<p>Good morning all! I’ve been stalking this amazing thread for awhile and I think its time I came “out of the closet” lol! We live in Gaithersburg, Maryland in Montgomery County. Son graduated from University of MD and now daughter’s a Junior in HS. Not sure if she’s exactly a B student–currently a 3.7 unweighted GPA but mock and practice test scores have been frighteningly LOW! </p>
<p>Starting Kaplan test prep in a few weeks and registered for April 13 ACT. UMD regular admission (not freshman connection) would be a dream come true for all of us. But doesn’t seem likely. Super smart kids at D’s school are all getting freshman connection. Other schools on our informal list so far are UDelaware, Towson, UPitt and Drexel. D’s other dream school is UBoston. She wants large urban-ish school with lots going on, especially sports and greek system. We all prefer north over south. We can afford in-state, OOS would require lots of $$$! Last but not least, we are not religiously Jewish but strong “cultural” Jews. And strong Jewish presence at college is important to all of us.</p>
<p>Well, that’s it for now, I hope to be able to contribute to this forum and share lots of joy in the coming months/years!</p>
<p>cheermom - hello and welcome - we are practically neighbors! I’m glad she is trying the ACT. We had good success getting S2 from a 27 to a 30, so I know it can be done. My recollection is that a 28-29 ACT was generally the tipping point for Maryland admissions. If she does not get a great score in April, you have lots of time to do test prep over the summer. And I’m not sure that Freshman Connection is the end of the world either.</p>
<p>I like that you have Pitt on the list - great up and coming reputation and rolling admissions. Have you visited these schools yet? What did you think of Towson? I recall being pleasantly surprised. Lots of positive reviews of Delaware on this thread.</p>
<p>What about adding Indiana, even as a safety school? I know lots of Jewish kids from our area who attend and love it.</p>
<p>Cheermom–It is WAY too soon to write off UMd! You have plenty of time to raise D’s scores. Her GPA is great! In addition to considering Pitt (love it) and the other schools mentioned, I would not reject Freshman Connection out of hand. I know lots of kids who absolutely love it. I expected the housing most kids select while participating in FC to be far from campus, possibly unsafe. Then, we visited and the housing is beautiful and adjacent to campus, no further walk than anything else on that big campus. Secondly, I would invest in the kid of tutoring that really is successful. We’ve heard so many complaints about Kaplan. In the end D1 and D2 went to a private tutor (for Math only) who had a great record of success. In the end her SATs went up over 300 points. Tutoring was a fortune but it bought us good college choices and merit money.</p>
<p>rockvillemom - I did not know about Southern Regional Education Board! What a find. Thank you. D1 has expressed interest in University of Baltimore. </p>
<p>Cheermom- UMD- I was at a meeting there not too long ago and they “say” they stand by their holistic review process that is over 26 factors. That the essay is very important. Explain any situation that might have caused a problem or that would help them to admit your child. They want to know so they can make an informed decision.</p>
<p>Both D1 and D2 from day one have had their hearts set on Sarah Lawrence; however, I fear that we just will not get enough FA or they will not be accepted. That is our reason for the trip to NC over spring break. We need to be realistic.</p>
<p>On Maryland, I know they discuss their 26 holistic factors, but when I have looked at my hs Naviance, the acceptances/freshman connection/denials correlate almost perfectly to ACT scores. It is unusual to see someone with a 29 or higher not accepted. It is unusual to see someone with a score below 27 who is accepted. Scores of 27 and 28 are the most variable in results, with some getting freshman connection. So, they may consider many factors, but test scores seem to be a pretty good predictor of results, at least in past years, from our hs.</p>
<p>Summer Internship in Israel - My son at Mizzou is applying for a summer internship through careerisrael.com . Does anyone know of scholarships that might defray some of the cost? I have tried our temple and the Jewish Federation in NY. There are scholarships available for semester long internships but for some reason I have been unable to find one for just the summer. BTW, we live in Colorado). Does anyone have experience with this organization? Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Thank you for the warm welcome to this thread on such a cold and windy February day! BRRR!</p>
<p>We chose Kaplan for test prep because for one price, the prep included ACT, SAT, and AP, and cost was a factor! Daughter had over 90 percent accuracy on recent mock test at school but was only able to finish 1/2-2/3 of the test OY! Hoping for lots of test strategies. Probably also will try SAT if ACT doesn’t improve significantly. And will certainly consider private tutor if necessary. </p>
<p>No visits yet but just scheduled Towson on 3/2, UDelaware on 3/9, UMD on 4/1 and Drexel on 4/27. We’ll see UPitt end of March on our way to cheer comp in Columbus, but unfortunately no tours scheduled that day. </p>
<p>Daughter feeling resistent to Towson and UDel, as they are viewed at her school as the schools the kids attend when they don’t get into UMD. I’m certain she’ll feel more enthusiasm when we take part in some visits!</p>
<p>Articles seem to say that we could get more $$$ from a private school than an OOS public school due to endowments, is that true? Just feeling hesitant to apply to large public schools in other states when UMD in my backyard. </p>
<p>Congrats to all who are receiving acceptances for Fall 2013…SO EXCITING!!</p>
<p>cheermom - use the net price calculator on college’s financial aid websites. Private colleges will have a higher price tag, but may offer much more FA. My older son is a senior at Wake Forest. Was the most expensive school he applied to, but gave him the most generous FA package, bringing the net price down below that of other colleges with a lower price tag. It’s like seats on an airplane - people pay different prices. Don’t assume that a private college with a $50,000 price means you actually have to pay $50,000. But OOS publics will generally be less generous, but not always. I would not eliminate any college from consideration based on price without doing a net price calculator first.</p>
<p>Hi All! So, as my role as “college adviser” for DS2 winds down, I have moved on to my next “client” my nephew (what shall we use for that abbreviation? DN??). He is currently a junior in HS, so it’s time for my sister to face the reality of the fact that the college process has really begun.
The big factor in this process is going to come down to money. Sis and hubby have not saved anything for college. B in law is a gym teacher and works in a day camp during the summer. And, up until about 7 years ago, Sis was a stay at home mom (she is now works for the payroll dept of her school system). So, they are “poor”, but not poor enough for major financial aid.
My nephew is a great kid and a super smart student. A to A+ student (not a single A- on his transcript!). His SATs are 2250 (750CM, 730CR, 750CW). School is highly competitive, but doesn’t rank and also has lots of super smarties who take even more APs than he does).
I know that this thread was originally started for The B Jewish student, but my question (as his self appointed college adviser) is what about the A Jewish student (from NJ), who although he would get into highly competitive schools, just can’t afford it?? I am looking for the best academic schools which offer the most merit aid. Oh yeah, and sis would prefer driving distance to NJ, although will consider Miami and Tulane. I am pretty sure that he would get big $$ from Rutgers, but that is only 15 minutes from home and he would prefer to go further away. Suggestions???..</p>
<p>jozuko - sometimes the best strategy for a student such as your nephew is to set their academic sights a little lower and apply to schools where they are at the top of the applicant pool. This will not only increase chances for merit money but also for the best need based FA possible.</p>
<p>I also recommend that they do the net price calculator for every school on their list. What is their EFC? They should look at private colleges where he would be a catch for the school and might get some major aid.</p>
<p>He could be a candidate for the Banneker-Key scholarship at UMCP or one of the full-ride scholarships at Goucher, if either of those schools appeals to him. Neither of those is a sure thing, of course. There are some schools that would give automatic merit scholarships based on his grades/scores. I’m sure you’ve already suggested they check out Alabama? Also, he may as well apply to Harvard if it interests him–they are very generous with their need-based aid as long as the family income is below a certain level.</p>
<p>What are the Taglit-Birthright program organizers your kids have had good experiences. ShawSon applied but was wait listed twice by Israel outdoors. ShawD was asking me about Mayanot, which is Orthodox and makes me nervous as it may proselytize. Israel Experts looked very good to me. What are your experiences? </p>
<p>Should I be worried about the Orthodox programs? ShawD has moved from her Reconstructionist+ upbringing to keeping kosher in her apartment (though will have shrimp or scallops at a Japanese restaurant) and will never wear a wig or avoid miniskirts or pants.</p>
<p>shawbridge, DS1 just went on Birthright last month through Kesher. Kesher is part of the Reform Movement and he loved it. For info, check out gokesher. org.</p>
<p>Rockville and DeskPotato…yes, that is going to be the strategy - aim lower, be at the top," but it would be a shame to aim too low (does that make sense?). UMCP is on the list (it’s a very short list so far!) but I don’t know if he is interested in Alabama (might be a bit too “southern”). And Goucher is very small. But thanks for the suggestions. If anyone else has any thoughts, they will be much appreciated!</p>
<p>Your nephew has the numbers to consider the Ivy League. There’s no merit money but if he gets in, the family’s demonstrated need would be met without loans. See Penn for example:</p>
<p>Look at Pitt for merit money. His numbers would make full tuition realistic (if he applies late summer or early in the fall). Full rides there (Chancellor’s Scholarships) are harder to come by.</p>
<p>If he is willing to look at Tulane and Miami, maybe also UGA? They have an amazing honors program, particularly the Foundation Fellows program:</p>
<p>S was on Birthright this past January with Amazing Israel and loved it. He seemed to suggest that it was a great mix of reform and conservative.</p>
<p>I know a number of schools are having visitation or open houses today, in the DC area UMCP and American are. Is anyone attending any not just those two? </p>
<p>@Rockvillemom and others: my daughters and their friends (me too) have never been on Naviance. They didn’t even know what it was and I had to force them to go to their counselor to get their login information. Even their senior friends were clueless about it when I asked them. Is the system that full of information? </p>
<p>If your daughters’ school is on Naviance and posts their results to that site (go to colleges; scattergrams), you’ll be able to see the results by GPA and SAT (accepted, denied, waitlisted, deferred…) of previous applicants from your school to the colleges shown. If the school is not on Naviance, your school’s college guidance councellor might have the information. </p>
<p>Otherwise, colleges’ Common Data Sets are good places to look for data regarding enrolled students.</p>
<p>Naviance can be an amazing tool - depending on how much info your hs guidance counselors enter into it. At it’s best - it will have several years worth of data on every college application from your hs. You will be able to compare your student against others from the high school and see where students with the same GPA and test scores were admitted, waitlisted, deferred, or denied. If the info has been filled in properly - it is a great predictor of admission results. Every hs has a different grading system - so comparing yourself against students from the same hs will give the best accuracy.</p>
<p>It also has a feature called overlaps that I like. You go to a college that interests you - and use the overlap feature to see what other schools students who applied to that particular college also applied to - can be a useful way to get additional ideas.</p>