Parents of the HS Class of 2014

Parents of Class of 20xx
5821

<p>Classof2015, I have many of the same questions about my DS14. </p>

<p>I think though that this year he did have somewhat of an epiphany and realized that he could actually directly impact his grades via his efforts in and out of class. He’s one of those kids who barely had to study before he hit AP, and AP hit him hard this year. He seemed to have the attitude that grading was like an IQ test – it was just a snapshot of his knowledge at the time and there wasn’t anything he could do to impact it. It has been slowly sinking in that just doing the homework (which in his defense he usually does do) is not enough anymore and he has to actually <em>shudder</em> study for a test! Hopefully he’ll figure out some decent study skills senior year and I won’t be quite as freaked out about sending him to college. I wish our HS offered some kind of study skills class, but it does not.</p>

5822

<p>Some just mature late. probably where the term late bloomer comes from. it is frustrating when they don’t work to their full potential. Yes, a study skiils class would be valuable in theory but they’d prob be too busy daydreaming to make the most out of it :/</p>

5823

<p>Creekland - You might want him to look into Roger Williams. It’s on the water in Bristol, RI (between Providence and Newport) and I believe it has merit aid. DD has a friend who is interested in marine biology and loved the summer program she did last summer and is looking at it for college. This year she is volunteering at the aquarium in Boston. I also think URI has marine biology programs and it is very close to the RI beaches (not FL or HI but ocean nonetheless!)</p>

5824

<p>I think Coastal Carolina has that degree too; they are in South Carolina.</p>

5825

<p>Something I thought I’d bring up as we all start to finalize lists and our kids are thinking about applications… </p>

<p>When considering total COA make sure you check with the school to see what extra fees may apply to your students area of study. These can be quite small, however some schools are moving to a model of differential tuition. On news releases they report only a 2.9% tuition increase, but this doesn’t tell the entire story. For instance, my S2s school currently has tuition differentials of $5k/yr for the business school (2yr program), $2k/yr for the e’school, $1,500 for nursing. Engineering was hit with $1,500 last year for lab fees, etc, and until I see the bill I couldn’t say if the $2k replaces or is in addition to. A proposed $2k for third and forth year students for advising and smaller classes was proposed and shot down. So when you look at tuition or total COA if you don’t include ‘death by fees’, or differential tuition (which aren’t often readily found), you’re not comparing apples to apples. </p>

<p>Lab fees, specifically in engineering are fairly common. Adding a yearly lump sum in the form of differential tuition to various ‘schools’ or majors isn’t, so something to be aware of when you’re fact finding. No one likes that kind of surprise.</p>

5826

<p>That’s very good advice. My oldest’s school started adding fees to nursing courses this year, and for next they’ve bumped up quite a bit. Other departments are jumping on that, too. I’ve started seeing classes in the Ed school with fees attached.</p>

5827

<p>Does anyone here know of a quick go-to site that lists schools and their acceptance rates and range of SAT/ACT scores? I used to use college board for D’11 but when I’ve gone on the college board site recently, it doesn’t seem to have the info laid out the same way.</p>

<p>I had a good talk with S’14. I wanted to discuss his grades but also praise him for his progress. He said he’s looking at schools which I think are within his grasp.</p>

5828

<p>collegedata.com has those stats.</p>

5829

<p>Collegeboard still has that data - you just have to click on the applying tab - then SAT/ACT to get scores. I preferred their old way of showing things as it was easier, but the info is still there.</p>

<p>Thanks for the suggestions of Roger Williams and Coastal Carolina. At first glace via collegeboard they look in the range of possibilities though Coastal Carolina doesn’t appear to be quite as good for aid and I wonder how that is for OOS. If he likes it, it’d still be worth an app to see what happens. I’ve passed on the names to him to check out.</p>

5830

<p>thanks creekland and Barnardmom. One more question – I just looked at the stats for Hobart William Smith, which S’s GC said was a safety for him. 70% of the incoming freshman had ACT in the 24-29 range (which S will be in if he’s lucky), and only 22% had GPAs in S’s range. </p>

<p>How is that a safety? Isn’t the definition that you’re above the stats of most of the incoming freshman are? Or does GC know something about how that college views applicants from our HS? I guess I should use the college board info combined with Naviance because maybe our GPAs are conservative or something.</p>

5831

<p>Hi all …</p>

<p>I’m so jealous of everyone’s schools who participate in Naviance. </p>

<p>Great advice, blueiguana.</p>

<p>Classof2015 … my DD15 is similar to yours. We’ve had a tough go of it at times because she’s so close (only a year apart) to her older sister who hasn’t had anything below an A since 5th grade. DD15 is smart … she just doesn’t work as hard as her older sister - she’s not wired that way. She’d much rather have a social life and only put in 2 hours worth of homework at get a B than do 5 hours a night (like DD14) and having a soaring GPA. Husband and I have gone back and forth numerous times over the years … “is this really the best she can do?” And though I believe the answer is “no” - it is the best she WANTS to do. She’s a much more well rounded kid … where her sister has a laser focus. Is one better than the other? Nope … it takes every kind to make the world go round. But it will never be any less than tough when those grades come out - I want her to do so much better and know she can. She just doesn’t want to. Sigh. </p>

<p>And DD14s ACT scores posted this morning - finally. This was her first time taking it - and again, she took it w/o prep as she wanted to see where her baseline was. (Which is what she did when she took the SAT in December … drove me crazy both times.) </p>

<p>She had great scores overall - except she tanked science (relatively speaking). (Which ironically, will be her major - go figure.) Anyway, I had to refrain from some serious I TOLD YOUS this morning … if she would’ve taken a few practice tests she would not have been so surprised by the science - which she described as “really weird”. </p>

<p>But I zipped it. </p>

<p>In relation to her SAT scores, this was like a 150 point jump. A whole lot of difference a second semester of school can make! lol!</p>

5832

<p>Class of 2015 - I just looked at the stats for that school and saw their acceptance rate is only around 50%. With the scores you list, I’d put that school in the match category I think - even if they generally accept students from your school. It’s too iffy to be a true safety IMO.</p>

<p>KaMaMom - my youngest is similar to your '15 and my middle is similar to your '14. It is really tough to “not” compare the two. Fortunately, each are aimed in directions that appear to work for them. Oldest was a mix of the two and is going into his senior year - doing well. It did work.</p>

5833

<p>thanks for looking at it, creekland. This helps. I’m kind of building his list from scratch now and I have to make sure I’m looking at the stats right.</p>

5834

<p>Creekland ~ Since distance doesn’t seem to be a factor at all, y’all might just give a looksie to where my DS’14 is headed, Texas A&M University at Galveston. The whole focus of the school is marine-oriented – “The ocean is our classroom” – and a lot of times they even hold class on small boats. The school is actually on a smaller island off of Galveston Island. It’s not Hawaii, but definitely a tropical setting. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>These are the undergraduate degrees they offer:</p>

<p>Marine Biology - biological sciences with ocean emphasis
Marine Sciences - oceanography, marine chemistry, marine geology
Marine Engineering Technology - electro/mechanical engineering, ship engine operations
Marine Transportation - ship operations, Texas Maritime Academy
Marine Fisheries - aquaculture, mariculture
Maritime Systems Engineering - ocean and civil engineering
Maritime Administration - international trade, port operations
Maritime Studies - liberal arts, nautical archaeology and anthropology
University Studies - maritime policy and pre-law
Ocean and Coastal Resources - environmental marine sciences</p>

5835

<p>Good afternoon all…another steamy day in Washington, DC. I haven’t posted in awhile, not feeling like I have wisdom to share. Anyhow, this is long, sorry. I need to vent…but also would appreciate guidance! </p>

<p>Cheergirl closed out Junior year with solid GPA, 3.7ish-UW and 4.4ish-W. Three honor societies, including NHS, and a 4th likely to be added in the fall. Good extra-curriculars and co-curriculars, including 3 years of a Varsity sport and Captain for Senior year. Hoping for glowing recommendations (lol!), and she’s getting ready to write some stellar essays I hope! </p>

<p>Only “weakness” is test scores. SAT: CR-640, Math-580, Writing-540. Highest ACT section scores are English-30, Math-26, Reading-25, Science-25. So composite of 26.5? Do they round up or down?</p>

<p>Before I go further, these are not “disappointing” scores EXCEPT for the fact that they don’t accurately represent what she’s capable of (explanation below), and for the the fact that they simply are not high enough for University of Maryland/College Park, our flagship. We’re not even positive that UMD is the “right” school for Cheergirl, BUT we do know that we can afford it, and that’s hugely important. </p>

<p>Here’s the issue: Cheergirl has ADD, has taken Vyvanse successfully for years, and has been given “informal” accommodations throughout high school, including extended time on tests. When I realized that I needed a formal Section 504 plan in order to request extended time for the ACT, I started the process with the school administrators back in December 2012. They have been completely uncooperative about putting a formal 504 plan in place because she has good grades! I’ve read the law, good grades don’t disqualify and can’t be an issue. And furthermore, she has good grades because she works her butt off. And now, she’s being penalized for it.</p>

<p>We had updated neuro-psych testing in May, and the assessment report clearly states “…her problems in attention can affect her ability to perform on limited timed tests…mild symptoms of [test] anxiety, and coping strategies may be limited to deal with stress…she would benefit from accommodations in school in order to compensate for difficulties in attention. Specific recommendations include…permitting her extra time to complete schoolwork and tests. As her attention difficulties could affect her ability to take limited timed tests, she should receive extended time (150%) on all standardized exams.”</p>

<p>I spoke to ACT rep again yesterday. Cheergirl won’t get extended time without a 504 plan or a compelling statement on school letterhead outlining the informal accommodations and stating why she doesn’t have a 504 plan. The team at her school isn’t willing to meet with me again until August, and anyhow, no reason to think they’ll suddenly agree to put a 504 plan in place. In any case, the deadline for ACT extended time request is August 23 (school knows this). I feel like this is a hopeless cause and it’s starting to sink in that she will likely not be admitted to UMD. Yes, I know she could attend Towson or Salisbury with in-state tuition, but she doesn’t want to. She wants to attend UMD, or possibly University of Delaware, or University of Miami, but OOS won’t happen without merit money, and merit money isn’t likely with her current test scores.</p>

<p>Sorry this is so long. Any advice? I’m feeling so defeated. :(</p>

5836

<p>No real advice, cheermom- just support. S has a 504 and extra time on the ACT but I don’t know that it helped him much. Is UMD-CP hard and fast on the minimum test scores for admission? Would it help if she interviewed so they can meet her and see beyond the scores? How many times did she take the ACT so far – twice?</p>

<p>I googled your question about rounding up or down and found: .5 or .75 rounds up; .25 rounds down.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>Thanks mathmomvt and KaMaMom for your posts – sounds like we all have the same kid here. It’ll be interesting to see how this all pans out. As interesting as one of those rides where you’re strapped into a cage and turned upside down in the dark.</p>

5837

<p>THANKS for the support Classof2015, it helps. She’s over 90 percent accurate on the portion of the test that she’s able to complete. But, that isn’t helpful when your learning differences only allow you to complete half the test. She’s taken the ACT twice. The second time English went from a 28 to a 30, Math stayed the same, Reading and Science went down. Thank goodness for super-scoring.</p>

<p>Thank you for the rounding information-great news! That bumps her composite score to 27! UMD/CP says they review apps “holistically” but I’m skeptical. The website says the median scores for ACT are 28-32, but we haven’t heard of anyone’s acceptance with less than a 29. And…good advice…they say they don’t interview, but can’t hurt to ask!</p>

5838

<p>SAT gave my DS extra time (which we didn’t request and he didn’t need/use) with the documentation of his ADHD. (ACT gave him extended time for the essay only due to his dysgraphia but denied the accommodation we had requested – use of a computer for the essay.) Maybe SAT with extra time will be better than ACT without for your DD – in our experience the SAT folks were more prone to allowing it. My DS does have a 504 but he does not have extra time as an accommodation in his 504, just “testing in a less distracting location” (and use of a computer as needed). Keep trying with the ACT, but maybe apply for accommodations for the SAT as well and see what happens?</p>

5839

<p>Hey all!</p>

<p>I feel like I’ve had a major epiphany. My kids will put in the effort to get the results they desire. I don’t want to make the focus of their young lives study, study, study. It’s not who they are.</p>

<p>The latest round of ACTs saw D’s scores go down, so the 2nd test score is it, and that is that. </p>

<p>Honestly, she’s loving being a teenager, a cute boyfriend, a vibrant social life, lots of activities, friends, volunteering. And now the driving and she’s just happy with her situation. She knew she needed to raise scores for her dream school, she chose to not put in the effort, and maybe she didn’t have it in her.</p>

<p>We have her list of 8 now, she’s happy with them, they’re not the best in the world, but I can say she’ll be fine at any of them. Looks like she wants to stay on the east coast heading south.</p>

<p>She’s the type who gets along well in this world, is the organizer, peppy one who people are drawn to. She’ll probably get along better than her brother, the nerdier academic. </p>

<p>I felt like it was the end of the world the first time around, I think I just have college app fatigue.</p>

5840

<p>Ok - Third time trying to post tonight! It keeps getting deleted and it’s so frustrating but kind of like the week I’ve been having!</p>

<p>Contractors started working on our house on Monday - we’re replacing failing windows and crumbling siding on the front of the house. Lots of banging and the poor puppy is all out of sorts - they left “his” window (and the rest of the first floor front windows) covered with tyvek today so he can’t see out of them!</p>

<p>But to top it all off, the A/C leaked yesterday morning and left the upstairs hall ceiling water stained and wet, ran down the linen closet wall to the kitchen ceiling below and also got the upstairs hall all wet! So I’ve spent much of yesterday and today dealing with the A/C people, insurance adjustor and remediation specialist. It’s now a question of whether poking holes in the ceiling and ripping up the carpet and insulation in the attic will allow things to dry up enough or whether most of the upstairs hall ceiling needs to be removed! And the hallway carpet will need to go and they’ll also replace the carpet on the stairs because it all matches. Oh - and repaint all the ceilings on the first floor! At least I have easy access to a contractor to do the work at some point!</p>

<p>So totally too much to think about at once. But at least the A/C still works as it’s been brutal here the past three days! And now we’ll have to think about what needs to be done immediately vs. what can be done a little later to spread out the costs. And the funny thing is DD14 has been desperately searching for a job this summer. She really wants to babysit two to three days a week so she’ll have time to do all her AP summer work and applications and have some time for friends. </p>

<p>So tonight I also got a text from another contractor who did some work for us on the side this spring who lives less than a mile from us and wondered if DD wanted a 2-3 day a week babysitting job this summer! Turns out their present babysitter keeps cancelling on them on short notice and they need someone tomorrow morning. He could do the repair work on weekends for a lot less than anyone else and DD will babysit tomorrow morning. Hopefully it will turn out to be something for the summer! Now we just need to get her grades (which I expect to be excellent) and convince her to study for ACT/SATs this summer too (may be harder!)</p>

<p>College visit reports coming next!</p>