<p>Thanks for asking! The meeting went O.K., I guess. Kind of what I had expected. I asked her if I could see the school profile. I had printed off the college profile info. on the college board site that editrix had given a link to. For the most part, everything was on there that should have been, but there was no explanation of the ranking system (how the class rank was based on the uw GPA). I asked the GC if she would mind including a short explanation of the system with her paperwork for the remaining colleges, and though she sort of gave me that "Now, WHY would I need to do that" look, she did finally agree to do it. I tried to gently explain to her what all of you good people on this site had said about the importance of this type of thing with the elite admissions offices, but I don't know if I succeeded. I had seen his transcript just prior to the Yale app. going out, and everything looked to be in order on that. So, I did everything that I could, and at least one good thing came of the meeting. I did feel a bit more reassured in that I think in her own way, she is doing the best she knows how to do for my son~whether or not it will be good ENOUGH is another story, but keep your fingers crossed, O.K.? fondly, ~berurah</p>
<p>You have recieved excellent advice, and I think your son will excel at any school on his list. No matter what happens with guidance, etc. he is a fantastic kid who I would be proud to call my son.</p>
<p>If I recall correctly, on the counselor report form that most colleges have your GC fill out, it asks for class rank and then there is a blank and it asks if the rank is weighted or unweighted....right on the form. Therefore I recall our GC filling in the rank and then Unweighted. It is also explained on the school profile but I am just saying it is a question right on the GC report, am pretty sure, for most colleges. </p>
<p>Don't even get me started on the school profiles....transcripts too. I relayed our experience last year when I asked to see the profile and it was very outdated and completely false in many areas in a way that made a big difference in interpretting a transcript. After lots of intervention, they rewrote the school profile when I pointed out all the errors on it to the principal and the detriment to college applicants.</p>
<p>My fingers are crossed!!! Just think, only 10 more days and it will be out of our hands.......again.
Out of our hands and with our fingers crossed----the positions we'll be holding for the next 4 months.</p>
<p>Well, the 10-page thingy was a joke based on bluebayou's comment on page 8. But yeah...it did make it <em>lol</em> I really appreciate the kind words about my son. I am so very proud of him regardless of where he ends up attending school. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>soozievt--You know, I guess I never really looked at those forms as carefully as I should have. I looked at the teacher rec. forms pretty carefully, but not the counselor one. If it is on there, then maybe that's why the GC was looking at me that way!! <em>LOL</em> What kinds of errors did you find on the school profile at your school? Ours <em>seemed</em> to be O.K., but then, it had bunches of statistics that I'd probably have to dig pretty deeply to verify. I was just wondering what kinds of things would be that glaring? And GOOD FOR YOU for finding them and in doing so, helping all the students at your school!! ~berurah</p>
<p>Everything on me is going to be crossed for so long that I'll probably never be able to straighten it all out!! Of course, half of those things will be crossed for your son!!! Yep, 10 days and counting.....</p>
<p>I have been baking biscotti like a madwoman!!! 6 kids= tons of teacher gifts!! Better go and throw the cookies in now....<em>lol</em> ~berurah</p>
<p>Berurah, I searched for this thread specifically as I am now on the computer for a bunch of stuff that needs to get done and I am so addicted to CC that I bounce back and forth from this forum and my work! I wanted to let you know that you and your son were on my mind this week, as I have known ever so many families in this boat. Hopefully, your son gets all of his apps out this week. As I posted earlier, there is nothing wrong with his picks as long as it is understood that they are all reaches, not just for him but really for any student. I know that he has the State U in his pocket as a safety, but there seems to me to be a big jump between the two categories. Also, if you are in need of financial aid to pay the $40K+ tuitions, your son should also be looking at a number of schools where they would be willing come up with a nice package for him. Michigan, one of the choices where he imay be accepted is not so generous to out of staters in that category, as many people I know have found out. Although, fellow poster Originaloog, has not been favorably inclined with your thread, his strategy with his very talented student is one that you might want to research, as it would net a fine school with research opportunities with good merit/financial aid packages. Some schools like Rochester, Case Western, Rensselaer, Bard--all are seeking students like your son. The reason I am posting right now is that even if the school deadlines are later, merit award deadlines can be earlier, and you do not want to miss out on the biggie--12/31 deadline which is around the corner. </p>
<p>Do keep us posted. Good luck and take care.</p>
<p>I so appreciate both your thoughts of us and your excellent advice. My son will be working nonstop from now until 12/31 (also my oldest D's birthday!) to get everything done. He mostly has some tweaking of essays left to do. I have to say that he is still a bit discouraged and seems almost resigned to the state school. It would not be the end of the world, I think, if that does happen, but I am still keeping my fingers crossed for him for something a bit more fitting. I do realize, though, that transferring is always an option later, and who knows, it may just end up saving us some money that we can put toward grad. school.</p>
<p>For anyone who may be interested: I did receive a rather profuse apology from originaloog for his behavior toward me on this thread. It was done in a pm with a different username as his privileges had been suspended with his <em>original</em> (pun intended) username. He also offered to extend a public apology at such time as his privileges are reinstated. It is really not necessary, but I appreciated the offer.</p>
<p>I'll keep everyone posted on how things unfold. Thanks again, jamimom, for your concern.</p>
<p>I'm glad Originaloog apologized to you. I hope his priviliges are reinstated as I do feel that his experiences in the college process are very valuable to many, many kids and families posting. His son's approach was successful and had a degree of pragmatism that is often missing as families too often focus on the "shoot for the stars" schools without any idea of the impact of those low selectivity numbers and he also addresses the issue of the out of stratosphere costs. There are a number of undervalued schools that offer outstanding opportunities at bargain basement prices, and Originaloog seems to have a handle on them. You may want to ask his advice and get his list as I do believe it can directly benefit your family and your son.</p>
<p>Actually, originaloog's approach seems to be just what we need--"outstanding opportunities at bargain basement prices"! I, too, hope that he is reinstated soon. For the record, it was not I who notified any moderators. I was very surprised to see that his privileges had been revoked. I suppose that I have come to see that type of behavior as part and parcel of internet bulletin boards (though surely an unsavory part). I hope that he is able to bring his unique expertise back to this forum soon.</p>
<p>I wouldn't give up all hope on the rest of the top-tier schools. I was rejected RD from Yale and still managed to pull a (near) full ride (AB Duke Scholarship) from Duke. Yale and Harvard are extremely strange in their admissions because of the shear volume of legacies that they accept on top of the minorities/athletes/specific ppl they need for academic programs.</p>
<p>Wow! That is so encouraging! I am so glad that a fantastic school such as Duke recognized your abilities and rewarded them appropriately!! I tend to think you are absolutely right about Harvard/Yale. Thanks for posting. ~berurah</p>
<p>Crawling back into the forum with sackcloth and ashes, I will just say that I am sorry to everyone I offended, particularly Berurah who was kind enough to accept my PM apology. I know that I can be opinionated and like lively debate, but........I went way too far and deserve the criticisms that resulted in my last post here.</p>
<p>Welcome back. I think your experience and advice are very valuable, in particular to students such as Berurah's S who is very strong in math/science but does not have access to advice about non HYPS-schools that can offer a great education at an affordable price via merit aid or need-based aid. I know two graduates of RPI and a young woman (D of one) who is attending with a full ride.</p>
<p>I am so glad that you are back, Originaloog. As I stated to Berurah, your family's approach to finding the best schools for your son is a strategy that is not often discussed in all of the how to guides. It is only on these boards that you find this kind of specialty niche.</p>
<p>Welcome back! As I said, I very much appreciate the apologies, both private and public. It takes a person of great strength and integrity to be able to offer those.</p>
<p>Now, if you get a chance, I'd LOVE to hear all about your son's college search and selection process, or if it is more efficient, just give me links to ones you wrote in the past. Thanks so much! I look forward to your story/advice. ~berurah</p>