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<p>Fun fact, albeit off-topic: turns out Kohl’s Cash certificates don’t expire either. Found this out after throwing away a cumulative total that must have exceeded hundreds of dollars. Sigh.</p>
<p>Phyllyartmom- I’m glad you brought up this topic. A friend of my D’s is in a similar situation and I know how talented that child is. I think the essays and letters from teachers will reflect the different circumstances. As you know, admission is just one of many steps to success, and placing a student in a class with others who have 5’s on AP Calc could be a perilous leap for the student who has less opportunity. Still, if they have the ability, you don’t want to see them have limits.
I know some kids in our area have taken extra time to complete math/science classes at our CC to be prepared for that step. They get the same degree- in maybe 5 years, but start with smaller math classes at whatever level they begin at instead of large competitive lecture classes. I think our CC goes to Calc 2. That may have to be repeated at an engineering program, but at least they are well prepared. Other schools may have intro classes, but I don’t know if the larger competitive engineering programs do. Most of the kids I know who are admitted to them are math beasts. Your student may be one if placed in the right class for him, and if not, he would hopefully discover this in an educational setting that is supportive. If the student takes out loans and then does not pass classes, they are left with debt. Some schools may have support programs and mentoring for first generation students.
It’s made me very grateful that we can give our kids an education, and it’s gratifying to be able to pass on some advice to students along the way. I think your project is very worthwhile.</p>
<p>Greetings from New Jersey! We are among the fortunate few who have power in our area. Therefore, our house has become a 2nd home to many friends and neighbors in need of warmth, food and communication. Much destruction surrounds us, but gratefully, no deaths. Our community is rebounding and rebuilding, but our state has been devastated, as you may know. I humbly make this request: give to the charity of your choice to ease the devastation that Hurricane Sandy has wreaked…thank you.</p>
<p>When our lights returned, I took some time for updates. I was pleasantly surprised to see that most colleges had extended ED & EA apps for those in Sandy’s path. However, the unexpected personal communications sent from college personnel to my daughter regarding the storm and our safety were nothing short of amazing and heartwarming. It may be indicative of these colleges as a whole or just of one kind and thoughtful college employee, but it warmed my soul. And then came my disappointment in the colleges that didn’t.</p>
<p>Phillyartmom, kudos to you! Sharing your wisdom to benefit others…love it. </p>
<p>Recently I realized a few hs friends of DD - all first generation, whose parents are unable to navigate these crazy college app waters d/t language barriers, illiteracy, work responsibilities and/or college inexperience - are on their own without the benefit of a competent guidance dept. So, Ive begun providing weekly college cr-app (their words, not mine) sessions to help get these kids on the right track. I am no expert, but I’m better than nothing. Theyre amazing and Im enjoying working with motivated, appreciative young adults.</p>
<p>College Cr-app!! I love it. Where do you do these sessions? Is the school involved or do you do it on your own? I would love to do this too.</p>
<p>Glad you are doing well and with power.</p>
<p>Darn. Just threw out my Kohls cash, too. I’ve got to start checking in before throwing anything out!</p>
<p>Penny, thanks. We actually have calc 2 at the high school. I don’t know what this kid has taken. My first real meeting will be on Wednesday with him. I will also meet the dad, so will be able to see what they are really looking for. But you are right, we don’t want him to fail because he started out with the wrong expectations. I am also grateful that we can provide an education and know how to do it, for our dd.</p>
<p>Sessions are held in my home with 5-6 kids. Not affiliated with our high school…therein lies the problem. If our guidance dept were competent, these kids would be OK. While I guide my DD through the process, I might as well guide a few others, too.</p>
<p>LuvMomN8ur and Phillyartmom- I’ve done this for one of D’s friends. Her mom did not attend college and this is all new to her. I’ve loved advising her about the college search and application process, but it’s been easy since I’ve known her since grade school so I can be another nagging crazy mom in her life 
and she is very capable. Also, she has completely different interests and college lists than my D, so there is no conflict of interest there. There is also no discussion whatsoever of grades and scores outside of our talks as that is strictly confidential. It’s been very rewarding.
For a family I do not know as well, it would probably be best as a more formal set up. It is nice to pass on some knowledge to others, so perhaps I can do more of this in the future.
We’re rural and don’t have calc 2 in our local schools, l but our CC goes up to calc 2, so it is a logical extension for some students.</p>
<p>Luvmom, what a great service to your dd’s friends. It is hard for people to navigate something they have no familiarity with. Penny, maybe you can start a similar program at the hs? </p>
<p>We have a fantastic guidance program, and they do there best to help everyone, but I do believe that it is hard for some to get going or to figure out that what looks best initially may not give them the best bang for their buck or make sense financially. These kids and parents have not dealt with the education system enough to necessarily realize what besides tuition may go into costs, so some of what we do is try to find schools that won’t put extra financial burdens on the family, such as being a bus ride home, in case there is no car in the home or where certain extras are not required for the school. </p>
<p>This year, a girl in the program’s mother died (single mom) and the girl could not get the paper work together, including stuff relating to the death to get her financial situation worked out. People in this program helped her navigate the system, including getting state representatives involved, and the girl got her aid worked out and is back in school. It is so rewarding.</p>
<p>D got her acceptance from Pittsburgh today. It’s nice to have one thick envelope already. She’s never toured, so we might be visiting next Spring.</p>
<p>[E-Net</a>! News & Information](<a href=“http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Note.aspx?id=962962]E-Net”>Lead gift from Elon parents launches Hillel Center renovation | Today at Elon | Elon University)</p>
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<p>HouTxMom - that is fabulous news! Congratulations. I hear great things about Pitt.</p>
<p>Congratulations HouTxMom!</p>
<p>Congrats HouTxMom
Great news about Elon. It’s a wonderful school. We toured it and liked it very much. It did not have a specific program D was looking for, but worth consideration if it is a good fit for others on this thread…</p>
<p>Hi, just checking in to see if everyone in NJ and NY are ok after last night’s storm. We in the Philadelphia area were lucky, we had snow flurries, but no snow. Here is hoping everyone is warm in their own home!</p>
<p>4 inches on the north shore of long island. delayed opening of school today after 7 days of Sandy closing and one day back with early dismissal. Is this the new normal??</p>
<p>We are in NJ and doing fine. Got some snow, but it is quickly melting. Saw lots of wires down and there were lots of detours on local roads. We have power, so we are fine!</p>
<p>4 inches of snow, several downed trees including one on my car, and no power again.</p>
<p>Chardo, so sorry to hear about the car and lack of power. Things sound really rough.</p>
<p>Congrats to Houtxmom’s D!!</p>
<p>Checking in from the south shore of Long Island. We got about 3-4 inches of snow, but I swear there was slush coming out of the sky yesterday too. Huge flakes this morning. Everything’s melting now. What a mess. Our lights only flickered for a bit late yesterday afternoon. At least DS had school (and his meeting with GC to get final application materials out to schools - yay - done!).</p>
<p>I have friends who are still without power or heat since last Monday due to the hurricane. And it was really cold last night. Chardo, that’s terrible about your car and power. At least no one was hurt.</p>
<p>Here’s hoping that we are spared for the rest of the Fall and Winter.</p>