<p>D finally talked to teachers about college letters. She really fought us on that, I have no idea why. She went in to talk to one of her favorite teachers about an independent study for next fall, and he offered, so that’s a good thing. A bad thing about compressed classes is that kids tend not to have the same teacher for a year. She’s planning on using a math teacher she’s had for 3 semesters, but the last of those semesters was first semester Junior year. It’s a small math department, and I think she’s best off going with the teacher who knows and likes her, even if not the most recent teacher. Of course, her current math teacher has been her math team (ARML) coach for years now, even before she started at her current school. Hard decisions.</p>
<p>The last class of the year is today, the last paper is due at midnight. Finals are Tuesday and Wednesday. Then ARML, and the year is over. Finally.</p>
<p>Wow, our kids don’t get out until June 16th, it seems sooooo far away. They are home today as part of the Memorial Day holiday. At least they can catch up on some sleep. I asked D what her plans were—sleep, read her English novel, sleep, well you get the picture. No mention of studying for anything, writing any essays, etc. sigh. </p>
<p>I can’t wait for summer! Hang in there Igloo, the end is near!</p>
<p>Daughter used the “12 in 10 days” method and found the advice to be beneficial. Her score on the essay went from an 8 to an 11. The length of the essay seems to be very important and daughter was having trouble filing up the 2 pages in the time provided (25 minutes?).</p>
<p>In case someone thinks this is a solid a it is not…at her school 93-100 is an a. She entered this final with I believe a 92.64%?? So she was on the precipice of a B.</p>
<p>This is so special for us. I am crying. Three years of a 4.0. I will just come out of hiding and let everyone know she has a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematous that in 8th grade made her so sick she could hardly walk and missed a lot of school, had to quit dance etc… For her to bounce back and fight this illness which has practically gone into remission the last year is a miracle for our family. I am so proud of her and so blessed I can’t even find the words … Everyday is a blessing and a gift! When I see her dance, walk on her hands and do ten backhandsprings in a row I know there are miracles. </p>
<p>I am sorry if I sound cheesy but I don’t know how else to say it right now. My husband and younger D have a genetic illness that causes frequent surgeries and 6months to yearly scans. It gets so OVERWHELMING sometimes and when good things like this happen they mean more than I can convey. Thank you for putting up with all my posts! This board is my stress relief and it is so wonderful to talk to people so involved in the college process, coming from a county where half the population is Amish and only goes to 8th grade, and the majority of the other half works factory jobs or no jobs at all, I don’t have many people I can relate to!</p>
<p>I have a struggling belief in God sometimes but maybe I shouldn’t today.</p>
<p>…and her dad, nor anyone in his family, parents and 5 brothers sisters have ever been to college. My D will only be the 2nd out of 10 grandkids to go so far! So for our family this is very exciting!!!</p>
<p>Mspearl, I am glad that you have good news today, and even more glad that your D is doing well. I know that she will have wonderful success in college, and will have great options.</p>
<p>Sharing your joy MsPearl!!! I am kvelling (yiddish term) for you and your family! I know what it is like having a child with a chronic illness and every good day…is a great day!</p>
<p>Will share bit of our joy…DS PULLED IT OFF. He got an A on the Calculus AB final exam today (grade was posted just now on online website) and so he gets an A for the semester!!! Very happy right now. Doing the happy dance.</p>
<p>Congrats to your kids mspearl and seiclan! </p>
<p>Some among us are getting good news, some are getting less-than-hoped-for results, and some of us are still on pins-and-needles about the end of junior year. The important thing is that we all come together to celebrate, console, and support. </p>
<p>Mspearl: Great News - a 96 on the Civil War Final!! Your D is obviously a very special young lady who will be a strong additiona to any campus - a lot of schools are going to fight over her. Best wishes to her.</p>
<p>azcpamom: I attended the “Exploring College Options” event, as well and concurr that the Georgetown presenter was the best -though they were all solid. i did not think the presentations would be that helpful, but i did hear some things that I think are worth sharing:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>If you make less than $60K, your kid goes to Harvard free. From $61K-$180K, he or she will most likeley get financial aid, but Harvard will ask for between 1% and 10% of annual income on a sliding scale.</p>
<ul>
<li> Harvard’s new EA - you can apply to harvard EA and as many other public universities as you want to, but no other privates.</li>
<li> Duke is “by no means a southern school!”</li>
<li> Georgetown: 3 sittings of the SAT is okay, 4 is not - “we start to wonder why you are not working on your essay and working on whatever is your passion.”</li>
<li>Summers are for your passion: “that can be taking college courses, but only if that is your passion. It can be holding a job, camp counselor, helping the poor, etc.”</li>
<li>U. of Penn. has “a lot of green space” and “Penn students are really happy.”</li>
<li>Penn has $130 million in financial aid to give out. Need blind admissions. Will provide “00% of demonstrated need” with no loans. Goal is for every undergrad to graduate debt free.</li>
<li>Essays: “the biggest pitfall if to write what you think we want to read - you saved a village or your dog died.” “We do not care what the subject of your essay is but is must have passion, be in your voice and be well written.” (Duke) “The best essays are the most introspective, self-reflective and deliberate.” (Georgetown)</li>
<li>Teacher references should be from teachers from junior or senior year who know you well. You do not have to have gotten an A in her class and she does not have to teach in the subject in which you intend to major.</li>
</ul></li>
<li><p>All schools: "Hands down the most important part of the application is the transcript - it will not only tell us your grades and class rank, but whether you “took the most challenging course load in which you could succeed and thrive, according to what was available to you.”</p></li>
<li><p>Legacy status counts “very, very little . . . might be a feather on the scale.”</p>
<ul>
<li>(ALL) " We are not looking for straight As and 2400 SATs, we look for a majority of As with full ECs plus 8 hours of sleep per night."</li>
<li>“You do not have to take 5 APs senior year.”</li>
<li>“We look for emmotional intelligence . . . will you be a good roomate.”</li>
<li>“Please do not let the $58,000 per year prive tag dissuade you from applying.”</li>
<li>Q: “Do you look at AP tast scores?”<br>
A: “We look at everything that you send us, but do not pay anything to send your AP scores, just self-report the AP scores free.”</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>
<p>" - We do not keep track of visits to our campus."</p>
<p>Very nice summary. They said much the same when we attended a few weeks ago. We didn’t care so much for the Georgetown rep., perhaps there was a different one in my part of the country.</p>
<p>Congrats on all of the great news for these juniors (and parents).</p>
<p>Wondering if someone could link to the aforementioned 12 in 10 weeks format for the essay? I would love to hear more on that.</p>
<p>I’m thinking Junioritis may be a reflection of the intensity of schedule now present in 10th and 11th grade with honors, AP classes, EC’s. Senioritis come early as a method to “zone through” the stress of it all.</p>
