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

Parents Forum
821

@cycleride that’s interesting. We just had a conversation with SD14 about this very subject. She’s at Cal Poly but her #2 choice was CSU. I was mentioning that OSU is hanging on by a thread for my S. She did not like OSU at all which was very interesting. I’d forgotten she had toured and done 1 or even 2 soccer ID camps there. She described it as pretty flat and sprawling, which to me sounds a lot like CSU and Cal Poly (minus the flat part) so i was bit surprised to here she didn’t like it. Both she and my H are weighing in heavily they think S17 won’t like it. Which makes me wonder if I should bother driving all the way down for a tour now or maybe just save it as a back up option? It is a school where the EA won’t make a difference for him I don’t think, both financially or admissions.

@lr4550 no, we didn’t look at any Utah schools at all. I confess to never having heard of Westminster but that really doesn’t mean a thing. While the school isn’t religious I am not sure S would do well in a predominantly LDS city that is less liberal than he is used to. I have dear friends who live in the city (for work reasons) who are non LDS and it’s been very very difficult for them. His list is so weird though, I’m not sure anything gets “all” that much rain, at least not compared to where he lives now. LOL!

Another one bit the dust tonight. Bye Bye Temple.

822

Oh no. Crazily, I am sorry to see Temple go. Not for our '17 boy but it just hit the radar for our '18 girl… You have to hone. Good luck @eandesmom .

823

@oldbrookie I have very mixed feelings about Temple going. It has a lot that is a very good fit but at the end of the day, just far too large of a school for this one. I don’t expect it to hit S19’s radar either but it’s too early to tell. It does look like there will be a tuition hike and merit is going down so there is that aspect as well. However, on the plus side, Ursinus has a “semester in Philly” deal with Drexel that is uber appealing to S17 so he may get a small city fix if he ends up there.

824

@eandesmom the reason I mentioned Westminster is that it is another solid “likely” admit option that is affordable and in a region that offers tremendous outdoor opportunities (as well as access to the amenities of a biggish city). I totally get the hesitation about the city having a strong religious affiliation, I am a Colorado College graduate and Colorado Springs was/is definitely not up my political/idealogical alley. But I find most college kids spend the majority of their time on/around campus and for the most part are somewhat immune to the climate of the greater region. Westminster is definitely a liberal campus, with a fair number of artsy/hipster/alternative type kids as well as preppy/outdoorsy/jock types. All sorts from what I understand. Again not trying to push it in any way (not even sure why I am pitching it to be honest as I’ve never even visited Westminster) but just trying to shine some light on it as a possibility for the safe/affordable part of your son’s list. Westminster is on the radar of many high achieving kids from MT (where I live) who want to go to an out of state LAC that is affordable, relatively close by, that offers the outdoor rec opportunities to which they are accustomed. Hovers in that “hidden gem” category.

825

@lr4550 I will check it out. I know exactly what you mean about Colorado Springs. I completely agree. Convincing my S may be another story but you definitely have me intrigued!!! I’ll go check it out. I like safe and affordable :slight_smile: thanks!

826

@cycleride Still trying to get DS to consider CSU. First I had to convince him to even consider Colorado. He’s never been but I think he will like it. (Didn’t have the time for a visit, I’m sure it would have helped.) I’m still pushing on CSU one, but have decided to lay low for now there is still time. One reason I think is while a number of kids go to Boulder from our area, almost none go to CSU. (There’s little info on Naviance.) Since I’ve convinced him to apply to UC Boulder, it really shouldn’t be a lot of extra work to add that application as he will already be doing the common app. HIs plan is to do the OSU application EA by Nov 1st, and then the UC & Cal Stat apps by end of Nov, and then do the UofO & UC Boulder app so I still have time to convince him to add CSU.

Honestly I’m thinking that his favorite is going to shift a bit, he has become a bit disillusioned with marching band this fall. The big schools that have marching band don’t have a big hook over a CA State schools without bands such as UC Santa Cruz. Just looked at the newly updated 2016 admits numbers and realized that not only does Naviance give him a good likelihood of getting into UCSC, but he is in the 50% range for GPA on the UC Stats so it’s really a fairly solid match school. We are visiting in October and I think it’s possible that it may become top of the list.

827

@lr4550 too funny, S17 received a Fee waiver from Westminster today. I’ve still not looked at it but plan to :slight_smile: looking at it I do think he’s received other mail or email which likely went straight to recycling based on the SLC location.

828

@eandesmom …The universe works in mysterious ways… :slight_smile:

829

Lol, I don’t expect him to consider it but the timing was funny

830

I just want to put in my 2 cents about Westminster in SLC. I definitely think it’s a hidden gem for an outdoorsy person who wants to be in a city and attend a liberal arts school. We visited with my oldest, and while she didn’t attend, we’ll be visiting again with my junior. The merit scholarship they offered was very generous.

831

Just got the unofficial transcript. Small upward trend since 9th grade: 3.19, 3.22, 3.43. Not so bad really.

832

Two pieces of news today. We go notice that the OSU application is now open… since I’m pushing S17 to apply EA. He can start working on that application. :wink:

Second S17 said he is really enjoying his AP CS class, despite the teacher claiming they are going fast & his statement that it’s easy. That it’s his favorite class outside of band in several years. May make a computer programmer out of him yet.

833

One piece of news here. S has officially “tabled” OSU for now. It’s not officially “off” the list but I don’t see the EA advantage for him and it won’t change their merit offer. I don’t think (given our Naviance data) that waiting till Jan, after some of the other schools have come in, to decide to apply or not, will hurt him. It’s a completely separate app and so low on his list that it makes sense to hold off. Saves me a long drive!

834

I understand his position on OSU. D feels about the same. They have those hideous essays. Why not wait for EA decisions and see where things stand at that point.

835

Ok I lied, way more than one thing around here.

A few days ago I decided to copy the strategy some are using of a once weekly meeting and then I shut up for the week. I proposed it to S over the weekend and while he liked it (concept) he was too busy to meet! All that summer homework and a lot of work shifts at both jobs plus his little brothers 16th bday, so yeah he was busy. We agreed to meet tonight and then it will be once each weekend.

We met tonight, I had mapped out a weekly schedule of activities to get him through all his apps, all of which have EA dates. We reviewed it and he thought it seemed reasonable and doable. We also discussed the outstanding schools and moved OSU into the wait and see bucket.

We also discussed the risks of his list with one true financial safety and he’s really ok with it. I’ve decided I need to be too, there is no sense in applying to a financial safety he has zero intent to attend. Why pay for the app and bother. I have occasional paranoia that his safety is really a match and something horrid happens but the blessing of EA is that heaven forbid, if it does, we have time to regroup.

So, between now and Sunday he needs to ask his LOR writers, finalize the list and make a FAFSA ID.

In exciting news a really close friend who lives outside DC has a D with very similar interests to my S. Turns out Allgeheny
and Goucher are on her D’s list so I’ll get pictures and a live review I really trust which is the next best thing. I couldn’t pick a better person to be an outside reporter.

In first day of school news S was very excited to report he is required to have a crescent wrench for theater tech. Best class supply request he’s ever had. He apparently has rockstar status in class to day as the only one who knew how to properly untangle and bundle cable. Lol.

It’s the little things but this class makes him really happy and I’m happy to see him have one true elective that isn’t music. I’m all for rigor but one of my favorite classes of all time, and best memories, is from a HS voc tech class (power sewing lol). I’m thrilled he will get his version of that this year.

@curiositycat333 that is so fabulous he likes his CS class so much!!!

That’s exactly our thinking @snoozn

836

I guess the reason I’m pushing OSU as EA is it’s one of DS’s top fit schools & it’s high match for him.** And I’m not thrilled by his solid safety school. (Humboldt.) It would feel really good to get an acceptance at OSU, and if in the hopefully unlikely case he gets a rejection it gives me time to convince him to add CSU @ Fort Collins (if I can’t already.) I’m just keeping quite about it for now.

Are we talking about the same school, is OSU’s insite essay really that hideous. (Although I know any writing like this is likely to be a PITA for my son.) Did it change while I’m not looking It’s 6 questions, with max 100 word answers. Seems easier than the UC questions (4 - 300 words) or a traditional college essay. The application seems only slightly more complicated than the one for Cal State.

** Although as senior year progresses this might change. If he decides to go more into a CS direction than Engineering it might change things.

837

Not sure if I’ve said on this board. But I did get out of DS that he talked to his teachers about letters of rec. Honestly I think that’s the only thing he has done so far on his apps. I think he is already buried under AP Physics homework. I don’t think it’s hard, just a lot of problems that keeps him busy.

838

No, it’s not that hideous at all honestly. Or even remotely. I 100% understand your thinking, I had the same concerns with Humboldt.

I think the difference is your son likes the big schools and likes/loves OSU for exactly what it is. It’s good or great on all levels for him. I’m pushing EA for WWU for the exact same reasons. Great fit and I want to know he’s a solid option, early.

For my S who is not as interested in the school it’s just 6 short essay questions he’d rather not deal with unless he has to. Which I get. If it were common app we’d probably just submit it. Would my S be fine with regular admission as WWU? Yes, almost certainly and it won’t change the financial picture there any more than it would at OSU. The difference is simply that WWU is a school he can see himself at and OSU, not so much. It’s a great school…but very likely not the right one for this particular kid, it could be perfect for S19, too early to say there.

When we were looking much more seriously at engineering it made sense to push OSU and the reality is they have lovely lovely programs in his area. But it’s about as far away from an LAC as could be.

839

@curiositycat333 if you are going to do only one thing right now, I think that’s a good one (LOR requests) as you are at the front of the line :slight_smile:

And this may sound odd but good that he has homework. S didn’t have any, ever, for AP physic last year. It was all in class. All other study was self study. Which, while hard (and a lot of khan academy) was ok, I really don’t think it served him well at all for the actual AP test. I’d have liked to see some actual homework!

840

This AP Physics (without Calculus) is being taught is still Physics A instead of the new Physics I which is only Mechanics. This class includes Physics I & Physics II in one year & goes quite fast. There is a lot of material to cover. Since they aren’t using Calculus, the math is actually more tedious. It’s stupid 80% of these kids have taken Calculus, the math is EASIER if you use Calculus. Why the school doesn’t offer Physics C I just don’t know & has irritated me for a while.

According to S17, the new Physics I & Physics II test are not very analytical. (Requires that much calculation.) And therefore these tests don’t actually align to what he teaches. He is making them to a LOT of time consuming problem sets. This is the only way to really learn Physics IMO. It’s just tedious and time consuming.