<p>I know what you mean Linymom. My D has been nominated for several programs that cost thousands of dollars. It’s all nice, but are you kidding me?</p>
<p>I was going through the mail yesterday and told my son one of the envelopes was for him. As he walked across the room to pick it up, I told him it looked like a college brochure. You would’ve though I was trying to give him the plague…lol. He told me to hold on to it. I asked what he thought about visiting some schools one day. He looked at me like I was speaking Russian. I tried to recover. Umm…maybe catch a football or basketball game or something. He said he doesn’t like sports. Not even as a spectator? No! Ok…how about to see a play or something? Sure, as long as it isn’t a boring play. Ok, what play isn’t boring? Repo, the Genetic Opera. Hmmm…ok. I guess I shoud be happy that he is no longer shy about expressing his likes and dislikes.</p>
<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>Just checking in since I haven’t popped on this thread in a while. I have to walk the fine line of being interested and learning things about colleges etc while not reading too much b/c I get freaked out. When that happens I get all in my daughter’s face and then she pulls back and … yeah. Still trying to learn how to balance all that out! </p>
<p>First semester of sophomore year has come to a close and should be getting her report card soon. We’re expecting As and Bs. She’s in a small Christian school so she’s in one AP and one Honors class. I think she is getting an A in both of those. We’ll see. This year has definitely been more challenging for her than last, which was a breeze. I am waiting for her to figure out that if she wants to pull all As, she will need to put in more time and effort than she does. I’ve said it a couple of times but the onus is on her to make the necessary changes.</p>
<p>She did get accepted to go to Kenya this summer, which is pretty awesome. I am excited for her to have such an incredibly experience. Africa is on MY bucket list! :-)</p>
<p>We’re planning to visit some colleges over her Spring Break this year. I hear some of you talking about having your kids do a college summer program this summer. I am leaning toward her doing that the summer of her junior year, if at all. We are planning on her taking Driver’s Ed this summer and maybe getting a job. </p>
<p>Have a great day!</p>
<p>Can you all fill me in on some of these things? My daughter is our firstborn and so all this is new to me. I can’t find anything about Governor’s Schools in Maryland, only PA and DE. I assume those are only for students in those states. Do not all states have them?</p>
<p>What is HOBY? </p>
<p>I feel like there are all these things I should just know, and I don’t! Help! :-)</p>
<p>Vandygrad87 Is the information regarding governor’s schools in PA current? It was my understanding that many were cut due to the budget crisis. Some were picked up by colleges, but I’m not sure they still have the moniker of govenor’s schools. I don’t know if other states also cut their’s though.</p>
<p>Thanks Ree, I have no idea. Before this I had never even heard of Governor’s Schools at all! No one around here talks about them, at least that I have ever heard. Maybe they keep it all hush-hush! lol</p>
<p>Hey all, just thought I’d stop over here. Currently up to my knees in financial aid paperwork for my ds (class of 2011) but I know dd (class of 2013) needs her own thread! We have Governor’s schools in NJ, our large suburban HS sends I think 3-4 kids a year, they are themed (science, tech…) and held at various colleges for I think 4 wks, no fee and a big honor for that tippy top kid. Everything else we get about some great nomination for some great leadership conference at the “low low price of $5400 for 10 days!” gets trashed. My kid is special but not THAT special!!! Back to the paperwork…ugh.</p>
<p>Hi All – I was a semi-finalist back in my day for PA Governor’s School. It was a great experience going through the application and interview process. I even got to meet Kevin Bacon (famous PA Gov School alum)!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, PA no longer runs a Governor’s School in the tradtional sense.
Lehigh and Lee Iacoca’s foundation runs a Global Business school modeled on the PA Governor’s School but it has a decent price tag, unlike the old free Gov. Schools</p>
<p>NJ – Has also canceled the schools. 2009 it was cut from the budget. 2010 made strides in attracting corporate sponsors, but my understanding is that it never fully took off – instead ran some programs in limited capacity. I know of one that ran at Drew. No news on 2011 programs. I believe it has in the last few years been limited to rising seniors who apply in junior year.</p>
<p>MD - To my knowledge, has never run a program. </p>
<p>DE - still has some</p>
<p>The southern states (AK, TN, NC, VA) continue to fund programs.</p>
<p>I don’t know about HOBY.</p>
<p>For Politically Minded kids – Now that mid-term elections are over, I would guess Congressional Page Summer Term applications to start. This would be my choice if a. My son were the right age (16) and b. He actually listened to some of my suggestions for summer programs.</p>
<p>Yes, Governor’s Schools are a state by state thing. TN does still have them (12 separate programs actually: [TN</a> Governor’s Schools](<a href=“http://www.tn.gov/education/govschools/index.shtml]TN”>http://www.tn.gov/education/govschools/index.shtml) ) and they are open to rising juniors & seniors, with preference going to seniors. You can only go to 1 Governor’s school ever. So if you go to the Arts one as a junior, you cant apply to say the physics one as a senior, KWIM? D’13 is in the process of getting her application together. D’10 was an alternate but never attended. </p>
<p>HOBY is the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership something. It’s limited to current sophomores. I know our school asked kids who were interested to visit the guidance office; I think each school can only nominate a certain # of kids. Wasn’t on my D’s radar so I really don’t know much beyond that. </p>
<p>If you’re not sure what your state offers, I’d say checking in with the guidance counselor & asking them would be a good idea.</p>
<p>Now, y’all given ds one more thing to juggle!</p>
<p>Our state continues to operate summer residential governor’s schools for rising juniors and seniors. Programs are offered in several academic areas as well as the visual and performing arts. Language academies are also offered where you pledge to speak in that specific language for the entire duration of the program–a terrific emersion experience! They are held in colleges and universities around the state and last up to five weeks. You may only attend one governor’s school in your high school career. At my D’s high school, you may submit your name to be considered for a governor’s school and if you are chosen, an application packet is then completed. At this point, you are vying for spots along with students from all over the state. As amandakayak said, it is a big honor to be selected.</p>
<p>As for HOBY, it was a complete surprise to my D when she was nominated to represent her school as an ambassador. She was called to the guidance office in early October where they informed her of the honor. She submitted the required essay and just today she was chosen as the HOBY ambassador from her school!</p>
<p>Congrats Blueshoe!! I’m sure it’s just the start of many honors to come!</p>
<p>Thanks ak! By the way, I love your name. H, D, and S are all kayakers. Not me, I prefer solid ground under my feet!</p>
<p>Congrats Blueshoe! You must be very proud!</p>
<p>Our kids have the day off tomorrow and D wants to go shopping. I said fine, but I am giving her a list of things to get for a care package for a service member abroad. Please don’t forget those kids who are facing a lot harder things than college and high school and put together a package that will get there in time for the holidays. </p>
<p>One option is donations to the USO --easy and very effective and tax deductible.</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.uso.org/Donate_OUCP_Search/?src=W107OUCP09[/url]”>https://www.uso.org/Donate_OUCP_Search/?src=W107OUCP09</a></p>
<p>Or, on a more personal level, send a care package to someone that you know that is serving here or abroad. Please note the USPS restrictions beyond the usual mail restrictions–no pornography and no pork:
[USPS</a> - Military Mailing Restrictions](<a href=“http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/mailingrestrictions.htm]USPS”>http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/mailingrestrictions.htm)</p>
<p>If you don’t know any deployed soldiers, you can adopt a soldier through: [Soldiers'</a>; Angels - Join](<a href=“http://soldiersangels.org/join-or-adopt.html]Soldiers’”>http://soldiersangels.org/join-or-adopt.html)</p>
<p>Hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday!</p>
<p>FAMM – Thanks for reminding us and for setting such a great example for your daughter. My kids go to school with some military families. Even the little items we take for granted are very important and mean so much to those serving in remote locations. We have one friend who can never get enough baby wipes and powder 
</p>
<p>Blueshoe – Congrats! Your daughter should be very proud!</p>
<p>Thanks to all for the info. Are you all planning any college visits this year at Spring Break? I think we might hit some of the schools in VA- UVA, William and Mary and maybe Washington and Lee.</p>
<p>Recently I have been made aware how competitive the HS my son attends really is.
It was a HUGE eye opener. And a little unnerving at the same time, I don’t even know why.
Enough said.</p>
<p>Went to a conference with a counselor at the college my son is taking a class at.
This year we will have to pay almost $2500 for him to take Calc Based Physics there, two semesters. He is getting a bus pass worth over a $1000, so we are not complaining too much about the price. Anyway, she has told me, that next year, when he is a junior, he will be eligible for a presidential scholarship that will cover 100% of cost, but he needs to take ACT or SAT.
What do we do? I was not planning on him taking either until the second part of junior year, maybe summer before senior. I am from the school that taking too many does not look good.</p>
<p>With score choice on SAT, can’t you just not report that score to anyone but that particular college (including not putting in HS info so it won’t appear on transcript) and in future, when post-HS colleges get the scores, just opt out of sending that early score?</p>
<p>Kelowna – I was always (even back in when I was in HS) under the impression “too often” testing was commonly more than 3 times. I don’t think testing this year, esp given your circumstances, would be viewed negatively. I also thought the vast majority of colleges do not require all ACT scores (I thought this had to do with cost associated with student having to pay for each sitting to be sent separately). Why not wait for the PSAT scores and based on those make your decision. If he aces them, I would be inclined to test this year and reduce your costs for the college courses next year.</p>
<p>amandak – Congrats on your senior getting into Penn State!</p>