Parents of the HS Class of 2015 - Page 2

mihcal1 · 02-15-2011, 01:50 PM

There are two problems with taking AP courses in the summer:

(1) It is a looooong time between summer and the AP exams the following May. My D12 hasn't decided if she is willing to put in all the effort to review the USGovt material for the exam.

(2) Our HS doesn't give honors points for courses taken off campus, so summer courses don't give her the GPA boost of APs taken during the regular school year.

There are no honors points for Orchestra class (not even for kids playing in the Honors Orchestra) so being an Orchestra kid basically keeps my D12 out of the running for top class rank.

IJustDrive · 02-15-2011, 03:11 PM

Our local hs has *just* added music classes to classes eligible for the honors "bump", but since you can only have 3 per semester count in that category, I don't see that it will make a difference. (Highest Weighted GPA possible is 4.3, a .1 bump for 3 classes per semester.)

I see the problem with the AP exam. I'm just thinking about the class(es) for credit. Something to run by the GC in any event.

nurseaimee · 02-15-2011, 05:17 PM

OK, so apparently even though I work in computer technology, I'm not NERDY ENOUGH!!! LOL I have no idea what CC is even.... but I guewss what I have is 1 son (first born) who is 13 and starting HS next year, graduating in 2015. So much for my short-hand!!

Thanks for the education. I'll try to not break any more "rules", per se.

nurseaimee · 02-15-2011, 06:38 PM

I went and read the abbreviation thread...mostly...and learned what CC is, and now I feel moronic! LOL

mihcal1 · 02-17-2011, 01:36 AM

D15 reports that the counselor at her middle school came in to English class today and told them all about transcripts, GPAs, HS graduation requirements, and admission requirements for UC and CSU schools, and community colleges. Also, that there are lots of things to do after HS other than go to an Ivy League college (or any college). Exciting!

Quotia · 02-17-2011, 11:55 AM

Hi all! My eldest is 13 and sooooo looking forward to high school next year. She's already picked her classes, which just upped the excitement level. She loves drawing and writing fiction. At the moment, her favorite subject is French.

Right now, she wants to study architecture at Tulane. A few months ago, she surprised me by bringing it up. We'd always talked about college and careers in general ways, but I had no idea she'd come up with such a specific plan. She may change her mind before the time comes, but she tends to be pretty steady and know her own mind. We're visiting family in New Orleans this summer, so we'll make an informal campus visit - just to walk around campus and maybe get her at tshirt.

We have 2 younger kids as well - one will be hs class of 17 and the other hs class of 21(!).

mayhew · 02-17-2011, 08:27 PM

Hello! My D2 is class of 2015, but hard to project colleges yet as she is still waiting to receive high school admission decisions! Her older sister, D1, class of 2011 recently finished her college process, so 1 down, 1 to go

D2 has toured around 15 college campuses as she was along for part of the ride when her older sister and I spent part of the last 2 summers visiting over 20 college campuses (excessive, I know, but we actually had a really good time, and it was a fun experience to share). That will be helpful I think as D2 has started to think about what was appealing to her. Math/science motivated.....D2 wants to be an engineer as well as being an uber-Martha Stewart - a good mix

mihcal1 · 02-17-2011, 11:25 PM

Welcome, mayhew!
Any gems of wisdom you'd like to share from your D1's college search process?

kumitedad · 02-18-2011, 04:19 PM

Kelowna

A little late to the dance but IMHO if it is a choice between Mandarin and French, I would take Mandarin. My DS will be taking immersion Mandarin in Beijing through his college. I told my kids that they should know either Spanish or Mandarin. I think that they will be the most useful to them, again IMHO

Have fun with the college search, it will be "interesting"

mayhew · 02-18-2011, 04:27 PM

mihcal1: That is terrific that your daughter's class was spoken to about the relevance of GPAs, graduation & admission requirements. Really great to make them aware of the significance of all of these sooner rather than later. Too often that does not enter their conscience until 10th or 11th grade, I think!

Regarding my D1, her college process has been quite different than what I think D2 will experience. D1 was a recruited athlete, and is happy to be rowing for an ivy in the fall. She was really fortunate to have a lot of schools pursue her - not a typical applicant experience, and I doubt that we will ever experience that again!

I suppose the one thing that I have really learned, other than the obvious points, is just how valuable a "hook" is - that one thing that sets you apart from the general applicant pool, whatever the talent may be. What is the hardest challenge I think that is there are SO many great, multi-talented, bright, impressive students in the applicant pool. One ivy told us that they create "well-rounded classes", meaning that all together, it is a well-rounded group. Individually though, each student has that one special talent, no matter what it may be, that makes them a stand-out in the eyes of the admission office. This probably holds true for many schools.

We are starting an exciting journey

IJustDrive · 03-12-2011, 04:29 PM

Is anyone else in a community that makes a big deal over 8th grade "graduation"? I am so annoyed, even though I knew it was coming. Why are we spending mega-bucks and paying lots of attention when, at least in this community we expect all of our children to graduate from high school and 97% of them to go on to college? And why am I funding this?

shillyshally · 03-12-2011, 10:56 PM

They have a very nice 8th grade promotion ceremony here but I wouldn't say it's fancy, and it's free thankfully! Each school has done a graduation of sorts - elementary, middle and then of course high school but only the high school one has all the pomp and circumstance.

What do they do where you are? It sounds like it must be elaborate!

collegemaw · 03-13-2011, 12:29 AM

I'm spending more time on (more reading than posting, can't keep up with folks in there!) the HS 2011 thread with D11's college journey but it will be fun to poke along in here too off and on as younger D is heading to high school in the fall.

Mayhew--our older D is not a school athlete but the 14 yr old is quite a scholar/athlete who loves and does very well at both academics and sports so far-- so that will be a new road for us--I've been doing some reading in the 'Athletic' Forum also

Triplets! Wow--CC will be such a treasure of info and support for you the next few years

mihcal1 · 03-14-2011, 02:13 AM

Our JrHS does a Promotion ceremony on the morning of the last day of school. The principal gives a pablum speech where he says how proud he is and highlights kids' accomplishments (e.g., science fair & art contest winners). Then each kids is called by name, walks across the makeshift outdoor stage, shakes hands with their advisement teacher, and the parents get to snap a quick photo. It's all over in time for lunch.

That same evening there's a semi-formal dance at the Boys and Girls Club. The girls get all dressed up, then all kick off their 3" heels to dance in groups. The boys stand around looking sheepish and intermittently play-punch one-another. It's only for the 8th graders (can't bring dates). There might be a minor fee for the dance that covers expenses for food and decoration.

It's not a big deal, but it's tastefully done.

Gibson1514 · 03-22-2011, 08:04 PM

I also have D1 2011 and D2 2015. Hard to believe one leaves for college and the other is entering High School. D2 is going to miss her sister.

D1's high school years went so fast, I wish I could freeze time..........

Will be fun getting to know y'all over the next 4 years.