Parents of the HS Class of 2017 - 3.0 to 3.4 GPA

Parents Forum
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@endesmom I think I’ve been getting Montana State confused with U of Montana in Missoula. We haven’t looked at the later, not the former. We do have a family friend who goes to U of Montana and really enjoys it, and I knew a few friends who went to graduate school there years ago.

OK… I need to get him to look at Montana State & U of Wyoming. Getting him to look at Colorado schools was a challenge as his idea of West, was really a state that touches the Pacific. I’m pushing to get him to consider Colorado schools. I’m not bombarding him with college stuff before he spends 12 days on the trail.

Really should look up which of these are in the WUE. While we are more comfortably off than many, and do have some $$ in savings for college. S17 is actually quite shocked but the cost of college & very interested in keeping the price down.

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U of Colorado, Colorado school of mines are not WUE. CSU and Northern Colorado are. Wyoming is, but it limits the number it takes from each state and is quite competitive for some states (Colo, Neb). However, Wyo has Rocky Mountain scholars for OOS students and the top award there is the same, 150% instate tuition. You can’t stack WUE and RMS, but can stack other awards (engineering, talent, some alum scholarships) with either, I’m pretty sure.

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@curiositycat333 Colorado State U, U of Wyoming, Montana State, Montana Tech, and U of Montana are all in the WUE and offer a variety of engineering programs. The WUE offer does vary by school so at some you may not get the full WUE but there are sliding scale OOS monies at all of them (all published and easy to figure out) I would think your S would qualify for something at all of them.

U of Colorado Boulder, is not. None of course are on the Pacific but then again, Eugene and Corvallis aren’t either. I really would also have him look at Western Washington University (WWU) which does actually look at the Pacific. That might feel more suburban than he wants but the campus itself is really nestled into the woods…very magical actually and very very PNW feeling. I don’t know that he’d qualify for monies at WWU but it would be in the Oregon State ballpark or less so not awful. Just kind of depends what type of engineering and other majors are on his list as to which schools are better fits.

I’ve crunched the numbers on all and can tell you that Wyoming is the best bang for the buck. It comes in less than our flagship and only slightly more than WWU (for us) but all of them will come in less than U of Oregon (except Boulder…which is one of the most expensive OOS schools out there). It’s a great school though but you pay for the amazing location.

I seem to recall that price wise, U of Montana came in less than Montana State. Seems like in order of cost it was something like…

U of Wyoming
U of Montana/Montana Tech
Montana State
Colorado State
Oregon State

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@twoinanddone correct for Wyoming. You can’t stack WUE and RMS but can stack either with some of the additional talent or program ones. I know when we were there, they specifically discussed music scholarships + RMS for S17 as being an option (since he is not at the WUE level) and then there was also a scholarship for a student that did a music minor and engineering that he could apply for (if he did the minor I think). The music scholarship sounded like it really just provided private lessons but I know for S, that would be huge.

Turns out a neighbor/friend is headed there next year for engineering so we are looking forward to fall reports and it means S would actually know at least one person there. And it’s a person he used to be quite close to. They ended up at different schools for the past 8 years or so, so no longer close but they are definitely still friends and it was a huge plus in the Wyoming category for S to find out this kid would be going there next year.

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Unfortunately it seems the Wyoming & Montana schools aren’t on the common app though. S17 is doing 5 different Apps already UC, Cal State, UofO, OS, and Common App (for Colorado Schools). If more of these were on Common App it would be easier to get him to apply to yet more schools but it’s going to be a hard sell. I’ll suggest these to DS but my guess if I do get him to apply they won’t go on top of Oregon schools & top CA schools & we probably wouldn’t visit unless he was rejected most other places.

I know the Oregon schools aren’t on the ocean. I meant the states touched the ocean. (That really limits things to CA, OR & WA) We took a day on our college tour and drove from Corvaliis to the coast and then back to Portland so he has a good idea how far way the coast is. I personally don’t understand why he cares since he’s not a huge fan of the beach (That dry hot sand on your feet).

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Many state schools (sadly) are not on the common app. That said, I do know that Wyoming’s does not require an essay so that is something. I keep hoping they will have free applications in July (they did in 2015) but so far, nada. I was teasing about the ocean. He obviously still wants kind of a PNW climate so coastal without hot seems to work for him.

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@endesmom It is a bit disheartening following the H.S. class of 2017 board. I’m surprised how many are already submitting applications, and completing essays. I just have to tell myself that S17’s schools the applications aren’t even open. It’s really not a big deal that S17 won’t even be touching a essay or application till August. A number of his schools don’t require an essay. Most don’t require any letters of rec. And it’s mostly going to be retyping in the same information over & over. The schools he will be applying to won’t have complex supplemental information required. There is no portfolio to finish.

I believe the only letter of rec S17 needs is for the U of Colorado Boulder which ask for 1 letter of recommendation. Does the counselor rec. work? I know at DS’s school the counselor letter is always the “first” recommender. If he had asked his AP Bio teacher last spring I’m sure he would have happily written one for him in a heartbeat, but he didn’t ask since he wasn’t expecting to need it. And this teacher gets many requests and requires students to ask spring of Junior year.

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@curiositycat333, have you looked at “National Outdoor Leadership School” for a gap year? They have a program designed specifically for that. I’m not sure if we are allowed to give a link, but here it is: http://www.nols.edu. If the link disappears you can google it.

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@curiositycat333 I know, that’s why we have this thread too. Some amazing kids over there but wow! S find the idea of doing apps now absolutely ridiculous. And honestly, to a point, I agree. Our school is closed, our naviance is scheduled for some kind of mid august change/enhancement, we can’t request LOR’s through the common app, only naviance and I don’t think we can request LOR’s at all until school starts.

What I am hoping my S will do this month is write his common app essay, the short answers for Oregon State and his WWU Essay. What I will probably get is the common app essay. He did get a first draft done (and yes, peeked, not half bad!). I am 100% sure he would not have were it not for the counselor we are using and him wanting to disappoint her since he is “helping” her by doing this.

We are definitely creating everything in google docs!

In August I’d like him to start the common app so that once school does start in early September it’s a matter of requesting LOR’s and transcripts via naviance and just hitting send/requesting scores to be sent. All his common app schools have EA (we think, waiting on one who will announce in August) and superscore (except 1) so I do plan to get those done in Sept for sure and then we will send the Sept ACT later, if it is better. There are 2 with supplements though and that will likely be the Sept/Oct battles to see if those happen. It won’t surprise me if he drops those 2 to avoid the supplements but it also won’t’ surprise me if it goes the other way as well.

He’s got 7-8 in the common app and the rest all have their own form. Of course the ones that have their own form are the ones that he is definitely applying to. None of those require LOR’s though, or they are optional. But…since they don’t superscore we may well wait on most until after the Sept ACT is in. I just don’t know how easily a kid can start these apps in their system and then go back and finish.

There are really only 2 I am kind of concerned about. I would prefer that S applied to OSU before their early date and EA to Temple. Neither superscore and he really could use a better ACT for both but it’s very possible the writing scores won’t be ready in time for EA. Those 2 make me a little nervous but I we should see the main ACT score in time to know what the right play is. I think. Both want/prefer writing.

In our case, the earlier stuff is in, the more EA’s we can do, the better the chances are for merit. I think that got through to S yesterday. And, on the positive side, if it’s all “done” by thanksgiving at the latest, it just makes life more pleasant.

As for the LOR, that’s a good question. I think Boulder wants at least one but will take up to 3 and if your school requires it be the GC then you don’t have much of a choice. Our school requires that we request LOR’s via Naviance and in person and didn’t allow for it in the spring so I’m anticipating a train wreck in Sept. Maybe your S could email the bio teacher over the summer, I can’t imagine that no one asks in fall, kids add and drop schools all fall and winter so are bound to run into needing extra LOR’s! Boulder “prefers” someone who knows the student well. Which in our case is definitely not the GC. She’s fine but she doesn’t “know” my S at all. I know he’s determined 2-3 people for LOR’s but I’m not sure who he plans to ask or how that will play out when it’s time to hit send.

UGH.

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If the Wyo app takes more than 5 minutes I’d be surprised.

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@twoinanddone yes, I suspect that to be the case there. I keep hoping they will do the free app again in July but so far, no dice. However since the school wants transcripts requested via Naviance and they are doing some kind of change this summer in the system, I am not sure if we should just knock that one out or wait or if it makes an iota of difference lol. There is something to be said for having one submitted. I do know a classmate just submitted one elsewhere so clearly some kids are going it. I assume the Wyo app is open, it doesn’t say it ever closed. LOL! Guess that really is what rolling means.

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I think the deadline for THIS year is not until Aug 1, so you are right, the applications never close (just be sure to use the correct year - although they are so nice they’d just move it over to the correct year if you make a mistake).

Last year they offered the free one with the Picnic in the Pasture event, which is a this week I think. You could ask them if it there is a free app this year. When you get accepted and the RMS award, they will tell you that you can continue to take ACT test to qualify for a higher award, I think until the Feb exam.

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It’s been nice to see the activity here. I also see this thread as my occasional oasis from the regular 2017 thread. So many super-star kids that I have to remind myself CC does not reflect reality for most. My oldest D got into a great school with no awards (national or otherwise!) and I know D17 will do the same.

I need to get after D on finishing the CA essay, as we’ll be on vacation the last week of this month. She won’t start the actual app until after Aug 1. I know oldest D had issues with CA “eating” information so definitely put anything you wouldn’t want to rewrite in a separate document first.

Regarding CO schools – do come take a look at our lovely Rocky Mountains – some even prefer them to the Pacific ocean! My oldest D and her bf have been happy with CU - Boulder even though it was a last choice for each of them. I am thankful it’s in-state for us. D17 will apply there in case she gets a sudden case of not wanting to leave home (unlikely!) But she is pretty set against it due to the familiarity.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well she liked CSU, considering she was predisposed to not like it either (yes, this kid really wants to get away from home.) We did one of the discovery days that included engineering info session and tour as well as the regular. She was pretty impressed and said she could see herself attending, though it’s still bottom of the list compared to the 7 or so schools we’ve visited. The dorms and food are excellent as well.

She really wants to visit WWU and Gonzaga with WWU being a safety (assuming she gets WUE – seems that it might be competitive) and Gonzaga looks good from the NPC. However I’ve convinced her to wait until spring when we have a better idea of everything. I’m glad they are there though! Montana State was on the list for a while after they did some local visits, but the EE program wasn’t really what she was looking for.

Is anyone else looking at Canadian colleges? D is pretty enthused about University of Calgary which has visited her HS twice and has the perfect EE program for her. I wish US publics had Canadian public prices!

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@twoinanddone Ah yes, I think the picnic is this week. Almost makes me want to email our admissions counselor and ask, 40 bucks is 40 bucks :slight_smile: for free I’d have him do it tomorrow lol

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@snoozn @eandesmom @curiositycat333 I hear you! The main reason I try to keep up with the 2017 board is b/c my older two were high flyers so maybe I can give some useful advice there, plus the people are a lot of fun. But yikes, it can be intimidating. I’m trying to get DS to start essays and such now, but mainly because he needs to get his stats in front of coaches before fall XC starts. We’re focusing on SUNY schools and their app opens Aug. 1, so no applications until then at least.

DS would love to be in the Rockies! We have dear friends near the Springs and try to get out there every couple of years or so. Beautiful country. I haven’t found an affordable option there for us though :frowning: .

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@mdcmom have you looked at U of Wyoming at all? Really generous OOS options for kids at our stats, it comes in less than our flagship (U Washington). Even without the RMS scholarship (6k I think in general for our threads stat range) it’s about the same as my flagship!. It’s not the Springs gorgeous but really really pretty. It’s D1 so I don’t know how competitive the XC team is but it really might be worth sending out feelers.

Colorado State does offer a decent OOS scholarship but it’s still going to be more than a SUNY by quite a lot and I would assume more competitive for their XC spots just based on location.

There is some good info on the 2017 main thread and a decent amount of non tippy tops to not make it entirely depressing most of the time. LOL! I am a bit freaked out about the ACT changes/updates. I had hoped to largely avoid paying for tutoring/test prep for this last round and now I don’t know.

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@Reckless Thanks for the suggested. Looked at it and the programs look fun. Not quite what I’m thinking of that’s a bit more have lots of fun on mom & dad’s dime. I’m thinking of something that’s more menial labor for the betterment of our environment, than summer camp. Stupid me just looked up Conservation Corps and in CA it is a thing, and it is a year program & there is a backcountry trails program. Will have to show it to him as an option.

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I’ll take a look, thanks! :slight_smile:

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mdcmom, I doubt you’ll find a Colorado public school with lower costs than a SUNY, (we like to think of our OOS friends as a source of income and support for our colleges) but Wyoming will most likely be cheaper. Low OOS tuition (~$16k), good scholarships and grants, low r&b (about $9k), all activities included in student fees (football, basketball tickets too). Living in Laramie is cheap. I think tickets to movies are about $7, lots of outdoor (free) activities, the school has several outdoor clubs for kayaking, camping, hiking.

The U of Denver has some nice scholarships. It is a very urban school. D1 sports but no track and field.

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The teacher S17’s went on a trip with this summer emailed to show us a video & to say that he would put any of the students who went on this trip with him to the top of his list for who to write letters of rec. list. (He’s a very popular and well liked teacher.) This teacher really knows my son so would make a good rec. So far it’s only Colorado schools on his list that ask for a letter but I not sure S17 is aware of this yet. I sent an email back to the teacher saying S17 was ‘on the trail’ and not reachable for the next two weeks and would contact him in August. This teacher really wants to hear from the students but I figured an ETA on why he didn’t hear back quickly would be useful. I figure S17 should ask him even for one school just in case DS decides on applying to any a private schools. We haven’t really nailed down a list.