^^I make them fill out the interminably long questionnaire. Once that’s done I have the credit card # saved on my computer so it’s a lot easier for me to have the discussion with her about which one she wants to take and then schedule it and shoot her a google invite. Since the test taking impacts me (have to schedule events around it and make sure there’s a car available), I need to be in the loop.
Her older sister, who is a senior this year, has pretty much taken the reins on stuff like this-she spent about an hour hunting down the info for sending her IB scores from last year to the university she’ll be attending in the fall. She has our CC saved on her computer (which we did in the fall when she started the application process and had to pay for all of the applications). Basically all I said was “you need to find out how to get those IB scores sent to your school so you can get credit for them”. The AP stuff is all in, but she hadn’t thought to do the IB ones (since there are only 2). That’s where my wisdom and experience comes in-there’s no substitute for that.
Younger D18 is not as motivated or self-directed, so I have to ask, then verify. Then nag, then threaten, then impose consequences if I have to (taking her phone away is the chief consequence at this point).
In my opinion, there is too much info out there for any but the MOST obsessed kid to catch it-my job is to wade through the tons of data out there (and on here on CC), and curate and present something that a 16 year old can work with. It still feels like a tidal wave of information to me at times, I can only imagine how overwhelming it must be for my two girls.
If the stakes weren’t so high, I’d let them do it all on their own. Older D missed NMSF by one point. That one point cost her an entire year of a scholarship at the college she chose. Or, approximately 40k. Each AP that she took and got credit for allows her to graduate sooner. For kids choosing colleges that accept ap/ib credit, they may not understand the value of those tests until it is too late.
That is my job. To make sure they’re aware of the choices they are making, as opposed to “oops, missed that. Oh well.” That’s about 99% of the reason I’m on CC. The other 1% is to dog-slap the entitled snowflakes.
I was just sitting here on a rainy Saturday morning trying to figure out the ACT thing. Meanwhile D was digging up contact info for references for a new job that she would be able to get to without relying on anyone for transportation, figuring out when and where she can renew her lifeguard certification, and scheduling a surgery with all of her other obligations this summer and her siblings’ schedules. It’s overwheming… and the ACT decision still isn’t made.
Not sure if it’s relevant @persimmony, but Ithaca and Providence gave barely any aid at all out of the almost 20 my DS applied to. Same story re motivation and drive. Just hoping this kid will find a purpose and joy other than video games. Sigh. He’s going to a school with 1400 students so the professors can connect with him in the 12 to 16 students per class setting.
I guess it’s dead week for many of us? Summer’s so close, and S’s preoccupied with studying and saying goodbye to the seniors. We finally talked and reviewed with the GC, so our list is down to ~15 from ~25. I don’t think we can whittle further without a couple of visits. Geographically grouped (vaguely) and not in any particular order:
- Holy Cross, Clark, Muhlenberg
- Kenyon, Denison, Wooster, Macalester, St Olaf, Lawrence
- Whitman, Puget Sound, Willamette, Lewis&Clark
- Occidental, Santa Clara
(the plan is to whittle further to 8-10 after the summer… we’ll see if we get there)
S is leaning towards english or history, perhaps poli sci/int’l relations double mjr/minor. Writing minor or emphasis is also a plus. I think we have 3-4 reaches, 6 targets, and 5-6 low targets, depending on how finals go If anyone feels we’re barking up the wrong tree(s), please feel free to chime in.
(and a big thank you to those who provided guidance! This list really is a joint effort of my S, his GC, mom and dad, and our CC gang, so merci beacoup!)
(doing some catch up reading as work has been all-consuming) @labegg thank you for the scholarship reminder re: min gpa to maintain. I started looking around and the requirements can vary a lot. Some ask for maintaining a 2.0 or 2.5; others 3.0 or 3.3. I didn’t know what to think: does this say the 2.0 schools are easier to maintain the scholarship? or do they push their students so hard that maintaining a 2.0 there is like maintaining a 3.0 at other schools?
@Kardinalschnitt Double the fee for the SAT? That’s not fun. Re: your husband, the Trinity Univ scholarship page has some clear-cut definitions for money vs gpa/test scores. If he knows the “rules of the game” perhaps he’ll be more willing to play [url = <a href=“https://new.trinity.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/academic-merit-scholarships-first-year-students%5DLINK%5B/url”>https://new.trinity.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/academic-merit-scholarships-first-year-students]LINK[/url]
@persimmony That can be a bit frustrating about prep and the ACT, but a 30 sounds good! I don’t know how well these practice tests align with the real ones, but as jcmom716 said, it might have been a little tougher in this go-around. I believe in test prep… some people think it’s gaming the test, but I’d like to believe that it improves the consistency of test results (students are more calm/familiar so perhaps it becomes a better reflection of their “abilities” as far as how a test can reflect it) I do have issue with how much some people charge for prep classes, but I guess we all have to make a living. When I prepped as a student, it was with the various packets and practice tests from my high school teachers… of course they were free. My S’s school did not offer that…
I’m curious: if one gets an acceptance at a school (say RD) but turns in a better test score before May, can the applicant get reconsidered for more merit? Or is everything only based on the scores turned in by the RD deadline?
@TexasMom18 We’re looking at working on apps over the summer too, but will wait until fall to request that transcripts be sent. Perhaps I have the irrational fear that they’ll sort him into some category without seeing his full application.
@MACmiracle Did you decide to go ahead with the ACT?
I’m fairly new here. I need the CC community as a support group and motivation as I embark on this journey. S fits this category as he is 2018 B student.
Considering some CSUs as UCs are out of the league. Also some WUE.
Any of you have thoughts on Chico? University of Nevada at Reno?
@chippedtoof Thanks for asking, but she is only prepping for the SAT now. Her schedule has been too full to realistically add anything more, so even though I was disappointed at missing the deadline originally, now I’m thinking it was for the best. She would have had one week to prep for it after the SAT and that prep would have competed with studying for finals.
I will hope for the best with this SAT. Her tutor told me D knows the math; it is just about the speed that she will get with practice.
I was also disappointed because she couldn’t get to any of the training session for her long-term summer job due to serious scheduling conflicts, so she will interview at a new place. Maybe this will be for the best since it’s in walking distance and has year round potential.
Even though this month has been so stressful that sometimes I wanted to hide under a rock, we had a very happy occasion to celebrate with my oldest graduating from college.
@themathaw Chico and Reno are both good schools. My oldest son is a graduating Sr at Chico and LOVES it. Chico is a real college town and the area around campus is virtually 100% students - which creates a really cool buzz when school is in session. The school is well respected by CA employers, particularly the biz, CS, engineering, ag and credential programs. Lots of things to do in and around Chico and the campus is beautiful brick with huge oak trees lining a creek. I can’t say enough positive about the place.
My younger son just graduated from HS and was accepted to Chico, Reno, Sac and Ft Lewis - a small WUE school in Durango Colorado. He is headed to Ft Lewis in the fall, primarily because they have the top collegiate cycling program in the US. Reno was probably his second choice, The city of Reno lacks the charm of downtown Chico but the schools are similar in many ways. We live not too far from Sacramento and lots of kids from his high school head to Reno every year. Though lots of people talk down about the school - every current and former student I talk to LOVES it.
We’re doing our first college visit with S18 a week from today. McDaniel College is the only local school he’s shown much interest in so far. Since he’s driving, he should have almost all of his driving hours for his license when it’s over.
@mstomper A college visit and driving hours? That’s righteous livin’ right there, that’s what it is!
(mine still has a couple hours to go with 6 months on the permit… he’s not quite into driving that one)
Looks like D18 will end up with 5A’s and 2 B’s, and the B’s are an 89.2 and an 87, so solid numbers. It is, by far, her best year ever in terms of GPA.
She’s salty about not being able to get that 89 up to a 90, but she admits that she did not do much to endear the teacher to her, so the teacher basically said “suck it, that’s your grade” when she asked if there was anything she could do. Life lesson, there.
It will be interesting to see how this affects her overall GPA and class rank. So far it was 3.0, then 2.6 (ugh), and she’ll be solidly in the 3’s this year.
AHA!! I found this thread. I knew it had to exist somewhere!
My daughter is typically a high B student, but had an awful time sophomore year. She faced new struggles with anxiety, and she missed lots of days as we struggled to identify the cause of the stabbing stomach pains. They diagnosed ovarian cysts, but that only eliminated some of the pains. We tried everything -visits to urgent care which led to ER visits for non-existant appendicitis, a gluten free diet, you name it. Then she started therapy and the pains disappeared. Then, last spring, my husband was seriously ill and spent 11 days in the ICU… another huge hit to her grades as she worried that he might not make it. (He has since recovered.)
So she’s ending junior year with a GPA very close to a 3.0 … assuming she can get through the US History Regents. (Yeah, I know… US History??? But for some reason it’s her Achilles Heal.)
She wants to major in Fashion Merchandising, and we’ve seen 2 schools that she has a decent shot at. One she loved, one she hated. We have a list of schools to see this summer: 3 Must-Sees, and a bunch of I Hope We Sees. We’ve eliminated FIT and LIM and the rest of the Manhattan schools (even though FIT is a SUNY School and SUCH a bargain.) I just don’t see a competitive school in Manhattan as the best environment for an 18 year old with anxiety.
She’ll take the SAT next week; the May date coincided with her Junior prom. (Yes, honest. What idiot thought it would be a good idea to schedule the prom on the day of the May SAT???) And I have to be honest: she’s going in almost cold. We’ll see how she does.
@chippedtoof Will be following your son’s journey as my son has some of the same schools on his list! He would love to add a few schools from the west coast and is trying to coax me into a family vacation that direction and include a few visits. Would love to hear your thoughts on any/all on your list as you whittle it down. A few others that are currently on his list include Dickinson, Juniata, Butler, Valpairaso, and Ohio Northern. He really doesn’t want rural so that could kick a few off the list before applications are submitted.
Congrats @MACmiracle! Always good to have happy news! We are excited my son has an upward spike in his GPA this year. It looks like it could be a a huge difference from freshman year, maybe he is finally learning some study habits?
@bjkmom have you looked into Kent State? I believe they also have a strong Fashion Merchandising program. And @mstomper enjoy the campus visit!
Good luck to all those taking SAT/ACT tests in June!
@MotherOfDragons saw your post on the GPA. Congrats to your daughter! I hear you on the teacher front when grades are close! My son’s friend was borderline in two classes, around 89%. He is well liked by these two and talked with both teachers. One made extra credit available to the whole class, the other gave just his friend an opportunity for extra credit. Final grades will be sent in the next week or so, but it looks like his friend will be getting A’s in both classes. My son was happy for his friend. I’m not sure how I feel as the two teachers handled it differently (granted I don’t know the details). I do know my son wouldn’t have approached the teachers. It gave me an opportunity to give him a small life lesson on speaking up. I give your daughter credit for at least asking!
Summer’s so close, and S’s preoccupied with studying and saying goodbye to the seniors. We finally talked and reviewed with the GC, so our list is down to ~15 from ~25. I don’t think we can whittle further without a couple of visits. Geographically grouped (vaguely) and not in any particular order:
Glad you found it!