Parents of the HS Class of 2013 - 3.0 to 3.3 GPA

[OHMomof2]

Plus Earlham has a great language program, esp in Japanese (not sure about Arabic but worth a look). And study abroad program. And is generous with merit.

[Joisymom]

Apologies if I'm bragging. Ok not if, I am bragging - but this feels like a safe place to do so. Most of the kids we're discussing here have had a real struggle and I know I love to hear about their success and celebrate with you. D got that feedback on her essay today and the English teacher told her it is one of the best he's read. So proud.

[umich8790]

Congrats, Joisymom.....all of our kids' successes are hard-fought and worth celebrating.

[ehmanages]

Thanks to all for the feedback thus far!

His grades are unweighted that I posted before and nearly all his classes have been honors or AP level since he began high school. His STEM school doesn't grant extra weighting - pretty rigorous curriculum. He tests so highly that it seems almost like a parlor trick and teachers and counselors have been confused with his struggles... and his reluctance to turn in homework or explain anything in detail beyond the exact facts... unless the question was on Economic theories of the 18th century or military strategies of the senior Prussian Army War Staff during Imperial Germany or similar.

We only discovered this when a physical therapist in evaluating his unusual walking gait - asked if Andrew had been diagnosed as having Asperger's. That this caught us by surprise is an understatement. We always thought he was really bright but maybe a bit less focused on school. The therapy and related treatment methodologies have been incredibly transformative. He's at a 4.0 this year with a tough schedule and is thriving. Truly, kids are pretty amazing and can blossom with the right support.

[Leacoop]

Common app completed, with the exception of the essay. Nothing else is finished.

However, my DS casually mentioned in the car the other day that if it wasn't for me, he wouldn't know anything about the college search and application process. Can't remember what we were talking about at the time because I was so shocked, and quite frankly, thrilled, that every thought left my head. This is the first acknowledgement that I'm not just a nagging mother who is driving him crazy!

[anniezz]

Joisymom, that just made me smile!

Leacoop, oh I wish my DS would have ever said that to me! Or DD for that matter. You have a great S.

No essays finished here. D started over last week and has a much better start, but she's been struggling with it. She has such a hard time actually writing an essay - either it comes off cheesy because she writes what she thinks she is supposed to write, or it's disjointed because she second-guesses along the way and stops and starts. I don't know how to get her over that hump - writing came very easy to me and she rejects my suggestions.

[5boys]

Joisymom.. that is just awesome!! My son was not the best writer and I think it hurt him in admissions. To all the rest of you 2013'ers.. take a breath and know everything will get done and one day soon you will just be able to sit back and wait... exciting times!!

ehmanges.. I would definitely shoot for the moon, but have some realistic safeties that your son really likes as well. My DS was similar to your S.. he had around a 3.5 W from a VERY rigorous private prep, with 5 AP's and 2200 SAT. He also had some pretty heavy EC's. Eagle Scout, 1500 volunteer hours, and spent a semester at a school on an organic farm in VT. He did not get into any of his reaches or matches.. but did get into all of his safeties with tons of $$$. He ended up falling in love with one of them after he went to accepted students day and that is where he will be going next August after a gap year. I was hoping for some holistic reviews as well, but after it was all said and done.. I think GPA is IT.. unfortunately for my S. He was one of those kids who would get A's on all of his tests but not turn in HW.. so tons of B+'s... no C's though.

My last thought.. if you are full pay it will help A LOT at the smaller LAC's... my S was not:-((

[CalAlum]

if you are full pay it will help A LOT at the smaller LAC's... my S was not:-((
Today 05:45 PM

5boys, I respectfully disagree with this. I'm glad your son found a great place, because I remember you from the Whitman message board. My son was full pay, with an unweighted gpa of 3.44 and a weighted gpa of 4.02, and with SAT scores and extra-curriculars very similar to your son's, including Eagle Scout. Those high SAT scores did gain him admission to UC San Diego and Emory University, but he was turned down by the reaches -- Whitman and Middlebury -- and also by most matches.

He went to Willamette University, a safety that he fell in love with during a campus visit. And so all's well that ends well. We've been very impressed with the education he's getting there, and the internship opportunities are amazing.

[NPRMom]

@anniezz
The ad com (is that the right term?) at Wesleyan came to my D's school when she was a senior and gave this advice about the essay:

to thine own self be true

Encourage your daughter to write from her heart and tell a story that has meaning for her. Many drafts may be necessary, but the writing must be her own true feelings.

My S's essay is weak, I think, and needs a stronger conclusion. But he loves it and it's HIS story about a time a teacher noticed him and complimented him. So, I let it go because after all, I want colleges to see him for who he is and where he is right now.

BTW, we are one app complete-and met with addmissions counselor from the school at his HS and she confirmed, plus one official visit to another school down (that was great!) and is now motiviating S to complete the second app even though its not due until December 1. We will wait on the safeties until we hear from the EA schools. Most have later deadlines and we didn't qualify for FA (although we need it!) with our D.

Good luck everyone! Just think, soon we'll posting our acceptances and we'll be obsession over the decision of WHICH school to choose!

[idahomom]

Happy to hear of progress on the Common App by so many of your kids! That's great! Quick update on DS.

Common App almost done-- he needs to copy the essay into the common app but he says it's done-- no more drafts, edits, no more changing. Which is fine because I think it's his best effort. He needs to add one more Award-- student of the month at his HS (minor brag by me!) He has never won this before over 3+ years at the HS-- while his brother and sister won several so he was quite happy even though he won't admit it.

He is flying back today from a visit to 3 LA area schools---- LMU, Whittier and Redlands. He sounded positive about all of them over the phone but we will see what he says in person. These are his last visits before sending in applications. I think he doesn't want to say which schools are his top choices in case he doesn't get in. That's fine with me although I am curious. He is applying to 8--- already in at MTSU which doesn't use common app. I think 6 have early action so I am pushing for him to get those in by Nov 1st or whatever the deadline is

I will be very happy when it is Nov 1st-- hopeful that the applications will be done and then we can wait-- which is stressful as well, but at that point there is nothing more he can do

[Rubytuesday2]

I'm laying low until after the applications/recommendations have gone out. I fear if I give too many details the admin at my son's school might figure out it's me (if they read this) and I need the GCs good graces. DS is off to a good start this year staying organized, working on his app BUT his GC has been a nightmare, still hasn't met with him despite several attempts and nothing goes out until she does.
Quick question, one thing I am unclear about, I believe a parent has to sign the transcript release form because he is under 18, GC says no. Am I wrong? I hope I am or else it's another delay

[ugadog99]

Oh my goodness, my D received an acceptance today from Coastal Carolina! We are stunned, really, since her ACT scores were so atrocious. She still has to go through the interview/portfolio review, but this is huge! She is at her favorite theatre company volunteering today and has a B in math for the first time EVER in high school, so all is right with the world! She has a few items to finish up tomorrow for other theatre schools, but we are just going to enjoy today!

[NPRMom]

Ruby, I don't think I've ever signed anything. I'm sure it's fine.

[Joisymom]

Congrats Ugadog - awesome news!

[HeavyLidded]

Joisymom, isn't it nice when they are recognized

Ugadog- Congrats to your DD. Must feel REALLY good to have that in your pocket!

Still barely any movement here. Maybe she is completing everything in her head, first? Sigh.