Starting over.Well,almost.....(loooong and not funny)

Parents Forum
1

<p>I'm really sorry. At a moment in time when I was just praying for all this to end , the over-achieving weasel that lives at my house has changed the "game" again. As I said to Marite in a P.M., I really think they should barcode the butts of these kids when they hand them to us so we'll have some idea of what is going to happen next. I'm really sorry to do this but recent thoughts shared by good friends on the board coupled with changed circumstances have me befuddled. Again. So, I want to try this search another way. </p>

<p>To recap (if needed, LOL), darling daughter is 1/141 at a rural Texas public , 4.0uw,4.7 W toughest schedule plus 2 epgy courses, plus 6 dual credit college courses including sophomore Brit Lit, (school has limited AP's but a 4 Eng Lit and a 5 Calc AB so far). Ranch raised, Captain and 4 year varsity starter on area champion in Basketball, state qualifier in solo and ensemble (Tuba if you can believe it, what a strange duck), section leader in state ranked precison military marching band and symphonic band, President of the Honor Society, Girl's State, 7 Best Student Awards-3 math, 3 science, 1 English. Raises her own goats and sheep as a part-time job. Big volunteering at hospital. More stuff but you get the picture- really pretty good but not earth shattering EC's.</p>

<p>The grump does not want to go to school in Texas or any state touching Texas (too many Texans). She plans on becoming a Phd. in Bio/neuroscience, or potentially a M.D. or M.D./Phd..</p>

<p>She would really like to play D3 basketball in college . She has gathered some attention from D3 coaches who have seen her play and been told that she can play for them. She considers it as a very important consideration, but NOT a deal killer. She'll just play intramural at D-1 schools. She likes smaller schools and no school over about 10k has ever made her list. She is politically fairly liberal but on a personal, social level is conservative (dress , style, dating, substances). </p>

<p>She is beyond interested in UG research and devours the websites looking for professors doing interesting work at any school she considers. (Picks out one or two potential mentors.Reads their articles.) She wanted rural, or suburban but has become more open to "safer" urban. Geography is not a concern (to her, ease of travel is a concern to Dad). </p>

<p>Financially, we have previously only seriously considered merit aid schools. Based on sage but scary advice , we are opening the door to some need-only schools that are "drunken sailor" generous for kids they want. The reason for this change is two-fold. First, I may have misjudged our ability to receive some need based aid. Secondly, the urchin has continued to improve her statistics to the point our merit only grid has become potentially too restrictive. While not being willing to jump off a cliff hoping for the best, I am willing to learn from my "betters" and open the search up. (Thanks folks.)</p>

<p>So , to the standardized testing "change". Yesterday D received her ACT scores and she scored a 35. For those not familiar with ACT scores, that's pretty good. Like 99.9%-tile good. Like for 2005 grads from Texas 7 kids had higher scores (193 nationally). Who'd a thunk it? Not me, I'll assure you. She has not taken SAT subject tests and I don't believe I can make her (although she has agreed to take Math IIC) . She says she is willing to face the consequences. (Her first sitting SAT was a 1470/2160.)</p>

<p>So , does anything pop out at you? Any highly thought of school just screaming for a highly opinionated, overly self-directed goat raising Texas girl looking to step out some? She'll make life interesting, I can almost guarantee it.</p>

2

<p>Congratulations on her great ACT scores!</p>

<p>Try Washington University-St. Louis. Nice location by a large park. Excellent merit aid that top students get. Neuropsychology major or something similar. S visited it 2 weeks ago, and loved it. The faculty student ratio is, I think, 7: 1. SAT II tests are optional.</p>

<p>What about Smith, which also has good merit aid for top students and is even in a small town environment?</p>

<p>I don't know if these meet your D's sports needs as I know nothing about things like that.</p>

3

<p>Gosh, 'mudg -- I really think she'd like Penn if she could get over the scary urban image. It really is a cool place. Wonderful research ops. Policy of meeting need with grants. More importantly, I think they would love her! But it would be a radical switch from her lifestyle, and maybe a bit far for papa.</p>

<p>I don't remember the previous list she had. Has she looked at Duke? Not quite as urban as Penn, good premed, good basketball...</p>

4

<p>In my opinion, her stats and ECs put her in the HYPSM league if she is interested. Admission is not assured of course, but she'd have a decent shot. And the need-based money can sometimes be generous at some of those schools, particularly P.</p>

5

<p>I'll second the WUSTL suggestion, and confirm the excellent merit aid - D2 is getting full-tuition there.</p>

<p>D1 is currently starting her MD/PhD studies at Northwestern. I'll ask her permission first (hey, there's a protocol required in these matters :) ), and if she gives it, I'll PM you her e-mail address so your bar-coded urchin can contact her directly with questions.</p>

6

<p>First thing that popped out was the 35 vs. 1470.</p>

<p>Wash U sounds good and she might want to add Rochester. Both good DIII women's hoops (same league), research and med.</p>

7

<p>"In my opinion, her stats and ECs put her in the HYPSM league if she is interested."</p>

<p>I agree. She might want to check out Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, which might have the programs and locations most in line with her interests.</p>

8

<p>You would not believe how many students at top schools don't know one end of an animal from the other. :( Somebody who raised goats would be a wonderful addition to a student body that seems to think that the countryside is where you go on your vacation (I kid you not).
I also thought of Duke for your D, Curm. I don't know about the basketball angle, but Swarthmore would also love her. Ditto Brown and Wash U as NSM pointed out. She should also consider MIT. S has met some pretty happy female students there, involved in creating better chocolate through chemistry. I believe that the current president is a neurobiologist.
Congrats again to your D!</p>

9

<p>Furman or Davidson? With her new scores she could be very competitive for merit aid, and they have good science reps. The Basketball thing is a drawback, but still. . . </p>

<p>Cornell, maybe. If she gets homesick she can visit the animals at the Ag School. Darn good sciences programs. </p>

<p>And congrats on the ACT score. For those of us who know the ACT, that's outstanding! Converts to around a 1580 on the old-score SAT.</p>

10

<p>curmudgeon: Good for her. This is exactly why I suggested to you, some weeks ago, that she re-take the SAT to put her in a better position for merit aid. But, yeah, re-taking the ACT works just as well.</p>

<p>And although I'm sure you do not want to hear this, I will maintain, again, that the schools that will have the type of program in which she's interested, and that will afford her research opportunities as an undergraduate, will not be those small schools with less than 2,000 students. And many of those excellent schools with those strong programs usually require SAT II subject tests. I would really encourage her to take 3, including writing. Not only do many schools require that, but doing well on those will really help her (in terms of merit aid). They take some time out of your day(s), but for a capable kid, they are just not that difficult. And I don't know how much money (merit or financial aid) she might be eligible for, but I would definitely check out Duke, Wake Forest, and Emory. Although Duke's merit scholarships are not plentiful and highly competitive, I believe they are generous with financial aid. And, of course, they each have excellent pre-med programs.</p>

11

<p>Curmudgeon -- Congrats on your D’s great ACT scores and impressive resume. Terrific! I guess I don’t quite understand the angst. I agree with Coureur – your D has a shot at HYPSM, and at the full array of great schools out there. RD applications would allow her to compare financial aid offers when the acceptances come in. Has she considered Amherst? Serious sports for a small school and a moderate student body.</p>

12

<p>Smith is one of very few places she could be doing paid cutting edge research beginning in her first year. (I don't know of any other LAC at which that is true, and few unis.) It is a national center for genomics research, and its new Center for Molecular Biosciences will expand paid research assistantships through the STRIDE program even further. It is in a happening, but very safe, town, and her basketball skills will be in demand. (My d. is similar in "personal style".)</p>

<p>Here's the page related to the genomics work:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/SWILLIAM/home.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/SWILLIAM/home.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.filariasiscenter.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.filariasiscenter.org/&lt;/a>
<a href="http://www.smith.edu/newsoffice/releases/05-014.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.smith.edu/newsoffice/releases/05-014.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

13

<p>She should consider UChicago, which has outstanding bio sciences and will challenge her intellectually across the board. They have D-III (and compete in the same league with WUSTL, among others). I have a colleague whose daughter is playing on Chicago's softball team (as a pitcher) and they have lots of opportunities to play and to travel -- but also get everything academically that Chicago has to offer. (Truth in advertising: my son is a UofC graduate in econ. He really enjoyed being in -- not just at -- Chicago, not least of all because of his interests in major league sports.)</p>

14

<p>Curmudgeon,</p>

<p>You have a star-child here, I am thinking. She sounds like a good candidate for the PLME program at Brown if she wants to be an MD, but seems like she's not yet sure. Though she does NOT want to be in TX, does she have any geographical concerns? Like, not wanting to be too far from home, not wanting to be too cold, etc? Has the counselor at school nominated her for a Bellingrath at Rhodes? Her stats/EC's are great for merit aid there.</p>

<p>Way to go on the ACT!</p>

15

<p>WAY TO GO MUDGETTE!!!!! My DD's quest for the elusive 35 ended with, OK, 34 is good enough. I know how special a 35 is.</p>

<p>You know what I'm going to say, but I'll say it anyway - Dartmouth! (I shake my rattle, roll my eyes at the heavens, breathe in the controlled substances from the flickering fire, "Let Mudgette In" ;)). DD is on her WISP interview for a research assistant position even as we type - BUT it sounds like in that program you get a "semi" guaranteed position, but not much choice in which discipline. I think your daughter would love the atmosphere of Dartmouth, and the location would be a big change from TX. With the Women in Science, getting into research as an undergrad is easy - now the "what" you get to do, we'll see.</p>

<p>This may be totally, beyond obvious, but why doesn't she E-mail some of the profs with the fascinating research and ask them an intelligent question (which I know she can)? The worst that could happen is no response. If she hits paydirt, and gets a reply from someone who might be involving undergrads, that might trump atmosphere.</p>

<p>Finally, and it hurts to say this, sorry all you MIT'rents, she should really look hard at MIT, and decide if that is for her - she might have a real shot, but is that right for her?
EDIT: That didn't sound as I actually meant it to sound, :o, let me try again. MIT doesn't usually get listed as a pre-med school, but it has some real advantages (as well as disadvantages) in that capacity. If she's interested in research, though, it might be good, and I think women have some real edge getting in, especially from a rural background. She has to assess if it is right for her.</p>

<p>Congratulations, I know you are proud.</p>

16

<p>a good friend of mine, a graduate of connecticut college, just got her masters in tuba performance. she LOVED the tuba teacher at conn- and she can take lessons for free, and the d3 bball team always has a great group of girls. plus the neuroscience program is solid, with great research opportunities. your daughter would probably get merit aid there too.
it sounds like it would be a perfect fit. (its a lesser known top tier LAC)</p>

17

<p>Congrats! As your d is from rural Texas- 35 ACT- great grades and basketball, I think your d will be able to go wherever she wants (almost). You may want to check out the Div III League listing, as many of the schools mentioned are in the same league (I forgot the name of it) It seems alot of the "high academic" schools compete against each other. I believe it includes CMU, U of Roch, WUSTL etc. You may want to include Brown and Dartmouth. Good luck. I think at this point you are going to have to take your daughters lead. She's pretty smart. She'll figure out what is going to work for her. My d is at Cornell, so if you want any info just ask--but it is a pretty big campus, so it may not be what she is looking for- but the do have the Ag. and Life science school (CALS) and the rural and farm areas of NYS may make her feel at home (or course the 2 feet of snow may be a new experience) --- I just checked it's the UAA League- it includes U of Chicago-Brandeis- Case Western and a few others. All schools that may meet her needs. Happy Hunting.</p>

18

<p>Cur: hitch up your topsiders and get back to good old New Emgland to visit Brandeis, one of the tops in neuroscience - also plays in the same league as WUSTL and Rochester. With all that she has, she ought to score large in the merit aid department.</p>

19

<p>Nothing to add to the thoughts of the above well-informed posters, but a question - if she really won't won't won't take the SATIIs, how many of the most selectives does that let out? I'm thinking MIT, don't know re Dartmouth and other Ivies but many/most of them? </p>

<p><em>flips head around as heading out the door and tosses out an idea</em> Stanford? (gotta pitch the home team)</p>

20

<p>look at the nescac schools- arguably the best d3 academic sports leagues in the country (williams, middlebury, amherst, bowdoin, bates, colby, conn college, hamilton, tufts, trinity, wesleyan). all small, top notch, liberal arts schools</p>