<p>The USC administration is responding quickly and thoroughly and the idea that this came from an honor society blows my mind.</p>
<p>Dear Campus Community:</p>
<p>A widely distributed warning to USC students and faculty about a potentially dangerous airborne pathogen on campus is a hoax. It is the work of Skull and Dagger, a university honor society, that annually creates a prank on campus.</p>
<p>This was an ill conceived and unfortunate prank that upset many in the community and we will be working with Skull and Dagger to prevent similar occurrences in the future.</p>
<p>FAP, I hate to use a sterotype but Iâm really not surprised that it came from the honor society. I know all kids are different but I swear, with my kid, a few of his academic IQ points were lifted from his common sense IQ. And my very bright sister is the same way!</p>
<p>If he wanted to (which he doesnât, thankfully) my S could easily put together a list of reaches, matches and safeties just by applying to campuses in the UC system.</p>
<p>PMK, I could use the handle IAmConfusedII. The problem is when you sign up on here you have no idea how much you donât know and how confusing it all will become. So we end up with things like YDS.</p>
<p>FAP - I couldnât even put together a list of 3 four-year schools from my stateâs public system. We only have two (plus one mediocre CC), and the academic distinction between them is huge. Although I suppose the nice part is that Iâm guaranteed a spot in the flagship. CBâs current statistic is 27% in-state, so we wonât be running out of room for qualified students anytime soon.</p>
<p>I so know what you mean (H)âŠBut that is the funniest way of putting it that I have ever heard.</p>
<p>As for tours, UF had an extremely organized tour. 3 students with different areas they were responsible for the information. This made them all very knowledgeable about their particular topic, (libraries, food, health services, dorms, sports, etc.). It made some of the other tour guides look pretty awful after that.</p>
<p>Phew, gone for a week and itâs tough to catch up!</p>
<p>DD & I ended up having to cancel our Rhodes tour because our hot water heater started leaking at midnight as we were going to leave at 6am. Due to her schedule, and Rhodesâ schedule, she wonât be able to visit again (and observe a class) until the Fall semester rolls around.</p>
<p>We did manage to make it to UGA which, very much like WhirledPeas2U, DD (and the rest of the family) didnât like. First of all itâs huge: 600+ acres, 362 buildings, 26,000 undergrads. But we liked UTennessee & UA and theyâre big (albeit not quite as large.) Things just seemed âoff.â We took the tour; the guide on the bus was fine but when we got to the walking part of the tour a freshman girl led us and everything was âawesome!â or âcool!â We never saw a dorm, we never went in the library, we never saw a classroom. And, shockingly for an SEC school, it felt very sterile (well, thatâs the best word we could come up with.) My younger DD, about 2 minutes into the walking tour, looked at me and said " there is no way I could ever come here, itâs just too big." She liked Birmingham- Southern much better. I think sheâll be the one heading to an LAC in 4 years :)</p>
<p>We were scheduled for an admissions session right after the tour, but after getting into the car we talked to DD who said forget it, Iâm not going to apply here. The thing she has said to people who have asked is âIâd have to take a bus to get to everyone of my classes.â </p>
<p>She also decided to take WUSTL off her list. So sheâs down to 13. </p>
<p>ACTâs next Wednesday; sheâs been doing practice tests. Theyâve actually been assigned by teachers but I think sheâs motivated anyway. Weâre visiting Centre College on the 22nd (which Iâll be surprised if it stays on the list, but Iâd like her to see a rural LAC) Her calendar for the next month is pretty intimidating; Iâm glad Iâm not her. But only 26 days of school left.</p>
<p>Zoosermom, D applied to Drew University with a âPriority Applicationâ a free one and you will hear very soon! We never heard a thing! She got a letter back in February saying her application was complete & they were reviewing it! So today is April 16th & we never heard a thing! Needless to say my son, Class of 2010 will not be looking there.</p>
<p>RobD - your D gets practice ACTs for homework? In what class? At my Dâs school, it seems like itâs all they can do to get through the curriculum, let alone add extras like practicing for the ACT or SAT! </p>
<p>Sorry about your hot water heater, and missing your trip to Rhodes. About UGA - at least youâre able to knock it off the list. That was my attitude about our visit to Columbia. Itâs just as valuable to see what they donât want.</p>
<p>I havenât posted in a while, but a quick update on a college visit - we went to Texas A&M, met with a counselor in the chemical engineering department, then went on a tour. Readerâs digest version - my son was very impressed with the chem e dpt., left the meeting thinking it would be a great choice, then NOT impressed with the campus or the environment - I think the âHOWDYâsâ did him in. ;)</p>
<p>He is an auto admit there, so if he doesnât get into engineering at UT, it is a wonderful fallback choice. He has decided not to look elsewhere besides UT or A&M. </p>
<p>On a positive note, it looks like he will end up as a âsalutatorianâ, top 10% (unless he takes a complete nosedive this last 6 weeks), so he will be an auto admit to UT. He wonât know if he will get into engineering though until after he applies in the fall. Fingers will be crossed because he really wants to be a Longhorn and not an Aggie!</p>
<p>Also, on the good news front, my oldest who graduates on May 3rd from UF has gotten a job!! Itâs been scary this spring, many of his friends are still looking, itâs a bad time to be graduating!! After interviewing with MANY prospective employers, he will be working in banking in Jacksonville. Woohoo! Heâs going to be off the family payroll!!</p>
<p>Great news, especially with your oldest landing a job in this economy. Hereâs virtual fingers crossed for your household to include a Longhorn.</p>
<p>We donât know what weâll have in 2010. Currently possibilities include a Cardinal, Bear, Trojan, Bruin, Wildcat, Quaker, and a few others. Heâll pass on the Banana Slug (UC Santa Cruz.)</p>
<p>Well, zoosermom, I already faxed the Admissions office & never heard anything, that was around April 2nd. At least it was a free application! We know the app was complete, because they said so! Now I read about the âsnarky commentsâ on the tour plus I will throw in that I asked the FA Office if they wanted our tax returns & their reply was rather âsnarkyâ I would say. Kind of like, donât contact us, we will contact you. Is it any wonder that their yield has been around 16-17% in recent years? </p>
<p>I think they have some problems there! They better spruce up their image! No pun intended with the âspruceâ. My D is happy with her choice & of course my son wonât be applying to Drew, seeing as his sister was treated so shabbily!</p>
<p>Thanks! We were really worried about the job issue. Most interviews he went on, the people would say things like, âWe are only hiring for 2 spots, and you are going up against people with MBAâs.â It was looking pretty grim. He has a ton of friends who are just thinking of staying in school for a while.</p>
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<p>Definitely one of the more âoddâ mascots!!</p>
<p>And what exactly is a âCardinalâ (not the bird, the color??) LOL!</p>