Colleges for the Jewish "B" student - Page 963

phillyartmom · 08-03-2012, 11:14 PM

Thanks everyone for the warmth and words of wisdom! Choc Chip, dd is our only child, which I think is partially why I am so sad. I have loved the high school years and the kids at this age (although not always my dd's snotty behavior) and I wish I could do it again. So much of our time has been spent at the school, behind the scenes, so I am pondering my changes as I celebrate my dd's new experiences. I am sure that a few days after our return, I will pop back into my old self! Dd is so excited!

For the new senior parents, as far as favorites... It seemed to me that each time my dd found a school, it became a new favorite, except when she went to see Ringling; she never found one after that that she loved as much (but that did not take place until last summer), so don't worry if your child does not have a feeling for a favorite. We also knew kids that flew under the radar in this experience and then picked at the last minute from the schools where they were accepted, and they are just as happy as all the other kids. Good luck and hold on, it is an exciting but nail biting time!

Pennylane2011 · 08-03-2012, 11:53 PM

My nails are already bit off.....

rockvillemom · 08-04-2012, 11:34 AM

Just wanted to pop in and say good luck to everyone! For those about to bring their son or daughter to college to begin their freshman year - my best advice for move in day - bring lots of patience and a cold drink! Actually - that is probably valid advice for those with hs seniors as well!

Hope everyone's move-in goes well - and my thoughts are with those of you doing college apps. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy to have that process over and done with. Have a plan - meet weekly to review - try not to micro-manage and hover too much (always my weak spot) - and apply chocolate/ice cream/alcohol as needed!

Pennylane2011 · 08-04-2012, 07:16 PM

Thanks RVM- I like the plan for once a week so we are not constantly bringing it up and they know they have a once a week appointment to keep us up on the plans.

Yes, move in day and move out day can get crazy...

vandygrad87 · 08-05-2012, 12:37 PM

Thanks Rockvillemom! Also thinking of all of you as you prepare your birdies to fly the nest. I've learned a lot from this thread over the past few years. I'll be continuing to watch and learn.

champs2004 · 08-05-2012, 01:40 PM

All of you College Freshman Parents - when do you bring your kids to school? Looking forward to hearing about it! Makes me nervous for you, just thinking about it.

I guess my S is not alone regarding his lack of "first choice dream school". I guess I was hoping that something would really feel perfect. Oh well. Maybe this is more common than I thought.

Sop14's Mom · 08-05-2012, 03:40 PM

champs, be careful what you wish for. My DS has found a dream school, which terrifies me, since it's one of the reach schools for everyone.

champs2004 · 08-06-2012, 08:35 AM

I understand what you mean, Sop14. I suppose that's the "up" side of S's predicament. Good luck to your S!

spectrum2 · 08-06-2012, 06:50 PM

Hi ya'll, S2 is home from camp he is doing great and is at his heaviest weight ever. BTW that is good news, He lost 12 pounds at the start of the year and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Phillyartmom, having gone through that experience, so far I cannot be sad about him leaving. I am thrilled that he is in remission and able to go and just pray that he stays well enough to be away. It is a joy to for kids to be able to get out there and pursue their goals. I know I will miss having kiddos at home but it would be sad if they could not get out there and do what they wanted to. I'm not saying that I won't shed any tears when he leavesbut that this experience was so profound for me that any longing for the old high school days is more than made up for by the joy and appreciation in knowing he can get out there and do what he wants to.

Champs: I wonder if it would help if you looked at each college from the perspective of what your son likes abou each of them and use that as a stepping stone to narrowing the field in a specific direction. There is a lot to be said about not having a hands down favorite but it is also nice to have the excitement about what is to come.

Ok now that I have gushed about how well S2 is doing his next hurdle is getting his wisdom teeth out tomorrow. Oy always something.

BTW for those of you who gave your opinion on his sidetrip after camp, he did end up taking it but came back a day early and yesterday and today has been a marathon of shopping at appointments. His comment on that is, "Doing all of this prepartation is making it seem more real."

Vitrac · 08-06-2012, 06:56 PM

Spectrum--so very happy for you and for S2's remission. What a joy! As for the wisdom teeth extraction, make sure to ask him really really personal questions as he is coming out of the anesthesia. He'll tell the truth and never remember talking about it.

spectrum2 · 08-06-2012, 07:27 PM

Haha, thanks Vitrac.....I hadn't thought of that, this could be fun.

LINYMOM · 08-08-2012, 09:17 AM

Just wanted to pop in and say hi. Returned from a long business trip and now need to get DS to focus on the common app. It's time. Want to do as much as we can before school starts in September. I had someone who has worked in admissions for Case Western read his common app essay and she really liked it. Getting a couple of other opinions too. That's way more important that the EC essay, right? His EC essay is fine - he hasn't cured a disease or anything - he's a teenage boy with a passion for his sport. Nothing wrong with that, right?

Been talking to vitrac about the frustration of getting the GPA and class rank from the HS. I think our school holds this till October. What a pain. I will contact GC soon to ask (I don't think she is even in the school over the summer... I will have to see....). How does everyone else handle this? Just wait?

Thinking of all of you who are launching in the next couple of weeks. Can't wait to hear how it goes!

Pennylane2011 · 08-08-2012, 10:16 AM

Spectrum- that is great news about your son. I am so happy for both of you that he is well. Wisdom teeth out is not fun.... hope it is easy for him.

LINYMOM- you are way on top of things! That's great. I don't think there is anything wrong with being a teen. How many of them do cure diseases by 17? I think it's more important for the essay to show who they are... but I am no expert.

pamom59 · 08-08-2012, 10:34 AM

@LINYMOM

as to the "EC essay" are you referring to that short paragraph on the common app? As I recall, there was a character limit, and the trick was getting the paragraph pared down so it would "fit." As to content, the focus should be less on what was done and more on why it was important to your son.

For common app, generally, be sure to "print preview" everything to make sure that answers were not cut off due to exceeding character limits.

rodney · 08-08-2012, 10:07 PM

LINYMOM: yes, we are dealing here with the GPA/class rank, "nothing ready till October" issue......is really a problem with certain schools (UNC Chapel Hill deadline for EA is October 15th!!!).....

I will tell you what I have told the parents of my students; if it's important, someone at the school can get it done........

Our local public has been giving out this BS since the beginning of time.....no wonder there are certain early schools that our kids are never accepted to.......