Applying to college as a HS junior

pianomom
Mon, 28 Nov 2005 15:05:25 +0000

motherofperl, our son applied in June after his junior year for the coming fall.

My responses to your original questions:

1. S had everything completed but had just taken the ACT a second time. He wanted them to consider that score which they only needed a week to receive.

2.The support of our high school was extremely important, especially because after some discussion we felt that he needed to earn a hs diploma.
We also needed his counselor’s report and teacher recs. completed in a week. Our son, age 16 at that time, presented a very compelling case to the counselor and his teachers, we stayed out of it and tried to figure out the financial forms and how we would pay for this on such short notice. The school supported him but did not offer to waive any requirements.


I don’t know what the result of a non-acceptance would be. In my son’s case the admissions people told us if we were not happy with his scholarship offer he could stay in high school and try again when he would be considered a more conventional applicant.
After his acceptance and scholarship offer, we approached the school superintendent and asked if he could help our son with the diploma issue. After reviewing our son’s file and the offer, he offered to present the case to the school board. We also made it clear that we did not expect our school district to cover any of his tuition in the dual enrollment agreement. The school board agreed to accept some of his first year classes in lieu of any missing requirements. Our son returned after his first year and graduated with his class. He was also eligible to apply for, and received a few local scholarships.


Throughout our son’s entire high school career and college application process, we had to be strong, yet extremely diplomatic advocates. We had test scores and teacher recommendations to back us up when the administration was feeling this might set an uncomfortable precedent. We worked very hard to support the public schools and made it possible for our son to stay in the system as long as possible through CTD classes and other outside enrichment activities. There was a small issue with his grade point and class rank which we agreed to a fair compromise considering what the district did for our son.

He is a sophomore double degree student at a small LAC and very grateful that we allowed him to take advantage of the opportunity. Age has only been an issue when signatures for off-campus travel and flu shots were necessary.

It was not easy to let him go so soon; however, his enthusiasm for learning has grown exponentially. That’s all the affirmation we needed.

Chris