<p>At my son's school the application deadlines are automatically programmed into the system. The due date I put on the transcript request was not the one entered. He almost missed 2 deadlines for priority apps with no fee. Talk about stressful</p>
<p>My son never met his GC until senior year when told he had to do it. So, a longstanding relationship is not that important in making sure the GC does their job. One thing that helps GCs and Common Application is to make out an activity chart that is more detailed than that available on the Common Application. You can make a document that basically follows the Common App form with Activity/Grade/Hours/and add a "Description" column and put in the "Additional info" section or something like that. Describe the activity and what you actually did. For example, "Nature Center Volunteer" sounds indescript on Common application, but using the more detailed document you create, you can describe the position, what you did and how it relates to your goals or interests...blah, blah, blah, but you get my point. This helps the GC and colleges focus in on who you are and what you have done in greater detail than the Common App allows. Don't let them repeat same stuff in each essay or prompt. Use each prompt to bring out another facet that sort of brings them together as an individual.</p>
<p>Also, spend time writing essay and rewriting essay and supplemental essays. (make them pertinent to the each college). Believe me, I know this is painful. I have a son, and he was not into reworking things and going the extra mile, but I told him this was "his job" and if he did a good enough job it could be worth serious $--$10-20K-no other job a kid does can earn that much money.</p>
<p>jerseymom - i guess that was me you were talking about with the 6.08 D. that's just the way our school does it. she takes the most rigorous classes offered, so she is rewarded for it ... sort of. she usually makes Bs in the tough classes. but right now she has five As and then two Bs in her AP and dual credit classes.</p>
<p>so i wasn't trying to brag or anything, just showing the difference in a weighted and unweighted GPA. some schools have a max of 5. the max in our district is 7.</p>
<p>so mine is definitely a B+er.</p>
<p>vtmt - where did your son end up going?</p>
<p>"2Leashes, if your d's GPA is 4.00 and her class rank is 1, you do not belong in the B+ parents thread."</p>
<p>Oh, but she's only a Junior. This is her first year taking AP classes, as well as the college math course. I'm only trying to be realistic and be prepared if she starts getting those Bs, which I'm sure she will. Believe me, she is not "the academic type". In other words, she goes to school, does the work and has never really showed any huge interest in any one subject. She would much prefer to have a social life and not have to study so hard. So, she may be an straight "A" student now....that doesn't mean this is what she'll be when she starts applying for schools.</p>
<p>vtmt: is HWS Hobart/Wm Smith? We visited there when DD was a tyke. I really liked the campus but thought merit aid was out of the question. We also liked Denison.</p>
<p>I liked Bucknell but fear that DD's SATs won't be in your child's range, but we'll see.</p>
<p>Good to see some merit aid for the B+ ers.</p>
<p>Came down to Denison (first choice just by atmosphere and after meeting biology professors) and they offered 13K/year. All 3 kids from DS high school that were accepted got offered merit aid up to 20K. Next was URichmond, but they offered nothing. Then SUNY Geneseo, which offered nothing, but still a good deal even for OOS. HWS=Hobart and they offered 20k. UVM is about the same as Geneseo. Didn't try to get off any waitlist as figured they wouldn't offer any $$. He will likely go to grad school of some type so need to save as much $$ as possible</p>
<p>Denison so far has been fantastic. Better than I could have ever imagined. They are emphasizing "how to think" not "what to think". DS is interested in Bio and really loved the science facilities and profs. Got 5 on AP Bio, but Denison doesn't let you get out of "first year Bio" because they do it in units and during each unit, groups of students work together to apply unit to real life problems and do extensive research to understand and answer the problem. As well, in his first year seminar writing class, they are studying the Spanish Conquest and looking at original document (diaries, letters, ship manifests etc) and learning to question how we know what we know. So, in essence they are learning how to become life long learners. He loves it and finds it very balanced and stimulating.</p>
<p>So, it can all work out, even for B+students</p>
<p>Really good to hear that about Denison, thanks.</p>
<p>Son might attend a Denison meeting at a nearby hotel on Sunday. It's nice to read positive posts.</p>
<p>You happened to name several of the schools on our S2's early list (Hobart, Skidmore, SUNY Geneseo, Bates, Colby). Did your son visit all of them? It's a bit far for us, but now you've also piqued my interest in Denison. Good info, thanks-</p>
<p>lspf72:
yeah, tell me about it. Denison is a 12 hour drive for us...</p>
<p>The only schools we did not visit wer Bates and Colby; 6 hour drive and thought they were reaches. Were only going to visit if got in. Didn't see Denison either until accepted due to distance.</p>
<p>Basically, they are all your basic LAC atmosphere each with pluses and minuses depending on personal preferences and interests. We looked at others as well that didn't even make the list to apply for various reasons or gut feelings. I have reasons why I didn't like some as well as others, but this is based on knowing my son and his personality rather than a glaring institutional fault. So much depends on the student...</p>
<p>Academically, DS says there are alot of students that are in his opinion "very smart". Lilke I said in earlier post, I think they are preparing them to be life long learners. Even freshman Bio class and Chem are limted to about 15-20 students (they have numerous sections rather tha a a single section in one large auditorium). Class discussion occurs in all classes, even calculus. Students work together rather than against one another to learn. He has gotten to know the reference librarian very well and they are available even on Sunday night. Anyway, I was a bit leary about Denison and its preppy reputation. Came to realize most school are preppy, or at least preppier that high school. We live in Vermont, so if you are preppy, its in an earthy way rather than a Lacoste way. DS says fraternities are "not that big a thing". His group of friends will probably join, but he doesn't think he will and that doesn't affect their friendship. There are no Frat Houses, and kids live in dorms in groups of friends rather than fraternity members. The students for the most part are a balanced mix, enough to make it interesting. DS has gotten involved in the Republican and Democrat Clubs and the kids in dorm got together on Friday night and a group of 30 watched the Presidential Debate and had vigourous, yet respectful discussion. Freshman dorms are "alcohol free" which I was skeptical, but DS say that is pretty much true...if kids want to party and drink, they go to the upper classman dorms. Of course, it does get rowdy, at times, but seems somewhat controlled. So far (its been a month), I can say the his experience has offered outstanding academic and personal growth</p>
<p>Hello5: "His GPA went down last year due to 2 C's in physics and pre-cal. Should he drop Cal with a WF or stick with it?"</p>
<p>Are you saying your S has an F in Calculus right now? (WF = Withdraw Failing?) If so, I think dropping it might be a good idea, or at least looking for a tutor. C's in advanced level classes aren't deal breakers at most colleges (except Ivy's and their ilk), but an F is a big problem.</p>
<p>thanks, vtmt-
We're not crazy about some of the homogenous (preppy) vibes we've picked up at some of the LAC's we've seen, though I know we shouldn't judge from just a short visit. Looking for that magical B/B+ school where the focus is still on academics, classes are small, professors engaging, etc!</p>
<p>So today the priority app comes for a school D2 is interested in - 3rd tier nat'l U, has a specialized science program she plans to major in, "only" 10K students. For the priority app: no rec letters required, self-report grades and scores, 2 week review (admission conditional on receipt of official transcript). Her scores will get her in, even some token merit aid. We haven't visited yet but did go to an info session.</p>
<p>She will still apply to a few reach schools, but I wonder if she would be better off here. She is a B student, B+ on a good day (at a competitive public HS). I know college is way different, and she might be inspired by the challenge and her peers at a flagship, but she might also struggle, whereas at the "lesser" school she won't fail and might even excel. I don't want to take the easy way out, but perhaps its the right thing for her.</p>
<p>drb, I wonder about that too, for son. He's just never had to study that much. When he studied minimally, he got As (although, when he gave up & didn't study at all, he got much lower grades). Now he's studying, again, fairly minimally, but doing well in senior year. Just can't see, though, how that work ethic could translate to a competitive college. For years I've heard about how HS students are working 'so hard'; staying up all hours to finish projects, etc. Son just never did that. How is he going to fare if he gets into a competitive school where kids are used to heavy work loads AND multi-tasking with extra-curriculars & pulling it all off? </p>
<p>I'm trying to be positive. But, maybe there could be something of an upside if son is shut-out of more competitive colleges.</p>
<p>Not every kid should attend a reach school, even if they are admitted. Some kids just run better at the head of the pack. The key is to help your kid figure out at which type of school they can succeed while being challenged.</p>
<p>I have one who will rise to the challenge anywhere, so a reach for him would be fine, although he chose a match. My other two do much better if they are in the middle to front half of the pack and would be a little intimidated at a reach. They are finding success at match schools where their scores put them at the 75% mark.</p>
<p>I wish I had the analytical skills, nuanced reading of psychological factors to figure out where my son would do best!! When son is around 'smart friends' he seems to keep up or exceed the group. Then again, he has chosen this year to only take 2 AP courses (to focus on them and leave himself some 'free time'). He likes to hang around w/friends and play Halo, poker etc. (downtime important, I know). Just have never seen the multi-tasking drive I notice in other high schoolers (then again, these are mainly girls). </p>
<p>I admire the parents who seem able to assess in which milieu their child would thrive most (not that I'd have the final say by any means, but it would be nice to have a clue!).</p>
<p>J Smyth - your son sounds like a mirror image of mine, who is a junior. Social life is extremely important to him. Even his ECs are chosen to a certain extent because they are also good social occasions.</p>
<p>We're trying very hard to figure out the kind of school that will best suit him - not too tough, not too easy, just right. While he can indeed be a focused student for short periods of time when parent pressure calls for it - he is not motivated to excel on his own (which is so unlike his parents or older siblings). We are struggling with making the appropriate shift in focus for his unique college search. And he also has to realize that the type of school his siblings attend - not gonna happen for him. He is not cut out for that work load based on his performance to date (plus he just won't get in).</p>
<p>But then I see others on this thread considering schools I think are too "reachy" for my kiddo and worry I'm selling him short (that can happen with the baby of the family I'm told). Early indicators seem to be he could have some very solid test scores - he's always tested well. Whatever is a parent to do?</p>
<p>I hear you, vulture3. What I'm going to do, in the end, is have son visit his top 3 choices (hopefully he gets into three!!) and get a real indepth feel for the classes/campus life. Then leave it up to him (as long as we can all swing it financially). He's gotta make the call and I hope he knows himself. :-)</p>
<p>PS Btw, if your son tests well & you are up to it---we did apply to a whole bunch of reachy schools for son, for better or worse. Just erred on the side of inclusion, so to have no regrets in that area. Not everyone would go that route, but I couldn't bear to possibly sell him short this early in the process, although who knows if any reaches would even be a fit...</p>
<p>I have read entries at this site for some time and was really getting discouraged. I am so happy to see a group for students making a B average. I am not an anxious person but i fear I am developing into one as I see time flying by. We need help choosing a liberal arts college. We also are concerned that perhaps a liberal arts college may not be the best for our daughter (senior this year). She attends a competitive high school in the south (she does NOT want to stay in the south - she would love living in the NE or NW) She has a bit of a spelling disability that makes spelling accurately difficult in classroom situations. Give her spell check and she's fine. Will this be a problem at a liberal arts college? She does not have a legal LearningDisability label because we never bothered having her formally tested (I am a special ed. teacher) She is smart and has never had any special modifications in her course work. If a liberal arts school is appropriate, where might she be accepted? She is quite bright, liberal, and loves lively classroom discussion (Loves reading and discussing Homer, Rushdie, Atwood). She does well with teachers that are engaging and that have high expectations of their students. She does not do well nor does she have much tolerance for lazy teachers or teachers that only lecture and make assignments. At a "Colleges that Change Lives" event, the one school admissions person that she really enjoyed speaking to, was the person representing Reed College. They both got all excited about speaking ancient Greek, discussing biology, and philosophy. He seemed as happy to chat with her as she him. I suspect he would have been shocked to know her middlin' gpa. She is an accomplished actress but does not want to act for a living, good at film making and editing, good but not excellent in math (taking beginning pre Cal and Trig. currently), great in Biology and Chemistry (A's last year and taking AP versions this year) Her gpa is only a 3.4, weighted it may be 3.5ish. ACT composite is 29, with a 25 in math, 32 in reading, 29 (?) in English and a low (below 50th percentile) on the writing section. She retook an algebra 2 course so we expect her math score to increase. She won the regional science fair (we live in an university town) and thinks she wants to study biochem but at the same time doesn't want to give up her love of the arts. This summer for 6 weeks she went to Governor's School where she flourished. We think she needs a geeky/artsy/liberal school - a place where kids get excited about learning and discussing ideas. We visited Colorado College and she seemed to love it but I'm not sure her scores will be high enough. She is comfortable in the northeast and loves big cities. I have been reading about Goucher but then read that most of the kids are smokers. She has allergies and hates smoke. Though she had difficult 9th and 10th grade years, her junior year grades were her best yet: all A's except a B in AP lit. Extracurriculars: acting, stage management, film competitions, volunteer at local arts center, rock climbing, snow skiing, biking, assistant directing, local food pantry, young democrats......
As you can tell, I am confused and don't know where to begin. Wish I had known to start way earlier than this!!! In her essays, will it hurt her or help her to mention that she is a late bloomer that did not learn to read well until she was 9, has conquered her dyslexia and ADHD but continues to have spelling issues? In the past, it has always been her secret - ..her french teacher (2 of her C's) thought she was lazy for not accurately spelling french. My D, never let the teacher know what was really going on...she didn't continue French after year two, but continues to watch (and sometimes mumble!) in french. Please help! Colleges to consider?</p>