Sat 2360 for 9th grader, now what ?

[amother]

<p>Thanks to you all for all these wonderful ideas, Exeter, Simon's rock, summer program, research, class in nearby college, early graduation , school newspaper editing, piano collaborative......etc, I guess I really need to spend time to explore all of them thoroughfully and carefully......</p>

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@Alumother

Now please excuse me for being blunt, but I gather that English is not your first language? If not, and if you are Asian, the only risk I see other than the luck of the draw that we can't control in highly selective admissions, is having him be "typed" into a stereotype. But that stereotype usually involves the pushy parents in the back, along with math/science, piano, and non-team sports i.e. tennis, golf, etc. I am sorry for my country that these stereotypes exist but they do. If I am wrong about your native language, ooops. Big apology.

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<p>ha, my first quote.
You are right, I am an Asian, looks like my english really needs to be worked on more...:-0....Anyway, what you mentioned is exactly what I have been worried about, and don't know what to do about it, because ironically, son does fit that stereotype well, good SAT/GPA, strong at math/science, piano, not good at sports....but I don't think I am a pushy parant though, afterall, happyness of my son is my ultimate goal.......espectially at this age, all I can do is provide information and suggestion.......I only hope I can help S to stand out of the stereotype when college adminssion comes....</p>

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@Marite

My S took APs beginning in 8th grade and made friends in his classes as well as through his ECs. It did not bother him that he was younger than the majority of his friends,

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<p>wow, Marite, your son must be super smart. I know he is in one of the top school now, wish him the best.</p>

<p>Thanks again for helping me making the letter that solved my son's problem so perfectly.</p>

<p>My S is not as focused as your son, he was into math a lot in 8th grade, but since entering in HS, he got interested in or distracted by too many other things, for example, for a reason, he has to stay at school library for one hour after school, (school library again)...instead of doing math like he did before, he reads a lot there, these days, he is reading 'Juliue Casar', 'The importance of being earnest', 'great speeches'..., if you see the excitement and greedyness in his face when he mentioned to me' there are so many good books there, I have to brows through them...' you just can't say anything any more. The books are mostly about history and literatures, I was thinking maybe it's good to explore into different fields at this age, hope that he will finish his exploring soon from his wonerland, and find where his passion is early enough......</p>

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@Jmmom

what do you do to help assure that he thrives and ends up in the right place?........ There's a long time between now and his college application process. Encourage him to be who he is, explore areas of possible interest, pursue those which grab him. When the college app process gets closer, we'll probably all still be here and can provide ideas and feedback on how he can present himself in the best way possible on his applications. But we don't him to Design Himself for the college app process. We want the college app to best showcase who he chose to be for his own sake.

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<p>Mostly I have been following S's lead, just being supportive, but now I realize I may need to be on alert too as far as collecting information and exploring new oppotunity for him.....plus I know all of you are here,I can always get a lot of help from you.....</p>

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@Donemom

In sum, your job is to just stay with him in terms of finding opportunities he would love that keep him challenged and excited about what he's doing..... my son took the Math SAT II after 8th grade because that's when he finished BC calc.

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<p>Yeah, agree!!! Plus your son is so super, can't believe it, 8th grader take AP math, I will pass all these super smart boy's story to my son, so he knows there are a lot of kids are smart and hard-working out there, he better find a way to keep up with them.....</p>

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@cookiemom

Every kid is different, but keeping my S in high school for fours years was the best thing for him. He was able to take math classes at local colleges and ARML and USAMO practice kept him so busy he didn't even take any math classes his junior year in high school. He also started running track as a freshman. He started out as the worst one on the team and is now on a Division I team (in another sport) in college. Spending four years in high school gave him the opportunity to grow horizontally in areas that he was not naturally strong in, and he entered college a confident, mature young man.

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<p>my son has a lot in commen with your son, and your son has set a good example for him.....hopefully S come back to his math passion soon to make it to USAMO someday, yet still have time to catch up in other areas so he can grow horizontally.....and stay home with me for as long as possible before he flyes away (me being selfish) if I find local can provide as good education as those super expensive private school....</p>

<p>All in all, thanks to you all for all the input, and forgive me for not mentioning each one of your name in my post, I appreciate it all the same.</p>