Parents of the HS Class of 2014

Parents of Class of 20xx
4761

<p>In my day at Brown in the mid 80’s, we had the co-ed dorms AND bathrooms! Very interesting…</p>

<p>Thanks for all the Lehigh/Cornell/Lafayette/Bucknell info! I sent an e-mail to CALS (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) at Cornell last night with a bunch of questions. I got a relatively generic response with a bunch of links… links I’d obviously already been to or I wouldn’t have had the questions! Now I have to call… E-mails in which the recipient does not answer my questions at all is one of my pet peeves…</p>

<p>SAT II’s - my DS13 took math SAT II and thought it was harder than SAT, but not hard if you “truly understand math”. 800 on first try. He is also the type mentioned above who I’m hoping will have it coming to him in college! </p>

<p>Anyone know how hard the language SAT II’s are? My niece, Valedictorian, straight A+ student got a 3 on hers…</p>

<p>Was just looking online tonight for engineering camps over the summer. My son applied to UConn’s Exploring Engineering because it is short and not very expensive! (and it gives a sampling of many different types of engineering) I also found a good one at Stevens, but its 3x the price… lastly, I found what looks to be a great program at Rugters for kids interested in biomolecular engineering, bioformatics, gene sequencing, etc. It’s 3 weeks over the summer, and then the research continues throughout the school year with other peers as well as a teacher. But the application time frame is past… </p>

<p>Also, I really hate the one wrong on Math SAT was a 760. Last time TWO wrong was a 760. Forty points for one error?? Geez…</p>

4762

<p>I think there are few liberal arts colleges except perhaps those with strong religious traditions that still have single-sex dorms. My alma mater in the midwest still has one or two single-sex floors (women only, but no all male floors), but the vast majority of students live on co-ed floors as they already did thirty years ago when I was there. Floors are explicitly balanced during room draw to include roughly equal numbers of men and women. A number (perhaps most) colleges that we have visited now allow co-ed rooms at least for upperclassmen (not allowed when I was in college, but I did live in a college-owned apartment for a year that we drew with a co-ed group).</p>

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<p>my3gr8boyz–Re: Cornell info sessions. It requires a bit of digging to figure out their schedule and I agree that their response leaves much to be desired. They offer a great combined A&LS, Engineering & Arts & Science info session for those interested in subjects offered in these colleges. Some subjects can be studied in more than one college at Cornell, so it does become confusing. (CS in A&S or CS in Engineering. Business in several differetn colleges, each with a different flavor. Econ in a couple, etc.) LMK if you have a specific question as I may be able to answer it for you. Also, I have enrolled student data broken out by college w/in the university.</p>

<p>Am going back to bed now as we have cancelled our three-college tour of Boston in light of the ongoing manhunt.</p>

4764

<p>We must be the outliers here having never run across coed halls. Keep in mind, we’ve visited nothing north of Va. All schools we have visited (no religious ties) have been co-ed by floor or wing. VT still has some single sex dorms if I’m not mistaken. There were vastly different visiting hours for the schools S2 applied to, from 12noon to midnight (Auburn), to 24hrs w a 3day max (UVa). Despite being co-ed by floor S2 learned to expect girls in the bathroom on his first-year hall. For a kid that only had brothers he honestly got over it very quickly and always had gym shorts on. Some guys really don’t care as there was always someone in a towel walking down the hall when I was there. It threw me off the first time they made eye contact and gave me a big smile saying “Oh hi Mrs. BI! Nice to see you!”. I could have waited for the greeting until the gym shorts were on. I really felt very old. :o</p>

<p>S2 and his rm were pretty frustrated when they were thwarted putting together a co-ed on campus apt second year. They had friends that would have been perfect roommates. Absolutely not allowed, which seemed a little silly given the visitation policy. None of the parents were ready for off campus/12mo leases so they found another set of guys. Ironically both have long term serious gf’s so there are girls living in the apt anyway, just not paying rent, and it’s a lot more crowded (6ppl in a 2bdrm instead of 4). It’s all good since they largely have different schedules. </p>

<p>S3 has voiced no concern about this one way or the other, but then we haven’t come across co-ed halls. He’s pretty close with S2 despite the two year age difference and I think he has benefitted a lot from his experiences. He’s also an older Jr, turning 18 this summer. He’ll be 19 heading off to school. That year can make a big difference for a boy.</p>

4765

<p>Us, too, then BI. Now, all the schools we’ve visited with both dd’s were affiated with a particular church, although except for a theology class requirement in the gen eds, I wouldn’t call any of those ties strong. Most had coed dorms, but segregated by floor/wing. The baptist affiliated school actually men’s and women’s buildings. </p>

<p>If we run into co-ed by floor this summer when we go see a safety/state school, we’ll start calling the housing the “Sodom and Gomorrah” dorms!</p>

4766

<p>CT1417–Stay safe. This must be absolutely surreal for you.</p>

4767

<p>Good morning everyone! </p>

<p>I’ve been lurking on this thread for so long, I can’t remember if I’ve actually “introduced” myself: We live in Montgomery County, Maryland, and Cheergirl (class of '14) will be my last to send off to college. </p>

<p>UMD (College Park) is our first choice and fulfills her wish list (rigorous, east coast, medium to large, spirited (football is a “must-have”), access to research and internship opportunities, engaged students, lots of activity-social and otherwise, significant Jewish population…). UDel is probably #2. We’ve also visited UPitt, UMiami, going to Elon next weekend, and JMU next month. Also hoping to see IndianaU, Miami(Ohio), and UConn.</p>

<p>Cheergirl has solid GPA (3.8ish-uw, 4.4ish-w) with challenging courses, just took first official ACT and scheduled for first official SAT June 1. Mock and practice test results have not been pretty. Solid EC’s–nothing extraordinary, but above average I think? Waiting for decisions on several honor society applications, and planning to work on essays this summer. </p>

<p>Struggling to find a balance between laid-back mom and nazi-mom…some days are better than others lol! Wish I had $1 for every time I’ve told her that the consequence of a particular choice, decision or action will “limit her options” UGH! Some days I hate the sound of my own voice! My inner mantra is that we’re just looking for the “right fit”–and I truly believe that! If only the right fit wasn’t such a moving target! </p>

<p>Last but not least, barely a day goes by that we don’t talk about college majors! I’m not an advocate of pushing to choose before starting college, but want to avoid having to transfer because a program’s not offered. If one has a passion…great! Cheergirl is keeping options open and I’m OK with that. Her strength is math and science and we’re exploring Pharmacy, Psychology, Nutrition Science, Atmospheric Science (the major formerly known as meteorology!)…but also looking at Government/Politics and Journalism, unavoidable, given our proximity to D.C., and our certainty that we’re the center of the universe! :slight_smile: Unfortunately, writing is not her strength.</p>

<p>Well, that’s it for now! Looking forward to sharing this experience with all of you! Wishing everyone a productive Friday!</p>

4768

<p>go2mom–thanks for the thoughts, but we are not in Boston. We had planned to make the three hour drive up there this morning to visit two schools, and then stay overnight to tour a third. I am quite safe here in CT. Well, as safe as anyone. The Amtrak and Metro North trains have been stopped and searched near here as part of the expanding manhunt, but all local trains appear to be back to normal. Hope the suspect is apprehended soon.</p>

<p>Re: co-ed by room. The six schools we visited earlier this week are all a bit of a blur, but I believe both Lafayette and Bucknell had co-ed by room while still offering single sex wings. We definitely encountered this at more than one school, but I inquired at each to confirm that single sex wings were still available. </p>

<p>CheerMom–have you seen the thread for Colleges for Jewish students with B averages? I realize that your D’s GPA is well above that level, but if her standardized tests scores do not land where you hope, then that thread may be a place to visit. They appear to be a very supportive and informed group of parents.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/931514-colleges-jewish-b-student-1099.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/931514-colleges-jewish-b-student-1099.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>CT1417–YES! Thanks for mentioning that thread, it’s awesome! The OP is practically a neighbor of mine in Rockville, MD…small world!</p>

<p>On the subject of information sources, I’m happy to share two that I find useful:</p>

<p>(1) The New York Times blog called “The Choice”
[College</a> Admissions Advice - The Choice Blog - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/]College”>http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/)</p>

<p>(2) The Washington Post blog called “Class Struggle”
[Class</a> Struggle - Jay Mathews on education. - The Washington Post](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle]Class”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle)</p>

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<p>Welcome, cheermom20878! I have read the Choice - one of the students is in my region so I check in with it every once in awhile. I have not read the Class Struggle blog yet, I’ll have to check that out.</p>

<p>“Struggling to find a balance between laid-back mom and nazi-mom…some days are better than others” This describes me!! Also put in there “obsessed with information gathering.”</p>

4771

<p>Welcome cheermom! :)</p>

<p>Those are both great blogs. I also like Jenna Johnson at the WaPo, Higher Education Reporter. Many of her stories focus on local universities (Md, DC, Va), however there always topical articles on current events.</p>

<p>I can totally relate to ‘struggling to find balance’. More then once this year DH and I have had to make a really difficult decision re S3, or I have been particularly ‘naggy’, and I have tossed myself on the bed saying ‘I hate this, I hate being this mom! I can’t wait until this is over’. Once S3 overheard me from the hallway and dryly said ‘neither can I mom’. :wink: He also sweetly came in and gave me a hug, or got a hug…either way it doesn’t matter.</p>

4772

<p>I was glad to send S1 and then S2 to college their freshman year because I hated how I always “nagged” them their senior year. As college students they have to “own” their own college experience and live with the consequences. Of course if I saw them starting to fail, I would totally jump in. (Sometimes I do “nag” by e-mail asking them if they applied for this program or talked to a professor; its hard to “completely” step away.) S3, who is my hs junior, is a great kid but I am starting to nag him…why are you playing on the computer when your science project is due, are you studying for the ACT, did you finish that paper etc. My two older boys “joke” that it is now his turn, and I guess it is. 1 quarter and 1 more year to go and then I can turn into the “nice” mom again.</p>

4773

<p>Welcome cheermom - not to just this thread, but to the group of us sending our last one off next year. It will certainly be a change.</p>

<p>My older two I hated to see leave as they were absolutely fun to have around - and useful as neither minded chores or studying, etc. Youngest makes me “that mom.” It really is a bummer having to do it, but I guess it will make sending him off easier. It’ll still make me feel old though.</p>

<p>After debating it a bit, I signed him up for the Jun SAT as his second and final time taking it. We’ll see what happens.</p>

4774

<p>Welcome cheer mom! Count me in on the nagging mom. I can’t let my kids teenage-ness keep them from a great future, etc. My son has a girlfriend who is brilliant, whose parents and gc didn’t help much with targeting the right schools and now she’s at a local school she doesn’t like and doesn’t challenge her. He actually told me he gets it now and appreciates what I did to get him to where he is now.</p>

<p>I’m eagerly awaiting the act to switch from registered to tested! A friend offered to let d meet the man who is so involved with her reach school the business school is named after him. I’m all for using connections, but we won’t meet him unless her scores are within reach. I wouldn’t want her admitted to a school where she’d be over her head. It’s no guarantee for admissions but I also don’t want her getting overly excited for one school she may not get in.</p>

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<p>I’m not a nagging mom, although I may get there if he doesn’t get moving on his Eagle project. 10 years of scouting, basically one thing left to do and I’d like it to be done before college applications and the senior year craziness start! </p>

<p>In the meantime, we’re ready for his trip to Disney World for the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference (and competition). The tux is ordered for prom. We need to get the flowers ordered- probably today. We’ve paid our portion of the party bus. </p>

<p>His passport should arrive any time so he’ll be ready for the Boy Scout high adventure camp out of the Bahamas this summer. It’s kind of feeling like everything is under control at the moment. I shouldn’t say that out loud…lol. </p>

<p>He’s studying for AP tests with flash cards. He bought one set and one of D’s friends gave him the other set to use. He has put in his class preferences for his senior year. It’s all coming together.</p>

4776

<p>Hello, all. I wanted to chime in as another “nagging” mom and one who can hopefully get some advice on how to light a fire under my S’s butt!</p>

<p>The problem is, he is doing practically nothing in regards to his college search. Everything is being force fed by me. We have visited three schools so far, all close distance from home and chosen by me. When I ask him to come up with some schools he would like to visit…nothing.</p>

<p>The frustrating part is, he is a high stats kid who could have lots of options, but my fear is he will end up at our flagship (which would be fine) without ever exploring other options. He is young, 16, and part of the problem I think is that he doesn’t quite grasp all that is needed to make a sound choice next year. </p>

<p>Any sugggestions are welcome! Thanks.</p>

4777

<p>Incan - I essentially did all the preliminary searching for both my kids. I listened to what they liked and didn’t and came up with options and told them about it. I arranged the tours and trips and we talked about why they liked and didn’t like the schools. If I left it to my son he could very well be at our cc right now. I can tell you now he appreciates and understands why I did what I did, and why I couldn’t sit by and hand over something this important to teenagers who have no understanding of the long view. People freak out over that but I’d guess most kids don’t have the skills to do a real in depth search.</p>

4778

<p>2016BarnardMom - All 3 of my kids were in scouts. My oldest did NOT get to his Eagle. Although I did my share of nagging, he thought he had plenty of time then his senior year came and he was so busy he just didn’t finish. Disappointed he didn’t make it but he did have an awesome time as a scout. S2 has his Eagle Board of Review 10 days before he left for college. Talk about stressful, for me that is. He had to have his Eagle Ceremony during winter break this year. S3 has 2 badges he has to do (not worried about that) and his Eagle Project. I told him that he CANNOT wait to the last minute so he is planning to get all 3 things done this summer and early Fall. Fingers crossed. This is one of the reasons I am nagging him too…my oldest will now say he is sorry he didn’t get his Eagle.</p>

<p>incandinca - None of my boys were really interested in the college search, especially in their junior year. For my first so I researched and put a list together of possible choices and let him apply (mostly at the last minute in December) to the ones he liked. He ended up having a good choice between 2 schools at the end. My 2nd was only interested in MIT. I told him to “cast his net widely” and apply wherever (with the understanding we MIGHT not be able to afford where he was accepted) but he applied NOWHERE except MIT and the 3 schools I forced him to apply to where I knew he would get good merit scholarships. He did not get into MIT but he did get into the 3 “safeties” and had a good choice between 2 of them. S3 is a junior and we took the first official college visit a week ago to what I consider his “safety” school. Alot of times kids fall “in love” with their first school so as I wanted him to at least “like it” I thought it was best he went there when he had nothing to compare it to. He likes it. He probably will like some of the others he sees later too but at least I know he’d be okay if he ended up there. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes.</p>

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<p>Thank you, eyemamom and kcgphmom. Sounds like my kids is just normal teenage boy when it comes to motivation with a college search junior year. Glad to hear I am not the only one out there doing all the work right now!</p>

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<p>Barnard & kj… - I’m in the same boat with the Eagle timeline! DS will be 18 in December. My goal for him was to be finished before he was 17! uhhh…he didn’t make it. Still hasn’t decided on a project yet. I think all of the merit badges are now finished. Would love to be finished by August/application time to put that on the applications.</p>