Colleges for the Jewish "B" student (Part 1)

LINYMOM · May 2, 2012, 6:40am

Congrats to everyone on their decisions! Please don’t go away though! I will need some hand-holding over the course of the next year. I also want to hear how your kids are doing at their chosen schools.

Now that the class of 13 is up next, I am already thinking about the day we brought home DS after he was born. I can’t believe there is only one more year till high school graduation. I will have to soak up every minute.

vandygrad87 · May 2, 2012, 7:50am

I, as a parent of a 2013er, want to shout out a Congratulations and Thank You to our predecessors.

It is because of you that I learned of schools that my daughter now has on her list, including OWU and Wooster. The reports I had read of JMU encouraged me to take her there, even though I hadn’t thought it a good match on paper… and now it is a real contender.

More than that, though, the mutual kindness and respect on this thread, coupled with the lack of competition, drew me in and has held me here. I am neither Jewish nor a mom of a B student (at least, not this kid) but I love this thread so much!

Please stick around for those of us who follow you.
xoxo to you and to all of your kids!!

champs2004 · May 2, 2012, 8:19am

Hi All - I must comment that these recent posts are very comforting for us parents of the Class of 2013. You 2012 parents should feel very proud of your kids (and yourselves). Hopefully the kids realize and appreciate your effort!
Congrats to you - parents - and to your kids - what an impressive list! It’s amazing how you all seem to appreciate your cc-friends, and how helpful you’ve all been to one another. 
To the Class of 2013… looking forward to sharing the journey with you… and hopefully the 2012’s will check in to guide us!

911C2S · May 2, 2012, 8:45am

To continue helping our next round of kids and parents, I’m reposting a list that we developed a few months ago. I think it’s a timely reminder. Please feel free to add any additional “lessons learned”!

Lessons Learned

<ol>
<li>Visit schools before the senior year.</li>
<li>Have at least one Rolling Admission school that is applied to by late September/early October.</li>
<li>Get the essays done over the summer. Your child will thank you for nagging them about this later!</li>
<li>Understand the benefits of EA/ED as they apply to your child and each school. </li>
<li>Prepare a “high school resume” with a brief description of your college/career goals to give to the people doing your recommendations and to attach with the applications (I kept a file in MS Word for each year in high school, so that we wouldn’t forget any activities.) </li>
<li>Have a financial safety that your child would be willing to attend.</li>
<li>If a school says something is recommended or optional treat it as required if it’s a school your child is really interested in. </li>
<li>If the first SAT scores aren’t great, try the ACT (and vice versa).</li>
<li>Use the new net price calculator tool that all colleges are now required to offer on their websites. This will give use a realistic ballpark of what FA you might receive. Better to know this info upfront - than to apply to colleges that simply will not work out financially.</li>
<li>Look at the Common Data Set for each college - simply Google “XYZ University Common Data Set” and you will generally find it. A wealth of information on acceptance rates, admissions criteria and test scores.</li>
<li>Apply to one or more schools where your child’s stats are at or above the mid-range. (You will know this after checking out the CDS). This will provide both an admissions safety school and a great chance at merit aid.</li>
<li>Start applications in August - particularly for any rolling admission schools. The Common Application becomes available August 1 each year and most other applications are available by mid-August. Anything you can accomplish in August will be a blessing in September/October.</li>
<li>If you are applying for need-based financial aid - check each college’s website very carefully. Deadlines and requirements vary considerably. Familiarize yourself ahead of time with FAFSA and CSS Profile. Don’t be intimidated by all of the acronyms - these are fairly straight forward forms.</li>
<li>Don’t pay for SAT/ACT tutoring prematurely. Just as you would not head in for surgery without the proper diagnostic tests - don’t get sucked into an expensive test prep program before you know what your child needs. Have them take both an ACT and a SAT junior year. Decide which test suits them better. Decide which sections of that particular test need work. Then - you can do some paid test prep to focus on that specific area. </li>
<li>The most important lesson of all - and the one that many wise posters taught me last year - is to love your child unconditionally - despite the occasional bad grade - despite their lack of interest in their college process - despite their innate ability to push buttons. No college admissions process is worth damaging the relationship you have with your teenager. If you find yourself veering towards the deep end with stress over the college process - take a deep breath and step back. The nest will be empty soon enough.</li>
<li>Have your child pick a theme. This theme is their story. It should be what makes them unique. The theme should play out in interviews, resumes, and essays. It can be an after school activity, a charity, a learning difference, or anything. It may sound odd, but it makes sense. You want a story conveyed, that might resonate with admissions.</li>
<li>Pick two or three schools and market your child to these schools. It is important to set your applicant apart. If these schools are a reach, you need to put a name and story to your child. Don’t rely solely on SAT and GPA numbers to sell your child. Demonstrated interest can be very important. Colleges want to admit kids who are going to enroll. They want high yields. We selected two schools that were reaches for my daughters. We visited, met with admissions, followed up, and set our kids apart. The results so far have been great. In one instance, my D1 personally delivered her application and materials. She told the admissions rep she flew there to hand it to her, because she wanted her to know how much she wanted that school. It worked. Now we hope for one more good result for D2.</li>
<li>ignore those around you who give you ‘the look’ or question, why that school or comment I have never heard of it. be proud of the school. it doesn’t have to be ivy league.</li>
<li>fit, fit, fit</li>
<li>Don’t second guess yourselves. No woulda, coulda, shoulda. Do your research - make your decisions and choices - and live with the results.</li>
<li>Start taking the ACT early in your kid’s Junior year and take it OFTEN! Many schools use a “superscore” which takes the highest score in each category. Our kids did better each time they took it, confidence comes with practicing a little every day (30 minutes) and focusing on one subject each day. Most problems kids have is getting the section completed in the time allotted and practicing with a kitchen/cell phone timer each day teaches them to speed up the process.</li>
<li>Make sure it’s their voice that comes through in the essay. It’s fine to have other people look it over to make sure it reads well and is grammatically correct and without typos. But it has to be their essay and don’t let anyone polish it too much.</li>
</ol>

LINYMOM · May 2, 2012, 9:01am

Thank you for re-posting that list. Perfect timing for me.

Looking forward to spending the next year here with champs and vandygrad…and everyone else who sticks around.

To follow up all your feedback from Monday when DS got his new ACT scores, I just found this on the Miami website:

SAT vs. ACT

We will accept the scores from both the ACT and the SAT and have no preference as to which one you should submit. The Admission Committee will consider all official test scores from multiple test dates. We will use the highest composite score from among each test that youve taken. This is called Superscoring. There is no limit to the number of test scores you may submit to us for your application. For both tests, we will not incorporate the new writing section when reviewing applications.

This is really good news for us.

BTW - I was just cleaning up some papers in my office and came across my DS’ SAT score report from 7th grade when he took it as part of the Johns Hopkins program. LOL. He actually didn’t do too badly on math (considering he didn’t learn a lot of the material at that point). But the CR and writing!! Not sure if he’d think it was funny or if I was just being annoying, so maybe I won’t share it with him. A lot of things are better left said here on CC and not in my house!

911C2S · May 2, 2012, 9:22am

Some other helpful information for folks interested in merit aid:

Paying for college: Be realistic about whether you’ll qualify for need-based aid. If your EFC is too high, consider looking for schools that offer merit aid.

Note: all of the ivies and many other top tier schools now promise to meet full need and do not offer academic scholarships. I have no idea about sports scholarships, however. In this case, it is good to look for schools that are need-aware and/or offer merit-based aid.

See [Most</a> Students Receiving Merit Aid | Rankings | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/most-merit-aid]Most”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/most-merit-aid) and [Best</a> Values in Private Colleges, 2011-12](<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/privatecolleges/]Best”>Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts) and <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/696637-merit-aid-percentage-common-data-set-6.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/696637-merit-aid-percentage-common-data-set-6.html</a>.

shawbridge · May 2, 2012, 9:37am

922C2S, Ivies and NESCAC do not give athletic scholarships either (but do give preference in admissions to recruited athletes).

Fabulous list, LINYMOM.

I’d add that for kids with learning disabilities, update your testing so that it is less than three year old and submit your request for accommodations to the ACT and SAT early – I’d say one year. It took one year to appeal and work with The College Board until they gave ShawSon the accommodations he got as his HS and took maybe five or six months to get the accommodations from the ACT. Interestingly the other testing organization granted the requested accommodations immediately in each case.

Also, consistent with your advice, we found the “xiggi” method of practicing the SAT and ACT from actual tests and getting feedback repeatedly worked really well. When an area of weaknesses was identified, then we got specific tutoring. ShawSon also benefitted from a clear explanation of how the writing section was actually scored.

shawbridge · May 2, 2012, 10:25am

Sorry, 911C2S, meant to compliment you on the fabulous list.

911C2S · May 2, 2012, 10:56am

No prob…not “my” list. A lot of us contributed to it.

911C2S · May 2, 2012, 10:59am

Adding ShawB’s lessons:

Lessons Learned

<ol>
<li>Visit schools before the senior year.</li>
<li>Have at least one Rolling Admission school that is applied to by late September/early October.</li>
<li>Get the essays done over the summer. Your child will thank you for nagging them about this later!</li>
<li>Understand the benefits of EA/ED as they apply to your child and each school. </li>
<li>Prepare a “high school resume” with a brief description of your college/career goals to give to the people doing your recommendations and to attach with the applications (I kept a file in MS Word for each year in high school, so that we wouldn’t forget any activities.) </li>
<li>Have a financial safety that your child would be willing to attend.</li>
<li>If a school says something is recommended or optional treat it as required if it’s a school your child is really interested in. </li>
<li>If the first SAT scores aren’t great, try the ACT (and vice versa).</li>
<li>Use the new net price calculator tool that all colleges are now required to offer on their websites. This will give use a realistic ballpark of what FA you might receive. Better to know this info upfront - than to apply to colleges that simply will not work out financially.</li>
<li>Look at the Common Data Set for each college - simply Google “XYZ University Common Data Set” and you will generally find it. A wealth of information on acceptance rates, admissions criteria and test scores.</li>
<li>Apply to one or more schools where your child’s stats are at or above the mid-range. (You will know this after checking out the CDS). This will provide both an admissions safety school and a great chance at merit aid.</li>
<li>Start applications in August - particularly for any rolling admission schools. The Common Application becomes available August 1 each year and most other applications are available by mid-August. Anything you can accomplish in August will be a blessing in September/October.</li>
<li>If you are applying for need-based financial aid - check each college’s website very carefully. Deadlines and requirements vary considerably. Familiarize yourself ahead of time with FAFSA and CSS Profile. Don’t be intimidated by all of the acronyms - these are fairly straight forward forms.</li>
<li>Don’t pay for SAT/ACT tutoring prematurely. Just as you would not head in for surgery without the proper diagnostic tests - don’t get sucked into an expensive test prep program before you know what your child needs. Have them take both an ACT and a SAT junior year. Decide which test suits them better. Decide which sections of that particular test need work. Then - you can do some paid test prep to focus on that specific area. The “xiggi” method of practicing the SAT and ACT from actual tests and getting feedback repeatedly worked really well. When an area of weaknesses was identified, then we got specific tutoring. ShawSon also benefitted from a clear explanation of how the writing section was actually scored. </li>
<li>The most important lesson of all - and the one that many wise posters taught me last year - is to love your child unconditionally - despite the occasional bad grade - despite their lack of interest in their college process - despite their innate ability to push buttons. No college admissions process is worth damaging the relationship you have with your teenager. If you find yourself veering towards the deep end with stress over the college process - take a deep breath and step back. The nest will be empty soon enough.</li>
<li>Have your child pick a theme. This theme is their story. It should be what makes them unique. The theme should play out in interviews, resumes, and essays. It can be an after school activity, a charity, a learning difference, or anything. It may sound odd, but it makes sense. You want a story conveyed, that might resonate with admissions.</li>
<li>Pick two or three schools and market your child to these schools. It is important to set your applicant apart. If these schools are a reach, you need to put a name and story to your child. Don’t rely solely on SAT and GPA numbers to sell your child. Demonstrated interest can be very important. Colleges want to admit kids who are going to enroll. They want high yields. We selected two schools that were reaches for my daughters. We visited, met with admissions, followed up, and set our kids apart. The results so far have been great. In one instance, my D1 personally delivered her application and materials. She told the admissions rep she flew there to hand it to her, because she wanted her to know how much she wanted that school. It worked. Now we hope for one more good result for D2.</li>
<li>ignore those around you who give you ‘the look’ or question, why that school or comment I have never heard of it. be proud of the school. it doesn’t have to be ivy league.</li>
<li>fit, fit, fit</li>
<li>Don’t second guess yourselves. No woulda, coulda, shoulda. Do your research - make your decisions and choices - and live with the results.</li>
<li>Start taking the ACT early in your kid’s Junior year and take it OFTEN! Many schools use a “superscore” which takes the highest score in each category. Our kids did better each time they took it, confidence comes with practicing a little every day (30 minutes) and focusing on one subject each day. Most problems kids have is getting the section completed in the time allotted and practicing with a kitchen/cell phone timer each day teaches them to speed up the process.</li>
<li>Make sure it’s their voice that comes through in the essay. It’s fine to have other people look it over to make sure it reads well and is grammatically correct and without typos. But it has to be their essay and don’t let anyone polish it too much.</li>
<li>For kids with learning disabilities, update your testing so that it is less than three year old and submit your request for accommodations to the ACT and SAT early – I’d say one year. It took one year to appeal and work with The College Board until they gave ShawSon the accommodations he got as his HS and took maybe five or six months to get the accommodations from the ACT. Interestingly the other testing organization granted the requested accommodations immediately in each case.</li>
</ol>

Momom2 · May 2, 2012, 11:00am

Thank you all for the pointers and facilitating such an atmosphere of mutual respect and support here. I have been following all along as S is c/o '13. I am Jewish, husband is not. We don’t practice and we live in the midwest where S may well be the only Jewish kid in his high school of 1300 (total). He considers himself Jewish and even did a presentation on being a Jew in front of the school at their diversity assembly. The only Jewish kids he’s ever been around were at an arts camp in Canada that he loved so much he attended for two summers (we couldn’t afford any more).

He is B+ student and recently scored pretty well on his ACT. We are looking at schools where he might be able to obtain a tuition exchange scholarship through the program in which the university where I teach participates. Right now, RIT is at the top of his list. We followed advice here and he visited on his way to camp a couple of summers ago and again, most recently, in March. He will also qualify for the full-tuition scholarship at Bama, assuming they don’t change things next year. Finally, we have Santa Clara on our list as part of the potential exchange - it is our long-shot.

I have to second the notion that the c/o '12 parents stick around. I’ve learned so much from you as you have gone through this process. I’m certain I can learn much more about the process of getting them settled in and through their first year.

Thank you all for your honesty through this process. Congratulations on all the fantastic outcomes!!!

socaldad42 · May 2, 2012, 12:15pm

Momom2,

Welcome and on behalf of the group, thanks for your kind sentiments.

One small piece of advice regarding Bama. They put their application online very early in the summer. Some time in July as I recall. My d submitted on first day, and had acceptance in hand in middle of August, before starting her senior year. It is a great thing to have in hand, before friends even think of applying to schools. They do not require counselor stuff. Just send your scores, transcripts, and essays…Real easy. They are trying to increase jewish population. They have a ZBT and hillel on campus…

Momom2 · May 2, 2012, 1:17pm

Really Socaldad? Do they not use the common app? Because doesn’t that come out August 1?

Thanks for that input!!!

vandygrad87 · May 2, 2012, 1:46pm

Thank you for those merit money links. Even though my D is an A student, we are a full pay family and we have had to set some limits on what we can give her, especially given the fact that she has two younger brothers who will need college money too!

We are looking very heavily to schools that will hopefully offer her merit money to attend.
:-)

pamom59 · May 2, 2012, 1:51pm

momom02- it was our experience that most state universities have their own online application and do not accept the common application. If there is a choice of the online or common app, the online form may have quicker processing time.

Of the public universities my D applied to (Pitt, Penn State, Temple, JMU and Delaware) only Delaware used the common app.

911C2S · May 2, 2012, 2:11pm

Another early application to look for is Tulane. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the earlier you apply, the better your chances.

socaldad42 · May 2, 2012, 2:36pm

Momom2,

Alabama is not a common app school. Pamom is correct. My d2 only had one common app school that she applied to(Del). All the other state universities had their own. Michigan is on Common App. Many private schools use it…Indiana is another early school to come out with the App. They give a quick turnaround as well. Pitt offers a free application if you fill it out over the summer and you visit the campus during the summer.

reeinaz · May 2, 2012, 4:56pm

Not college related but I thought it might be of interest. The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia is holding Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit [Dead</a> Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times - The Franklin Institute - May 12 - October 14, 2012](<a href=“http://www.fi.edu/scrolls/]Dead”>http://www.fi.edu/scrolls/)

palmharbor · May 2, 2012, 5:50pm

Thank you for the list of DO’s and DO NOT’s. I have been lurking on this thread for months, having read all the way back to post 1. What a group! I am on the list of 2013 parents. I know that we will do our best to give support and keep the good reputation of this thread going!

rockvillemom · May 2, 2012, 9:36pm

So - we’re at the tux store last night - getting S2 ready for prom - and we run into another student headed for Elon - conversation ensues and we find out he is a “Jewish “B” student”! S2’s response after we leave - “Mom - I wonder if they know you from CC!” I feel like Batman with an alter ego.

For the Class of 2013 parents - I plan to drop in from time to time - after all - CC can be a remedy for an empty nest! I’m sure many of us graduating parents will do so. I am looking forward to going through the college process with you.

Colleges for the Jewish "B" student (Part 1)

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