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

Parents Forum
1161

Done with interviews here. Have a visit scheduled for one safety school Friday and then we will be done with visits until after apps are in.

D finished up the CA essay this weekend and I think it is good to go. I have no idea how “good” it is but I don’t think it will hurt her. Well written, concise, and on topic…just not much wow - and I have to think that the topic is pretty generic. But we need to start checking off boxes so I’m gonna call it done. (and really according to @eandesmom Smiths essay checklist - which I thought was great - I think her essay will be ok)

@kt1969 I just this morning added a tab to our master spreadsheet called “checklist” similar to what you created. I still need to submit the CCS Profile and all her ACT scores but I am holding off until I know for sure which apps are being sent. She is still wavering on some.

My D just made plans to go to NYC with a friend the 2nd weekend in Nov under the agreement that all* her apps will be submitted before then. She knows I will have no qualms keeping her home if they aren’t done…so I am feeling less panicked now as she has agreed to a date I know she will keep.

*I know there are a couple of safeties that won’t need to be in that soon…and will probably let those slide if they aren’t done. But I’m not telling her that :slight_smile:

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D and I were at the same Wooster interview event as @kt1969 – D met with an alum, not the AO, but the A.O’s first interview either didn’t show or was late, so he chatted with another mom and me while D “interviewed”. I was definitely feeling the love–D liked it, but still likes the reaches on her list from this geographic region better (Denison and Lawrence). I told her that cost would be playing a role in the decision, which she acknowledged (I guess that’s good, right?). As I type this, D is wrapping up a group interview for her top choice, American at a Panera somewhere. Very anxious to get the debrief on that!

Tomorrow is “C3” day at D’s high school. It’s a regularly scheduled half day (they have one a month), but seniors are excused if they are doing something College-related (e.g., campus tour, attending an essay workshop), Career-related (e.g., job shadowing), or Community service-related–hence C3. Juniors and sophomores are taking the PSAT (I have one of those, too). So D17 and I are trekking up to UVM (3 hour drive) for a campus info session/tour. We visited casually last spring, just wandered around the campus and soaked in the vibe, then headed to Burlington for an amazing dinner (followed the next morning by an amazing breakfast–I LOVE Burlington). It’s about peak foliage season around here, so it’s probably past peak up there, but it’s going to be a lovely drive regardless.

D has an interview with a Denison alum on Sunday, and then doesn’t have anything until Veteran’s day when we’ll do an overnight trip to upstate NY for a visit to St. Lawrence. And that will wrap up all the interviews/visits until we get acceptances (hopefully!).

D totally changed her essay topic (and I think for the better). She does have a draft that she hasn’t shown me, but has gotten feedback on from her English teacher (but he’s kind of a jerk, so I don’t know that I trust his feedback). At this point I feel like I kind of have to let go–it’s her journey, not mine.

Requests for transcripts are in, but nothing is showing up in Naviance (the requests are done with paper forms, not through Naviance), and requests for LORs are in through Naviance, but that’s it. I don’t think the application has to be in in order to trigger the transcript or LOR submission–students and parents were simply told that transcript requests had to be in 2 weeks before the deadline and LOR requests should be made a month in advance. We’re good on all fronts there. I seem to have a reason weekly to email the GC–I’m sure she’s getting sick of me!

1163

And it’s official. New prompt and new essay. That isn’t even outlined yet.

Ugh!!! 13 days…

1164

Funny-ish note on the CA essay topic subject…the AO from Wooster made some remark about applicants writing essays about how some community service thing “changed their life” in a sort of negative way, like it’s a typical/boring topic…and of course that is pretty much what D17 is writing about. She is going to try to tweak it. I personally think [and have thought] that she should do something a little more unique, but she’s not listening to me. Her GC is reading her essay and giving her feedback and she’d rather hear it from him than from me, so I just need to let it go. I haven’t even read it yet.

She did do some work today during her study on her supplemental short answer stuff for her 11/1 apps. They are just okay and need a bit of work, but glad she got started! We also talked tonight about scheduling interviews with Smith and Mt Holyoke for election day, as they have that day off from school. She gets to vote this year, but will have time before or after driving out for interviews. They are both reaches but worth spending the time to interview, I think, even though I don’t think it’s a strength for my D.

@klinska How did the American interview go? And what the heck is a group interview?

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@kt1969, According to D, the interview went well–it was a group of 5 prospective students and the regional AO, who met at a Panera in Newton. D said that she talked “a lot”–something I was a little concerned about, as she sometimes can go quiet in group settings. I asked if anything changed for her regarding going ED, and she said that, if anything, it reinforced her desire to do it, so that’s where things stand. Off to UVM in 10 minutes!

Sounds like a bunch of us have kids with shifting CA essay topics!

1166

@klinska will be interested to hear what she thinks of UVM. My D loved it even though it is much bigger than the other schools she looked at. And Burlington is awesome. :slight_smile:

1167

First “interview” on the books finally. At least the first one at a school he is going to apply to anyway lol. Informational session, not truly an interview of course and not required and not evaluative.

I mentioned this on the other thread but I did have coffee with a friend yesterday who does alumni interview for U Penn. She said that her feedback cannot make or break an app. However, the applicant refusing to take advantage of the offered optional interview…can absolutely break an app as it shows lack of interest. So can being high maintenance (i.e. difficulty scheduling, rescheduling, expecting the interviewer to work around the students schedule, failure to show up, that kind of thing).

Last night was Goucher. S really liked the AO, he started a bit early and ran a bit late. I was across the room and could hear the AO cracking up about half of the chat. S felt it was helpful and made him feel good about applying there. Mission accomplished in my book.

I realized, while looking through the Allegheny packet (which had a ton of visit date information, admitted students and other ) that I really should consider leveraging a trip in Feb. S17 will be in NYC for a school drama trip. I will be in NYC for a work trip and our dates overlap. Seems kind of silly to me not to extend my trip for 2 days, intercept the kid and go visit schools. If we do not do it then, it will be late April at our spring break and that kind of stresses me out! Given that the flights will be covered for me, and half for him (if i intercept him) this seems a less expensive way to do it. Of course given that NYC is kind of in the middle of the schools in question, how best to structure getting everywhere is another story. He will have to miss school but…spring break is also spring musical time, at least the latter half of the week and given that it’s an excused absence, early in the 2nd semester, it just seems better to try and do it in Feb. The school has cleared the general idea so that’s good.

Of course, we won’t know on all of the schools when I need to book. We will hear before the actual trip (though maybe not on all financial packages) but I’ll have to figure out how best to book it without knowing on all which makes it a bit funky but what can you do.

@klinska glad it went well! I look forward to hearing about UVM as well. S has an informational meeting with them on Saturday.

1168

@kt1969 S’s original essay included some items from his mission trip. The fact of the matter is the trip did change him, and his activities/actions/interests since then but I can see how it could come across partially “resume like”. His English teacher really felt like he’d tackled 2 different areas and needed to zero in on one and is suggesting one as the focus area that while is a direct result of the trip…can be spoken to in isolation as well and works better with a new prompt.

Which is great in concept I guess but there is NO outline, no rough draft, no nothing. At least not as of dinner time last night. S planned to do an outline last night and review it with his teacher today. I am frankly concerned it’s too political. However, it is very “S” and if it’s meant to be a personal statement…it will be that and heaven knows will be consistent with the content of the one LOR that is in.

1169

Well I’m growing in work. So little time to read anyone else’s post or catch up. SIGH… For many many reason’s I just want it to be December. Good luck on everyone working on essays.

Have S17 anual 504 meeting tomorrow. Honestly don’t know what we are going to talk about. I haven’t really thought about it except for dreaming about it last night. Thinks look so much better than when we started this a few years ago. :slight_smile:

S17 just realized that this weekend is the only ‘open’ weekend his will have before OSU app is due. Starting next Wed there are 4 huge band events in one week. So he’s going to have to do it this weekend. His common app essay came back from the teacher and she gave him an A and little feedback. But I don’t know if that makes it a good common app essay. And I’m so overwhelmed with work (it’s emotionally draining) that I don’t have the energy to struggle with him about it.

1170

Hate that I can’t edit posts. Drowning in work.

1171

So I wrote this long review of the UVM trip on my iPad last night and couldn’t get it to post. Sigh. Will try again now.

D has a firm #2 choice in UVM! The fact that she was able to overlook the cringe-worthy info session says a lot about how she’s been maturing through this whole process. . It was really the most excruciating info session I’ve attended yet–not just boring, but truly squirm-inducing. I can only assume that the person who was supposed to give it bailed at the last minute and they pulled in this poor woman to cover. She introduced her self as “Assistant Director” (I’m assuming of Admissions, although she didn’t specify–which made me think she should be able to do these in her sleep, but, whatever). It was all platitudes about UVM being a place where a student could find their passion–a terrible PowerPoint that had ridiculous videos spliced in. The presenter was reading directly from notes, and there wasn’t any actual information provided, really. Finally (mercifully), it was over and the students took over and things got much, much better.

The tour was long (a full hour), we covered a lot of ground, literally and figuratively. The tour guide was personable, well-spoken, and knowledgeable. I can see why those of you whose kids are interested in environmental sciences would be attracted to this school–D even said that if she went here she would probably change her major from poli sci to something environmental studies-related! Many really beautiful facilities, several LEED-certified buildings. Great school for those interested in the health sciences (UVM Medical School is right on the main campus).

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they are building a new first-year dorm that will be ready by fall of 2017–from what I had heard before, housing was tight. The tour guide said that students are required to live on campus for the first two years and that housing was guaranteed for four years. That didn’t square with what I had heard, but maybe this new dorm is making that possible now. The guide said that there were no forced triples (something else I had heard)–triples were a housing option, but the rooms were sized accordingly. The dorm room we saw (a staged room) was pretty typical (cinderblock walls, linoleum floor). D definitely got a crunchy vibe, which she liked-definitely could see herself at home there. I didn’t get the crunchy vibe as much–just a bunch of really “normal” looking kids. It is Vermont, of course, lots of composting/recycling/resource awareness, but I expected that. It wasn’t terribly diverse, also not a surprise, despite the fact that about 70% of students come from OOS/international. As our tour passed through, there were several random shout-outs from passing students: “Come to UVM! You’ll love it!”–never had that happen on a tour before! D seemed to like it better than UMass, which surprised me a bit. I think she really likes Burlington and she said she would love to take advantage of what the local area has to offer in terms of access to the mountains, hiking, winter sports, etc Our big mistake when we visited UMass is that we didn’t spend any time checking out Amherst. It, too, is a lovely college town (but probably not as great as Burlington). She acknowledged that UMass is a better school, so it could be interesting if she gets accepted at both.

An amusing side note: D was actually quite thrilled with UMass until friends at school started talking it down, saying “everyone” from their school went there (patently false). One of the main detractors was her best friend, who was forced by her mother to go visit yesterday. According to D, this girl had been whining for the past week about having to go, how she wasn’t interested, wasn’t going to apply, etc. On our drive up yesterday morning D got a Snapchat from her: “I love it!” D said the friend like it even better than UVM (which she had toured on Columbus Day).

At any rate, I’m glad we went–it was a lot of driving for one day, but the drive up was breathtakingly beautiful, it was a fun day to spend with my D, and D has a school on her list that is a probable/likely admit that she really could see herself at. Mission accomplished!

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@eandesmom, I know it’s a lot closer than from Washington, but it’s not a quick trip to Allegheny from NYC. You’d have to fly in to Pittsburgh, Erie, or Cleveland and drive (anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half). Regardless of when you go, I think you’ll find it was worth it. We had a great experience there–it’s very high touch. They sign you up for a 1:1 tour with a student, and then there’s the “interview” with the AO (as we are finding, for the schools we are targeting, these interviews are really pretty casual, informational, and not high-stakes at all), and then the parent joins in for any questions s/he may have. While I was waiting for my D, the Dean of Admissions came out and chatted with the parents in the waiting area. Felt like a very warm and welcoming place.

1173

Hang in there, @curiositycat333! At some point, we have to let this be their journey, so if your S is confident that the essay is done and the English teacher has blessed it, it might just be one less thing you have on your plate at the moment. Good luck with the 504 meeting!

1174

@klinska, awesome that your D loved UVM! Mine did too, even though it’s way bigger than anywhere else she is looking. Burlington is a big draw for sure. What is her first choice if UVM is #2?

ETA: thinking it’s American?

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@curiositycat333 good luck at the 504 meeting today!

@klinska great review of UVM! I had thought of having S look at U Mass Amherst but worry it’s much too big. I am trying to figure out a Feb visit I think and UGH it’s a lot of driving no matter how I arrange these schools.

That is great that she could look over the cringe worth info session. S looked over a cringe worthy interview last night. I’m not sure I’m as willing to look past it as he is to be honest but for now he still plans to apply.

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@eandesmom, oh no! Ithaca was not good? Of the 6 interviews D has done so far, only one left her feeling like she didn’t want to apply as a result (Ohio Wesleyan).

@kt1969, yes American is #1. My D actually seems to be most comfortable with the mid-sized schools–it’s the small ones that give her pause. After the American and UVM experiences this week, she seems less interested in Denison, Lawrence, and Wooster. She also has seen the American and UVM campuses, but has not seen the midwest schools, and she said she probably wouldn’t really know for sure until/unless we visit. Which makes sense, I suppose.

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@klinska I am doubtful that D17 will get any $ from UVM, and it is super $$$ for an OOS kid, which makes it not super high on MY list. :slight_smile:

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@klinka I would think S17 would like UVM probably. But he won’t look at anything “East Coast”. He’s been to the Boston area a lot of times, but has no idea what Vermont looks like. I’m glad to hear you like it. I don’t know what up with bad info sessions.

I’m ammused that you think a full hour tour is long. :wink: The UCSC tour is 90 minutes and we only saw 1/4 of campus, could have been longer IMO. When we toured OSU (Oregon) the tour was similar length, plus we did the Engineering tour but missed the Science tour because that would be just too much.

On other topics:

I’m back from S17’s 504. Surprised to find all but his CS teacher came to the meeting. His band teacher came and said what an awesome job he’s been doing. IDK why he came, but it’s nice to hear good things. English teacher said he’s doing great this year, it’s the class he really needed the 504 for in the past. Physics looks like it’s the class this year he’ll need the accommodations in the most this year. I just have to get him to USE them, he seems to think they are a crutch he can try to live without and sacrifices his grades because of it. Counselor & school psychologist told him about how he can use his documentation to get accomodations in college. Very helpful to have it come from someone other than mom.

We briefly talked college/graduating stuff with his counselor. It’s OK with her if he finishes the online heath over Xmas since our semester isn’t over till the end of January. He’s buried right now, so we are glad for that reprieve. Although if it’s not finished by end of semester, he’ll have to mess up his schedule & I think that’s motivation enough. She told us she will find his 7/8th grade transcript & mail it to us. (He needs math grades from 7th & 8th) His counselor isn’t meeting with or writing college letters unless a student is applying ED/EA for a school that needs one. (His EA school’s don’t require one.) She probably won’t meet with him till December. I know it seems late on this board but it’s in plenty of time to make the January 15th deadline.

I just noticed that this weekend is free from commitments so we talked about how his EA applications need to be in by the end of this weekend. (His plan is to apply EA to both Oregon schools.) Then two weeks of intense marching band (4 huge marching band events in 6 days) and then it marching band is DONE for the semester (unless the football team goes to playoffs), and that will free up time. I’m going to assume no college stuff will get done during those two week. Then he’ll have a few weeks to finish the CA applications. And can work on the Boulder/Common App in December. I’m anxious to see the first applications submitted.

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@kt1969, did you run the NPC for UVM? It was pretty basic (didn’t ask for a lot of detail), but it gave us $11,000. It totally won’t be financially feasible without some merit. D is pretty level-headed–if it came down to UVM vs. UMass, and there was a $20K difference in price, I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t need any convincing to go with UMass.

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@klinska Yes, I have run it. Think it gave us like $6K. Drop in the bucket. We are one of those families that makes too much for aid but not enough to pay for college. Sigh.