<p>pamavision, As a student who struggled my sophomore year, I can sympathize with your daughter. Of course, I also wish I had tried harder back then but I can understand why I didn't. I had issues with turning in work too though and actually your story reminds me of a friend who was intelligent but just did well on tests and did none of the homework (still got into a good school, George Washington, but this was awhile ago). I'm wondering if its just a high school thing, which I can understand as I detest mine or is there any other issue. Reading a lot is good, you definitely don't want to lose that. I wouldn't give up hope though, I think she can still find her way once she can finds an acceptable way for her to succeed.</p>
<p>As for sophomores, my brother is one and even though I don't like him very much (understatement of the year), I'm interested enough in the college admissions process to be thinking of his chances at places. He's not your typical CC student, PSATs were in the upper 500s but he's in a few honors classes in chem, spanish, english and a year ahead in math and he's got overall about a B average in the past two years. His real stength is music as he'll probably be a music major as he's talented there and has played piano for years, did trumpet for a time and plays viola well. Looking for scholarships for him as my parents can't afford a ton with me in college as well. He's also into technical type things such as archetecture and is a big sports fan, lots of extreme sports, but he doesn't play on any teams (my whole family is the independent, introverted type). My parents are in a constant struggle to get him to practice more music versus him wanting to go to the local YMCA or go skiing. Not really sure what he wants in a college but any schools where he could get big music scholarships would be great.</p>
<p>Did your #1 D apply to Lawrence University in Appleton WI? I have to say, just as someone who listens to music, Lawrence would have been my first choice if I were choosing a college for myself. The conservatory of music would be great entertainment and Lawrence is reputed to be a great liberal arts education and it's a beautiful part of the country. (Sigh) If only I could have done my college days over again.</p>
<p>Another sophomore parent here--my DD attends a competitive private school. She's our tree-hugging, socially conscious vegetarian animal lover. She has some learning challenges, so her grades are not reflective of her intellectual abilities and huge vocabulary. She does well in school, including honors classes, but her favorite subject this year is ceramics.</p>
<p>Finding a list of colleges that will be appropriate for her will be quite a challenge--but it sounds like many of us are in the same boat.</p>
<p>Hello, I actually AM a sophomore (male), but I thought I'd chime in.</p>
<p>PSAT: as a freshman, I scored 217
as a soph., I scored 231</p>
<p>SAT I: I took it to get it over with; 2330
I'm still trying to figure out what SAT IIs to take and if I should take the ACT.</p>
<p>Grades: My school doesn't really have APs freshman year; I have taken Honors Chem, and am in AP European History (year-long) and AP Chemistry. I do well at school (straight A's).</p>
<p>I love playing tennis (HS team) and the school Academic Decathlon team; I'm also in Key Club (we don't do much, though) and treasurer of Future Business Leaders of America.</p>
<p>I suppose my possible careers are medicine or law or finance; but do I love sports, so being a sports agent would be really cool. Since I'm not sure about my career, I figure I can't really look at colleges yet either.</p>
<p>For volunteer work, I am planning on going and volunteering at my local hospital, or at a Peer Court. I'd love to find something relating to computers.</p>
<p>Thanks for reading; I hope to soak up all the knowledge available here.</p>
<p>I'm glad to hear student chiming in. I'm sure we can help each other with perspectives and ideas. After all, we're all in this together. :)
--Rhonda</p>
<p>I think you will have many options with such good scores and grades and courses. You should start thinking about the college environment you might most like.</p>
<p>OK. So doodlebug S will be going to CTY Oceanography in Hawaii. We never would have known about this program without cc. Thanks all. This is relevant to college because my endeavour with this kidlet is to find something in the academic world that turns his "I will master this body of knowledge" headlights onto something academic vs. online gaming, college basketball, etc. When he was little it was first California insects, then origami, then Pokemun. It was clearly the Gameboy that did us in for academic enthusiasm.:). Anyway, I am hoping he comes back enthused. We shall see. I am also getting him to go back to Chinese classes with me - that he rather enjoyed until my travel schedule made us have to give them up. Chinese and the character-based language intrigued him - again, just looking for the spark of interest.</p>
<p>Otherwise, in this college journey, for us it will now be about the best way to convince S that SAT prep is just like the word games he loves, just like a Gameboy, just like any other puzzle he enjoys. And best case, to convince him without him groaning at my annoying behaviour too often. We shall see....</p>
<p>Good luck--may kids find the ocean fascinating. We have never done any CTY courses but have heard great things about folks whose kids have participated. Which campus is the CTY in oceanography associated with? I don't remember seeing the course myself.</p>
<p>It IS a challenge getting/keeping the kids' enthusiasm with all the electronic & computer distractions. <sigh> If only there were a GameBoy degree!</sigh></p>
<p>Chinese is a fascinating & challenging language--many colleges offer further studies in it as well, including UVa.</p>
<p>HImom, it's at, hmm, I can't spell Hawaiian. I will cut and paste...I am hoping that even he will be unable to dismiss the ocean as boring. That the sheer complexity of the system will hook him. That and the "no Internet" policy...</p>
<p>Kaneohe, Hawaii
Hawaii Pacific University</p>
<p>Nestled in the foothills of the Koolau Mountains, on the windward side of the island of Oahu, Hawaii Pacific Universitys Hawaii Loa campus provides an ideal venue for a site with a special focus on Hawaii. Though the surrounding tropical foliage and views of mountains create a sense of spaciousness, the residential, academic, and dining facilities are all in close proximity. Space for approximately 36 CAA qualifiers is reserved each session.</p>
<p>It's a beautiful setting out there. My son took a statitics course over the summer after his 10th grade year at their downtown campus. He found it not as challenging as his HS classes, but I'm sure your son will have a more interesting experience in their residential campus. Are the kids living in the dorm & eating on campus? It truly is gorgeous on that side of the island. </p>
<p>Will you and/or dad be visiting the island at the same time? While you're in HI, you may wish to visit the schools here--University of Hawaii at Manoa & also in Hilo (especially for astronomy & marine biology).</p>
<p>HImom, I believe the CTY courses and staffs are different from the college's own classes and staffs and we have heard really good things about the courses from people like Carolyn and Mootmom here on cc. And with any luck I will visit too for either dropoff or pickup. Good idea to take a look at those colleges.</p>
<p>It is with great regret that we mods learned that Carolyn had decided to leave College Confidential. She has been a huge asset to the forum for several years, and her assistance to so many of our posters has been invaluable. We all appreciate her many contributions to this forum and wish her much success with her own plans for the future. </p>
<p>Many of us, I know, hope to stay in touch with Carolyn, a thoughtful, caring and dedicated friend and professional.</p>
<p>It was Carolyn who requested that the thread announcing her departure be closed.</p>
<p>Now, however, I do have to abide by our Terms of Service, which prohibit links to competing web sites. For that reason I had to delete the two most recent posts on this thread. Please let's keep the discussion to the topic of our high school sophomore students.</p>
<p>Thank you in advance for your understanding. </p>
<p>Sophomore son just found out he did not get the scholarship to study in Germany his junior year. He was disappointed, yet somewhat philosophical. He said he would apply again next year.</p>
<p>Planning just got much simpler for the whole family for the upcoming year, yet we all feel that sense of loss for what might have been. I hope some really great things happen this next year so we can look back and say "you wouldn't have gotten to do this if you had been in Germany".</p>
<p>Sorry about the disappointing news, 2sonmama.
I do agree that the path he will take instead may offer some nice compensations. Perhaps he will take on a special role in a school organization, develop some new relationships, etc. Spending junior year at his home school will offer some advantages in terms of college planning -- the ability to visit schools, get to know his own counselor and teachers better, etc.
Plus he'll be there for the junior prom -- and you can share in the excitement! ;)</p>
<p>My d is in Freshman now and we are trying to schedule her Sophomore classes..., that is why I think this is a good place to post and ask for Sophomore parents' help.</p>
<p>The plan is </p>
<p>H language
H Algebra II
H world history
Spanish II
Chemistry
and AP Bio (since she is finishing Bio right now, we thought it would be a good idea to continue)
move PE to Jr. year </p>
<p>my d turn in the request to school for approval, and the school ap coordinator thought she is crazy (maybe joking...??) that she is going to take 2 science class next year.., should we keep the pe and forget about the bio ap? or any other good suggestions? </p>
<p>Sophomore parents... any advice will be appreciated.</p>