<p>Fellow Parents:
D is a Jr in mich parochial school with varied interests. Great writer doing well in AP Eng, AP Hist. Suggestions for colleges in Midwest? Already visited UMich, UChicago, ND, NW,Oberlin, Kenyon visit coming up. Can't decide large or small school, public or private.</p>
<p>GPA 3.95, #2 in hs class, taking ACT in Apr, varsity soccer cap, VB all-league, community service, NHS officer, Student Govt officer, vocal.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Carleton, Grinnell, Beloit, Lawrence? Lawrence is great for music because it has a conservatory too.</p>
<p>Washington University in St. Louis could be a good choice. It is strong in all your areas of interest, and has an art school (where all students can take classes).</p>
<p>Knox College in Illinois has an excellent creative writing program and very strong history/pre-law program. Beloit would be another possibility. I also like St. Olaf's English and History programs and their art programs are also great - plus they have lots of terrific study abroad options. All would be matches/safeties depending on her ACT but are very solid and strong schools. If her ACT is high enough, she'd be offered merit money at Knox. For large universities, she might take a close look at Northwestern with their excellent communications and strong English/history programs.</p>
<p>Things just got a little more complicated. D's HS will announce Tuesday it's closing end of school year and will offer Jr's opportunity to graduate end of summer if they take Govt and English class. At this time I don't see an advantage for her to graduate HS early..app dates are long gone, fin aid deadline gone, and of course, don't know if D's ready/interested in college for this Fall. </p>
<p>Any advantage to grad early and take comm coll classes? Not sure if colleges are likely to accept transfer after one year of cc.</p>
<p>Plans to visit Beloit, Knox, Grinnell this summer still on. Any info regarding Dominican U in Il.?</p>
<p>Thanks, again.</p>
<p>You might want to make the "school closing" issue into a new thread, so it gets proper attention.</p>
<p>Wow! That does not leave a long time for planning, does it? But your D could turn this unexpected turn of events to her advantage.</p>
<p>Your D can take a gap year and use the time to take some comm coll courses and do a variety of paid or volunteer activities while continuing with her college search. As long as she is not enrolled full time in the comm college, she would not be considered a transfer student (but make sure to check this out with individual colleges). </p>
<p>Look carefully at the recommended high school curriculum of the colleges she is interested in and choose comm coll courses accordingly. These courses will buttress her application. Enquire about credit for comm college courses. Each school treats them somewhat differently (some prefer AP courses because of their more predictable curriculum and standardized exam). There will be the advantage that your D will not have to try to fit the courses into her hs schedule.<br>
If, however, your D has built a strong enough high school record, she could do the full gap year. She could consider spending a year abroad or doing volunteer work, or an internship, etc...</p>
<p>Meanwhile, secure recs from current teachers. The best thing to do is to download the Common Application teacher rec form and ask the teacher to make as many copies of the filled out form as your D is likely to need (8-10?). You can provide stamped enveloppes to each teacher, and ask them to sign their names across the flap. When your D has decided where to apply, she can fill in the address. If the colleges to which your D will be applying does not use the Common App, she will be able to explain the situation. Most colleges will be happy to use the Common App rec form.</p>
<p>At the same time, ask about provisions for getting transcripts, GPAs, class rank, etc.... before the school closes in June. At least have a copy for your own files. If it turns out that it will not be possible to have these documents sent directly from the school to colleges, you might be able to have the copies notarized as be true copies of the original.</p>