<p>Wow what a busy day! Congrats Levirm!
Its interesting to see how things are different in different parts of the country. Here kids are required to take 4 years of math, English, social studies, and science to graduate. We don’t have honors classes there are AP’s, preAP’s and dual credits. D/C are probably the most similar to honors and they are only offered in a few subjects. Most of the time it is a dilemma between regular classes and the single advanced option. The class that S2 would most like to not take at the advanced level is English(which is AP this year).The problem is that I have doubts that the regular class really provides good college prep and it seems that now is the time to hoan these skills even if it is a struggle.</p>
<p>uskoolfish: I’m sure you and the GC know your child and the decision works for her. Generally speaking though kids do change majors and what seems perfect today could change tomorrow. I started my freshman year as a fine arts major at Pratt and graduated college as a Physical Therapist. Who would have thought? …Also, as far as I know not all health careers require calc. but many college majors including economics and business do.</p>
<p>chocchipcookie, Bio is a very different kind of subject than chemistry or physics, particularly as it is taught in HS. Lots of memorizing, much less conceptual thinking. I was talking to a guy with an EE degree who said he had difficulty with biology because of that. My son, who is strong at math and was extremely impressive in chemistry (made only one error on the AP Chemistry exam and found his AP Chemistry course trivial but of course is going to study behavioral economics), found biology boring and got one of his few A-'s in honors bio. He probably wouldn’t have had as much difficulty if he had taken it in a later year, when he was better able to manage his dyslexia, but he is taking a neurological or physical biology course in college and is finding it boring (although he seems to be doing well). He likes to take courses in which, when he understands the basic concepts, he can derive any results. In biology (except in a few areas), that’s not true. So, struggling in bio does not mean he’d be unable to do very well in the other courses.</p>
<p>My daughter on the other hand is going to major in biology in college. She took AP Bio in her junior year. She’s surprising herself by doing well in math and regular physics this year. But, she likes diving in and getting a detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved in whatever she is studying.</p>
<p>The one thing I’ve learned from participating on this forum for so long is there is no, “in that part of the country” standardization. Our High School in PA requires four years in HS in each of the four core subjects - math, english, social studies and science to graduate. Math has to be at least up to Algebra II. There are also other subjects that are required, including gym and drivers ed. My nieces and nephews in another part of PA have different requirements.</p>
<p>Although this thread is my first stop everyday in CC, I don’t always feel I have something non repetitive to contribute. But I do want to also welcome poppymom, peonies and offer big congrats to levirm on Penn State. My D has camp friends visiting for the Big Harry Potter weekend and while taking them all out to eat at a reasonable Hale & Hearty, I was surprized to hear that Penn State was the first choice of several from MD and PA.</p>
<p>I see conversation has taken a serious/practical turn re math. My D who is as bad in math as I ever was opted for taking AP Statistics in her senior year. Much easier than the heavy duty calc class but still I think math worthy to colleges (and awe inspiring to her Dad).</p>
<p>A light hearted turn: after scanning this thread everyday I go to the alphabetic listing of colleges to check for new posts on where she’s applied. Has anyone ever wondered, as I do, whether the number of posts (or lack thereof) in a particular school’s secton indicates this year’s overal interest in the school and/or reflected your child’s potential chances? </p>
<p>While I’m at it does anyone else wonder about all those “chance me” threads? How does anyone reading and posting here really know, based on the anecdotal evidence and gleanings we have picked up, whether a kid’s statistics will get them in to a school? And yet those seem to be the most prevalent postings on CC.</p>
<p>mhc48, interesting question whether the number of posts in a particular school’s section reflects a generalized sense of the current interest in that college.</p>
<p>Another thought about sticking with math in hs, and possibly taking a course or two in college, even if it’s something of a struggle: I vaguely recall that there was some math on the GRE. Obviously the GRE is years down the road (if ever) for hs students. But keeping the quantitative side of one’s mind active over these years may reap benefits down the road for students who wish to attend graduate school. And college algebra and/or statistics may well suffice for the GRE, I don’t know.</p>
<p>Thanks Shawbridge…we’ll stick it out for now. I also agree with RVM that it’s better to get a B in an honors class than an A in a regular class. If by next year these two classes will be the only two honors (Math & Science), then hopefully he can devote just a bit more time to them and hopefully keep a B average. </p>
<p>Honestly, RVM, I, like you, had very little involvement in my older S’s classes, homework, tests, quizzes, etc. He just perfomed the work on time and well. I have to change my mindset now with S2 and realize he is incredibly talented in his own areas, and bring those out more so he can feel good about his own interests.</p>
<p>BTW, the chance me threads drive me crazy! I ignore them at all costs.</p>
<p>ccc: I think it’s a good idea to try to stick with the honors courses in math and science. </p>
<p>It is interesting how different the requirements are in different areas of the country. Every time we visited a college, they said that the most important thing that they consider for admission is academic rigor. I think that students should take the most challenging schedule they can handle and still do well. Somtimes it can be tricky to figure out the right balance.</p>
<p>peonies - excellent point on the GRE - had not thought about that. I think it is important to keep in mind we are discussing 16 and 17-year-olds - whose interests/majors/career paths could easily change several times in the next few years. I would always vote for the choice that left options open - rather than closing off various potential paths.</p>
<p>Our comparison of the different course requirements at varying high schools illustrates the tough job the admissions folks have - they are comparing apples to oranges to canteloupes!</p>
<p>And I agree about the chance threads - I basically ignore them - how could anyone really give a response beyond maybe, probably or probably not? My “favorites” are the ones that say - chance me and I’ll chance back! So, you have no idea if you are qualified - but you are going to tell me whether or not I am? No thanks, I’ll pass.</p>
<p>You miss 1 post on this thread and you find yo are 10 pages behind and feeling bad that everyone is conratulating people whose good news you did not see, givin you the choice of congratulating without knowing what you are congratulating for or feeling guilty about not congratulating!</p>
<p>The chance threads are insipid; the “suggest schools” threads where the poster does not give their stats or desires annoying; the requests that you rewrite someone’s essay infuriating; and the “My S/D scored only 2370, should they take it again?” threads make you want to get on a plane and tell someone to get a life.</p>
<p>yabeyabe - you are too funny! What you just wrote reminded me of the final line of Charles Krauthammer’s brilliant essay on airport security yesterday, which he ended by writing, “Take my shoes, remove my belt, waste my time and try my patience. But don’t touch my junk.”</p>
<p>On a completely different note, S2 is very involved with running a BBYO chapter convention this weekend. With the help of 2 others - they have organized a sleepover for about 60 AZA and BBG members - including Havdallah, social activities, a community service project, dinner and breakfast - not to mention all of the logistical issues involving payment, locations, transportation, communication, etc. I pointed out to him last night that running something like this is a really valuable experience and illustrates how much learning does take place outside the classroom. He’s not just his precalc grade.</p>
<p>My niece, who graduated from Kenyon, got her first job because she was Captain of her Color War team at camp! It was a company that ran team building for corporations. Unfortuately, when the recession hit, corps cut way back and as she was a new hire she was let go. But it goes to show you ever know what things will help you in the future.</p>
<p>So my daughter just got her first quarter report card in the mail and with two APs, 1 H and Statistics it was the best she’s ever gotten. Though it’s only 1st Q, I’m wondering if I can get her school to send it in to the places she’s applied to or I could even have her follow up and send it in herself. I’m assuming they generally only want/look at full semester grades but by then almost all of her EA application decisions will be in. Anyone ever heard of doing this?</p>
<p>mhc: so far my S1 applied to one ED, two EA and two RD. And so far only the ED school has asked for his 1st Quarter grades. So he provided an envelope to his gc for them to mail the transcript out. You may want to ask your D to ask her gc if they will mail out transcripts to the EA schools or to wait.</p>
<p>Yes - agree - send it. Whether it is an official copy coming from the GC or just you sending it yourself - a great first quarter grade report - or another award or honor rcvd after applications went out - by all means - send it. If you can - send it directly to the attention of the regional rep for your area - hopefully this is someone you have met at an info session or your student has met when they visited your hs. or - check the website to see if they list reps for different geographic areas.</p>
<p>I can’t speak for the schools, but anything that they can quickly note and see - like a GPA for the quarter, or an announcement of an award, should work in your favor. I myself asked our GC to send my D’s first quarter grades along, because they would be a quick positive input. Adcoms just ask that you don’t send reams of stuff that will take time to read and interpret - like your collection of original poetry, or 5 more recommendations, etc.</p>
<p>I think it’s easy to know the difference between relevant material like grades and awards versus superfluous stuff like gobs of writing samples or references from everyone and their brother. Go with your gut AND follow any specific instructions schools have (some do say do NOT send anything not requested).</p>
<p>In the same vein, sending first quarter grades is also good because it shows some additional demonstrated interest, in that the student cared enough to send the grades, and it also keeps your folder in front of the admissions rep–never a bad thing, especially with good news to report!</p>
<p>kathiep: Interesting. In our state the graduation requirements are the same for all the public schools in the state and are set by the state government. Are your kids in private schools or is this not the case throughout the country? Just curious.</p>