<p>idad:</p>
<p>Isn’t it exciting to watch our Ss and Ds blossom? It isn’t always linear, and sometimes it takes a sprark (in your case, U of Chicago) but when it happens, it’s a beautiful sight.</p>
<p>I am enjoying all the comments and advice here. Thank you for sharing all your insights.</p>
<p>My D got a 207 in her PSAT and will be taking the SAT reasoning test in March. She has been doing some self study, and last Saturday, she took a Princeton Review practice test. She scored in the 1900’s. Now, I’m all worried. I’m afraid her self esteem has suffered. Do you think I should encourage her to do some substantial studying before the test in March, or will that just make her more nervous? </p>
<p>idad, I love your story about your S and his experience with the University of Chicago. I have a sophomore S, and now I’m wondering if I should look into college summer programs for him. He is very bright, but a bit on the lazy side.</p>
<p>curiousmother,
The only really valid practice tests for the SAT’s are those published by the College Board. They are copies of actual tests which have been released. Princeton Review, Barron’s, etc. are just “guessing” at the composition of the tests. Some are known to be harder than the real thing, and some easier. Does your D have a copy of the “Big Blue Book?” Officially, it is called “The Official Study Guide.”</p>
<p>The thing about the PSAT/SAT is that for some kids, the longer SAT can bring fatigue seriously into play the first time or two. I’m a big fan of timed practice tests once or twice for that reason. Just to get a sense of pacing and how long it really is.</p>
<p>Zmom:</p>
<p>I’ll second the recommendation for practice tests. My S found, on a practice writing (essay) test, that he was pacing himself as if responding to a DBQ essay in AP US Hsitory and ran out of time. Now he won’t make that mistake when he does the SAT for real in March.</p>
<p>Curiousmother, my S is also taking the SAT (first time) in March. I do agree with Momof3sons about using the blue book.
Since your D is studying on her own, maybe you can take a look at the method she is using.
BTW, I heard that students who write longer essays, scored better in the SAT. Anyone else heard that?</p>
<p>Yes – make sure the kids can write an essay in 25 minutes. It doesn’t have to be fine literature, and FindAPlace is right – it’s not a DBQ, either. S2 was hung up about writing an IB-style piece until we showed him some samples. Fatigue can definitely be a factor!</p>
<p>curiousmother: I think one of the things that worked about the Chicago program was that the kids were treated with respect and given responsibility. Living and working together the kids developed an academic camaraderie unlike anything experienced in high school. S2 likes to tell the story of his fist day. The prof, a legal scholar, apologized for not having the syllabus posted which would have allowed them to get started with the reading for the first class over the weekend prior to class on Monday (class met 9 - 4, M through F). “No matter,” she said, “just be caught up by tomorrow.” This meant they had to read six chapters in a huge law book and three supreme court cases. The kids got back to the dorm, started studying at 4:30 PM and didn’t stop as a group until 2 AM. They ordered food-in and did not stop to socialize while eating. They did quiz one another, and help each other. The class the next day made use of all their studying and the discussion was intense, thoughtful, and very stimulating. He saw a direct connection between all that studying, breaking new intellectual ground, and sharing it with others. The intensity never let up, but they did find some time for weekend trips to downtown Chicago. S2 has maintained contact with many of the other students and still feels a close connection to them. From this very small sample, I would have to vote yes on the summer program idea, especially if it is residential.</p>
<p>idad, That is wonderful that your son was able to attend and got so much out of it.</p>
<p>I think most here know we are a military family and that as the economy continues it’s downturn, my spouses job in trying to transition from active-duty military to civilian gets progressively more difficult. So we find ourselves in the position of considering doing something we had absolutely not planned to do, which to take another set of orders (this would involve moving to a new duty station for three years.) </p>
<p>How would it effect my kid’s application process to move between his junior and senior year of high school? If it would be determental, my kid and I could stay here for his senior year while his Dad moves. If we did all move, I’m not sure putting him in a high school for senior year would be good. What if he gets a GED and goes to community college for a year instead?</p>
<p>Thanks. I’m kind of freaking out that this is even on the table. It’s such a huge change of plans. But I know we’re lucky to have options, so I’m trying to just stay calm and consider the facts. And, of course, the kid stays the top priority so I’m starting with this piece of it.</p>
<p>good luck pugmadkate, it is a tough time and for military families it never is good. I hand it to you for the time your family has but in so far and good luck with whatever you need to do in the next year.</p>
<p>idad and QM also- my D loves everything she hears about Chicago, it is the only school outside of the NE she is considering and one of the only two non-LACs. I think she is made for the atmosphere there. We are trying to see when we can logistically visit, and the airfares just keep going up… She did have a good talk with the rep at the school visit in the fall but we really would like to get there sometime. I hope there isn’t an Obama effect on the application popularity.</p>
<p>pugmadkate, wow, what a decision. But, yes, you are probably right to put re-upping on the table. My father was a career military guy, and I remember so well when he got out after 20 years. We moved off base a couple of months before his last official day so I could start the year at my new school.</p>
<p>I guess whether it would be detrimental would depend on where his new school is. I guess one thing to consider is in-state tuition ramifications. Do you know where the new station is? Will he want to be close to you in college, and so it would be better to move now and start checking out those options?</p>
<p>You may want to check to see if he could finish his senior year at a community college and receive a HS diploma. Some communities will allow that. Having said that, knowing what is best is always difficult, I moved often as a child and it was not easy. I also did my first year at a community college, and it was perhaps the best year of college I ever had. Kids often can be quite understanding and accommodating, if moving is in the cards, he may have some good suggestions. Since much of the college application info is about HS before senior year, it may not make all that much difference, and being a service family may be a small hook.</p>
<p>jackief: We are in the college visiting stage as well and have found some good deals with Southwest. I know they fly out of Islip, NY, but don’t know of other NE locations. I saw a sale recently for $69 one way.</p>
<p>pugmadkate–if your family does decide to move, you may want to consider having your S homeschool for the last year. He could still take all of his classes at the community college and then you could issue a homeschool diploma. Opinions differ, but some feel there is a bit of stigma associated with the GED and homeschoolers usually try to avoid it. PM me if you want the name of an amazing yahoo group for homeschoolers (or potential homeschoolers) who are college bound. These kids get into great colleges.</p>
<p>PMK, good luck whatever you decide to do. I know these are going to be tough decisions and I wish you the best in making them. Please come back here to your friends if you need a sounding board!</p>
<p>PMK:</p>
<p>Wow, you’ve just made most of the parent’s decision make on this thread pale in comparison to what you need to work through, as a family.</p>
<p>This next will likely sound uninformed, and it is, and I should probably know better, since my Dad was a military man. But I’ll pose it anyway, in case today’s military is somehow different. Is there anyway, as part of the re-upping process, that you can strike a deal that would work out best for your family situation just for that senior year? I’m always one of those people who think there’s no charge for asking and sometimes you’ll be surprised (hopefully happily surprised) at the answer. If your H is in a specialty in great demand, he may have some negotating chips to use.</p>
<p>In any event, good luck to you!</p>
<p>pugmadkate - I echo what FindAPlace and zoosermom each said. Like the college stuff isn’t enough to work through, now you have this major family decision to make! I wish you a lot of luck - but I just don’t know enough about your situation to offer any really good suggestions. I do have a neighbor who has a D in her junior year of h.s., and the neighbor’s H just took a job in another state. They decided the wife and their D would continue living here until the D graduates from h.s. - but that’s what will work best for their family. Every family is different. Good luck and hugs to you!</p>
<p>pugmadkate, I am sorry, but have no advice to offer you other than an internet hug.</p>
<p>jackief, I hope there’s no Obama effect at Chicago. He did not even go there and was only a lecturer (I think in the law school-not undergrad). I do think Occidental will have an Obama effect.</p>
<p>Wow, thank you all so much for the kind words and for your ideas. I must admit I’m a little choked up right this minute.</p>
<p>I’m going to do some basic research about how things work where we live and where we might move too. This is information that might help make the decision easier. And I did want to mention if our son says he does not want to go, I would stay here with him, no question. But many of his friends are graduating this year so he says he’d like to think about it for a bit. Of course, this is all theory now and the reality may be quiet different and we’ll be ready to roll with that as well.</p>
<p>Again, thank you so much. It’s very touching to have people I’ve never met be so very kind.</p>
<p>Do any of you have Naviance? It’s new to our school this year, so there’s not a lot of data on there yet, but I have a question.</p>
<p>Ds has made an initial list of colleges. His three reaches show his SAT score (in his case expected, as we only have his PSAT score and not his January score yet) in red, so he’s below the average for kids from our school (not a lot). But every other school he’s in the green and, in some cases, WELL above the school stats. How do you know when what we thought wa a match is really a safety?</p>