<p>A post above got me wondering… our high school just recently started differentiating A’s on the report card to A+, A and A-. Does this differentiation matter at all to the top tier colleges?</p>
<p>Mumto3</p>
<p>A+, A, A- at our school all translate to a different number on the 4.0 scale, so I would think colleges that are GPA driven or merit that is GPA driven does see a difference among +/-. </p>
<p>Medavinci
No one can stress over this process more than me. My fears don’t revolve around the admission process though. I reserve all my heart failure for the financing. I have a 4th & 5th grader, so besides having to sweat my 2013 kid, I have 2 more coming right up on the heels of big bro. As far as admission, I can tell you CC really was a tremendous resource for my neice’s search. She was great GPA, blah SATs, heavy financial need. CC helped us create a great list for her. Even in this “the worst year” for HS seniors she walked away with 5 acceptances from 6 schools and 5 large FA/merit combo. CTCL did help very much. While her BFF applied to Ivies and state flagship, my neice focused on fit (financially and personality) and not name/ranking. She would have been very happy attending any of the schools she applied to which is how I wish it were for all kids. One strategy recommended on CC and one I plan to force my kids to follow is to apply to some rolling admission schools by September of senior year. Psychologically, to have an acceptance in hand prior to the December rush would settle both my son and myself.</p>
<p>VISITING - Given my son’s schedule and the fact he wants to be in a different climate, I’m sure he will apply to many schools that we will NOT visit. He doesn’t know much, but thinks CO or CA sound good. Certainly not in our budget (financially or time-wise) to fly cross country to check out schools. We will visit schools while on our normal family vacations. U of Richmond is on our spring break list. We are fortunate that we live in an area with an abundance of colleges in different sizes and settings. We’ve seen many schools just be going to the school’s museum or an event at the school throughout the years.</p>
<p>My stress this week?
Quarter ends tomorrow, S got no sleep last night as he was editing a movie that had to be finished by the morning - 48 hour shootout competition in which they make a movie in 48 hours. The movie S and his friends made is absolutely fantastic, even includes a rap song! BUT…the semester ends and all the last minute things have to be turned in, corrected - you know what I mean…if he manages to pull all A’s I will be extatic…for now I keep checking the grades online like some maniac…hate the teachers that are late to update…so this is my stress for the week 
As far as college choice and application process - I have no clue which schools he will chose to apply to, and WHY. Why is a biggie for me! I do not want him to be applying to Ivies just because he is a great student, I want him to know why exactly is he choosing the particular school. I hope there will be a lot of growth happening over the next year and half :)</p>
<p>I asked D2 this morning while we were waiting in the dermatologist’s office what she wanted in a college and she said “artsy” which is very her, and I knew, but now I realize I feel way behind because it’s a huge shift from D1 who was science/engineering tech based. And while our state (VA) has a lot of great public options, I don’t know that they have one that really matches what D2 means by “artsy” so I need to start checking out more LACs and the like but also like Longhaul it is all about the finances here so I have to determine what schools have the potential for being great matches AND affordable for a good but not top student. She has no idea on major which I expected and by artsy she really means something beyond what she feels is a “cookie-cutter” school and I imagine we’ll find that more by visiting/researching but there are a ton of schools I’ve never looked at/heard of and am not sure where to start!</p>
<p>Oh and I just saw in our community paper about the 2 new grading proposals our schools are considering - one to go to + and - and one with just +s. After all these years of just A, B, C, etc I’d rather they just left it alone until my kids get through the ranks and then make any changes. I’d be okay with the one that is just regular or + but I think mine would be the one affected by any -s. We shall see!</p>
<p>You are all such a source of wonderful support through this process! It’s a good feeling not to be alone in all this and drowning. Financing school will be a big issue for us, as I will be going through a divorce shortly. I don’t want next year to be stressful for my D, but this divorce is long overdue. She isn’t going into next year with any AP’s which is depressing her, because she feels that next year’s teachers are much better than this year’s, and she would do much better in their classes. She loves US History, and she really wanted to be in APUSH, but they are taking freshman and sophomore grades into account. She had sporadic A’s and B’s, and you have to have had straight A’s in World Cultures in freshman year for 4 quarters, and a B+ or above in all 4 quarters this year. She is averaging B’s and has had the toughest history teachers. The kids who had easier history teachers in freshmen year and made it into AP this year, are struggling and not doing well at all. BUT what I don’t like is that they curve the AP classes when the kids get below 70, but not the regular classes. I think there should be some consistency there. The head of the school told us that many parents demand their kids be put in AP classes anyway, and then when their kids can’t handle the 3 hours of hw and reading per night and get a C and a 2 on the exam, they come crying to him to do something about it, and he can’t. So he is hesitant about letting anyone in.</p>
<p>The school, in my opinion, drives the stress. They have admin directors from Brown and Harvard and all the Ivyies come to the school, and I believe this is the first year they had someone from Berklee School of Music come talk about the summer program. Other than that it is always Ivyies so the kids feel let down if they don’t get in (as if those are the only choices). They mentioned Gettysburg and Colorado Colleges but neither of those would fit in my daughter’s lifestyle. She loves Georgetown and the area, and she hated U of P, Princeton and Yale because she didn’t like the areas that were outside the campuses. They have Model UN and Model Congress at those schools, so that’s how she visited them.</p>
<p>She has decided that more than likely she will do broadcast journalism with a focus on international affairs, politics, or entertainment (she has not committed). She feels theater is too risky as a major. However, she is very creative having spent a lot of time in performing arts and writes very well. She’s been in John Hopkins CTY since 4th gr for language arts, and she was the only under 18 broadcast/photo journalist to report from the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year (run by the Int’l Olympic Committee). It was spectacular and she fell in love with photography and broadcasting. The first winter youth olympic games will be in Innsbruck in 2012. They instituted a Culture and Education Programme, so that is why she wanted to attend since it meshed with other work she’s done with UN related activities. She’s also part of the Global Scholars Prg, and they have a lot of meetings at the UN, Princeton and Yale. However, she’s the type that would do well working at Google, Nat Geo, Disney or the Olympics. I heard Univ of Miami, USC and Northwestern have good journalism programs. She was interested in taking the week long summer one at Georgetown; however, according to “Ask the Dean’s” lastest answer about which summer programs to take, you are better off taking a class at a local community college, or working in a nursing home or Mickey D’s! I love the “ask the dean” questions…(not). I saw in one of the answers the dean gave that even the type of AP class matters…AP Chem, Physics and Calc count much more than AP Statistics, Economics, Art History, Psychology, Environmental Science or Human Geography. What if you don’t like science and math and aren’t going to study that in college? It makes no sense to me. I just want the school to stop pressuring my D and the other kids to get all A’s next year so they can get into AP classes in senior year. My D will not do well in physics (most likely a B) and pre-calc (probably a C+ unless things drastically change), and so perhaps AP French, English, Music Theory or Bio will be her only options for AP classes plus her independent project.</p>
<p>medavinci: as the mom of a creative type (D2 is a writer) I’d say let her follow her heart with summer programs. Frankly I don’t give a hoot what the “experts” say the kids should be doing. D doesn’t get a lot of time to write creatively during the school year because of her homework load, so in the summer I like to see her do what’s fun. I’ve never sent either of my kids to the summer programs they’ve done for admissions reasons, although I think they do help round out the picture of who my kids really are and how they like to spend their time. And if a particular college doesn’t like it, well, then my kid probably wouldn’t have been happy there anyway!</p>
<p>There are a lot of good broadcast journalism schools. Including some schools that you wouldn’t look at twice because of their general statistics. Including mine & DH’s alma mater, Montclair State in NJ. When I glanced at their stats during D1s search, I was shocked at how low their general stats were, but they are known for their speech & theatre programs including broadcasting. Just a long way of saying your D will have lots of options that aren’t evident yet. Look for schools that have Alpha Epsilon Rho honor society chapters. </p>
<p>D2’s GC sent home some paperwork on ■■■■■■■■■■ and we got her account set up the other day. Anyone can use it I believe, and it has a naviance type scatter chart once you put your stats in. It has a college finder which I found helpful (actually, the majority of the schools that came up for D were ones that were already on her list, so I was happy to see that we were on the right track.)</p>
<p>I’m going to check out cappex for D2, that sounds like it may help get some ideas!</p>
<p>medavinci, your D seems to be a very interesting kid who is really passionate about what she wants to do. Probably kids should do what they like in summer rather than what an admission officer in School X wants to see in a random application. As every one is busy finding out the summer programs, my son is very clear about what he wants to do- He wants do computer programming at home. He usually doesn’t waste time at all and learn things himself. So I can count on him that he will be learning it.But part of my mind worry about him not doing a summer program as I read these forums. But my H and S are quite clear about it and have no worries. I am beginning to get less stressed about such things now.
Last year, he had a scholarship to a three credit undergraduate program at one of the universities in Boston, so he took an economics class. This year it is going to be lot of programming- at home.
I think each kid is different. I am learning to let my S follow his passion with out me worrying about it. I still worry though…and my S and H think I am a bit crazy…</p>
<p>I thought that my S wasn’t going to do much this summer (besides sit around and play World of Warcraft) until I actually wrote things down on the calendar the other day. Let’s see… volunteer at a 2 week theatre camp that his HS does for younger kids; summer school (Economics) at local CC; one week All State Choir camp at his HS; 2 weeks Musical Theatre workshop with his MT coach; and weekly voice and piano lessons and biweekly MT coaching. Plus his dad is going to let him work at his video game testing lab to earn some cash. And he’s auditioning for at least one youth show (evening rehearsals). I guess there won’t be as much WoW time after all!</p>
<p>If I may add something about the summer programs in journalism and similar…
S loves movie making. Those summer camps are pretty pricey
His idea is to try to obtain an internship at the local advertising company. Yes, he will not be paid, but he will gain some incredible experience. Of course you have to have some achievement in the area to even start looking into internships, but I see it as a great summer opportunity. Still not sure S is going to pursue it…</p>
<p>You know RobD, when my daughter used to go to a semi-pro theater camp, and we were on backstage boards for a long time, so many people spoke so highly of Montclair State’s theater programs. We live too far to get there, but I am going to consider the odd job and let her pursue her passions, but something that won’t cost a lot (which is why we stopped going to Stagedoor). Donivrian, who knows your son might be the next Zuckerberg - computer programming is a great field and facebook and all the rest of the social networks were created by people who could program. You can have an idea but if you can’t translate it, what good is it unless you can find someone to do that. I still cringe with Zuckerberg because the poor Winklevoss twins were the real creators…They spoke at the all boys school (which they attended) that takes classes with my daughters school, and my daughter was so impressed with their candor and genuine personalities. </p>
<p>I think and hope we’ll all be fine; it’s just now weeding through all the colleges out there and seeing what they have to offer. </p>
<p>Did you read in US News and World Reports that if you get aid from an ivy it could cost you only about $12K a year, but second tier schools, you’d still have to pay about $24K plus since the endowments are much less. My fear is paying back all the loans in 6 mos after graduation especially if they don’t get merit money or grants or a JOB!</p>
<p>p.s. do you know if there is a form for college resumes while still in high school at our kids level? My daughter is going to this international symposium next weekend up at Yale and they want them to bring their resumes to critique and review with an admin director. I have a theatrical resume, and the few sites I’ve look at didn’t impress me style-wise.</p>
<p>Medavinci, I agree with others when they advise you not to get too worried about your D’s college future just yet. She sounds like a wonderful girl who knows what she wants to do and has had some great experiences that have helped her develop her interests. She seems interesting and different to me and these are advantages in college admissions. Please don’t get too excited by the uber accomplishments some here on CC have. Many like my D are smart, but are enjoying fairly normal high school experiences. There is a college out there for everyone and most will succeed whereever they land given they put in the effort. As for summer experiences, we are not out there beating the pavement in search of programs my D can attend. We could never afford most and I agree with “Ask the Dean” that a good old fashioned summer job is a good thing for a kid to do. As for my D, she has been in summer school the last two summers completing her PE requirement and wants to do some of the things she has been unable to do. She is going to help refurbish intercity houses with our church youth, attend a three day field hockey camp, train weekly with teammates for field hockey, play tennis, take day trips to the beach, spend time with friends (because she can drive now:)), hopefully visit some relatives, look for a job and have fun because she deserves it!</p>
<p>I agree with Blueshoes; stop the madness and let the kids follow their own passion. Nothing wrong with a job, either. Looking at the 2011 acceptance threads, it is quite clear that if you want an Ivy/near Ivy, you have to have near perfect scores that then allow you into the lottery to get a slot. The lottery is just that, a lottery. After that level of colleges, good scores, good GPAs, good kids get into really great places. The trick is to be who you are and then decide on how much money you need to go to school. If you need a lot of merit aid, then apply to lower than your own stats schools. Otherwise, it’ll all be fine and our kids will end up at schools that suit them. I see in my own DS12 that he is going to have a great selelction of schools based on who he is. Summer programs that I paid for mean nothing, summer programs that he created/contributed to mean a lot more.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree. We don’t have money for expensive prgs at all, and she is not going to go back to his school next year since we can’t afford it. Besides, the pressure they put on her and the others to get A’s and be in AP classes (which I mentioned you can’t get into unless you are B+ or A’s) is too much. She can go to our local public school (which we pay enough taxes for!), and there they at least have entrepreneurial type classes that teach how to run a business and at least have some life skills. The school she is in teaches so much heavy duty stuff they won’t use again, but they forget the basic skills. AND we don’t have money to contribute to annual funds and to alumni colleges (or be able to offer millions to get in). My only concern is that my D does well in structured programs, and if she isn’t doing something this summer (not much to do around here) she will stay inside like a hermit, and I don’t want that. She’s an only child and thrives being around others which is key to her. Most of the people in our area are gone all summer, and since she hasn’t gone to school in our area in 7 years, it’s hard to re-cultivate old friendships until the fall. As my late mother used to say “Que sera, sera.” What will be, will be. At this age, she can make her own plans. The economy is tough enough, and that’s part of growing up; they need to be independent enough to find opportunities.</p>
<p>When I grew up, I had to walk, take a bus and train to school in NYC then work after school, and I did well. I was lucky enough never have to study. I’d pay attention in school, skim the work before a test and do well due to the limited amount of time. Sometimes the less time you have, the better you do due to the constraints. The more time you have, the more you tend to procrastinate.</p>
<p>Hi Everyone, I just wanted to let you know I received this email from college board today. I asked for more information, especially since I’m never on there. I receive emails from college board regarding prep. The usual “To Parents of Sophomores,” for example. I never go on this site, so I wondered if any of you received the email as well. I resent it to the College Board tech office to even find out if it is truly legit. The hacking is awful these days! </p>
<p>"We have been informed by Epsilon, the vendor that sends email to you on our behalf, that your e-mail address may have been exposed by unauthorized entry into their system.</p>
<p>Epsilon has assured us that the only information that may have been obtained was your first and last name and e-mail address. REST ASSURED THAT THIS VENDOR DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO OTHER MORE SENSITIVE INFORMATION SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR CREDIT CARD DATA.</p>
<p>Please note, it is possible you may receive spam e-mail messages as a result. We want to urge you to be cautious when opening links or attachments from unknown third parties.</p>
<p>In keeping with standard security practices, the College Board will never ask you to provide or confirm any information, including credit card numbers, unless you are on a secure College Board site.</p>
<p>Epsilon has reported this incident to, and is working with, the appropriate authorities.</p>
<p>We regret this has taken place and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We take your privacy very seriously, and we will continue to work diligently to protect your personal information."</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>The College Board</p>
<p>I got that email as well. Along with a variation of it from Disney Destinations. It’s legit. There’s stuff in the news about it: [Security</a> Breach Compromises Email Address List From Major Brands](<a href=“http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/04/03/security-breach-comprises-email-address-list-from-major-brands/]Security”>Security Breach Compromises Email Address List From Major Brands)</p>
<p>Rescueing us from Page 4 (and procrastinating a bit at work). I am not sure about my son’s summer plans. Previously he has spent the first 6 weeks of every summer down at my dad’s house in a sailing program. He has a great time and has made great friends. Although if he doesn’t want to “ride the pine” all season in basketball he will have to go to their summer program which is also the first 5 or 6 weeks of summer with basketball practice every day, a summer league twice a week and tournaments every weekend. The problem is that he could go all summer and still end of riding the pine, so it is a gamble. In addition his other sports (tennis and cross country) have summer programs of their own.</p>
<p>My son got his first rejection today from the Iowa Young Writers Workshop. I came home to find a balled up piece of paper in the middle of the living room floor. Good grief the kid is so dramatic! He took it pretty well even though he was surprised. He’s not that used to rejection as he was typically a big fish in a small pond until he got into high school. He knows he gave a very half-hearted effort with his writing submission by just recycling something he’d been writing for fun. Maybe this will be a push towards his realization that he hasn’t yet encountered his real peer group. He’s a middle of the pack kid who will coast if he can.</p>