Hello all, I have a rising junior also. She is attending a high school in northern New York, we don't have a normal GPA scale, she ended her sophmore year with a 90 average. She is looking at several public schools in Texas; UTSA, UTA, Texas State, UNT, and Texas Women's University and her top choic of Baylor. Living in New York, we won't have the ability to visit the schools during the school year. We did take a trip this summer to do a few campus tours. UTSA is a great fit for her with UNT or Texas State being a great fit for graduate school.
I would also love to have access to the ACT practice tests. Thanks!
@allboyz Visited George Mason today. We were so impressed! It's now S's first choice. The summary of what the director of admissions said: they look first and foremost at what classes are chosen by the student. They would rather see an A or B in a regular class than an AP class. They'd rather see a class load that reflects interests than a schedule packed with AP classes. They "read" the transcript for As and Bs (occasional C okay) rather than a particular GPA, as the weighting is so different from school to school. Rank was never mentioned. Standardized test scores are considered, but not as much as class schedule and GPA. Take the SAT/ACT in junior year and don't plan on taking it Senior year unless it's really bad. The "optional" personal statement is not really optional. Write it.
Mamaduck, Thank you so much for the information. I feel better about GMU as an option now. We will head up there soon. Thank you very much for the update! I really appreciate it!
Just realized that should have read "they would rather see an A or B in a regular class than a C in an AP class". Also highly encouraged non binding early action, which is the reason they discourage Senior year standardized tests. Early admission is the only way you'll get merit money, and they're trying to include that amount in with acceptance letters on December 15. Of course, need based financial aid would be in spring after FAFSA. Also talent and athletic scholarships run on a different schedule.
Glad about this --- DD has announced one more criteria for her future college: It must be in a city with lots of big buildings and street life. No sleepy pastures, forests or deserts. I'm delighted by this news, as it's what I thought she'd want. Now, I hope to listen and learn more about WHY on a long college-visit car ride we're taking tomorrow. To a college in a vast, sprawling, far-out suburb, hours from any big city. Oh, well. Road trip to nowhere.
petrichor11Registered UserPosts: 1,114Senior Member
edited August 2014
Hi, may I join?
I have two who are rising juniors. S16 is a driven high achieving kid; D16 is equally bright but very very easily stressed and needs a much gentler path through life. She's in honors classes (which at our school indicates one has a pulse) and makes decent grades but tests...unspectacularly. I'd rather see her solidly in the top third of the pack in college than struggling to keep up at the same time she's getting used to being on her own. I don't see that scenario ending well.
She fell in love with Kenyon and Smith at one point and I'm trying to steer her toward some similar-in-feel, less selective schools. I'd be interested in input. Right now she's got Eckerd and Flagler on the list, and George Mason as well. (It's a pretty big list.) Undecided as to major, maybe environmental studies.
I told her she needs to look at schools where we have people who could be her go-to family for emergencies Her preference is NoVa or possibly CA (we have family near Monterey, and having people within an hour or two is one of my stipulations for her), and that it be a school her brother isn't interested in.
petrichor11Registered UserPosts: 1,114Senior Member
Thanks! It's a little awkward, yes, especially with such different needs. I feel like I'm reinventing the wheel constantly. It will be good for each of them to go off to college and not be a twin.
petrichor11Registered UserPosts: 1,114Senior Member
Has everyone started back yet? We're on round three of schedule changes, with one more possible in the future, though the GC promises she'll try not to move D around again at the ten day count. Aside from having no English class this year (and she had a credit from middle school, so it's not as dire as it could be), D's got a great schedule.
I came home from work today and found S at the table doing homework. This motivation is fairly unprecedented. He is thrilled with his schedule - Chemistry, dual enrollment US History, English, Computer Programming, Computer Information Technology (networking), Algebra II, and German III.
@petrichor11 - Might your daughter be interested in Mills College? Not sure the distance to family in Monterey for quick response, but fine for holidays/breaks.
What about Sweet Briar gorgeous campus; reputation for wonderful professor student access. It's one of two women college that has engineering. Noted for a strong liberal arts school also. Top riding school if she is in to that. Hollins would be another school you may want to look at for your daughter.
Replies to: Parents of the HS Class of 2016 - 3.0 to 3.3 GPA
I would also love to have access to the ACT practice tests. Thanks!
I have two who are rising juniors. S16 is a driven high achieving kid; D16 is equally bright but very very easily stressed and needs a much gentler path through life. She's in honors classes (which at our school indicates one has a pulse) and makes decent grades but tests...unspectacularly. I'd rather see her solidly in the top third of the pack in college than struggling to keep up at the same time she's getting used to being on her own. I don't see that scenario ending well.
She fell in love with Kenyon and Smith at one point and I'm trying to steer her toward some similar-in-feel, less selective schools. I'd be interested in input. Right now she's got Eckerd and Flagler on the list, and George Mason as well. (It's a pretty big list.) Undecided as to major, maybe environmental studies.
I told her she needs to look at schools where we have people who could be her go-to family for emergencies Her preference is NoVa or possibly CA (we have family near Monterey, and having people within an hour or two is one of my stipulations for her), and that it be a school her brother isn't interested in.
It must be difficult to have two kids going through the process together! My D13 looked at Flagler. She ultimately realized she liked St Augustine more than Flagler, but we did like the school a lot. Roanoke College is another school to look at http://roanoke.edu/Academics/Academic_Departments/Environmental_Studies.htm
What about Sweet Briar gorgeous campus; reputation for wonderful professor student access. It's one of two women college that has engineering. Noted for a strong liberal arts school also. Top riding school if she is in to that. Hollins would be another school you may want to look at for your daughter.