<p>Have a great time in Seattle! Whoever is driving (doubt it will be your D if you’re renting a car) will generally find the driving populace up there quite sane. However, it does take some getting used to on the freeways that so many will keep to the speed limit. Whenever I am up there, I have to watch myself on this so I don’t stick out like a ticket waiting to happen.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, I think we’re starting a family tradition. Visit a campus, have it rain. It happened with USC and UCLA, and now it’s looking like umbrellas for Berkeley and Stanford.</p>
<p>I’ll be up at the front with you DB because I can’t see over the crowds! We have a goatee dad also but he and little charmer might sneak off for a snack.</p>
<p>I still don’t have a driver’s license, and I’m 19. :eek:</p>
<p>D.C. has a one-year waiting period (six months with a learner’s permit, six months with a provisional license) before you can apply for a full license, and my parents moved to New York within that period, so it didn’t make sense to begin the process. I’ve taken driver’s ed, including several in-car lessons, so I more or less know how to drive (or did two years ago, at least)… but the administrative part is such a hassle.</p>
<p>I might try to get a New York license when I’m there for an internship next fall (I’d be living with my family and could use my parents’ car), but the thought of having to practice driving in the city is a bit intimidating!</p>
<p>scualum, congratulations to your D! S has had his license for about 10 days and is enjoying the freedom, as am I. </p>
<p>BurnThis, I actually wasn’t thinking of your S (although I do remember he had the same score as D :)), but of a girl from D’s high school who got in SCEA last year, and had shared her score with D.</p>
<p>We got back last night from UPitt. It was very cold, and even snowed a bit there. Despite the nasty weather, S really liked the place. There is no grassy quad, but it’s in a nice section of Pittsburgh, with some terrific monumental architecture and a large park nearby. Housing is guaranteed for 3 years, which is better than a lot of state schools; we saw a double room in one of the freshman towers (which are HUGE), and it was pretty spacious. Those towers are concrete and without charm, but seem to be the hub of student life. He really liked the whole feel of the place, which was buzzing with activity.</p>
<p>The info session was large (300?) and ok, emphasizing the variety of academic programs, opportunities to study abroad, and the sports teams (S loved that part most of all.) The tour guide was very enthusiastic and informative about campus life. It’s a large school, so you’re going to have to seek out help, but it’s readily available. S wasn’t interested in sitting in on a class (<em>sigh</em>), but was very enthusiastic about all the food options, the fact that Pitt students ride the city buses for free, and the great variety of things to do in the city. </p>
<p>We stayed at the Residence Inn near campus, which gives a good rate if you mention Pitt, and provides a free shuttle bus to the campus. Of course we couldn’t get him interested in the least in stopping off at any LACs on the way home, but given his bent towards big and urban or at least close-to-a-city suburban (UMD), it’s probably pointless anyway. He’s seen Haverford, since we live 10 minutes away, and says a place like that just feels way too small, not to mention the lack of big-time sports.</p>
<p>Given the lousy weather and how much of an urban campus it is, I was surprised that S liked it so much, but he’s turning out to be more of a city kid than we thought (which pleases us, since H and I are both ex-New Yorkers). After each college visit he makes a pro and con list, and the only ‘cons’ are the weather and the fact that it doesn’t have a Journalism major, although he’s not 100% sure he wants to do that anyway. It’s definitely on the list.</p>
<p>I got some great news about the University of Texas’ requirements for in-state residency today! I spoke directly with a woman who is their residency expert.</p>
<p>All that is required is:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The parents NOT claim the student as a dependent on tax returns. She said that is ALL they’re looking for to establish independence (I asked specifically).</p></li>
<li><p>The student must have owned property in Texas for ONE year, prior to entering classes. It can be land, and it can be anywhere in Texas. There must be something inepensive in west Texas!</p></li>
<li><p>The student must live in Texas for ONE year, prior to entering classes. Attending UT for that year DOES count. He/she can’t live at home the whole summer, although she said it’s OK to vist a few weeks on vacation.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So our son would have to pay OOS tuition his freshman year, but then it would be in-state after that. We’ll have to find some very cheap property now!</p>
<p>My son has his heart set on Cornell for Civil Engineering. He just got his SAT scores back. 800 - math, 640 - critical reading, 760 - writing (2200 total). He has been advised NOT to retake, but to focus on the upcoming ACT and his SAT IIs. He is already studying engineering and has a very solid GPA with a good number of APs as well as extracurriculars in engineering and math. Do you think this is good advice? an only go down in the math and I think the writing would stay the same. Although 640 is not close to his other scores, the highest he’s gotten on a critical reading section in practice tests is a 610. Do you think his current scor is high enough for Cornell?</p>
<p>I just happened to look this up yesterday on the College Board web site for Cornell (as a whole):</p>
<p>Middle 50% of first year students</p>
<p>Math 670-770
Cr Reading 630-730
Writing Not Listed
Total 1300-1500 Your S: 1440</p>
<p>College Board also noted 88% of students are in top 10% of class. GPA listing was not available.</p>
<p>The strength of the other elements in your S’s application may be the determining factor. Perhaps if you contact Cornell they can give your figures specific to Engineering, since I imagine there are differences from school to school, especially at Cornell given that it’s a unique blend of part ptrivate/part state school.</p>
<p>MaineLonghorn, do be sure to check your health insurance policy and auto insurance policy to see if he is still covered under them if he is not claimed as a dependent. Some companies say the student must be a dependent on the parents’ tax return while others simply say they must be a full-time student.</p>
<p>Findaplace, I looked up the figures as well. I know he falls within the range, but his reading score is only 10 points above the bottom of the range. The college counselor at his school and his guidance counselor are the ones advising him, although they did say they would be a bit more comfortable if his writing and reading scores were reversed. Does Cornell not look at the writing score?</p>
<p>musicmom- I don’t have current Cornell stats, but I am a Cornell Engineering grad so if I can answer any questions with outdated answers let me know.</p>
<p>Taking the ACT also is a good idea, but I would also prep for the CR section maybe with a personal tutor over the summer if you are not happy with the ACT score. Is he taking that in June?</p>
<p>I think I remember that Cornell is an anti-score choice school.</p>
<p>I have seen several recent posts on this thread referring to SAT subscores “going down” in subsequent administrations. I really think this is not worth worrying about. Colleges keep trying to convince us that they take your highest scores into consideration. This is true EVEN IF they were followed by lower scores on later dates. If you score a 750 the second time, it doesn’t take away the ‘shine’ of your 800 in a previous administration :-).</p>
<p>I completely understand people wanting to follow a “one and done” philosophy due to a busy life and conflicts with extracurriculars, or simply feeling that they have reached their personal best or that their score is high enough for their target schools, or that they prefer the ACT, but the fear of scores going down should not be a rationale. In my opinion, there is no shame in retaking the SAT nor glory in being a member of the “one and done” club!</p>
<p>To add on to your post, it’s to the advantage of the university to super score. By doing so, their admitted student stats looks better, their bond rating agencies will be happier (hence a financial incentive for some of the practices that colleges follow.)</p>
<p>One would also hope the admissions committees look at more about the applicant than SAT scores at one, two or more sittings.</p>
<p>Re: driving–the practical is just X number of practice sessions during school with the driver’s ed teacher. For the first year, we do have a restriction on carrying passengers (only 1 other non-family member allowed).</p>
<p>I’m visiting Pitt this Friday, as the first stop on my OH/western PA trip over spring break. Given Booklady’s report, I have some doubts as to whether I would like it–my inclination thus far as been to exactly the opposite of Booklady’s S, isolated surburban (loved Swarthmore) small LAC. Urban scares me… but we will see. I am HOPING that I like Pitt since I think I would have a decent shot at a full-tuition merit scholarship there.</p>
<p>I tend to believe that schools live up to what they say and digest only the highest SAT scores. When my son took the SAT I’s the first time he scored 790, 790, 760(R) and then he decided to take them a second time.</p>
<p>The second time he studied (he didn’t study or prepare at all the first time and was out with his friends until 2AM the night before), took them a second time after a good night’s sleep and did 150 points worse overall! He still got into Harvard and 13 other schools so I think they only cared about his best scores.</p>
<p>Thanks, Keilexandra - I’m completely floored at the thought of people driving without having to pass a road test! The rules here in NY are so much stricter! </p>
<p>I hope you like Pitt too. Which other schools did you say you’d be visiting? </p>
<p>We’re hoping to do some visits this break, but plans keep changing, so we’ll see what happens.</p>
let me know.</p>