<p>I agree with the stated advantages of a pre-med undergrad experience being in the setting of an institution with access to med schools/hospitals …it just makes the logistics easier for exposure to Medicine…plus sometimes (as was the case for me) you can even take classes in the medical school setting which can serve as inspiration. I also went to Vanderbilt med school after undergrad (at CWRU) where I was able to volunteer at the hospital (child life program), study in the med school library, and took biochemistry with med school research faculty.</p>
<p>You have no idea how much I appreciate the feedback … there’s a lot of food for thought in these last posts and I thank you for that!</p>
<p>And creekland … the more info the better! Keep writing! :)</p>
<p>Another one bites the dust. S’14’s AP History teacher said he is struggling and he recommends he move down to Honors History. I’m not surprised. For a while, I thought: maybe this is where he really comes into his own. Maybe all the help he’s received has sunk in and he’s developed new study skills and maturity and a love of learning.</p>
<p>I think not. He has not been putting in the time for this class, and it shows. Way too much watching TV and hanging out, and whenever I try to press him gently about his homework, I get an attitude. </p>
<p>I told him: better to focus on the classes you have and do well (As and Bs) vs struggle and fail in an AP (I think he could pull off a C- if he killed himself and neglected other classes).</p>
<p>He is just not an AP kind of guy.</p>
<p>On the up side, fast forward 5-10 years, and even though he doesn’t want to work in my industry, I would hire him in an instant. He’s good with people, he’s friendly, easy going, he never says anything to offend anyone, and everyone likes him. He’ll be captain of his baseball team this year; his coaches love him; younger players say he’s nice to them. In the scheme of things, I’m not worried about his overall success in life. He will have many good friends and be a good friend to others. So he won’t do an AP class in high school. I’m ok with that.</p>
<p>Creekland…I don’t know if it would fit your son’s religious studies requirements,but what about the school of environmental studies in Syracuse, NY? I believe it is part of the SUNY system. I also think Warren Wilson might have some programs he might be interested in.</p>
<p>Classof2015,
the AP history classes are not everyone’s cup of tea. Not everyone likes spending hours pouring over original source documents and writing DBQs. These people can still be very successful in college and especially in life.</p>
<p>I am so glad you see your son’s strengths and celebrate them.</p>
<p>Classof2015 - I totally get where you’re coming from on the APUSH! My son has been struggling with that one since the beginning of the school year. Some kids just aren’t history buffs! You’re right - your son will do great - it’s a good trait to have to be able to get along with people and have a great attitude.</p>
<p>Oh, you guys are soooo validating my son’s choice not to take APUSH. He’s struggling with AP English as it is (somewhat unexpectedly). I’m hoping he just needs to adjust to new expectations and ramp up his game.</p>
<p>yeah…the AP English is not going that great, either! Thank goodness for the PreCal & AP Biology classes! He’s smoking in those! haha</p>
<p>KaMaMom - glad to have been of assistance. As you get looking at more schools and zeroing in on what you like then I might be able to share more from what we’ve learned. There are many good schools out there, so fit can come into play. Pre-meds tend to do better with a good fit as there’s less “other” stress. So, you are looking for size, urban/suburban/rural, research or not, Greek or not, Bio major or neuro related major, and deciding if you are specifically interested in merit aid or not - or whether it matters. Ditto that for need-based aid. There are probably a few other categories not coming to mind too.</p>
<p>Class of 2015 - my guy would be doing the same if we had that level class - and I feel the same way about him being a superb candidate to hire when he’s looking for a job. Some kids need super high academics (like my middle son who is pre-med), and others don’t. They all have their niche. I’ll fully admit it’s easier looking for colleges with higher stat kids, esp if one wants aid (merit or need-based), but that doesn’t = the only path to success in life.</p>
<p>boysx3 - Right now my guy isn’t taking any college suggestions from me simply because I suggest them… He USED to like Unity, Warren Wilson, and schools like Syracuse’s. He was excited to think of those more than the mainly academic types. Then the twist hit. He found two schools that might work for him (Baylor, Asbury), but when I mentioned I thought Baylor was a good choice it immediately dropped off his list. When I mentioned Asbury didn’t look like it had much for Botany that elevated it. I’m laying low with opinions right now hoping this phase will pass and we’ll be able to work together at a later date. My mom thinks I should “not” like any school I find acceptable. ;)</p>
<p>I believe the latest school at the top of his list is Palm Beach Atlantic. I’m trying to do some research on that on my own (without sharing) to see how I feel about it. I hadn’t heard of it before… Stats-wise it would fit him (and it has a high acceptance rate anyway). It’s also located in FL near the Everglades which he thinks is superb. It’s small which he prefers. It’s non-denominational which could be good - pending what that really means - this is difficult to tell when I haven’t been able to speak to grads. It’s not so good with financial aid which could be problematic. We’ve gotten spoiled with two higher stat kids and the offers they got. Then I also wonder what the job placement is like - esp for his major (they have Botany as a concentration). All the usual “worries” and add the “what ‘brand’ of Christian” to the mix.</p>
<p>The good news is the sprained ankle is doing better. He now hobbles around the house without the crutches for short distances, but still uses the crutches for any distance or around friends. ;)</p>
<p>Of the 3 AP classes DS is taking this year (AP physics, AP English, and APUSH)…he struggles the most with the history…lots of factors of course…he is better at analytical stuff and writing, less so rote memorization of names and dates…the teacher is a great lecturer so S, so far, feels its worth the effort/struggle…just took fist big exam…results pending</p>
<p>DS’14’s first SAT in about 18 hours - OMG!</p>
<p>Good luck to Glido’s DS and any others taking the SAT!</p>
<p>GL to tomorrow’s SAT takers!</p>
<p>Isn’t it nice that this is his junior year… and has plenty of time to improve should he find the scores disagreeable…lets pray that he/and the others… knock this bad boy out the park!</p>
<p>Good luck to all your children! If they sleep well and remember to eat breakfast/pace themselves, they’ll do great :)</p>
<p>Good Luck to all the students taking the SAT tomorrow and the PSAT in a couple weeks. My oldest daughter took the SAT the Saturday before the PSAT and did very well but it might have made her over confident because her PSAT did not match so she did not make NMF. </p>
<p>Finally skyped with our son in China this week. His host family was in the background and was as curious about us as we were about them. We were amazed to hear our son speaking Chinese and answering their questions. He had had very little Chinese before he left but he is now aiming to pass the HSK level four test by the time he leaves in June. (Kind of like the TOEFL for English language learners) The description of this level is having the ability to communicate fluently with native speakers on a wide range of topics, typically achieved in two years of study (1200 words, 1100 characters). He just might accomplish that. If anyone is interested in his blog, I can pm you a link.</p>
<p>My daughter will not be taking the SAT. Sticking with the ACT and she takes that October 27th. Has not studied a bit. 
Happy to report she is taking school seriously for the first time and is on track to receive a 4.0 GPA for the first 9 weeks. Hope she sticks with it for the rest of the year. I am rewarding her for her grades in clothing and makeup and that is fine if it gets her a 4.0 - lol.</p>
<p>Good luck to all taking the sat!</p>
<p>I’ll add my good luck wished to SAT test takers. We’re just doing the PSAT and ACT this month, then will (hopefully) concentrate on either the SAT or ACT for spring. So far, both of my older two boys were better on the ACT. Time will tell with our '14 guy.</p>
<p>wow. so many parents there…</p>
<p>“Isn’t it nice that this is his junior year… and has plenty of time to improve should he find the scores disagreeable…” - NewHavenCTMom</p>
<p>Exactly! He signed up knowing that he would have plenty more chances, so this is less of a “high stakes” test. Now I’ve got to make him some breakfast :)</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone taking the test!</p>