’s D

Carleton College 2 
Catie33 S
megdog’s D

Champlain College 1 
Kathiep’s Son

Clark University 1 
researching4emb’s D

Colgate 1 
laffter D

Columbia University 3 
Aniger S
bertie0811’s D
college4three’s S

Cornell 1 
redshoes S

Cornell University 2 
mathmomvt’s S
obsessmom’s D

Dartmouth 1 
randrmom S

Duke 1 
keylimepie’s S

Duke University 3 
Ohiomom24’s S
psychmama’s S
rom828’s S

Elon University 1 
rodney’s D

Emory 1 
Classof2015’s D

Fordham University 1 
LeftyLou’s D

Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering 1 
FlMathMom’s S

Georgetown University 1 
AvonHSDad’s S

Hampden-Sydney College 1 
zoeydoggie’s S

Hampshire College 1 
kinderny’s D

Harvard 1 
TessaR D

Harvard College 1 
radannie’s D

Hillsdale College 2 
Final4X5’s D
Momofsongbird’s D

John Hopkins University 1 
LGSMoms D

Juniata 1 
holliesue’s D

Lebanon Valley College 1 
momofzach

Lehigh - IBE Honors 1 
susgeek’s S

Loyola University Maryland 1 
Lovethecape

Macalester 1 
kathyhathy’s D

Marquette 1 
MaMom’s S

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1 
aria2000’s S

Michigan State University 1 
Septembermom’s D

Midwestern State University 1 
proudmomof2’s D

MIT 1 
midwestDad2’s S

North Carolina State University 1 
SnLMom’s D

Northeastern University 4 
kappie’s S
marie24’s S
momofboston
pepper03

Pitt 1 
nocashfored

Pitzer College 1 
Archermom’s D3

Pomona College 1 
Calreader’s S

Princeton 1 
VAMom2015 S

Queens University 1 
Shawbridge’s D

Rice University 2 
4safrontman’s D
givings

Rochester Institute of Technology 1 
mamabear1234’s S

Saint Michael’s College 1 
gettingridofson

Scripps College at Claremont 1 
50isthenew40’s D

Shenandoah Conservatory 1 
CarriesMom’s D

Shenandoah University Conservatory 1 
photomom5’s D

Slippery Rock University 1 
lammb66 D

Smith College 2 
bossf51’s D
Upstatemom

Southwestern University 1 
cgpm59’s S

St. Olaf 1 
cooker’s D

Stanford 3 
2blue’s S
3Trees D
Dignified1’s D

SUNY Binghamton 1 
bopper’s D

Swarthmore 1 
UT84321’s S

Swarthmore College 1 
Counsel’s D2

Syracuse University 1 
AParentalUnits’s S

The University of Delaware 1 
Shakespearedad’s S

Trinity College 1 
MaryOC’s S

Trinity University 1 
crewguy1’s S

Tufts 2 
chocchipcookie S
SlitheyTove’s D

Tulane University 2 
bajamm’s D
Muddybubble’s S

UC Berkeley 1 
jshain’s S

UC Riverside 1 
Crizello’s S

UCLA 1 
dad1518’s S

UCONN 1 
emah24

UCS 1 
SanDMom2011

UGA 1 
gibson1514

UMASS Amherst 1 
hammer1234’s S

UMass College of Engineering 1 
hornetdad’s S

University of Alabama 4 
BamaMomof3
daydream11
ldinCT S2
militarymom’s D

University of Arizona 2 
mom2CalcGrrl’s D
UofAmom
University of Chicago 1 
32578233’s D

University of Colorado at Boulder 1 
Snoozn’s D

University of Delaware 1 
abmnj1 D

University of Georgia 1 
gamomof3 D

University of Illinois 1 
mommylaw’s D

University of Maryland Baltimore County 1 
Umdclassof80’s D

University of Michigan 3 
MichMom07
moltobene’s S
WayneandGarth S

University of Minnesota 1 
Kajon’s S

University of Minnesota @ Twin Cities 2 
noimagination
Wolverine86’s D1

University of Missouri 2 
Dkarth’s D
olderwisermom’s S

University of Notre Dame 1 
momdoc’s S

University of Oregon 1 
Catherinedagr8

University of Pennsylvania, Wharton 1 
CalifLAXMom

University of Pittsburgh 3 
Amandakayak’s S
mdye718’s S
rmac399’s S

University of Puget Sound 2 
collegemaw’s D
happy64’s D

University of Southern California 1 
madbean’s S2

University of Vermont 2 
3ToGo S
BurkeSt’s D

University of Virginia 3 
blueiguana’s S
Guillaume
jkiwmom S

University of Washington 1 
THATDAD S

University of Wisconsin at Madison 1 
Arbydan

USC Bacc/MD 1 
Sportsmomma

Vanderbilt University 1 
troiscubed’s D

Vassar College 1 
peabodie’s D

West Point 1 
phbmom

Whitman College 1 
puma12s S

Willamette University 2 
oregonianmom’s D
seattle_mom’s D

Williams College 1 
SSSmomof3’s S

Yale 1 
Scoutsmom’s S

Yale University 3 
HighHead’s D
Kdog044’s S
ThisWontHurt D

Total Result: 143

getalifemom · July 1, 2011, 6:58pm

mathmomvt - S has used his computer for notes but the pace is much faster in college. He types well, but organizing for him is challenging. Getting notetakers took considerable effort so he wasn’t being proactive about it - plus being newly diagnosed, he was/is uneasy taking advantage of accommodations. He had two Economics classes last fall without notetakers and professors who lectured with no notes. He said they were just that brilliant. He couldn’t type the graphs well, or at all, on his computer and got behind which led to others issues like a panic attack - walked out of a test.

We got the pen over Christmas break and while the learning curve was a challenge, by spring he’d figured out how to make it work for him, including uploading notes to his computer. He’s never been specific about how he uses the livescribe notes, but his grades improved considerably over winter and spring terms. I know the idea is that he hand writes just enough to fill in his uploaded notes later from the recording. He still has a notetaker when he can find one - an accommodation that is better in theory than practice. He also has extra time on tests as all have been handwritten. I wish the school/professors could get to the point of letting him type for tests, but it seems there’s an issue with the potential for cheating, maybe. As you know there’s a neurological disconnect in the writing process which makes it impossible to listen/think and write at the same time. I know everyone has this to some extent, but dysgraphics can’t do it at all. In elementary school when we (and teachers) complained to S about his terrible cursive handwriting and suggested he print, he responded that printing took too long because he got confused when picking up and putting down his pencil between letters. We had no idea that it could be neurological but probably should have examined further. His intellect masked this learning disability, I think.

Bossf51 · July 1, 2011, 7:22pm

Well Hi there everyone!

Glad to see I’m not the only dad and not the only Smith parent.

My youngest is headed to Northampton Sept. 1st. She is thrilled beyond measure. She has wanted to go to a women’s LAC since she was a freshman in high school and Smith was one of her favorites.

They find out their roommate and which house they will live in July 15th. Yes I said “house” as they do not have dorms, but rather about 35 unique houses on the beautiful campus.

She is holding off on purchasing dorm gear until she finds out which one since some of the houses have the extra-long beds.

D is hoping to double-major in some combo of Theatre, English and Psychology. Smith has an open curriculum which allows for a lot of “dabbling.”

Probably won’t post too much but I enjoy reading your stories and advice. :D

shawbridge · July 1, 2011, 8:40pm

The LiveScribe pens work with PC and Mac. Our experience is positive but mixed. ShawSon is truly gifted and severely dyslexic. In his sophomore year, we asked the school for note-takers and they provided them, which reduces his need for notes. However, he is taking math courses and advanced economics courses in which the professors do proofs and derivations on the board. If you copy down the equations, it is hard to also write down the things they say that get you from one equation to the next and yet the explanation of yow you get from one equation to the next is where the skill is (and understanding this is how you learn to do similar proofs themselves). He found that the pen is invaluable for this purpose.

ShawD used it in her senior year in HS more frequently. She did well (actually, I hope she did will in the 2nd semester; we haven’t gotten the grades yet). However, she was diagnosed with ADHD at the end of freshman year, had extra time which helped a little in sophomore year, but her grades shot up in junior year as she started taking Ritalin. Huge and immediate benefit (on the first day, she watched half of a documentary with and half without and said that she got so much more out the half with Ritalin that she never wanted to go to school without it). So, it is a little hard to disentangle the effect of the pen. She likes it a lot.

stillwater, on computers, I’ve had both. PCs cost less, but for adults, the lifetime cost of a Mac is lower. You don’t need to get IT help. The Apple store will often just do it for you, but it is a much better designed system and so things don’t overwrite themselves and get screwed up. It is possible that because kids can get PC help from friends / IT support at school, the lifetime cost is less. Don’t know. I have used both but prefer the Mac. I have a Macbook Pro 13", the kids have the white plastic ones (Macbook) which are going to get a refresh and ShawWife has a Macbook Pro 15". [It saves me time not having to fix their machines as often.] I’m going to get a Macbook Air, but I travel a ton and lightness will be great.

shawbridge · July 1, 2011, 8:51pm

FlMathMom, you asked about ipads. I don’t have one. In its first incarnation, it seemed to me to be largely a consuming device (you could enjoyable waste a lot of time with it) but not a creating device. I’m frequently creating and couldn’t give up my laptop for it, even though it is pretty elegant (my IT guy gave me one for a week to try). My partner had the same feeling, but he just got an ipad2, which he thinks is useful because he is using it for taking notes, saving them as pdfs and tagging them and filing them away. We’ll see if he keeps doing it.

mdye718 · July 1, 2011, 8:56pm

Hello hello! Congrats to everyone! No AP scores as of yet, we’re just waiting on the mail. S1 only took 2, there are only 4 AP classes total available at his high school, and students are usually not permitted to take them until senior year. S1 moves into his dorm @ Pitt on August 24, he got a single room and was a little disappointed because he initially wanted the roommate experience; now he thinks privacy may be a good thing. He’s already been contacted by his floor RA’s and has joined their Facebook group. He has scheduled all his classes, and they all sound so cool I wish I could go with him (especially the one he has at the Cathedral of Learning; that building is so beautiful I just want to live there). We’ve started a little bit of shopping, trying to pick up things here and there. We’re very happy for him as Pitt was his first choice, and from the first time we visited it just felt right.

He’s spending his summer working at a sporting goods store and hanging out. He’s a little nervous, but very excited to start his college life!

susancani · July 1, 2011, 9:15pm

Hello all! Another newbie here. D1 is off to University of Dallas 8/27. I did lurk on your old thread but found it late in the game and felt overwhelmed with all the posts to join in.

Just read all the pages. Wow! Congrats to all those wonderful AP scores! These kids are amazing.

Can’t believe D is moving so far away - always been a homebody! Really thought she’d be staying on the East Coast. D2 (rising junior) says she can’t wait for older sis to leave, but I know she is going to be sorely missed!

Greatly appreciate all the insight and advice. Love the tip re Amazon Prime - will definitely be shipping much more now. Looking forward to sharing some interesting new experiences with you all.

holliesue · July 1, 2011, 9:53pm

so nice to see all the new posters!! welcome!!

walkinghome · July 1, 2011, 10:22pm

What fun to have so many new people! Something that some of you have done, that might be a good way to know each other, would be to give a tad more information by way of an introduction.

I have 3 kids. My oldest daughter got her undergrad from Principia College in Illinois four years ago. She is now going to college in Nashville at Vanderbilt. My oldest son graduated from Roanoke College last year and majored in English literature with a Communications minor. He spent four months in Europe couch surfing, hitch-hiking and exploring and is now driving us nuts here at home and looking for a job. Our youngest will be attending Champlain College in Burlington, VT in the fall and majoring in Computer Networking and Information Security. Coincidentally, both of of boys chose colleges 7 hours from home- one south and one north.

I intend to post more on the empty-nest thread over in the Cafe. Assuming son #2 moves back out, we’re going to have to find something else to talk about besides what the kids are doing, should be doing, and should stop doing.

Here’s another tip for first time college parents - Sign up to get Groupon offers for your rising freshman in their new area. [Deals:</a> Washington DC Half Off, DC Things to Do | Groupon Deals](<a href=“http://www.groupon.com/]Deals:”>http://www.groupon.com/) and/or [Northern</a> Virginia Families 1-Day Deals](<a href=“http://livingsocial.com/]Northern”>http://livingsocial.com/) My oldest is in Nashville, TN and I’ve bought a few things for her that way. My only problem is she is just as likely to buy it herself! Unfortunately, my youngest is in an area that doesn’t have either. Good thing for the national deals!

2education · July 1, 2011, 11:26pm

GSharp~You just rock with that new distribution list…I was wondering if you would come through knowing your love of statistics and all things mixing numbers and letters…yes the’15 are awesome what can I say see you on the '14 thread Cheers :D

kumitedad · July 2, 2011, 12:05am

I like the list. Can I put my D on there for California Lutheran University?

She is still waiting to hear about her roommate. This will be a new experience all around. Her brother went to the local UC and is rooming with two friends from HS (one of whom he’s know since kinder!). So my D will have a lot of adjusting to do, and can’t draw on a lot of his experience in roomies.

She just received her Summer Reading book (how nice of the college to give those out “free”), and of course has not opened yet. Her reasoning being that if she reads it too early she will forget it <sigh></sigh>

One thing that bummed her out it that Apple discontinued the “Buy a Mac, get an iTouch free” program they had for students up until last year. Although I have heard if you buy at Best Buy, they will give the student a 100$ gift card (will have to check that out)

Otherwise I am edgy. Our S is only 30 or so miles up the road. She will be about 300 miles away. A new learning experience for all concerned.

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