@“Queen’s Mom” that’s actually something I didn’t take into consideration–ours was pretty straightforward, and with the glaring exception of American, all of the schools we’ve heard from so far have reflected NPC estimates or were even better (even the schools with the NPC with the computer/textbook logo that indicates it’s just the out-of-the-box calculator). I can understand that others are navigating a trickier scenario (but life is complicated–I still think schools should do a better job approximating the aid they will make available to prospective students).
I agree they could improve the NPC’s. It doesn’t effect us but I’ve read that the NPC’s can’t account for divorce situations and with the high rate of divorce you’d think that’d be something they could fix. We also only had 1 school who’s NPC was way off - the others were fairly accurate.
@KT1969 I just noticed our kids have very similar stats and are both looking into CS. Interesting that they only overlapped on 1 school, Knox, but mine ended up not applying.
@smakl70 She is not a definite on CS so wasn’t looking for that specifically in her school choices, other than making sure they offered the major. She also is really interested in psychology, and I have the feeling that may win out. What schools are you folks looking at?
@“Queen’s Mom” I completely understand not wanting to share financials. It’s a drag when the best offer isn’t at the top of their list (or yours sometimes for any reason other than financial).
@kt1969 that is frustrating. I have definitely seen that, some situations where some kids with lower stats seem to have gotten more/higher less and who knows if it’s the app itself, an interview, an essay, the EC’s, interest…who knows! But it stinks that they can’t at least review it (or pretend to). It’s worth asking the question though.
My beef is when they lump merit and need into one number. I want the estimated breakdown! Since we have a variance as to how many kids in school at once, that’s important.
@kt1969 He applied to Hope, Carthage, North Central, Elmhurst and Valparaiso. I think right now he’s narrowed it down to Carhage and Valparaiso but if Hope somehow came back with more money it’d be back on the list. He doesn’t want to go too far from home (which is good because husband doesn’t want him far away either).
@smakl70 Um, I’m not sure I’ve heard of those schools! Where do you live? I’m in MA and don’t know as many schools in the mid-West etc
@kt1969, I love the way they so subtly drop in their USNWR ranking as if it has ANY relevance to your question! If you’re sure she’s not attending you should reply “I had COMPLETELY forgotten St. M’s was ranked 99. Please accept my apology for not understanding your NPC process and expect an enrollment deposit soon.”
@kt1969 we’re in IL. Actually straight east of Knox but there’s no direct route to get there or I would have at least forced a visit. What would be a 2 hr trip “as the crow flies” would be a 3-4 hour trip.
@smakl70 Knox actually sounds like a cool place…quite diverse for the type of school and location, interesting trimester system, nice interaction with the AO who interviewed D17 here in Boston [I think he was actually the Dean of Admission]. But the location is a sticking point…not really near anything, so a def negative as far as things to do as well as for getting there by plane. Can’t imagine D will end up there, but I liked her to have the option.
Knox looks really really lovely. It is up there with schools that make me sad that S either wouldn’t consider or didn’t have exactly what he wanted. I’ve driven a lot of those roads and as the crow flies is rarely the way to get to things in that area which can really add time.
Aggh, I’ve lurked this week because I’ve been too busy at work to post…
Lol about St. Mike’s response @kt1969 . S was a winner of a book award from them last year, so they stalk him. He considered applying for about a nanosecond after getting the award, but decided they were too small, too liberal, and didn’t really have what he wants. They still stalk him although he’s shown no interest.
@eandesmom The list is awesome. I just realized you don’t have S stats. He’s 94 UWA, IB diploma candidate with 4 extra APs, 28 ACT, 1340 SAT (660 CR, 680 M). His primary ECs are 3 sports (2 Varsity, 1 club), mock trial, and model UN, plus some community service–coaching, etc. His major is Public Policy and/or something political science-ish with a 2nd major or minor in Economics.
And he also fits in with the calculus struggle boys who also struggle with the concept of girls. Although reasonably athletic (role player, not super star), he’s always been TINY compared to his peers, so until a year ago, most girls were 6" taller than him. He’s friendly enough with them, but is sure they’re all “out of his league.”
I think it was @snoozn who talked about the cruddy IB coordinator. I was leery of S entering the IB program, but our school is different and seems a bit weird… The school is relatively new to IB, and typically only have ~5 kids as diploma candidates mainly because the class options are very limited (I HATE that S has to take 2 years of Bio for his HL science and had no other advanced science option). This year there are only 2 IB diploma candidates–S and the valedictorian. There are a few other kids taking 1-4 IB classes, but S class size this year averages 6 students (3 is the smallest, 15 is the biggest), in a senior class of 160. I agreed with IB mainly because S eventually wants law school, and the writing and analytical thought should help him. And his Theory of Knowledge class sounds SO DIFFERENT from your school’s. It’s mainly a seminar class with a lot of discussion and a few small writing assignments. It’s his favorite class (with the possible exception of History of the Americas), and not hard at all for him. Also, for HL Bio and HL History, the 1st year of the sequence is an AP class–it’s very odd…
Anyway, we’re in a college lull. S still hasn’t heard from Buffalo, but doesn’t care. After his hockey tournament this weekend, I need to bug him about Albany’s Honors College app, and the essay for a chance at MSU Honors College, plus the Albany 3+3 Law program app…
thanks @MSU88CHEng I will add those in on the next round.
I suspect my definition of struggling calc boys may be different. I’m ok with a B as he works darn hard for that. I would like better but I am realistic about his effort level. He has always been the kid who is good with “good enough” and good enough to him often, is a B. Much as I wish it weren’t the case, I am not sure that counts as truly struggling…but more a matter of prioritization on his end. At this point in the semester I do not think he will be able to improve it beyond that but perhaps I will be surprised.
UGH on the nagging. It’s all music/scholarship nagging around here.
I sort of made a mistake, but not really, on that front. I had relooked at the audition requirements for one of them and realized I might have given S and his teacher some bad info. Not bad, but maybe more work than needed. I gave them info for both a classical and a jazz audition thinking he “had” to do both but in reading it, realized it could be one or the other. So I clarified with the school and they told me he was only signed up for classical, not jazz, and not both. So I had them switch it. What neither of us wanted was the expectation of a classical ensemble as his only option so didn’t want to mislead at audition time. To which they responded that some faculty will award money to one or othe other, or both, so both is a good idea. Even if he wants to do just jazz (requirements are ensemble(s) participation and lessons so win win in our book). I ask S…who assumed he was auditioning for both and was preparing and was bummed about not doing the classical piece(s). Idiot (me).
So we have fixed it. Now. While I muddied the water temporarily…it is ultimate good that I did as he was only signed up for one of the 2. Granted it flip flopped which one but now he is down for both.
The good news is that he seems on top of the audition materials which is good as it is a fair amount but he will be able to use them for the recorded audition as well.
I am telling you though, I sure hope the kid gets admitted to this one after all this. LOL!
I’ll amend my post. In his mind he is truly struggling. At the moment he just flat out hates calc and doesn’t see the point. He knows where the resources are to get help and doesn’t want to invest the time in it to get a better grade in something he doesn’t see the point of so would rather slog it out and get a B by the skin of his teeth. Actually he’d rather quit it entirely but won’t.
Can you we had a calc meltdown tonight? Lol.
But he’s not scared of girls so there is that. No official girlfriend ever (lots of good friends though) and only one dance date but really it was a group. However recently he has been hanging with a certain pink haired flute player a lot. Friends or not it is several days a week so… dunno.
@endesmom Good luck to him on the music scholarships. Haven’t had S17 look at any such things. I’m sitting her typing and he’s practicing and he sounds really good to my ears these days. I guess I hadn’t really thought to look at these things, but I expect they aren’t as available at the large state schools.
As for the Calc. My son doesn’t have a big problem with math. But he tends to do the same thing in English. If he put just a little bit more effort. Or just wrote the essay rather than fretting over it.
@eandesmom @curiositycat333 D was offered to try out for a music scholarship at Drexel but declined as she would have to commit to specific classes and performing. I think she just wants to continue playing as a side gig as her class schedule will be rigorous enough. I’m guessing that’s a common requirement at most schools. I was thinking there must be some outside scholarships for music but I/she haven’t/hasn’t done much research on it yet either.
D’s struggle isn’t calc, but Physics which is mostly calc. She just had another Physics test yesterday, I’m hoping she did well enough that she hangs on to the very low C she is currently averaging in the class. Semester grades come out end of this month.
@curiositycat333 @Fishnlines29 it varies by the school. Some require a class, all require some performance and most include private lessons (which is technically a class). He does want to be in an ensemble or two so if he can get paid to do that and “free” lessons to boot, we figure it’s a win win. It really varies by school though, at the two larger state schools no money is available. At one, ensembles are open to all. At the other he’d have to do it as a club activity. Which it sounds like is a pretty strong club at that location so should be ok. We figure try out, see if you get the money and how it fits with the rest of the offer, and then go from there.
It’s funny you both mention English and Physics. S’s beef yesterday was about not even so much that it was hard. But that it was hard with a crazy amount of homework and he doesn’t see the point of calc. When he can see the point he doesn’t mind the hard work. He struggled with Physics last year but enjoyed the concepts enough he was willing to fight through it. English is a lot of work but he does like it. I suspect part of it is senioritis. He is very engaged on many things, more than I think he can/should juggle with his school load…calc just isn’t one of them.
Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s great he is engaging with the city and the school board over solar panel retrofit projects and banning plastic bags but…learn the calc!
My son is always B/B+ honors math guy. He gets it, but doesn’t put in the time to practice what he’s learned, so he makes sloppy mistakes regularly. He scored a 33 on Math ACT so he’s capable, he just doesn’t love it. He doesn’t hate it though, just not a high priority. He gets easy A’s in social studies/science etc. just cruising along with B’s in AP stats and H Pre-Calc. I don’t think he’ll be getting an A in those classes this year, and I’m fine with it. He goes in for extra help if he needs it, so he has a handle on it. I’m trying to stay off his case regarding grades this year, other than to remind him that some schools will most likely look at the 1 and 2 quarter grades.
We should hear from some of his RD schools soon, some coaches had him submit apps for RD in early October. Hoping to hear back in the next 2 weeks on those, and then 2 others in March.
Hey everyone! Another update: So far I’ve gotten into all 7 schools that I’ve heard back from, woohoo! With my 3.2 GPA and 1200 SAT I got into: Hofstra University (with 18k annual merit), University of Colorado Boulder, Hawaii Pacific University (with 14k annual merit), Louisiana State University, Westfield State University, University of San Francisco (One of my reaches!) and I got in the Park school of communications at Ithaca College (which is in my top 2 and I got 13k a year) Super excited because it is very discouraging to look through CC with a lower GPA because it can be so competitive but I’m slowly starting to realize GPA isn’t everything. Still waiting to hear from U of Oregon which is my top and a few other regular decision schools but I just thought I’d keep you all updated 
wonderful @rolani! I will add you to our big list of wonderful acceptances!
Congrats @rolani88 , you should feel proud and relieved