<p>socialdramamama, my D is also in a performing arts magnet program. She really enjoys the program and the variety of musical opportunies in which she has been able to participate. However, she has never had any intention of persuing music as a career. She takes seven classes a year of which five are core classes. Freshman, sophomore, and junior years, the remaining two classes are her ensemble group and music theory/individual performance classes. Senior year, she can replace the second music class with a sixth upper level core class if she wishes. In order to accomodate the second music class in her schedule, she has had to take health and pe outside the regular school day. For her, that meant summer school.
If you are college bound, her high school strongly encourages its students to take at least five core classes a year. There are college admission reps (some with a presence on cc) that will gladly help a student plan their high school course load to maximize their potential for admission. I would like to give a shout out to William & Mary for doing a superb job at this! You can also study college websites that your student is interested in for this kind of information. More and more admissions offices are blogging and providing great answers to such questions.</p>
<p>WowâŠsounds like this group is full of musically talented kidsâŠwouldnât it be fun if they ended up at the same schoolâŠsame broadway showâŠyou knowâŠâwe got our start from our parents on CCâŠâ (not!).</p>
<p>AnywayâŠmy S is in college and is the more artistically inclined so I am with ApolloâŠD HS '13 is doing the full IB diploma, all academic core with Photo III as the lone artistic option. Her schedule is:</p>
<p>IB Topics (social studiesâconsidered tough but only SL)ârequired to cover the Virginia history component for state requirementâŠhave we not had enough of virginia history?
IB Anthro SL
IB Math HL
IB English A HL (2 years, mandatory)
IB Physics SL (2 year class so why SL??)
IB Spanish A HL (lots of native speakers in HS including D so bilingual IB diploma)
Photo III (take AP Photo next year).</p>
<p>Next year is the Theory of Knowledge class instead of Antrho but other than that the next two years are now rigidly set and there is no escape.</p>
<p>She will do fine but will suffer. She will not get straight Aâs so she needs to accept that. She will only be able to do Field Hockey (fall) and maybe track in the spring. She has dropped travel soccer and gymnastics. She is already working hard on the summer assignments for the IB classes. College is going to be a breeze after this.</p>
<p>My dd has an easier first semester:
Algebra 2
Geometry
French 1
Intpersonal relations
Show choir
AP Lang and comp
Child development</p>
<p>2nd semester interpersonal relations and child development will be replaced with AP psychology and a college search class.</p>
<p>Iâm kind of worried she took it too easy this year, but she had a tough sophomore year and she has to double up in math to get academic honors and itâs her weakest subject.</p>
<p>Interesting course choices⊠MY D13 will be at an IB diploma only school so she can only take 6 courses plus Theory of Knowledge. She will probably take English, social studies (probably history, maybe social anthropology) and music (sheâs a violinist) as her higher levels and math, science (probably environmental systems) and French as her standard levels. She already has a 5 on the AP Spanish language exam so unless she could take Spanish with native speakers, as a second language A, there doesnât seem any point in her continuing Spanish. She hasnât studied French in two years so she doesnât think she could take it higher level. Sheâs hoping to continue studying Mandarin online because she studied it all last year and at an immersion camp this summer. There will be some native speakers at her school but the course is not offered. Itâll be interesting⊠Her boarding school starts with two weeks of orientation, including a week of camping and wilderness survival training. She canât wait to go.</p>
<p>Apollo is your D a spanish speaker? The 5 on the AP sophomore year turned out to be golden for my son and, funny, a 6 on HL IB A spanish for native speakers gave him ZERO credit at University because no school knows what to do with this IB class and score. How ridiculous to give him credit for the AP 1 year class which he could have earned a 5 as early as 7th grade but no credit for the IB HL A course, a two year very rigorous course (same one his cousins in south America and friends in Spain take). D also has her 5 from last yearâs AP course. In general the APs conferred more credit than the IBs (most schools only accept 6,7s on HL classes) but my son preferred the IBs and said he got more out of themâŠfor example his IB comp sci (SL) proved to be invaluable (but no credit) at Carnegie Mellon but the kids with the AP credit/class from his school ended up feeling unprepared. He earned credit with AP B/C credit but nothing for his SL physicsâŠfar tougher course. It is a little frustrating but even so my D chose the IB diploma over a full AP program.</p>
<p>It is a tough schedule but the IB spanish is more straight forward for a native speaker than another HL language. Also, the IB anthro is supposed to be fun. She really wanted systems but it conflicted with photo, her favorite downtime class. They say that they have figured out how to give the kids a study hall but I havenât seen the schedule yet. That would be really nice particularly for the kids that do sports or work after school. Personally, I wish she had gone for an easier scheduleâmy son always took one or two regular courses instead of the full IB and he liked being in something that was interesting but did not overwhelm him with homework. He also liked getting away from the ubercompetitive kids in the IB/AP classes and have some time with friends from middle school who took a less challenging set of classes. I think it was a healthy balance and think my D may regret doing the full IB.</p>
<p>My daughter is also going IB. Sheâs taking HL-English, HOA, Theatre, and Chemistry and SL-Math Standard and Spanish. She also takes Orchestra at school and ballet outside of school.</p>
<p>My S wants to study engineering. He has signed up for: </p>
<pre><code>AP Chemistry
AP Computer Science II
AP US History
</code></pre>
<p>PreAP Pre Calculus
PreAP Physics
AP Biology
AP English Language.</p>
<p>He is planning on taking the PSAT this October. He scored around a 188 as a sophomore. I would appreciate comments and opinions on what he should be doing to getting accepted into a decent engineering program.</p>
<p>Hello folks. I think it is time to jump back into this board. Junior year is about to start and it is time to get cracking on college plans. I was here a bit last year but planning seemed premature (except for the nagging about grades) at the time. </p>
<p>DD attends a public honors school in an urban district. She has opted to go with the IB diploma route. She is taking a mix of IB and AP courses next year. She has two APâs under her belt already. She is a good student but not working up to her full potential. She has a lot of leadership and writing focused ECâs. </p>
<p>She attended a summer program at American U. and LOVED it. Loved the college town feel while being part of a large urban area. I have to say I was very impressed with the campus and Tenleytown as well. It honestly felt like the perfect fit for my active DD, except for the huge price tag. </p>
<p>We have also visited St. Bonaventure (close by) but neither of us were impressed-campus was too rural for DD and she felt students dressed too sloppy. (Her words- âwho wants to go to school with people who wear sweatpants?â) Shaking my head at the things that are important to kids. I really liked was how generous the school would be to a high achieving student. </p>
<p>We have started college discussions with DD. I am working on grounding her in reality. (exâŠthere is only so much money for college). She wants to attend a school in an urban area that offers journalism. So far she has identified American, Columbia, and Emerson as her top choices. I am hoping to round this out with some affordable state schools. Without significant merit from her choice schools, they are not within reach for us. </p>
<p>Hoping to learn more from all the visits you plan to make.</p>
<p>Nellieh: My older D attends American and loves it. It is the perfect size and location for her. While the COA is pretty steep, they have decent financial aid including merit scholarships based on grades, etc. Merit aid alone can bring the sticker price down $10,000 - $20,000. Plus my D is an RA this year which provides free housing and $4000 stipend. SoâŠit can be workable. We are a very solidly middle class family!</p>
<p>University of MissouriâColumbia. Very, very good communications/journalism program. There are oos tuition waivers for out of state/merit aid. Lovely town/city. I guess living near DC I am tired of the place and yearn for the midwest friendliness. Funny enough, I am surrounded by Mizzou grads working in congressional and public relations (I think the good people skills learned there count as much as the degree).</p>
<p>perazziman, some of the more selective engineering schools want to see Subject Test scores, typically Math Level 2 and either Chemistry or Physics. So, it may be worth taking two subject tests in May or June. Take a look at the likely schools first, and see if the schools of interest require them.</p>
<p>A high math SAT (of ACT) score, and good grades in math/science classes are the most important things. Some math/science/engineering ECs might also be worth doing - AIME or other math competitions, science fair, robotics club, etc.</p>
<p>His schedule seems really tough, and with an awful lot of science in it. Will he be able to still get good grades with that schedule? IMHO, better to get all Aâs in fewer science classes, than lower grades in more science classes. Selective engineering schools will probably expect to see 4 total science classes - bio, chem, physics, and AP of one of them. Your S is on pace to have 3 science APs, which isnât really necessary. If it was my kid, I would suggest dropping one of the science APs this year.</p>
<p>Also, there is no foreign language. How many years of foreign language has he already taken? The more selective schools tend to require more years of foreign language.</p>
<p>Meg and Fine Arts,
Thanks for the insight. I hadnt thought about being an RA as a way to pay for school. It is def something to consider. </p>
<p>I have been encouraging her to think about Mizzou as an American back up. We are in NY state and to my DD Missouri sounds so remote. Her professor at American told her it would be a bad fit for her since she is coming from a small school and is a pretty urban kid. I think we will have to see it for ourself.</p>
<p>WellâŠI think you are right for wanting to see the school for yourself. Mizzou is huge but it is the midwest. Frankly, you are in for a shock coming from NY to see how darn nice people are there so even a large campus can be more welcoming than a smaller school with a lot of commuters or unfriendly types. My S went to visit WUSTL and UW-Madison and was amazed at how darn nice everyone was after the DC attitudeâŠnot up to the famed NYC coldness but definitely there is an urban, go-it-alone attitude here. I grew up in the south and went to a âsouthernâ school (Duke) that was so full of NJ and NY kids that I needed a translator for some of the early interactions with people in my dorm. It was not a very large school but it was also not very friendly and most students never got beyond the same social groups that they came fromâŠit was less diverse and there was much less socializing across racial/class lines than in my HS. Graduate school in wisconsin was an eye-opener as to how much easier it was to meet people in the midwest even on a huge campus than in a smaller but less welcoming environment. The very large midwest schools have also come up with innovative ideas to create smaller groupings, particularly for the freshman, so that there is more community building that first year.</p>
<p>My son starts at his new school this morning. Yup, decided to change schools for junior year. Should be interesting. The school is issuing iPads to everyone, instead of textbooks. Iâm taking bets. Which will happen first, breaking it or losing it?</p>
<p><em>waving at toledo</em></p>
<p>Dsâs summer is coming to a close. Internship ends tomorrow. Skipping cross-country tonight to go to a concert with friends. School starts Monday.</p>
<p>Just realized that the day ds2 is touring ds1âs school is the day the new freshman report! Should be quite a scene.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So S2 is interested in S1âs school? I think it would be nice to have kids at the same school, but OTOH, they will both be so far away.</p>
<p>Just under 3 weeks until school starts here - D2 was starting to think about all sheâs done that could be listed on a college resume so it was nice to see her starting to think in college terms. I think this year will have her more engaged - and sheâs the type who needs to get to that point on her own - me getting her there would not work!</p>
<p>She did complete 2 solo driving missions to pick up her younger brother and then to pick up her older sister - she was fine, both siblings nervous, LOL but she seems to be taking to driving solo well. Of course DH did not appreciate when she came home and asked how much a new taillight would cost? Joking of course, which is totally D2 :)</p>
<p>Three weeks minus a day until S3 starts school. He has 2 a days for Cross Country this week. He started his summer homework which is major progress. He has been driving solo to practice and back. So far, so good.</p>
<p>toledo, neither ds wants to go to school with the other. As ds2 says, âIâve been following him from school to school all my life.â But heâs never seen his brotherâs school â or yet toured a LAC â so I said he could come with me to drop him off for the year. While weâre there, weâre also going to visit another LAC less than an hour away, one I think would be a great match for him.</p>
<p>Oh, and ds tried to put gas in his brotherâs car the other night and had to call for instructions. Heâd never filled up that car before, and it has one of those buttons on the passenger door you have to push. The first time I filled up that car I was totally lost and had to get some guy to help me. Embarrassing.</p>
<p>Northwestern and USC also have great journalism programs. We visited Fordham U, Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx, today. The neighborhood is horrible (Iâm a born and raised Bronxy, but boy has the neighborhood changed). However, the campus security is incredible (all ex- NYPD cops), they emergency systems and cameras all over the campus, RAMvans to metro north or the subways as well as to their Lincoln Center campus. Tons of discount tickets to Broadway shows ($5) and lots to do culturally. My d was so impressed as she too wants to study journalism with international politics (American, Georgetown and GWU are on her list), but when we heard about the new Gabelli Business School (undergrad - opened with a $25 mil donation from Gabelli), she started thinking economics and business; media management, etc. They are going to have a trading floor in it and will open latest fall 2012. The dorms were all revitalized and new since I went there, but the character and architecture and school spirit impressed her (which I never in a million years thought it would). They have 33,000 applicants each year, and take about 1000 kids. NO SAT IIâs are required and the gpa is about 3.7 and sat scores anywhere from 1870-2390. But nothing is in stone like all colleges. </p>
<p>The University chapel was breathtaking, and the glass panels, donated from France, originally for St Patrickâs Cathedral in NYC were given to Fordham since they didnât fit at St Patâs. There are 4 other chapels as well and one Jewish and Islamic center. Safety was my big concern but it was alleviated by the amount of security and gates and the fact that the vans run from 9p-5am on weekends and there is never a stop where a van is not waiting. They also have a dorm for those who want clean living - no drinking, smoking etc. </p>
<p>By end of this year, I believe they said, each school will be asked to post the net price of their school. So many parents believe state schools are cheaper, but when you have a school with a $40-50K price tag and merit aid and scholarships are available, the parents/students wind up paying much less than a state school in a lot of cases. A friend of mine whose d applied to Hollins received $38K in merit aid which is quite substantial and she is in their work study program to earn $5K and her parents contribution is $9000. Fordham offers a lot of aid and you can major in business with a minor in liberal arts; you can take theater, dance, work at the radio station (WFUV is great) as well. </p>
<p>We are hitting U of Chicago, Kenyon, Northwestern on another trip and then doing DC schoolsâŠthe end of this week weâll do CT and the rest of the NY schools. Weâll hit U of P at alumni weekend next May. We decided that Columbia will come off the list, because they just donât have anything of interest to my d. She does a lot of work with the UN & UNA, and the Earth Institute is there, run by Dr Jeffrey Sachs, but sheâs not interested in their environment/sustainability major. </p>
<p>Lots of great journalism grad prgs around tooâŠone of the books I read mentioned that many of the undergrad schools do not like to take those students into their grad programs (Harvard and MIT in particular), but Fordham said many of their students go on to programs at Harvard, Columbia, etc for law, journalism, business and medicine.</p>