@poblob14 how did the Dean’s scholarship compare to what their Net Price calculator offered? I can’t tell on the NPC what is the OOS scholarship and what might be academic so curious how yours compared.
@curiositycat333 that’s a neat combo though it might be hard to pull off in 4 years depending on the school. I love the idea of kids having options and not being locked in
Oh my goodness you guys! I just read S17’s first LOR. It made me cry. His teacher put his heart and soul into it. It is interesting as it is definitely not an “academic” letter in the sense of speaking primarily to academic achievements per-se but rather to his contribution to the overall class environment and his overall societal contribution. Which makes sense and why he’s on this thread, although his grades were great in the class (reg US History). It goes deep into my child’s understanding of the significance of education, of historical context, leadership, community service and instead speaks to intellect, personality, humor, kindness, being present and his sense of justice. He makes some pretty cool historical references and comparisons. The kids character comes across in spades. He somehow managed to refer to everything on his resume too without sounding like he was quoting it, but rather that he knew about all these activities due to their relationship (which is probably 95% the case anyway to be fair) and tying it back to his overall character. Love that.
I’ll take that over the 4.0 any day.
Except…the teacher left out a word! It’s glowing, I mean really really glowing and then at the end says he cannot speak praise… (left out the word “enough” I think lol). But I think it’s clear enough and I cannot ask S17 to go back to his teacher and say like “um…I think you missed a word?” I didn’t even catch it at first read.
Given that he will be going for some community service related scholarships, this letter really couldn’t be better.
It is odd, as a parent though, to read a letter comparing your kid to abolitionists and Samuel Gompers. Even if it does ring completely true.
It also really reinforces that engineering is not his path. LOL!
@eandesmom – that is awesome. Makes this parenting thing feel like it actually might be worth all the work! Clearly, you’ve raised yourself a fine young man (I’m sure you didn’t need that teacher to tell you that, but getting the positive reinforcement is never a bad thing). That rec sounds heartfelt and authentic if it doesn’t qualify as a “great” recommendation I can’t imagine what would. I’m getting very excited to see where your S lands!
@eandesmom Doesn’t that feel wonderful.
I’m surprised you get to read the letters. Never saw any of my daughters.
@eandesmom Congrats on that letter! That must have been very gratifying to read.
@curiositycat333 we didn’t see any for the other kids although honestly I am not positive they needed any. We waived Ferpa so he certainly didn’t have to share it. He offered. I definitely wasn’t expecting to see it. After he uploaded he let S know it was uploaded and he had copies for him. He told S last year, very explicitly, that students who ask him should ask if he is going to write a good letter. He will write one for anyone who asks but it often surprised that they don’t ask the question (his point being why would anyone want a less than stellar one lol). He also made it clear that he does not always write “good” ones. He offered to print a copy it on school letterhead so S could save it which was incredibly thoughtful. S is a bit embarrassed by it actually, which is adorable. I don’t expect to see the 2nd LOR although with that teacher you really never know, he is a bit of a wild card.
@klinska when the academic portion shows pretty average, it really does help I think to have the other parts stand out. I certainly think he does but I’m clearly biased. I am not sure the 2nd LOR will be quite at this level. I expect it to be good or at least decent but it’s really hard to tell. I hadn’t thought of this LOR in the context of some of the scholarships we’ve identified though and from a pure financial selfishness standpoint, it was pretty exciting to read lol. I think it ups his chance of being invited to apply to a couple, versus applying cold and that’s always better I think.
@mamaedefamilia thanks, it was. I hadn’t been worried about it but it did exceed my expectations to be sure. Really wasn’t expecting to see Thomas Jefferson and John Locke thrown into my kids LOR. LOL! It is nice though as the letter really matches the types of programs he is applying to and I think that can only help. It’s a little bizarre in the sense that he references some activities S discusses in his personal statement and this teacher has not seen the personal statement (nor were they on his resume) so it’s good that he knows him that well but it was a bit surprising at the level of detail. Given that I expect the GC letter to be rather awful (how could it not, she doesn’t know my kid at all!) I am that much more grateful he invested that kind of time. I really wish I’d seen what S put on the form they asked him to fill out.
@eandesmom That sounds like a wonderful letter; you must be thrilled! I know I would be.
D17 had the day off from school yesterday for Yom Kippur, and had two essays for school to work on as well as hoping to do some college stuff. Before she started any of that, she voluntarily [and pleasantly with no attitude] sat down with me to go over her list again to see if she wanted to take anything off. She still has 15 schools on there, and said she was hoping to take 2-3 off. Went through each school, looking at the spreadsheet and Princeton Review/Fiske books and her notes from visits. In the end she didn’t take anything off, but honestly 12 or 13 vs 15 isn’t that big a deal, and enough of them are free apps that it’s not too burdensome to pay for them. So that all felt good. She was planning to work some more on her CA essay and maybe start some supplements, which she didn’t get to, but she explored more in the CA and has a better idea of what is left to do. She had done the “common” part of the CA but hadn’t looked at the questions for the individual schools. Sigh. So it’s all progress. SAT scores are all ordered for her 11/1 schools. Have to turn in the transcript request form by Monday, so I’d like her to get it filled out and in tomorrow to be on the safe side. Looks like her school doesn’t charge for transcripts, so that’s cool
Also got most of the FAFSA done. Once I imported the tax info there wasn’t all that much else to do. Just have to get a couple of figures and then I’ll be all set. Left the RD schools off there since I can’t fit all of them. Haven’t tackled the CSS yet and am not looking forward to it. Got an email from my ex today saying that he had tried to start the FAFSA today and got a message that one had already been started, so he assumed I had. Guess he wasn’t paying attention in the HS meetings where they tell you that FAFSA only includes custodial parent info. Sigh.
I kind of wish everyone on this thread would put their kid’s lists up again…I have trouble remembering where everyone is applying. Too much of a pain?
@kt1969 I was thinking the same thing…so I’ll start. (Full disclosure - my kid has a 3.6 and a 30ACT but I feel like she fits in more with this group then the rest of CC)
Here is her list as of now (but not one app has been completed yet [-( )
REACHES (likely out of reach)
Vanderbilt
Boston College
MATCHES (pick 4-6?)
Rhodes College
Lafayette
Uof Richmond
Wake Forest
Sewanee
Lehigh
Macalester
Colorado College
LIKELIES (pick 2?)
Truman State
Pittsburg State
Drury University
Westminister
MissouriS&T
Lindenwood
Missouri State
Murray State
I honestly have no idea how many she is going to end up applying to. I am thinking probably 7 or 8? This week is fall break so she is supposed to be completing apps to submit this weekend…but here we are at Thurs…
I’d love to see everyone’s lists as well!
3.45 GPA, 25 ACT. Horrible test taker my boy. Will likely get the “very demanding” box, not the “most” box but who really knows with the ghost GC.
MATCHES
Ursinus
University of Vermont
University of Puget Sound
Ithaca
Allegheny
LIKELIES
Western Washington University
Goucher
No reaches. Oh well. Some of the matches are more reachy than others I guess.
I still keep looking at schools and there are a few that are “tabled” as backups if needed but I don’t know that S will add any. It is interesting though, Reed was his dream reach for a long long time and he still gets their mailers. They will be at his school next week and he actually for a moment wondered out load if he should meet with them (and this is a kid who has never met with a single school that has visited his HS…“it’s stupid mom, I’ve toured, they know I’m interested”). And then went, “but I’m not applying”. Ok then.
Common app is complete for all general questions and then all school specific questions for the 11/1 schools. UPS is mostly done in the CA but we need to make a music resume so that slowed that one down quite a bit. The remainder still need their school specific questions answered.
He should be able to submit WWU this weekend, assuming the essay review today locks that up as final although we need to re-import the resume since he added a club lol. Then it’s just finalizing the activities list to submit Ursinus and UVM. I won’t be surprised if we have one version of the activities list for these 11/1 dates and then go back in and add the expanded version using the additional info section for the 12/1 schools. I think the additional info stuff is likely more important for a couple of the 12/1 schools than the early ones so may float that as an idea to get these ones done and in. The remainder have supplements but he has started them. And then we move on to scholarship apps. He’s concerned he’s late on those based on some of his friends but I’ve reviewed his schools and none of those apps open until 11/1 (unless I missed something which is always a fear!).
@eandesmom 7 schools sounds like a good number. Our D’s school recommends 6-8 carefully chosen schools with no more than two unpredictable reaches.
@stlarenas Can you say a bit more about what your D is seeking in a college enviroment/choice of major, etc.? Macalester seems like a bit of an outlier as it has a fairly strong social justice/politically liberal vibe with no Greek life as compared to, say U of Richmond or Sewanee or Vanderbilt. Colorado College has the 1 course at a time scheduling - not for everybody.
They are all fine schools, of course.
Of your safeties/likelies, I have heard very good things about Truman State.
We’ve been able to trim our list a little:
3.41 UW/1270 SAT (new)–waiting for scores from 10/1 sitting.
REACHES
American University
Denison University
Lawrence University
UMass Amherst (she looks good on Naviance, and her GPA calculated the way UMass does it is pretty close to the average, but this school is getting more competitive each year, so I don’t consider it a match)
MATCHES
St. Lawrence University
College of Wooster
Allegheny College
UVM
LIKELIES
Goucher College
Siena College
Susquehanna University
Temple University
UNH
@mamaedefamilia You are very perceptive - Macalaster I am very doubtful she will apply there. Mainly still on the list because it is closer to home but not in-state. She really doesn’t have much interest in it.
Honestly I think all of her “matches” are really slight reaches. But we need lost of aid and that limits her options.
I LOVE Truman - she thinks only weird kids go there…ughh. It is my “required parent pick” and she agreed to apply for me and will visit at acceptance time before the final decision.
She is not sure about Colorado College - but doesn’t hate the idea of it. So right now it is staying on the list. It may get dropped as the supplemental essays are wearing her down.
The NPC nailed it exactly. We are in-state for Bradley, though, so how that affects it I don’t know. (My wife lived much of her youth in Peoria, though they moved around a lot, and two of her uncles went to BU.)
So far we have 3 acceptances (BU, Webster, and IUPUI) and waiting on an answer from the fourth. I don’t know if that means we did a good job researching, or if we should have aimed a little higher. 
@stlarenas Has she looked at St Olaf? It is more mainstream in terms of campus politics, exceedingly nice and friendly students, strong academically but comfortably within range of your daughter’s stats, I think. Very pretty campus, about 40 minutes from the Twin Cities. The religious aspect is not heavy handed. Might get merit money although it’s getting increasingly competitive.
No Greek life, which your D might not like, given that other schools on her list have a visible Greek presence. It’s technically a “dry” campus, but it’s more like “damp.” 
Lawrence in Appleton, WI, might also be an option and she’d have decent chance at merit money there.
@klinska That looks like a very nice list! D considered Denison for quite awhile but decided that the student vibe at Wooster might be a better fit. They both have a lot to offer. I loved the Denison campus and the town of Granville.
My son has a 3.45 UW and 3/55 W GPA and a 27 ACT. He’s a bit all over the place in terms of schools, and I’m sure sure if he’ll end up adding any more. We’re visiting Colorado State University next week and Iowa State next month. Denver is currently his top pick (but it’s also the only one we’ve visited that he liked).
Reach:
University of Wisconsin
Matches:
University of Denver (EA-should submit this weekend)
Safety:
Iowa State University (accepted)
Colorado State University
Since I was the one who asked, I’ll post D17’s list [hasn’t changed since last time but that was a while ago]. Oh, and she has about a 3.25UW and 4.09 W, 1230 new SAT.
Reach:
Lewis & Clark
Mount Holyoke
Muhlenberg [low reach]
Skidmore
Smith
Target:
College of Wooster
Denison
Goucher [maybe more like a safety but not sure]
Knox
University of Redlands
UVM
Likely:
Juniata
McDaniel
St Edward’s
St Michael’s
for what it’s worth, since I didn’t note it lol, S is a 3.45 UW. We do not weight but I’d estimate it at a 3.7
@poblob14 thanks, the NPC showed a 14K scholarship at Bradley, not sure how that compares with your offer but their stats are identical. 3 out of 4 already is a very nice hit rate and if all are schools your child would be happy at and are affordable, there really isn’t the need to revisit or “reach” unless you really feel you missed something. Sounds like good targeting to me.
@stlarenas I don’t know a ton about the schools on your D’s list but 7-8 (I think) is a good solid number without overkill. I’ve heard nice things about Westminster.
@mamaedefamilia thanks, I think it’s a pretty solid list with a decent variety of school types and sizes but some pretty common themes in terms of fit as well. I’m not pushing him to add anything, if he decides to it’s fine but if not, it’s fine as well.
@klinska I would have put UMass Amherst as a match but your rationale makes sense. Do you think you will trim more or that’s pretty final?
@iamgriffinsmom enjoy Colorado State, it’s a lovely school and a wonderful town. Wish it would have been a fit for S17.
@kt1969 I would think Goucher is probably a safety, less sure about Juniata, I had it as a match when it was on our list. Either way both are solid options I would think. I wish University of Redlands was of interest to S (well and it was affordable, it’s kind of a moot point really that he is anti CA) as I’ve always thought it looked wonderful. NIce variety of locations but that is a lot of apps! It is nice (albeit clueless) that your ex actually tried to help with FAFSA. PROFILE is not fun at all. Ours is done finally, pending the “brokest day of the month” for submission. LOL!
@eandesmom Not sure about Juniata as a general rule but they have accepted all 7 applicants from D17’s school and the average GPA was 3.86 and SAT 1150, so thinking it’s a pretty safe bet. We’ll see. Haven’t visited and it’s in the middle of nowhere so not sure it’ll be a big hit anyway. Plus D17 always wants to pronounce it Who-niata like you would in Spanish so she says she can’t go there. 
@eandesmom, you’re making me really nervous with all the tweaking to the activities lists for the different schools you guys are doing. Is this because of the music aspect? I think we’re pretty close if not done with the trimming. Thirteen was more than I was expecting, but it 's not a crazy number (IMO). We’re debating going EA with Wooster, and maybe Siena (their priority application is due in 2 days, so I dunno–no essay needed, though). If we do, that may mean that Susquehanna, falls off. The initial impetus for putting Temple on the list was because of their generous merit aid, but since that’s no more, I’m not sure we have a compelling reason for keeping it on the list. D seems to be warming to it, though, so who knows?
@stlarenas, if my D’s stats were more like your D’s I think we’d have UofRichmond, Lafayette, and Lehigh on our list.
@kt1969, our DD’s stats are similar (but my D has pretty weak ECs, which count for a lot with these small schools)–do you think we should move Denison from reach to match? I’m happy keeping it as a reach–less reason to be disappointed. I won’t lie, though, I was excited to see that you have it down as a match.
@iamgriffinsmom, we had U of Denver on our list for a brief while, along with Colorado State, back when D was considering a Rocky Mountains lifestyle, lol. Of all the schools thatshe took off the list, those were the ones I was most sorry to see go (except for Clark, but I think I may have developed a bit of a Clark obsession).
@klinska I am mainly basing it on the Naviance stats from the HS. Admit rate from there is 65% and the av stats are 4.14/1255 which is pretty close to 4.09/1230. Which doesn’t account for the new SAT. So, not sure.