<p>FAP - great article. My freshman D2 is currently thinking about math as a potential major. If you go to the list of topics in the parents forum, there is a “new thread” button near the top. </p>
<p>linfort- welcome and don’t get discouraged. Although most are highly driven superachievers on this site, the parents area is by far where you will find the most moderation and sanity. It is very likely she would be happy at a less competitive (admissions-wise) state U, especially if you and she are unsure of her future, a lower cost option until she finds her path might be good. There are also many test optional schools out there, see [Optional</a> List | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]Optional”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>
<p>For that matter, who hires a mathematician?</p>
<p>linfort, I once wrote that reading cc prompts a reaction similar to the five stages of grief:</p>
<p>Denial: “I don’t believe any teen-agers are this engaged and have these kinds of grades!”</p>
<p>Anger: “Why is my child such a slacker???” </p>
<p>Bargaining: “I’ll do anything to raise my child’s score.”</p>
<p>Depression: “I can’t believe that I wasted thousands of dollars on test prep.”</p>
<p>Acceptance: “Some school somewhere will take him/her. I love my child just the way he/she is. I can’t believe how wound up I was about this whole process.”</p>
<p>Did you dd really do poorly or poorly by cc standards? When you first start reading cc, it seems everyone on here has a super-child, but that’s not the case on here or IRL, of course. :)</p>
<p>Roustabouts are oil field workers. They work on drilling rigs. It is VERY hard and dangerous work. They work with the pipe as it is put down the hole, if there is a blowout the pipe can be pushed at tremedous force into the air. Imagine steel pipe flying around your head!!</p>
<p>linfort: don’t worry so much. My D consistently does A LOT worse on her standardized tests than her ability would indicate. However, she has other good points: she is incredibly compassionate and understanding; her social IQ would be off the charts (if they measured such things); and she is beautiful both inside and out. She will probably not get into a top school, but then again, given her anxiety issues, the competition there would probably kill her anyway. She will apply to her dream schools (she has the grades but not the test scores) and a whole lot of low matches (as soon as we decide on what they should be) and at least one safety. I think she will do very well in life.</p>
<p>linfort, I second Queen’s Mom. There is a place for everyone! I sometimes think that parents and kids who read CC might be freaked out about the competition level and think they won’t have a chance to get in anywhere. BUT, this is an unusual place where it seems like everybody is a genius or cured cancer or something. In reality, most kids are just normal, average grades and scores, etc and they all end up going to college!</p>
<p>Thanks for posting that article, FindAPlace. I will definitely forward this article to my D, and cross my fingers that she’ll read it. </p>
<p>linfort - good luck with your D. I think that just the fact that your D took the SAT in December of her junior year shows that she’s at least a little more motivated than you suspect - unless of course you forced her to take the test.</p>
<p>Welcome, linfort! Come sit by me in the late-bloomers’ pew. This is where I read and listen and learn a lot so I can have a productive response ready if/when my kid finally shows a teeny spark of interest. (My kid’s not a slacker, but he’s definitely an indecisive feet-dragger.) From time to time I can contribute news and questions and applause. But, mostly I’m a follower here. And everyone’s so nice, I don’t even think they mind! :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the support. Do you know if there is a thread with suggestions for motivating? She IS much brighter than her scores. Consistently gets all A’s and one or two B’s in a very challenging high level IB high school. She is amazing with the things that she likes to do and is a hard worker. I don’t think she has missed handing in a homework assignment more than a handful of times since kindergarten. However, if you ask her, she doesn’t think she is that special. She only really stands out in math, and that is a big achievement at Overacheiver HS. She loves community service and is very creative. Like I said, well rounded. Just can’t motivate her to think beyond today, to take a look at herself and her achievements, to study for the “stupid” SAT’s, to look at college sites online, to even think about whether she wants to be in an urban or rural setting. I think she is afraid of college and the changes it will bring. I know some students just can’t wait to get to their dream school and use HS as a means to that end. She is enjoying HS, is happy, healthy, and doing well, but not interested in looking at anything that has the word college in it. I just don’t know how much to push without turning her off further.</p>
<p>linfort,
I think that cc is great for those of us whose kids are not Harvard bound. From not wanting to take the SATS to majoring in something obscure to trying to figure out financial aid, I find cc to be an unmatched resource. Someone here knows the answer and they are more than willing to share. </p>
<p>My son is also a junior and while he has a lot interest, he also keeps changing his mind. I too am hoping for a more focused senior year! No matter what, I know that I can count on the community here for a sounding board and support. Hang in there!</p>
<p>Since she is a junior, she does have time to ignore it for awhile longer. I quietly do research so that when my son does ask a question, I can show him a few links. </p>
<p>Also, I’ve heard many times here on cc that while good grades can make up for low test scores, high test scores do not make up for good grades. In otherwords, your daughter seems to be in a better position than you might fear.</p>
<p>Our D is coming home soon from France (Jan 25th). She’s now bilingual and way more sophisticated than 6 mos. ago. We’re wondering if she’s going to be bored out of her mind during her senior year.</p>
<p>Think it’s too late to consider applying to college for next year?</p>
<p>I would agree with this. Good grades shows constant effort and taking care of business. A low test score can just mean that they were having a bad day or freak out at timed standardized tests. Bad grades but high test scores could mean a brilliant slacker! That kind of kid might have problems with being a self motivator at college. It’s a lot harder to keep up when mom isn’t bugging you to do your work or to get up and go to class.</p>
<p>And, You Don’t Say, those were my stages back when I first started reading CC. It is crazy some of the kids on here!!</p>
This is where I read and listen and learn a lot so I can have a productive response ready if/when my kid finally shows a teeny spark of interest. (My kid’s not a slacker, but he’s definitely an indecisive feet-dragger.) From time to time I can contribute news and questions and applause. But, mostly I’m a follower here. And everyone’s so nice, I don’t even think they mind! :)</p>