<p>mikasauntie, please keep us in the loop about applications and decisions. My daughter’s former club and varsity teammate is a frosh at Clark-so far so good. Her dad posts on FB regularly and is thrilled that she made the soccer team. Many kids we know love it. My D’s ex BF is a senior at Wheaton and we spent a fair amount of time at that school. Very nice, small and out of the way. Travel to NYC is two trains and a bus-tricky to coordinate and 7 hours. Boston and Providence are easier. My D is also in a small, dinky town with limited transportation options to NYC and Boston, but with a car, she fares better. Good luck!</p>
<p>Mikasauntie,</p>
<p>Thanks for the great reports!</p>
<p>mattkemp27- If you look at section C of the Common Data Set (google is your friend 
) you can get a better idea of how you stack up stats wise. Question C9 is the ACT scores (30 is in the top third tier). A 3.2 gpa (see question C11) looks to be in the below 50% but not quite down to the lowest 25% of admitted students. Good luck with Skidmore- nice part of NY in Saratoga.</p>
<p>School FINALLY starts tomorrow, it’s been one long summer!</p>
<p>Hi all!
The new edition of CTCL was released last week - has anyone seen it? I’m wondering if there are any additions or useful updates. D is looking at several CTCL schools, but the last edition seemed “out of touch” with the current situation at several of them.</p>
<p>^heavylidded – I feel your pain. My D (HS Class of 2011) did nothing on apps – very frustrating. I’m on this thread to get info for S’14 who (I hope and pray) will be in the GPA 3.0-3.3 category.</p>
<p>One mom told me she made an appointment with her procrastinating senior each week, for an hour, where they would sit down at the kitchen table, each with a laptop, and go over what the kid was supposed to be doing and what the parent could help with. My “jobs” were things like: get #10 envelopes (with the peel off strip – not the kind you lick) and stamp and address them to each of D’s schools so she could hand them to her teachers who were writing letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Join me in a calm cup of tea, HeavyLidded. I keep telling friends who happen not to have hs seniors this year that I vacillate between being really excited and having fun with the exploring/prodding/visit planning, and saying to DS, “Fine. Do it whenever you want. <harumph>” </harumph></p>
<p>Time to back off, if only for your peace of mind. I’m right there with you. I had a minor hissy fit a few weeks ago and cancelled one (nice!) weekend visit to three schools because DS was just not doing anything in terms of applying. I told one friend I might make him kiss my feet before taking him on any college visits. (He actually brought it up last night and I said, “Let’s wait and see where you get in.” I can be very mean.) </p>
<p>Wipe your hands clean for now. Talk about anything <em>but</em> college. You and DD will re-connect in a couple of weeks.</p>
<p>Time to chime in with my regular refrain: PLEASE remember that you have many years to have a loving relationship with this child, and try not to let this process hurt your closeness. It is very hard to keep that balance, and I do recommend stepping away if you feel things are getting too upsetting. Your kids will get into college and be fine - and underneath the bravado they are probably just as scared and frustrated as you are. Try to stay on the same team, and picture yourself a year or two from now, as strong partners who got through it together.</p>
<p>I wasn’t perfect with this, but honestly it’s become the most important thing to me as I look back on both kids’ college experiences, because now I’m in that “later relationship” phase and I’m glad we didn’t erode that irreparably.</p>
<p>When we first started visiting colleges, the Duckling was a bit overwhelmed and resistant. Since then, she has really warmed up to the process. She has now picked five schools and ranked them in order of preference and says she wants all applications to be turned in by October 15. She voluntarily asked to take the SAT again in October. </p>
<p>It was a gradual process from resistance to excitement - I think most kids just have to “grow into” the idea with a bit of gentle reassurance. I’m sure it’s a bit scary for many kids! </p>
<p>My nephew was a senior last year - only applied two places (I think his mom actually did most of the work), accepted early, and got on with his senior year. He put as little effort as possible into it (both applications and senior year). He’s now a happy college freshman, perhaps more laid back than his mother would prefer, but actually making it to class and taking the initiative to tweak his schedule on his own.</p>
<p>Hang in there!</p>
<p>HeavyLidded
I feel your pain! I’m running into the same thing so we broke down and hired and SAT tutor who also helps with the common app. DS likes him! (Better than working with Mom and Dad) They meet for 2 hours once a week, they’ve met 3 times so far and will meet about 4 more times (until Oct 6 SAT) maybe a few more times after that. We’re justifying it by not eating out at all for the next month and we were told upping DSs SAT scores should result in more merit $$,.
We are also applying to 3 early action schools that say they will give an approximation of merit aid when they send the acceptances, if the “grand plan” works DS won’t apply to a few of the schools he is lukewarm about but you know what they say about the best laid plans!
Can you convince her to apply to a few schools EA?</p>
<p>I am trying to be hands off and get my S to buy into the process more. His school does offer a class called “Transitions” which is supposed to help with the college app process. It meets for 1 1/2 hrs per day for the 1st term so it will be done on Nov 2nd. His 1st round of apps are due on Nov 1 (for EA ). Am hoping that by doing this in class (with out Mom) the process will go more smoothly. So far they have worked on their life and college goals and a “brag sheet”. I want them to move a little faster but am trying not to say anything. </p>
<p>Today he took a free practice ACT test online (thru Kaplan) just to see how he would do compared to the SATs. He got a 25 and isn’t really interested in pursuing the ACT any further. Just wants to stick with the SAT and try and improve his score there. Is registered to take his 2nd SAT in Oct. Trying to decide if a 3rd time in Nov would be a good idea.</p>
<p>Woot woot! First complete application submitted (to the only school D is applying to that doesn’t accept Common App) and the Common app is almost complete for the other five schools … Altogether an unusually productive day. What a sense of relief!</p>
<p>A round of applause for the productive Duck family! Way to go! Doesn’t it feel good when you’ve launched one app fully and completely? Best wishes for a positive response from that school and all others.</p>
<p>Waving back at HeavyLidded! Hang in there. It gets worse :)</p>
<p>Those of you whose kids have already submitted applications are giving me palpitations this morning. </p>
<p>Just returned from visiting three Pennsylvania LACs and wanted to share. We returned to Dickinson - this time for an interview. I still love it, D still likes it. Such a beautiful campus and I find students to be bright, engaging but not at all “intense.” (I’ve posted before on Dickinson so I won’t go into detail here.)</p>
<p>On to Juniata. My d liked the school but I was frustrated. Many unique things that really appealed to me, but I have several concerns mostly relating to campus life. Juniata is a small school (around 1500 students) and seems to be have a nurturing almost familial environment. You notice the difference immediately when you enter their Admissions office - which not called Admissions - it is the Enrollment Center. Unlike most of the schools we have visited which have pretty slick Admissions centers, Juniata’s feels like Grandma’s comfy parlor.</p>
<p>I don’t believe they offer Info sessions. We had a private tour and then my d met with an admissions counselor and she was provided with a folder with information customized to her interests. Although I have grown weary of the info sessions, I came home feeling like I didn’t have all the info. And for once, this seemed to be a school that had something different to tell me! </p>
<p>The good stuff: A truly individualized program. Students have not one, but two advisors. Instead of majors, students have Programs of Emphasis which is a flexible system that allows them to customize their studies. A strong study abroad program. A focus on graduation within 4 years. And as I mentioned above, it seemed like such a lovely, nurturing environment - not intimidating. It feels like the type of school where a kid who has gotten a bit overlooked in the past could really shine. </p>
<p>My concerns: With small schools, I am always concerned that there will be enough to do on campus. It was late on a Friday afternoon and a beautiful day and there was nothing going on. Not even a game of frisbee. Although we did see a couple of classes still in session, there were hardly any other students about. Perhaps this is a suitcase school? I like to see a lot of flyers and posters on campuses advertising concerts, events, etc. but did not see anything like that. There is not a dedicated student center just a (nice) food court in a building with several functions. I did not explore the surrounding area but on the drive in and out we saw a residential area that looked depressed. The tour guide told me the only thing within walking distance is a convenience store. The campus is nice and there are several recently renovated buildings but probably just as many in need of renovation. </p>
<p>This post has gotten so long - I will describe Susquehanna in a separate one!</p>
<p>Thanks for the wave, HL. And DS has submitted two applications, but to schools that don’t require much of anything to apply. I did tell him we could schedule some visits once the common app is done. He will work on The Big Essay in a class at school this fall if not on his own before. He is getting quite a bit of slack at home these days–actually got quite concussed a few weeks ago in a soccer game, so isn’t really doing anything that requires focus. </p>
<p>And a note to EmmyBet–I am always the one who’s beating the “have a fun senior year with your kid!” drum. I’m not actually upset or anxious. I know kids have different timelines and all work out fine. (DS#1 didn’t get a single application in until January of his senior year and DS#2 had them all finished by early November. Different strokes. . .) I’m mostly just curious how the process goes this time around. My '13-er is such a laid back, whatever kind of kid. We had definite directions with the first two, but this one is literally all over the map from day to day.</p>
<p>It’s all good. The weather has finally broken in the mid-Atlantic. I was ecstatic to be a little chilly when I went out to get the paper this morning.</p>
<p>On to Susquehanna. Sigh of relief. Finally we found a school that’s a bit less selective that we both really liked. </p>
<p>We attended an info session with the director of Admissions and had a private tour. 2200 students, beautiful campus. Very odd - they did not hand out any written information. I didn’t realize it until after we left when I wanted to share with my husband. They also have a strong study abroad program - in fact they require students to complete at least a 2 week “cross cultural” program. Students may design their own major. They seem to offer a lot of support to their students; in addition to an advisor, there are student mentors available, their health center is highly rated, peer tutoring is encouraged even if you aren’t struggling in class and the administration will work to coordinate these services if a student is having a rough time. </p>
<p>Lots going on here. Many club and intramural sports, several music groups to join. Lots of those flyers I like advertising bingo and pig roasts. A coffee shop in the student center which offers a movie or some type of activity every night of the week. There is a very affordable bus trip every weekend to NYC, Baltimore, Philly, etc. Although the town of Selinsgrove is small, it is within walking distance and has a nice coffee shop, cupcake place, a few shops. The river is also nearby - our tour guide had rented a kayak through the school that morning for $10. There are frats/sororities. 25% are greek - not a plus for my d. </p>
<p>Interesting observation: at these last two schools which are a bit less selective than other schools we have been focusing on, I noticed a marked shift in my d’s demeanor. She was more relaxed, more confident, speaking up, asking questions, taking the initiative. Really has me thinking about the best place for her. The school with the better reputation that might challenge her a bit or the school where she feels confident and comfortable. No right or wrong answer there, but as I said, it does have me thinking.</p>
<p>Joisymom-if she wants a somewhat less selective school with more of an academic vibe but not a place where all they do is study, look at Seton Hill. It’s a beautiful campus, similar in many ways to Dickinson (drove through Dickinson, did not actually tour there). We were there during the day on a Friday and got to look in on many classes and the students were very engaged and the campus really had a “academic” feel, yet kids were out on the lawn, very talkative in the dining hall (which is amazing), didn’t seem like it was exclusionary at all, kids seemed to sit wherever. It’s also right next to a wonderful downtown area that is very busy, lots to do there, yet campus is up a hill so removed from the action-the best of both worlds, again similar to Dickinson. The average GPA for this year’s class was a 3.5 (UW) so not too hard, not too easy. I also like the way they break up their merit aid, it’s parceled out based on GPA or Test Scores or Class rank but you can combine all 3 for a nice sized award.</p>
<p>Joisymom,</p>
<p>Thanks very much for the PA LAC Visit Report! Much appreciated.</p>
<p>My D and I met the Juniata A/C at a college fair and were very impressed (with her and with the school).
I also knew about Juniata because I went to grad school at Penn State.
If they had a rowing team we would visit and I think my D would apply.
But, yes, it is outside a very small town in the absolute middle of nowhere</p>
<p>Joisymom, thanks for the reports! I really like Susquehanna too. D spent some time there with her sport, and all of the girls were very friendly and welcoming. Lovely campus, and I like that there’s a town feeling too. I’ve mentioned it several times to D, but she is overwhelmed and sick of looking! And I have been having that same feeling - that a place where my D will feel more relaxed may be a better place for her in the end.</p>
<p>Congrats to all who have applications done! Even if there are more to do, that’s huge!</p>
<p>No movement on apps here and I’m pretty anxious because we’re only weeks away from October and school is now in full swing. D is also planning on EA at several schools and for scholarship money they absolutely have to be in early at a few places. I’ve been holding back, but I think a more structured time for essay writing may be needed in our house.</p>
<p>Joisymom- Thanks for the information filled rundown on the PA LACs! The only one of the three that D looked at was Juniata and although many things about it were good, she ultimately decided not to apply. The town and the lack of anything nearby was definitely a factor. I will say, however, that Lynne O’Shaughnessy, the college blog writer and also author, did choose Juniata for her daughter.</p>