<p>Since we are both in CA, I am wondering if we use the same grading computer system - we have exactly the same facts on our kids transcripts. </p>
<p>As for the UC eligible in the local context (ELC), my DS was one - and I must say, don’t get too excited about it either way. You have to be top 4% of your class - which means you would probably get into all of those lower level UC schools anyway. Out of the 22 (a long story) schools he applied to he failed to get into two - UCLA and Cal. So much for ELC helping.</p>
<p>Regarding Val and Sal, at my DD’s HS, it is the principal’s choice. He looks at the top students and decides which of them has the ECs that separates them from the other top students. Sports, Music, Student Leadership all seem to play a role - but it is arbitrary. </p>
<p>I was annoyed at this when I first found out how it was done - but CC has cured me of the desire to see it done based strictly on GPA. Reading about some of the games people play to end up number one in their class makes me think that having some human in the process is a good thing.</p>
<p>Good luck to all tomorrow’s test takers - and their parents! Remember those extra batteries, or even extra calculators!</p>
<p>BengalMom - I’m glad somebody else did the research on collegeboard because I didn’t know the answer to your question. I know that at SUNY Binghamton’s info session, there were people from Pennsylvania and NJ checking out the school, and the Admissions Rep said that preference is not given to NY residents, but she didn’t quote an OOS percentile.</p>
<p>You might be right about the grading system. As for ELC, is doesn’t generate any excitement here, although it would take a major melt down for DS not to be in top 4%, as he was in top 1% going into first progress report of second semester jr year.</p>
<p>We were amused last night when he mentioned he might want to look into Harvey Mudd. We asked how he was doing in looking into OOS options. He said Mudd was OOS. He was surprised when we said it was less than 75 miles from our house. Thank goodness he does better with the geography parts of his AP social studies classes. :)</p>
<p>scualum - I like that way of choosing the val - except that it seems like it might be possible for the principal to play favorites - or people might think that’s the case. I guess there’s probably no way to make everyone happy.</p>
<p>From what you have said, I think Harvey Mudd might be a good fit for him. I tried to get DS to look at it but he refused when he saw how weak their baseball team was (Cal Tech’s team just had him laughing).</p>
<p>He has that problem practically every year. </p>
<p>Since our online grading system includes the class rank, someone’s parents whose child finishes first and doesn’t get either honor is sure to complain. </p>
<p>In fact, that is how I learned about the selection process. I was watching a baseball game in my son’s sophomore year and a senior parent was yapping at the principal who was standing right next to me. I was tempted to tell her to make an appointment and stop ruining a lovely afternoon but decided that wasn’t prudent.</p>
<p>If anyone is seriously considering Mudd, feel free to PM me. It was S1’s second choice at the end of the day last year. As happy as I am that he’s at Chicago, doing well,and realizing this was an excellent decision, Mudd was the school I mourned at the end of the process. (Yeah, I was surprised at the grieving afterwards. Still am.) Fabulous place, great people, and S knows he would have been quite happy there.</p>
<p>Thanks, Queen’s Mom and LIMOM for the info on the SUNY’s. They really aren’t in S’s realm of possibility, but I thought Stony Brook looked interesting.</p>
<p>CountingDown – I love Hamantashen, and had never had one before about a year ago when I bought some at Whole Foods. I can just imagine how yummy homemade ones must be.</p>
<p>And to go along with the enticing smells, I hear the sounds of DISHES being WASHED upstairs! Be still my heart!!! It’s a miracle!</p>
<p>jackie, they are triangular cake-like cookies with filling. S2 does prune, apricot, cherry, apple and lemon. Noone at our house likes poppy seed, and if I made an entire batch of almond, I wouldn’t fit through the door! He uses a secret ingredient instead of milk and it makes the dough fabulous. </p>
<p>Countingdown–Care to share more about your S1s experience so far at Chicago? (feel free to point me to an earlier thread). I think Chicago is my D’s first choice right now (although these things do fluctuate). She’s interested in physics with a concentration in astrophysics. The more she learns, the more she likes it. Not sure if we should visit in the summer (since she wants to visit ASAP) or in the fall when she can sit in on classes and see more students.</p>
<p>astomom- are you aware of the Junior visit day at Chicago May 11? This conflicts with APs for many and I can’t think of why they scheduled it then, but my D and I will be attending. There is also a 1/2 day visit day at the end of March</p>
<p>CountingDown, if you guys will do the baking, I’ll devour the poppy seed! ;)<br>
Queen’s Mom-DS#1 is a grad student at Chicago and looks forward to the debate annually, as he did at his undergrad alma mater, Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Speaking of Swarthmore, DS#2 (given that designation because he is a minute older than DS #3) is excited about Swarthmore. I know that he idolizes his older brother, and hope I can get him to consider other schools where I think he’d be a better fit.</p>
<p>jackief–yes, we got the postcard and D wants to go, but she has an AP on the May date and the 1/2 day in March isn’t the best timing either. Since we’re doing NE schools during April break, we’re left with summer or fall (her school gives seniors several days off in October to do visits.) I think I see some summer courses on the Chicago website–maybe it would be worth it. You always hear how summer visits are less than ideal though.</p>
<p>Anyway, have fun during your visit and report back. Will you visit any other schools?</p>