<p>The only sub-school that is possibly for a “B” student at BU is the school of general studies…it is like the LSP program at NYU (a liberal arts two year program before going into the specialized schools)</p>
<p>BU, though, unlike NYU allows applicants to choose General Studies…NYU just puts people there who they deem “not ready ready for prime time”…</p>
<p>Actually, I think that you can apply directly to the College of General Studies at BU. It’s the only school that doesn’t require SAT subject tests with the SAT. (You can submit the ACT without SAT II’s). I looked at the program last year before my daughter’s stats improved. It’s pretty rigid for the first two years. However, like the LSP program at NYU, it’s a great opportunity for kids with lower stats to get into these schools.</p>
<p>So - S2 has officially started the college process at his hs! Woo-hoo! He met with GC in a small group - rcvd a folder of info regarding how to order transcripts in the fall, how to request teacher recs, and so forth. Has a private meeting with GC next week to go over his resume - so she can write the counselor evaluation. Parents also have an on-line form to complete for the same purpose. All in all - not bad for a large public hs with 650 kids per class.</p>
<p>I’ve noticed that fewer and fewer colleges - particularly large universities - want teacher letters anymore. (Not counting more selective schools for “A” students - which still require 2 in most cases.) In S2’s case - James Madison and CofC do not want letters - I don’t think Towson does either. He’s still going to ask 2 teachers to write for him - but it’s one less thing to really worry about since it seems they are optional at best at most schools on his list.</p>
<p>It’s a funny sensation - like after all these months of planning - now it is going to pick up a little speed.</p>
<p>great RVM!!! you have done so much legwork for him, he is miles ahead of most of his classmates I am sure!!</p>
<p>Thank you. It’s a very weird vibe tonight - I think it is really hitting me for the first time that he is about to apply to college - it’s suddenly real rather than just a research project. I’m actually finding myself getting rather emotional about it for the first time. Good grief.</p>
<p>RVM, it is literally “good grief”–grief that he is leaving the nest and that, by implication, you are aging, yet good that he has grown into a fine young man who is ready to leave the nest. The GC is probably stunned (and very glad) that he is so far ahead in the research aspect. If the GC knew the full amount of work you have done, he or she would be smart to ask you to run a seminar for other parents!</p>
<p>You are too kind! And I am too teary. I am telling myself to get a grip - we still have senior year to get through! Oy!</p>
<p>RVM: I’m sure those feeling will come and go a lot during the next year and a half. I like Yabe’s description of “good grief.” I’ve been having some of those emotional moments myself lately. </p>
<p>It’s great that your school has already gotten the process going. Ours doesn’t make a real push until school starts in the fall, which as we know is too late!</p>
<p>love yabe’s good grief description. rvm, i too find myself getting teary many times talking about S going away. I am afraid I will get teary on one of our visits.</p>
<p>glad the gc has started with your S. ours told S that sometime in the spring they will meet. i think we are still so far ahead that i am not panicked YET. S is taking two courses next year (honors electives) offered by teachers he has already had, so he will ask them for recommendations even if they are not needed. hopefully these teachers can talk about the emotional and educational growth he has had.</p>
<p>what is everyone’s opinion of recommendations from a boss of 3 years or community service program? unnecessary?</p>
<p>Samtalya - we did not do any outside recs for S1 - but I think for S2 - since he has been so involved in AZA/BBYO - we will do so. Again, a few of the schools don’t want recs - but we will at least send it to those that list them as optional. I figure - it can’t hurt!</p>
<p>Samtayla: Some schools are very clear about not sending in additional references, but most are okay with it. I think it’s worth getting one from an employer or coach if you think they know your kid really well. I think that recommendations carry the most weight at small schools that really consider the whole kid. The bigger schools seem to base acceptances primarily on GPA/transcript and test scores.</p>
<p>D told me last night about the group meeting with the GC. She said that she felt she knew everything that the GC was talking about. Especially when the GC went over what were safety, match and reach schools. I forgot to get the folder from her last night, but I’ll get it today to look through. Even though we have been looking at schools and talking about it for awhile, D said that the meeting was a little scary, because now it’s real.</p>
<p>[Hillels</a> Offer Creative Shabbat Celebrations](<a href=“http://www.hillel.org/about/news/2011/feb/17feb11_shabbat.htm]Hillels”>http://www.hillel.org/about/news/2011/feb/17feb11_shabbat.htm)</p>
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<p>I echo your feelings RVM! Except I just laid in (I tried really hard not to yell) that we are inching really close to the top of the mountain and its going to be a fast ride down. Buckle up and lets go!</p>
<p>except this was directed to the husband! He is in major denial and is a hindrance right now in this whole process :(</p>
<p>This is a busy thread, oY! Is there a current list or graph of jewish enrollment in colleges? I saw one from 2007, I think.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/310901-jewish-enrollment-graph.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/310901-jewish-enrollment-graph.html</a></p>
<p>roderick - I have yet to see anything current other than the annual college issue of Reform Judaism magazine which comes out every August. That’s one of the things we have tried to do on this thread - school by school - look at the college Hillel website and any other info we can find to determine the Jewish population at various colleges. The national Hillel website is pretty much out-of-date. We have also had a lot of discussion as to how approximate these numbers can be. There are Jewish students who keep that info private and do not disclose religion on their application. There are Jewish students who do not participate in Hillel or any other Jewish organization. A small vibrant Hillel might be of more value that a larger one which is inactive. So - no graph - just lots of links and anecdotes here.</p>
<p>It has been very quiet here the last couple days. Let me just say that SATs are two days from now and I am torn between wanting them to be over with and needing another week to give S a little more time to get ready. His English teacher this year assigned him a whole quarters worth of work due tomorrow, so the amount of pressure leading up to the weekend is tremendous.</p>
<p>Who else has a child taking the test on Saturday? We can say a prayer together!</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone taking the SAT this weekend. Let us know how it goes.</p>
<p>I’ve been trying to keep up, but work’s been busy and I’ve been sick. No fun at all.</p>
<p>I know how you feel about the roller coaster - that is such a perfect description. And the tears. Oh God. I did really well after DD went off to school - in fact was pretty good all of fall semester. But she was home for that really long break (UD winter session - about 7 weeks) and now I am a mess again! I did visit her last weekend, as you know, but it was really hard after she left after winter break. We did so much together over the break. The quick visit was good, though, and she will be home on 3/25 for spring break already. Now the thought of DS going off to school is killing me… and that’s not until Fall 2013. Maybe I shouldn’t worry about that yet.</p>
<p>As for DS, I was planning to visit RPI and Union with him on March 18-19 (no school on March 18 - superintendent’s day). Well, you know what they say about best laid plans. The tennis coach is having practice at regular time that day - 2:30. So we aren’t going anywhere. I will eventually get to those schools and will report back.</p>
<p>Good luck to all those taking the SAT this weekend!</p>
<p>Linymom: I’m sorry that you’re missing your daughter. Being sick probably doesn’t help. It’s a long adjustment, and it’s hard each time they leave. My older daughter probably won’t be home much this summer, and I’m a little sad about that. I’m thrilled that she is growing up and handling thing so well on her own, but sometimes I miss having little girls around. </p>
<p>Good luck to the SAT takers. Try to keep the stress level under control. They can always take it again, and most colleges do superscore.</p>