<p>Well now I’ll have to Google what Perrazzi is :)</p>
<p>One other thing about summer programs: beyond the academic content that they were able to persue that was unique, a huge benefit of attending a summer program was that both my girls were able to spend time in a simulated college situation before they “had” to. They had roommates, were responsible for their own time, they had to do their own laundry, ate food that was institutional in nature. I don’t think it’s necessary to do one of these summer programs to get that experience, certainly going to summer camp provides the same type of situation. But if your child hasn’t spent at least a week away from you/other family members having to be somewhat self-sufficient then their adjustment to college may be a little more jarring than for those who have.</p>
<p>RobD, Perazzi is the maker of high end competition shotguns, used in shooting sports, such as skeet, trap and sporting clays. They are also well known for decorating and engraving them into, highly collectable, one of a kind works of art, signature pieces, such as these:</p>
<p>@RobD, Perazzi is a brand of shotgun. I had to google ATA and Grand American. LOL I agree regarding summer programs and experiencing self-sufficiency, and testing the waters to see if they can be away from home for an extended period of time (especially if theyre considering schools on the other side of the country.) I <em>think</em> Ill have a little more peace of mind come August 2013 now that I know not only did he do it, but he also loved it!</p>
<p>@perazziman H does sporting clays, rarely trap or skeet, if thats what you meant by ATA. I go out occasionally, but Im a berettagirl. I can understand your sons position . . . when I was 17, theres no way I would have given up part of my summer with my friends. Whats your reasoning for wanting him to do a program? And whats his reasoning for NOT wanting to do it? Perhaps youre only presenting programs that are too long or too far away? Maybe you can find a program that is a compromise. Im pretty sure TASP required a nomination by early December, if I understood their timeline correctly. I didnt notice it until it was too late. [Telluride</a> Association: Our Programs: For High School Students: Summer Program for Juniors (TASP): TASP Timeline](<a href=“http://www.tellurideassociation.org/programs/high_school_students/tasp/tasp_timeline.html]Telluride”>http://www.tellurideassociation.org/programs/high_school_students/tasp/tasp_timeline.html).</p>
<p>Pretty, perazzi! My dad shot skeet and trap (well, still does some, but he’s 83). I’ll have to figure out if he had any of the high-end stuff.</p>
<p>vandy, I agree with rob Rob about the intangible benefits of away programs. Both my boys did them for three years in middle and high school, and the understanding of dorm living is one of the great things about those programs. We received a lot of scholarship money, or we wouldn’t have been able to swing it. Oh, and one of the other benefits: helps parents to see what life is like with them gone for an extended period of time. :)</p>
<p>Midwest, with ds1 we never went to one of those arranged days for students. He did two free overnight events, one at a LAC (three nights, all expenses paid) and one for the honors program for a large state U. Both were worthwhile. The state U event was during the summer, so he didn’t have to miss time from school. We’re contrarians, so don’t like the dog-and-pony show aspects of planned events. YMMV.</p>
<p>Youdon’tsay~ Thanks, that’s what I was thinking. We may hit one or two, but for her top choices I think we will go on different days so that it is not so crowded. </p>
<p>My DD did one residential summer science program while in middle school. It was quite an experience! She really enjoyed the science part of it, but I am not sure she was ready for the social aspects of living with a roommate and hanging with girls for a week that were not as…quirky as her. A learning experience in many ways. This year she is applying for one very competetive program. She would love to apply for the Carleton summer writing session(because that is her dream school), but we will be on vacation for the last week. Still thinking about that…</p>
<p>I was also going to ask what Perazzi was, but several of you beat me too it. I guess this CC thing really is a learning environment.</p>
<p>I also agree about the benefits of being away. S13 spent a couple of summers at one of the large state schools for tennis camp. He learned how to deal with roomates, do lunch at the dining hall and wear flip-flops in the shower. Last summer he did the HOBY thing and while shorter, it was very intense and very social. A different experience from the tennis camps. I think he’s more prepared for school because of these experiences.</p>
<p>This time around, I think the prime experience from my perspective is going through a full application process. The program is highly competitive and the odds of getting in are very low. Writing essays, getting recommendations, etc. adds up to a real learning experience for him - one he can use in a relatively few months. And it only costs time.</p>
<p>It sure is dadotwoboys I had to look up HOBY!
On the topic of recommendations, I came across this [Recommendations:</a> Teacher Tips](<a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/teacher-tips]Recommendations:”>Writing Recommendations: Teachers – Counselors | College Board) – it might be helpful with summer programs recommendations or next year for college apps. (I know our GC department does not give guidance to teachers when it comes to recommendation letters, because my Ss GC asked to see a copy of one of the teachers letters since she really doesnt know him!) I did have my son give each teacher a copy of his activities/work resume, but had I seen it earlier, I would have had him do this student self-assessment to assist them. (Several of the questions are also questions that are on the actual applications, so he has to do them anyway.) Rather than an Interaction sheet, I told him next year when he asks for recs, he should write the teacher an email telling them WHY he chose them to write a recommendation, including interactions and anecdotes that will showcase a side of him thats not apparent through transcripts. Hopefully, the teacher will use those anecdotes and choice words. I also think Im going have him get letters from his coaches, employer, and past teachers to give the GC to refer to. They have great things to say about him, but most schools only want current teacher and guidance counselor recommendations. This way, the GC can use quotes from people that actually know him so her recommendation wont be a total waste!</p>
<p>He says he wants to work on developing his ECs. He wants time to prepare for his SAT IIs. He wants time for writing essays for his college applications. In addition, he wants to visit his grandmother for a month abroad and enroll in a Spanish class there, to help him in his AP Spanish class, next year. Don’t know how much of it he will really do, but he will be 17 soon and he needs to make his own choices, I think.</p>
<p>Very glad to read your response every day. Some of you are very knowledgeable. I guess some of you might have older kids rather than your S13 or D13. You are valuable to this group. Thank you.</p>
<p>I have been discussing with my S about applying the summer program. He sounds not interested in any. He might be lazy for the dry run on the application. Last summer he went to summer school at Columbia U. He was excited when he was N.Y. Later he realized that those kids are not as smart as he thought, but they are rich. That’s why he’s not motivated to apply this year. I did research online, but found that most programs are for American citizens, not accept the students from other countries. We are Canadian citizens, so it’s hard to choose.</p>
<p>I will appreciate any of yourl advice for what he should apply this year to gain more advantage on his resume. He got 225 on his recent PSAT. He’s interested in business or engineering (hasn’t decide what major to learn in U). He’s good at dealing with numbers. Please help me.</p>
<p>Also he’s going to take SAT this month. Now he still has problem on his SAT Essay. His thinking is not at mainstream. If he looks an Essay prompts, his points focus on the opposite direction and then very hard to provide examples to support. I’m tired to argue with him about the essay writing. I bought some prep books for him, but doesn’t help. Could any of you tell me how I should help him about the SAT essay writing? There are 3 weeks to the exam. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Note to parents about their recommendation …</p>
<p>My ds’s school asks parents to answer questions about their kid. I was surprised, a year later, to see ds1’s GC recommendation and learn that she had picked up some of my language word for word. I have no idea whether this is common practice, but I suspect so. Therefore, if you want a great letter, make sure you spend the time to craft a great one yourself.</p>
<p>Actually, I have no idea what they mean by nomination. The brochure came in the mail late November or early December, asking him to fill out the application by Jan 20. I remember joking with my S saying he must have done well on the PSAT for them to invite him. </p>
<p>Okay, I am reading the brochure and it seems to suggest that Telluride itself has nominated him, as someone who might be interested in applying to the program, based on his performance on the PSAT. </p>
<p>edit: Perhaps it was the 76 on writing and 74 in critical reading, I do not know.</p>
<p>No interest in summer programs here. He did 3 years (5th-7th) CTY residential programs and 3 weeks after 8th grade going into the city for an art program at Temple. I’ve been trying to coax him into applying to 1 week programs thru Civil Air Patrol, but so far, no go. He is an instructor for 1 CAP program, but that is only 10 days. Summer is a world away to him.</p>
<p>I thought he’d have sat for his driver’s permit by now. His birthday was 3 weeks ago. Not much interest on that front either.</p>
<p>Thanks for the ideas and info, ladies and gents. Not sure exactly what she will do but this gives us some good ideas to discuss. She is interested in Social Work, so I am thinking of using some connections we have to get her a summer internship in the field. She seemed pretty excited about that idea. She also wants to take at least one class at the local community college. Doing those two things, plus a mission trip or two with her church over the summer should keep her relatively busy and also help her gain some valuable experience. </p>
<p>Her high school had a parents meeting with the Guidance Counselor last night re: College. The GC said that as of now, the focus is shifting from the current seniors to the junior class. Yikes! The information was all very general. I am grateful for this board because honestly, her school is NOT intense when it comes to colleges. The vast majority of kids don’t go very far away and tend to go to the same colleges. I feel like we are outliers. lol</p>
<p>Thank you all for your kind words re: Homecoming Princess. It was definitely a moment to remember and cherish. </p>
<p>Any other kids heading into exams soon? My D has them next week. Expecting to see her doing a lot of studying! At least her AP exam is over- they had that before break. Very grateful for that. She got a 91. Not a high A by any stretch but at her school, an A nonetheless. Now to get through Calc and Physics! I am surprised to see her teachers, particularly her AP teacher, loading on the homework, tests and quizzes when they know the kids are having exams next week. Another reason why having them before break is a better idea, IMO.</p>
<p>My son isn’t that into getting the applications ready for summer programs. He’d rather go to a stand up comedy camp. Silly me suggested that as a last resort if he didn’t get into any of the “competitive” programs.</p>
<p>I agree with tx5, the stand up comedy camp would definitely be more fun and more interesting to adcoms than another competitive academic camp. My D is going to spend some time in Africa this summer working at a school. It has always been a dream of hers so she is now working to earn her airfare in addition to all the other things she does. She was able to get a scholarship that paid for part of the program she is attending and we will pick up the rest of the tab for the program. We really didn’t think she would have the tenacity to earn the money for airfare but she is about 2/3 of the way there and is well on track to make it happen.</p>
<p>I am a parent of a junior and I just discovered CC about a month ago. I wanted to take a minute and thank all of the folks who contribute to this thread and are so gracious with advice and tips. I was beginning to feel overwhelmed with college planning and reading through this thread has given me a lot of insight on moving forward. It has also scared the woo woo out of me because I realize there are some things we should have been doing earlier. Apparently, I did not nag my kid enough about being more involved in school/community and his EC’s ( a term I learned here) are pretty light. He has played baseball each year and done some club ball. He should get inducted in NHS this year. He has also done minimal volunteer work. I know now that more encouragement (aka nagging) to take the PSAT and SAT more seriously and prep for the tests would have given him better scores. He did well, but did notbreak 190 on PSAT or 1900 on SAT. He is planning to take the SAT again as well as a couple of subject tests. He has a 3.9 UW and is taking Honors and AP classes so I know he will have some college options, but maybe we might have had more had we been more informed.<br>
He spent a summer in Africa when he was 14 working for a Safari company which is not quite as noble as doing volunteer work, but I hope it counts for something. He worked full time this last summer and is now working part time. He is a great kid and I am blessed, but he has not been as “invested” in this process as many of the CC kids that I read about. So many of them seem incredibly focused and have a plan in place. We will get through, but I am seeing stressful days ahead.
Sorry for the long post when all I really wanted to do was say Thanks.</p>
<p>Welcome Cat657! Sounds like your S is a great kid and will do just fine in the college game. My S2 is also resistant to parental nagging/input. He has no volunteer work to speak of besides volunteering at his school in the summers (for which he gets class credit). But my older D didn’t really do any volunteer work either and she was accepted into several great colleges. </p>
<p>Regarding ECs, my S2 does not like to “join” things. He has turned down National Honor Society two years in a row because he’s too lazy to turn in the application and also doesn’t like going to meetings. In fact, he doesn’t belong to any school clubs. But he’s passionate about music, sings and plays piano, acts in school plays and takes dance class twice a week. I figure that it is better to have him committed to what he enjoys rather than pretend that he likes anything else. He is who he is. </p>
<p>I asked him what he would put down for “leadership” roles on his college app and he replied “I’ve been voted class favorite every year since 7th grade. That’s got to count for something!”</p>
I can understand your sons position . . . when I was 17, theres no way I would have given up part of my summer with my friends. Whats your reasoning for wanting him to do a program? And whats his reasoning for NOT wanting to do it? Perhaps youre only presenting programs that are too long or too far away? Maybe you can find a program that is a compromise. Im pretty sure TASP required a nomination by early December, if I understood their timeline correctly. I didnt notice it until it was too late. [Telluride</a> Association: Our Programs: For High School Students: Summer Program for Juniors (TASP): TASP Timeline](<a href=“
I also think Im going have him get letters from his coaches, employer, and past teachers to give the GC to refer to. They have great things to say about him, but most schools only want current teacher and guidance counselor recommendations. This way, the GC can use quotes from people that actually know him so her recommendation wont be a total waste!</p>