Parents of the HS class of 2015 - 3.0 to 3.3 GPA

Parents Forum Class of 20xx Community
1

<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>After seeing successful college acceptances of students in the 3.0-3.3 GPA range via the 2010-2013 threads, I'm starting a thread for our Class of 2015 children. At the end, some of us may still belong here, and others may venture over to the 3.3-3.6 thread. </p>

<p>I welcome parents with children that fit BOTH threads to sit, sip coffee, tea, wine, or--you get my drift--as we discuss and focus on the following topics:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Test Prep</p></li>
<li><p>School Visits & casting WIDE nets</p></li>
<li><p>Fit & LOVING ALL OUR SCHOOLS</p></li>
<li><p>Possible Financial/Merit aid</p></li>
<li><p>Books to assist our quest of the perfect school for our children.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>And as we get close to and into senior year:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Applications (EA vs. ED vs. RD)</p></li>
<li><p>Auditions (music, dance, theatre)</p></li>
<li><p>Senior year visits & overnights</p></li>
<li><p>The Waiting Game of acceptances</p></li>
<li><p>Reviewing award letters</p></li>
<li><p>Sending in that check for our Class of 2019 kids!</p></li>
</ol>

<p>So, let the discussions begin!</p>

2

<p>Okay here goes-- been a avid lurker for not one year but two!! D is definitely will be in this group. D was an A student until high-school, started out strong but crashed at the end of fresh year. She is attends a rigorous prep school where all classes are taught at the honors or college level. We had testing done and to our amazement she has been classified with learning disabilty. So that was the cause of the crash. We were Told this is very common in super bright students that they are able to compensate until really challenge—we are told that it’s better now then happening at college. So our journey will be very different looking for colleges than we were on finding the right high school. She elected to stay at her current school knowing the challenges and the end prospect of colleges selection and we are okay with this. So to end this ramble with countless hours of studying and learning how to handle her situation she has maintain a solid B average. So I hope by reading and some guidance of “13” and “14” we will navigate through this. Thanks for posting and heres to our great kids who will be driven nuts lol by their caring parents.</p>

3

<p>Count me in!
I wanted to join a 3.0-3.3 UW 2015 thread but didn’t want to start one.
Lovable, annoying DS has ADHD - inattentive type, which we didn’t find out until end of frosh year, which makes his test grades ride like a rollercoaster! Started adderall this year, which has helped somewhat. Will be taking Chem SAT2 in May and Math2 SAT2 in June. It will be interesting to see how he scores.</p>

<p>Hoosier, my kid, like yours, attends a rigorous prep school. I have often been debating whether to pull him out and have him attend the very good public HS. I’m not sure if it’s money well spent for this private HS due to his college options given his grades. If he attends a Cal State School (CSU), his college costs will be less than his HS costs.</p>

<p>I like the lists of colleges acceptances that the 2013 group has posted so that it can give us some college ideas.</p>

4

<p>A few book titles regarding our kids in this range:</p>

<p>Finding the College Right for You!, by John Palladino, Ed.D.<br>
I’m Jewish, not Christian, so many of the colleges within the book will not appeal to those who are not Christian or Catholic. With that said, a few schools listed do not see religious and offer active Hillel, Atheist/Agnostic or Pagan groups on campus. I would check the library before paying $4.50, with shippiing for a used copy from Amazon, as I found roughly 30 out of 150 institutions viable options based on religion alone. </p>

<p>Colleges that Change Lives (2013-2014 edition), by Loren Pope & revised by Hillary Masell Oswald. I found this to be one of the best books for our kids, and if you go back to the 2013 thread, you will find MANY of the schools within this book came through with acceptance offers. </p>

<p>Getting Into College with Julia Ross: Finding the Right Fit and Making it Happen, by Julia Ross
Love this book! Julia takes 3 students–one with a 2.5, one with a 3.0, and another with, I think a 3.5 and shows students and parents how to determine safeties, matches, and reaches using a formula. This book was quite eye opening, as I had a tone of schools that actually were low reaches on D’s list, a few matches, and ZERO safeties based on stats for this thread. </p>

<p>8 First Choices: An Expert’s Strategies for Getting into College, by Joyce Slayton Mitchell.</p>

<p>Don’t let your student end up with acceptances that they truly do not love. Great book about our children loving ALL of the schools applied to for college/university.</p>

<p>The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price, by Lynn O’Shaughnessy </p>

<p>I found CC late in the game when my eldest, S13 (college class) was at the end of his junior year in HS, and wish this book was around or that I knew about the book. Many of the mistakes of a rookie parent helping their child apply are front and center. </p>

<p>Get busy everyone and head to your library and let’s discuss any or all of the above titles. </p>

<p>If you have any must read titles to add, PLEASE do so-grin.</p>

5

<p>Besides the various 3.0-3.3 threads out there, I also find the, “Brag About Your Lesser Known School!” thread a great resource for finding schools for our kiddos:<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/370873-brag-about-your-lesser-known-school.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/370873-brag-about-your-lesser-known-school.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I never heard of Rowan University, and it is on D’s list of schools to research, especially with the opening of its medical school with holistic admissions.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for all of the great info, BunHeadMom!!!</p>

7

<p>Paying for College without Going Broke Princeton Review by Kalman Chany, published annually.
Fiske Guide 2013, published annually.
Princeton Review’s Best 377, published annually.</p>

8

<p>SLUMOM,</p>

<p>I just reserved “Paying for College Without Going Broke” through our library & will pick up tomorrow since they’re closed today. </p>

<p>I own the both, the Fiske & PR guides, and tabbed them all with schools that interest D that appear to be matches or low-mid reaches. </p>

<p>We already have our financial/academic safety schools–all with automatic admissions with a specific ACT score that D already surpassed. We just have to make sure those apps are submitted as soon as we receive D’s grades at the end of 11th grade. </p>

<p>Thanks, for the book recommendations!</p>

9

<p>How are you determing matches; reaches; and safety already? We have done the college tours such has urban; rural; large small and that’s about it. You said that your D has taken the ACT I thought the scores are not counted until end of soph year? Our school does PSAT and Plan so they can decide which test to take starting in June (ACT) for D. We will not be doing SAT Sub test because we aren’t applying to those types of schools.</p>

10

<p>Well, the year is pretty much over for my sophomore, so reality of 11th grade is here at my house. </p>

<p>At my D’s school, all students in grades 9th thru 11th rerequired to sit the PSAT in November and the April ACT at their school, as it is a testing site. D already took the Latin & World History SAT IIs in December & will not need to retest for those. She scored a 28 on the ACT in 9th grade w/o studying or sitting practice tests, so we’re confident she’ll score higher by the end of junior year. She’s scheduled for ACT test prep for 12 weeks this summer & a refresher course before the ACT junior year. And, she will sit the chemistry & European History SAT IIs along with AP exams in Latin, Chemistry, European History & English Language as well her junior year. Since Ds GPA is on the low side, we’re going to use everything we can to up her standing with all schools she applies to as advised by her school college counselor. We want ALL testing, excepting AP exams completed by June of D’s junior year. </p>

<p>D’s GPA is on an upswing with all A’s this quarter in honors classes. D plans to attempt all A’s next year as well. </p>

<p>The safety schools are public schools and only require a minimum of 21 -27 ACT for auto admit no matter D’s GPA. Since D is in this thread & I know what I can afford, finding public safety schools she likes was not hard. A private may be a safety for matriculation, but may not be a financial safety if D won’t receive enough merit money to make the school affordable. A true safety is one that D can get in and I can afford. We’ll look at academic safety schools later, as our goal was to find schools D can see attending and love in the end if she’s redirected from all the other schools she applies to in the future. </p>

<p>As far as campuses, etc., D has seen 9 campuses in 4 states this year, as we will not have the time, nor the resources to complete all the visits during junior year & senior year. D’s school invites sophomores on campus visits, so we took advantage of that program. She already knows she prefers in campus size, campus vibe & student body due to the types of campuses already visited. We plan to visit roughly 11-15 more schools since our plan is to cast a very wide net from coast-to-coast & north to south.</p>

<p>D’s school begins the college search after 1st semester of 10th grade, as it is nearly impossible to go from a 3.2 to a 3.5 to 3.7 by 1st semester of 12th grade. We’ve already had two meetings with her college counselor this year & are scheduled for one more before school ends this year. Next year, D meets with said counselor every other month through junior year, and then monthly senior year. Thus, we’re positive as too D’s majors of interest–all three of them. Since most schools do not offer all three programs, that limits the schools D may get into with her stats. And trust me, the school must offer 2 as majors & 1 as a minor. This has not changed, and most likely will not as my D does ECs in these fields and has done so for a while. </p>

<p>I made the mistake of waiting almost to the end of my S’s junior year before even beginning the college game, and will not make those rookie mistakes again.</p>

11

<p>Just read an email from D15 that she set up an email account for college stuff. I hope she used her legal name!</p>

<p>Nine weeks left of school for D15, a one week break, then off to summer programming and a dance intensive at our flagship U.</p>

12

<p>On the Library Bookshelf:</p>

<p>BunHeadGirl and I read [Amazon.com:</a> how to become a straight a student](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_21?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=how%20to%20become%20a%20straight%20a%20student&sprefix=How+to+become+a+strai%2Caps%2C408&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ahow%20to%20become%20a%20straight%20a%20student]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_21?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=how%20to%20become%20a%20straight%20a%20student&sprefix=How+to+become+a+strai%2Caps%2C408&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ahow%20to%20become%20a%20straight%20a%20student) </p>

<p>and have his other 2 books on deck: [Amazon.com:</a> How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out) (9780767932585): Cal Newport: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/How-High-School-Superstar-Revolutionary/dp/0767932587/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366497633&sr=8-2&keywords=how+to+become+a+straight+a+student]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/How-High-School-Superstar-Revolutionary/dp/0767932587/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366497633&sr=8-2&keywords=how+to+become+a+straight+a+student) ,</p>

<p>and [How</a> to Win at College: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country’s Top Students: Cal Newport: 9780767917872: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-College-Surprising-Countrys/dp/0767917871/ref=pd_sim_b_5]How”>http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-College-Surprising-Countrys/dp/0767917871/ref=pd_sim_b_5)</p>

<p>BunHeadGirl decided to slowly incorporate methods from the first book, and after reading the other two, she will do the same. </p>

<p>What’s on your bookshelf?</p>

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<p>I’ve been meaning to join this thread for a while, so thanks to the OP for starting it and to the moderators for moving it here. Hoping to learn a lot and share info on both HS 2015 threads!</p>

14

<p>Oh, wait! Thread hasn’t moved yet. Well hopefully it will so more parents can find it in the 20xx Community area.</p>

15

<p>I won’t linger on this forum as I have kids in college already, but I wanted to add encouragement that the 3.0-3.3 student (and parents) will be alright. Below a 3.0 is still ok for many colleges (chosen carefully, and if the student is “packaged” well). I would say it isn’t until closer to a 2.5 that choices become bleak. Important though ~ sometimes students can get in, but can’t get out. Read the college catalogue online very carefully</p>

16

<p>Links to other 3.0-3.3 threads not found in the 20xx community forum:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/707436-new-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/707436-new-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/939933-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread-2011-hs-graduation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/939933-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread-2011-hs-graduation.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/939935-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread-2012-hs-graduation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/939935-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread-2012-hs-graduation.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The above threads are quite old and should be used for research only. If you have questions regarding any schools within the above threads, please post them within one of the currently active 3.0-3.3 threads located in the 20xx community forum.</p>

<p>A thread specific to the needs of our Jewish students and families looking for vibrant Jewish life at colleges and universities for the “B” student:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/931514-colleges-jewish-b-student.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/931514-colleges-jewish-b-student.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>A thread to meet the needs of those on the West Coast:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/907349-western-schools-3-0-3-3-kid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/907349-western-schools-3-0-3-3-kid.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And one for the 3.3-3.6 student:</p>

<p>3.3-3.6 <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/869995-3-3-3-6-gpa-parents-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/869995-3-3-3-6-gpa-parents-thread.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>CTCL (Colleges That Change Lives) College Fair Events: </p>

<p>[CTCL</a> Programs & Information 2013 | Colleges That Change Lives](<a href=“http://www.ctcl.org/events/programs]CTCL”>College Fairs & Information Sessions – Colleges That Change Lives)</p>

<p>Check the link above for venue locations and times.</p>

<p>Albuquerque, NM
Wed., August 28, 2013</p>

<p>Atlanta, GA
Mon., August 12, 2013</p>

<p>Austin, TX
Sat., August 10, 2013</p>

<p>Chicago, IL
Sun., August 25, 2013</p>

<p>Dallas, TX
Sun., August 11, 2013</p>

<p>Dearborn, MI
Mon., August 26, 2013</p>

<p>Denver, CO
Tues., August 27, 2013</p>

<p>Houston, TX
Sat., August 10, 2013</p>

<p>Los Angeles, CA
Wed. & Thur., July 31 & August 1, 2013</p>

<p>Minneapolis/St. Paul , MN
Sat., August 24, 2013</p>

<p>Nashville, TN
Wed., August 14, 2013</p>

<p>Portland, OR
Sun., July 28, 2013</p>

<p>Raleigh, NC
Tues., August 13, 2013</p>

<p>San Francisco, CA
Tues., July 30, 2013</p>

<p>Santa Clara, CA
Mon., July 29, 2013</p>

<p>Scottsdale, AZ
Thur., August 29, 2013</p>

<p>Seattle, WA
Sat., July 27, 2013</p>

<p>St. Louis, MO
Thur., August 15, 2013</p>

<p>Many of the schools featured (marked with an asterisk below) are ones that a number of the 2010 through 2013 3.0-3.3 students gained acceptances and now attend or will attend in the fall.</p>

<p>*AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE</p>

<p>*ALLEGHENY COLLEGE</p>

<p>ANTIOCH COLLEGE</p>

<p>AUSTIN COLLEGE</p>

<p>*BELOIT COLLEGE</p>

<p>BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN COLLEGE</p>

<p>CENTRE COLLEGE</p>

<p>*CLARK UNIVERSITY</p>

<p>CORNELL COLLEGE</p>

<p>DENISON UNIVERSITY</p>

<p>*EARLHAM COLLEGE</p>

<p>*ECKERD COLLEGE</p>

<p>EMORY & HENRY COLLEGE</p>

<p>THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE</p>

<p>*GOUCHER COLLEGE</p>

<p>*GUILFORD COLLEGE</p>

<p>*HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE</p>

<p>*HENDRIX COLLEGE</p>

<p>HILLSDALE COLLEGE</p>

<p>*HIRAM COLLEGE</p>

<p>HOPE COLLEGE</p>

<p>*JUNIATA COLLEGE</p>

<p>*KALAMAZOO COLLEGE</p>

<p>*KNOX COLLEGE</p>

<p>*LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY</p>

<p>LYNCHBURG COLLEGE</p>

<p>*MARLBORO COLLEGE</p>

<p>*MCDANIEL COLLEGE</p>

<p>MILLSAPS COLLEGE</p>

<p>NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA</p>

<p>*OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY</p>

<p>*REED COLLEGE</p>

<p>RHODES COLLEGE</p>

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<p>Thanks for the great information. My DS will hopefully be in this group (if he doesn’t dip below it!)</p>

<p>We’ll be looking for schools that are test optional and ones that accept most of those that apply because he is a terrible test taker and I don’t think he will have comepeitive test scores. </p>

<p>He has some good EC’s and he is a hard worker. I know he will find his fit. It may start at the local CC to get some of the requirements completed in a smaller setting before heading off to a University. We’ll see what happens this next year.</p>

19

<p>VAMom2015, thank goodness that you posted, as I started wondering if I had the only 3.0-3.3 teen graduating in 2015 and would celebrate her graduation replying to myself within this thread–grin. </p>

<p>We crunched the numbers for Bunheadgirl’s GPA and with all A’s junior year, the best she can do is about a 3.6 ( I’m not counting on it) in a school that does not weigh GPA. Therefore, we are in this thread for the long haul with hopes of no GPA dips next year through 1st semester senior year. </p>

<p>Bunheadgirl will apply to mostly test optional schools on the east coast, but will submit her ACT score in hopes of receiving merit aid.</p>

20

<p>I think we’ll get more participation once junior year gets started and others start looking for information. My DS will be taking the SAT and ACT but I really don’t think he’ll do well. He just doesn’t do well on standardized tests. </p>

<p>Good luck for your DD. The fall is fast approaching.</p>