<p>My D’s school doesn’t have CSF or NHS. They decided not to allow it. I did it when I was in H.S. and rather enjoyed all the volunteer work, etc. I’m sad she isn’t doing it, but she does her volunteer work on her own… softball related, of course. She helps kids with disabilities play softball. Its very cool.</p>
<p>I like, though, that her school let’s anyone who wants to take whatever AP courses and tests they want. Its really self selection.</p>
<p>AP Chem, my friends, is a “you know what” kicker. My D is used to all A’s and that class…wow… Very difficult for those who are English/History inclined. She is still getting a “B”, but it is taking a private tutor and lots of hours. Still… and here is one of the reasons we really need to let them make these decisions… she says it is HER FAVORITE CLASS! She likes it more than AP World History, English, Journlism, French IV… Go figure…</p>
<p>I don’t like margaritas, but you can pass me a cosmopolitan since my 2012 son now has his driver’s license!</p>
<p>Still very concerned about the courseload that he has signed on for Junior year. Hoping he comes to his senses by the end of this year and allows me to talk to administration about dropping one of those AP’s (preferably AP Physics changing to honors level). Wish he could just switch to AP Psych but it already “sold out” and has a waiting list. The HS has 3200 students and major budjet cuts so they warned parents and students that whatever is chosen now we have to live with (no schedule changes in the fall).</p>
<p>Good morning. I’ve just made my daily visit to the Parents of '10 thread and now I’m gonna try to establish the habit here for D’12. </p>
<p>For anyone who has a sophmore taking APs this year, there’s still time to register for an SAT Subject test. Late registration for the May 1 sitting is open until April 15. On-time registration for the June 5 sitting is open until May 5. </p>
<p>Two years ago we didn’t even know SAT subject tests existed. As a result, Son missed his chance to take US History when he finished the APUSH class. He finally took it in Oct of 11th grade - 4 months after learning the material - with a disappointing result. </p>
<p>D’12’s NHS induction is April 22. There’s a tradition at the school in that older sibs get to pin their younger sibs. Guess I’ll be boo-hooing all night on that one. :o</p>
<p>DougBetsy - thanks for the SAT 2 reminder. My son is registered to take the SAT 2 this June for Math 2 (since he is finishing up honors Precalculus this year.) I mentioned this to a friend, whose 2012 son is her one and only child, and she looked at me with surprise and disbelief. I hope she further researches this and does sign her son up for the test but since we have very poor to non existent college advising here, I doubt that she will be able to get any worthwhile planning advice from our hs guidance dept. I can only share what I learned here on CC, I cannot make anyone follow the advice.</p>
<p>my D is also going to take Math 2 SAT II and possibly chem dependent on if she decides to take AP Chem next year. If AP Chem, then skip the Chem SAT for now.</p>
<p>a tip- you can sign up for one test and then add additional on the day of paying just for the additional test. But if you sign up for 3 and decide to drop to 2, you don’t get a refund. Another tip- if you sign up for a test and then decide you are not sufficiently ready and want to take it at a later time, it is cheaper to reschedule the test than to just not show up and do a new registration later.</p>
<p>I don’t know what CHF is but my son is being inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) tomorrow night…and attendance at the ceremony is mandatory. :(</p>
<p>Many of his friends didn’t make it in (they got a letter turning down thier applications) , even after having met the GPA and community service prerequisites and having filled out the 6 page application (which included getting teacher, clergy and community leader’s signatures in addition to two recommendations). What a lot of hoops to jump through!!! I have heard that many kids drop out before senior year because of the 60 hour a year community service requirement.</p>
<p>I haven’t been on in forever, having a tough year with my youngest son in middle school. My Sophomore is holding is own and a little dissapointed with some grades - its that boy thing. Not motivated, gets by on the seat of his pants, xbox, etc. Have to really ride him this next quarter.</p>
<p>SAT Subject Test question. Just finishing Algebra 2, do we need to take it or should we wait until Pre- Calc is completed?</p>
<p>Wait until after pre-calculus to take the SAT 2 in Math 2. </p>
<p>My sophomore is still torn between his two realities…the boy who wants to be at the top of his class and the boy who wants to chill, play xbox, soccer and ride his ripstick. He is still sorta managing it all but…it is a precarious balance. Grades are still good but he is exhausted. I am backing off as much as I can knowing that he has to own it or change it himself but it is so hard for me. A timely metaphor might be that I am not used to taking a backseat when I am unsure of the driver’s expertise…</p>
<p>hi all! I’ve been lurking on the 2010 background enjoying cupcakes and margaritas. Joined way too late to be a “regular” poster there but hoping to be very involved here for S2. Here’s to this thread being just as friendly and supportive and inclusive as 2010. Also really hoping that all I’ve learned will be relevant for s2 who is the complete opposite of S1.</p>
<p>Looking for guidance on when to take SATII. HS does not recommend them to sophmores. Taking all honors but no APs this year.
AP Eng/history/physics next year plus Pre-calc.</p>
<p>Also…thoughts on taking the SAT this May as a sophmore??? Anyone?</p>
<p>skier- I’m sure some people take the SAT as a sophomore, I have never heard of it. I know some strong test takers take it right after the Jr PSAT using prep work for both. </p>
<p>agree the common wisdom is SAT Math2 after precalc.</p>
<p>I don’t recommend taking the SAT as a sophomore UNLESS your kid is one of the top percentile type of test takers. My son will take the SAT for the first time in October, the Saturday before the PSAT, since we are planning to get him some prep help this summer anyway (since the school year is so busy). He will take the SAT probably 3 times (most likely January and May or June) and the ACT 2 times (February and April?). He will take another SAT 2 (in one of his AP subjects) in May or June…dep on when he takes the SAT reasoning.</p>
<p>skier- I recommend your child take the SAT 2’s in May or June of next year, he should take the Math 2 then along with the history (since it is very closely aligned with the AP US history test and is reported to be almost a gift) and or the physics (but I heard that was a very tough one to do well in). Very few (less than 5) colleges require more than 2 SAT 2’s and many don’t require any btw.</p>
<p>FWIW, kids graduating in 11, applying to Univ of Cal will have to take subject tests to apply , even if they will never take pre calc, or any AP or Honors classes. What? It happens!</p>
<p>My D will be taking the USHist and Math SAT IIs next spring, as well. She doesn’t want to take the SAT’s early but she is an athlete hoping to play in college and coaches want to see her test scores. She’s top 1% of her class BUT she doesn’t test accordingly. So, she will most likely take the ACT, too.</p>
<p>She will also be taking some PSAT/SAT test prep over the summer. Her test schedule will look much like seiclan’s S.</p>
<p>I’m hoping also to be a more regular reader and poster in our '12 thread. The head wind was strong for our kids involved in '10 admissions, so I’m wishing us all a more relaxing environment.</p>
<p>Regarding SAT II subject tests- the Math II test is challenging. I’m no expert, but do recall my D had precalc/trig under her belt before attempting it with decent success. Self study to prepare is advisable as the curve tends to be steep. </p>
<p>My son is debating taking the Chemistry SAT II this year after honors chem. If he waits, which seems more likely, the issue of number of tests next spring often surfaces, as AP exams fall around the same time. </p>
<p>With both the SAT and Subject tests, it’s good for sophomores to pen a plan now.</p>
<p>Need help understanding AP’s. My daughter’s school got rid of AP courses. They have “advanced” courses instead. I now know their advanced physics is calculus based and basically the AP physics C. Their advanced chemistry is something equivalent to college chemistry for science and engineering majors. Is that what AP chemistry is? They don’t track in Lit or history and do not offer advanced courses in either. Impossible to know what AP history and lit tests she should/could take. They have American history in the junior year and Modern European history in the senior year. Are they what she can take AP tests on?</p>
<p>Yes, Iglooo, it sounds like your daughter’s “advance courses” correlate in name with the AP courses. To check if their curriculum cover’s the AP subject curriculum, may I suggest you use AP Central: [AP</a> Central - Course Descriptions](<a href=“Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board”>Course & Exam Pages – AP Central | College Board). Will your school write a special letter addressing there use of advanced courses and how they correlate?</p>
<p>There are a lot of threads on CC in the AP and Subject Test Prep Section on preparing for physics, chem and math as well as what are considered the best prep books. Barrons Reviews are almost texts in and of themselves for example.</p>
<p>Thank you for the link. It seems their adv chem 1 is AP chem except their chem 1 is missing the introduction to Organic Chemistry that is the subject of their adv Chem 2. Yes, I am sure that they will write a letter explaining their course offerings to colleges.</p>
She likes it more than AP World History, English, Journlism, French IV… Go figure…</p>