<p>@ChoatieMom: That’s what I’m very interested in seeing…so, of the kids who’ve come through SAS before with stats similar to my kid, how have they fared at X, Y, Z schools. They had this when I was given Naviance log in info last year, so I’m hoping that Periwinkle is right and they it’s just inactive while they are updating…</p>
<p>^^^^
So you have no Scattergrams SevenDad? The “school stats” section at least will tell you how many from SAS each school accepted.</p>
<p>No scattergrams on our Naviance dashboard. I did see that “school stats” section last year…but it seems to have disappeared. Again, I hope because they are going to update with Class of 2014 results for the Fall.</p>
<p>Back from another info session/tour. I am still amazed by the questions that are asked by parents (and students!) in these things. I have heard every variation of “What are you looking for in applicants?”</p>
<p>I mean…really? Besides having strong scores, a strong transcript, strong essays, and some evidence of either leadership or commitment to ECs? What exactly do people think AOs are going to say in a room full of 1000+ people? What “secret formula” do people think will be revealed to them in these sessions?</p>
<p>I think for future visits, I’m opting out of the info sessions…just going to hang out with my younger daughter and rejoin wife/7D1 for tours.</p>
<p>FYI, unlike during our BS searches, I have been looking a lot more closely at the town a college is located in…</p>
<p>@SevenDad – most of the questions we heard were easily available on the college website. All of us find it annoying and have also chosen to skip some of the “info” sessions. </p>
<p>@MamaBear16: I totally agree…I’m always like “Um, the answer to that question is available on the website…WHICH YOU MOST LIKELY VISITED TO REGISTER FOR THIS INFO SESSION/TOUR!”</p>
<p>Another component of my dislike of college tours (compared to BS tours) so far are the numbers. There have been roughly 1 million* people on a few of the tours we’ve been on. And besides the crush of humanity, what rubs me the wrong way about this is the feeling that “How is my kid — despite her strong grades, test scores, and overall amiable demeanor — going to stand out among this throng?!?”</p>
<p>Unfortunately, given her shift in focus toward large schools, I fear we have more “large scale” college events in our future. I’ve tried to not turn sour during the info sessions/tours, but it has been VERY difficult. My wife is close to resorting to duct tape to help me keep my mouth shut. We agree that a better use of my time is entertaining my younger daughter.</p>
<p>*Hyperbole alert!</p>
<p>I’d like to skip all info sessions but sometimes something is mentioned that isn’t widely shown on the websites. For instance, a large school that was initially thought of as kind of a safety has risen to the top because a student panelist mentioned one of her teachers, and my daughter immediately recognized the name as the author of one of her favorite textbooks in the field she’ll major in. So, if your child is an uber geek like mine, it can sometimes be helpful. :)</p>
<p>
Yes, GMTbetterhalf has remarked on the useful nuggets gleaned and the opportunity to chat w the adcoms.</p>
<p>So far S1 has only looked at schools below the Mason-Dixon. He’s had enough of grim, grey winters.</p>
<p>I’ve also had info session at LAC’s where there were 1-3 students in the info session and it felt more like an interview. And one at Brown where the guy should look into a career as a stand-up comedian. He had us in stitches the entire time (“We are expensive. Let me give you an analogy. Go pick out an expensive sports car and buy it. Drive it off a cliff like Thelma and Louise only jump out at the last minute. Repeat 3 more times.”!!)</p>
<p>@Sudsie&GMTplus7: Still not selling me on the info sessions! ;-P</p>
<p>Question for everyone…in kicking around the internet, I came across Cappex. Is this the worst idea/site ever, or a potentially helpful tool for which I should register?</p>
<p>@SevenDad – I’m with you. We sat through SO many, hoping for that one tidbit of interesting advice that we keep hearing about. It has never happened. Some are better than others… the small colleges are usually the best (and you’re not looking there) since there are fewer families there and it becomes more of a conversation sometimes. But even then, it’s more of the same questions that can easily be answered in about 30 seconds on the college website.</p>
<p>As for Cappex, I checked it out a while back, thought it was mildly interesting, but haven’t returned. So I guess I don’t think it’s all that helpful. There is so much info here on CC that I didn’t learn much over
there.</p>
<p>We have gone to all the info sessions at the schools we have toured. We just want to see how the whole thing is handled. Who do they have presenting from the Admissions Office? What do they choose to emphasize in their presentation? Are they welcoming or harping on their record low admissions rate last year? It is just one more piece of the puzzle that helps you get a better handle on the ethos of the school. We also like the student presentations but have to admit there have been a few where the students seemed woefully unprepared. Thinking maybe these students should get some sort of campus “perk” for participating so perhaps they put more effort into keeping the job. </p>
<p>I agree that the town surrounding the school is a very important consideration. Depending on what your child’s preferences are, that fit could make or break their college experience. After 4 years at BS my child would definitely prefer an urban experience or at least a sizable town. Think she is done with bucolic countryside for now. </p>
<p>Maybe the reason we are still on the LAC track is that D2 started as a Junior, coming from a high school that was almost 4 times as large as her BS. She hasn’t had time to get tired of the small enviornment. She still says she loves the fact that she goes outside to pass between classes, despite the horrible winter we had in the northeast last year. Plus she really values the personal relationships she has developed with teacher and thinks it will be easier to do that in a LAC. Each kid is different…</p>
<p>3 websites I’ve tried:</p>
<p>1) USNWR College Compass: complete waste of my 30 bucks >:P
<< I won’t bother giving u the link >> </p>
<p>2) Parchment: fun to play with & useful in terms of comparing admission chances (SevenDad, they have scattergrams). I made a account for our dog and filled in S1’s stats to see what it predicted his chances were :o3
<a href=“See your chances of getting accepted | Parchment - College admissions predictions.”>http://www.parchment.com/c/my-chances/</a></p>
<p>3) Peterson’s College Search: free and a much better one-stop data source than USNWR :-bd
<a href=“College Search | College Finder | Colleges by Major & Location”>http://www.petersons.com/college-search.aspx</a></p>
<p>What about Unigo? Free and I think the student reviews do give some insight into the school.</p>
<p>^^^^^
Not sure why the name of the website won’t show. </p>
<p>Does anyone know if BS kids are assigned a rep from their home region or their school region?</p>
<p>@Neatoburrito For college admissions? School region.</p>
<p>I would imagine: school region. The college liases w your school’s GC. </p>
<p>That is what I’m hoping. It makes more sense.</p>
<p>Brown gives a list: [ur]<a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Brown University”>Undergraduate Admission | Brown University;