<p>D14 also is coming back to Earth after an exceptional time at HOBY. Now the real fun begins: Studying for the PSAT and getting some AP homework done. It’s hard to move her back to work mode (including getting up before ten…) but we had a CTJ talk last night about how once school starts after Labor Day, there is not going to be a lot of extra time for taking practice tests.Just signed her up for both a PSAT and SAT course–there will be overlap for 2 weeks–her weekend mornings will be be full from mid-September to the end of October. When do most of you anticipate your kids will take the SAT for the first time? We’re shooting for November…</p>
<p>DS14 will take PSAT in Oct. with the rest of his class as it is required, but he is not slotted for the SAT or ACT, yet. I think his first time will be in May or June. He is not a strong test taker, and I believe the time will allow him to obtain more vocabulary and writing skills.</p>
<p>Plan is
SAT II Chemistry and PSAT in October
ACT in December
SAT in January
AP Exams in May
additional SAT II if needed in June (he already has Math, so unless he applies to a school that wants 3, or wants a non-math/science, he should be done. Unless he needs to re-take Chemistry)</p>
<p>Whichever of the SAT or ACT he does better on, he may try one more time either later Junior year or Oct senior year.</p>
<p>This is crazy!!! I’m reading the High School 2012 / College 2016 threads and getting teary eyed for those parents that are two years ahead of us! Then reading the High School 2013 thread and getting excited for all those that are starting the application process one year ahead of us! I know these next two years are just going to fly by. Makes me a little sad that our babies will be grown soon!</p>
<p>As far as testing schedules go - DS will take PSAT in October. He has already taken ACT twice and we are satisfied with that score. I want him to take the SAT, so I’m thinking next Spring for that one. And we will probably need to squeeze in some SAT II tests - but I’m thinking June for those after school is out. He is taking AP Biology, AP English, APUSH and honors Pre-Calc/Trig this year so I’d like to get a full year of studying in first before he decides which SAT II to take.</p>
<p>We have a college visit scheduled next week at our state flagship. It looks like they’ve scheduled us to meet with department and honors college representatives. That will be fun! </p>
<p>I’m not quite sure how to handle the comments from friends and family. A few of my best friends have students at state universities so when I express an interest for him to go OOS, they are quick to inform me what a good university we have (which according to some on CC, it is NOT a good university! haha) I want the BEST for my DS (that we can afford). I want to look around and gather information. I want him to get good scholarships. And come his senior year, if the BEST school that we can afford for him is the state flagship, then that is where he will go. But if we can afford a BETTER OOS university, then I will happily send him with no regrets! (Maybe a few tears, but no regrets!) I guess I need to just get over what other people think and keep my mouth shut! 
How do you handle comments from friends? Or do you just not bring up college to them? I’m curious about their kids plans, but am careful not to say anything negative!!</p>
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<p>These people are not really all that concerned with where you send their son. They are just justifying their own choices for their own children. So, acknowledge that you have a good state U, and if you can, give a more concrete reason for your son’s interest in a different school than just that it’s “better” – what makes it better for your son? Hopefully you can think of other reasons than just obsessing over US News rankings. The thing you want to get across is that you think X or Y school might be a better fit for your son’s interests and preferences, rather than suggesting that the state U might be ok for their children, but it certainly isn’t good enough for your precious flower. Sounds like you are already onto that, and not saying anything negative. It can indeed be a bit tricky, but I think you can navigate it fine as long as you try to stick to concrete things you and your son like about the school. (If there aren’t any, why is it on the list?)</p>
<p>mathmomvt - Thank you! You have good suggestions. That is exactly why I want to do as much research as possible. It may be after our visit next week we will be sold on the state U (which by the way, is where I graduated from). My concerns with the state U are recruiting opportunities for the specific field he wants to ultimately work in - automotive engineering. I’m afraid GM/Ford is a long way from us!</p>
<p>That’s an excellent concrete reason, right there!</p>
<p>We recently returned from our two college visits and a camping trip to Glacier National Park.</p>
<p>First college visit was to University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was hot (103F)! Guides were told to cut the visit short and eliminate some of the hills. Immediately after the information session, we were broken into smaller groups and our assigned guides asked “Does anyone mind if we DON’T cut the tour short?” Our two guides gave a very enthusiastic, very sports oriented, yet still thorough introduction to Wisconsin. They had good knowledge of the many inter-disciplinary major options at Wisconsin and did an outstanding job of presenting the “BIG 10” big school experience. My son liked it a lot but we are out of state so it’s quite expensive. </p>
<p>The other visit was to Macalaster in St. Paul. My wife and I found the campus and the St. Paul neighborhood absolutely beautiful. The tour split between the parents and the students here. My tour guide was very good, but my son didn’t seem as impressed with his. The school does a good job of highlighting it’s international focus and “unique” qualities. I thought it was great, but it didn’t click with my son as much. They walked right by the head football coach he said hello to the group but the tour guide didn’t really acknowledge him. He made a bigger deal of the Vegan Coop in the football stands, so maybe this isn’t a fit. </p>
<p>Maybe, we’re learning by example what finding the fit means? Who knows? Things change…</p>
<p>Our goal was to show the differences between a big school and a small school; I think we achieved that. </p>
<p>And so it begins…</p>
<p>Hitting the books in earnest now! :)</p>
<p>My plan is:
SAT1- October
SAT 2 Math- November/December (need to review precalc)
SAT 2 Chem- January </p>
<p>If all works out, I’ll be done with tests! Not applying to Gtown, so 2 is good.</p>
<p>ecouter, in case you’re not aware, you can take up to 3 subject tests on the same date. So if feel you can prep for more than one at a time, you can do them both together in January.</p>
<p>beadymom: My oldest son heard all kinds of comments – a lot not so nice – from people regarding his OOS university choice. But, he looks upon this as the best choice he could have made. Sure, he could have gone to our VA schools, but they offered little or no merit money, and many did not have honors programs. He went OOS on a National Merit ride and the opportunities have been endless for him. He has done research for two years with the same econ professor. He has studied abroad all over the world. He has won numerous scholarships and had a wonderful government internship. </p>
<p>Your student needs to select what is best for him, and not worry about what others have said. Those people who had their doubts over my son’s decision, well, most are spending this summer working at a local fast food place and have struggled with their collegiate academics.</p>
<p>Dave_N–we had a similar experience at Macalester. The tour guide for the students’ group was not a native English speaker and the kids had a difficult time undertanding what was being said. The tour guide the parents experienced was local and was able to handle the questions peppered by the parents. I thought it was a lovely campus and I felt that my D would be very safe in St. Paul. The local restaurant/shopping scene directly across from campus, however, was pretty disappointing–especially when you compare it to college “towns” like Evanston. </p>
<p>There is always a “chill” in the room when you discuss that you’re looking OOS. The majority of the kids in our town seem to stay in-state. A lot of it is realted to cost. And a lot of families really value having their kid close to home. Our D is intent on spreading her wings and has instructed us to discard any mailings that come in from Northwest schools. There is nothing wrong with any of the schools; she just wants the opportunity to see another part of the U.S. and I’m all for it–as long as it’s affordable. We all define a college education differently–I attended a commuter school and would have loved to have experienced living on campus. My husband lived on campus but it took him six years to graduate because he had to pay OOS so it meant juggling two jobs and going to school. There are trade-offs and compromises but ultimately it’s nobody’s business what path you choose!</p>
<p>I am a couple of days late in posting this as I have been on the road for business and just got home earlier today. As of August 1st, we have just a year to go until the Common Application for our class of kids is available online for their turn in the annual college application process. :eek: Just a year! This is going too fast! And just 17 months until they are all due (except for some public universities that use rolling admissions). And less for anyone considering ED or EA applications.</p>
<p>AvonHSDad: Thanks for the reminder. I was just telling my son that next summer includes college apps, so it’s important that we finalize his list and make visits. He has not been too enthusiastic about this whole thing, but his older brother reminded him that he could always stay home and go to community college. Of course, he’d need to get a job to pay for his car insurance. That seemed to wake him up a little. So more visits are planned for spring break.</p>
<p>@mathmomvt, I do know but I’m planning on not doing it because:
a) I don’t want to mess 1 test up and ace the other and have to send terrible scores in. I know the odds are slim, but when I’m off, I’m really, really off. Also, I think I tire easily with exams that require “consistent intensity” and I don’t want to run the risk, even though Chem and math are more similar than say- physics and english literature.
b) I have external exams that are at similar times as SAT2s, and I can kill 2 birds with one stone.</p>
<p>This reminds me of a question I wanted to ask- how do you get yourselves/your kids to really focus? I have these plans worked out, and I usually am a consistent studier if I have a demanding class that makes me work hard, but it’s hard for me to focus when there’s no daily “pressure”. I remind myself how important these things are, but it’s difficult for me to avoid getting distracted by things that although are fun (forums, discussion boards), don’t contribute to my personal growth (reading books, preparing for the next school year, additional reading into my work). </p>
<p>This is really a cause of concern for me because I want to try and better understand myself so I’ll know what I want in a college and I don’t think I can do that unless I give up these negative habits. I feel like I forgot myself after entering my new high school by not doing things I used to love and yeah, I’m just quite confused. I’ve talked to my parents about this, but they have a hard time relating to my situation as they are from another era in a different country where there were no real distractions besides “healthy, wholesome” (i.e. sports or reading or running around and exploring forests) activities or studying.</p>
<p>Sorry if I sound really naive and presumptuous, I’m just confused and kind of upset with myself. 
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>DS16 is home from summer camp and it’s great to have him back. He takes his test for his driver learner’s permit tomorrow - hope it goes smoothly. He’s back to school next week.
Schedule includes:
Physics B (His school allows B as a Junior as a stepping stone to C as a Senior)
Calc AB
AB English
History (no AP or honors level offered)
Hebrew 3
He’ll take PSAT in the Fall, SAT in the spring, SAT 2 in the spring, AP english and Physics and Calc in the spring I guess. I’d like to see him take ACT sometime, but I think he’s packed too tightly.
At this point he likes school, likes his friends, and is hoping to make the Basketball team during the winter term. He’s willing to make a visit to a local University ‘Engineering Open house day’ this week. Up until now he wasn’t willing to even drive through a campus. So that’s a relief to me.<br>
What do you all think of him doing college tours as a Junior without me? I had a discussion with Husband-man last night, who felt it was essential that a parent be present. I was sort of thinking that sending S by himself was fine this year, as he won’t listen to us anyway, and I’ll be a lot more interested/helpful once the final list is compiled.</p>
<p>Thanks-
PS</p>
<p>Trying to plan some college visits with S’14. He keeps telling me has time, but I remember it was very tough getting to see schools. What I’ve also learned is this – you have to visit the safeties (in case that’s the only place he gets in) and the ones he might apply early to. </p>
<p>Only problem is, I have no sense of direction. Ever heard that saying “you can drown in less than an inch of water”? I can get lost less than a mile from my home. My car doesn’t have a GPS – anyone have recommendations for an “after market” system they like and use? I’m thinking I better have one, in my car, so I don’t embarrass S’14 to death asking for directions.</p>
<p>I’m like you on directions. Here’s a warning for you – you need to have a MAP in addition to a GPS. Because your GPS can lose its reception at the worse moments. Mine lost it while we were in downtown Philly to visit Drexel, and we did not have a map, so it’s a miracle that we actually found our hotel. Fortunately I <em>had</em> looked at a map of downtown before leaving and I did know the next street the GPS wanted us to turn on, and somehow we managed to find the place. I couldn’t even really pull over anywhere to ask for directions, becuase we would have blocked traffic, and it was clear that no one was going to be happy about that!</p>
<p>About the choosing college OOS. When people start conversations about DS and his choices, I will limit comments to the two public in-states that he has already visited. I would like to keep the oos reaches more private because DS is be-racial (URM) and I have already heard the crappy comments. My co-worker said “her kids always wanted to be black-because they have it made” and another friend said “IF he goes in as a minority-” What the heck?
His class rank is #2 so all the “know-it alls” think he has unlimited choices-
I need a thick-skin to get through the next 2 years.</p>
<p>Oh, and I forgot to answer the question – we have a Garmin Nuvi 40 LM that we are happy with. (That’s not the unit that cut out on me in Philly, for the record – that was on older Garmin i5.) LM stand for “lifetime maps” which means map updates are included in the price of the unit. That’s a great deal because they charge around $100 for a map upgrade otherwise! We opted not to pay extra for one with traffic updates because we drive in areas with heavy traffic pretty infrequently. But again, I think you can sometimes get “lifetime traffic” which would beat paying monthly for the traffic info subscription.</p>