<p>Ditto on the welcome to newcomers! I feel a little like a newcomer myself since I took a bit of a hiatus from CC. D2 is our youngest - went through this in '09 with D1 and I’m still loving the parents of college class of '13 thread. Lots of dual members of that thread and this (hi c-q!)</p>
<p>DD is an A student with good but not tippy-top test scores. strong leadership ECs - president of temple youth group and member of regional (multi-state) board. she knows she wants a small LAC or smallish university, preferably out of the Midwest and in a warmer or at least more temperate climate. she fell in love with Pitzer when we visited with D1, and initially wanted only Pitzer or something similar (“a hippie school in a warm place” ;)) So I took her to see New College of Florida in April, but her assessment: too many hippies and too hot! oy! let’s just say we are still working on a list - she has been less than engaged in the process, but I sense a bit more willingness lately.</p>
<p>she opted last fall to attend an alternative school half days. she attends our local HS for math, science and Spanish, and then commutes 30 miles for an interdisciplinary english/history/arts/cultural studies program, which she loves. the only downside of doing that program is that she hasn’t taken any APs yet, but she will have a few this year. </p>
<p>she has been hampered by very slow reading (which is reflected in test scores b/c she simply doesn’t finish) and we just got a diagnosis of “complex verbal working memory deficit” and “slow processing speed.” the psychologist likened it to a Lambourghini - super fast engine (her brain), hampered by a flat tire (the deficits). she can still go pretty fast (hence the high grades), but not as fast as the other Lambourghinis (hence her feeling like she isn’t really smart).</p>
<p>Re: mentions of Grinnell upthread. DH and I are alums. sadly, Grinnell isn’t a fit for either D but it’s a fabulous school and I’m happy to answer questions.</p>
<p>we live in Central OH, so I can answer some questions about visiting Denison, Kenyon, etc., and D1 is at Brandeis so can answer questions there as well.</p>
<p>Although I have posted a bit, I thought I should introduce myself. We’ve been through the process once already with a 2009 D who is happily ensconced at Smith College. Not an option for S :)</p>
<p>S will be a 2012 graduate and is broadly interested in math, science or engineering. We’re trying to focus that this summer with more exposure to the specifics of those careers through a sci/eng careers camp at our local university. He has done well on standardized tests and will likely be a NMSF and has also almost a 4.0 GPA. He has taken advanced math and language classes through the university. Outside of academics, he loves sports and is a long-time soccer player as well as participating in a couple of lesser-known sports in high school.</p>
<p>So far, he’s visited a small number of east coast schools, some Chicago area schools, a couple of big ten universities, and a local liberal arts college. He’s pretty easy-going and has yet to verbalize what he liked or didn’t like about specific types of schools. I’m trying to get him to own the process, but there seem to be many more important things of interest this summer.</p>
<p>We are just starting a list for him with his reaches being MIT, Northwestern, matches of Carleton and Grinnell and a match/safety of UW-Madison. I’d like to add to the match and safety schools with some programs that offer merit aid and offer strong math and science programs. I’m a little leery of many of the LAC’s with his advanced math status, as I worry that he’ll run out of classes if he chooses to pursue math. </p>
<p>I’ve learned a lot from all of you already and look forward to continuing the journey in this supportive atmosphere.</p>
<p>Hi All! I love the supportive nature of this thread, so helpful!
D12 is our one and only, she’s a strong student with excellent grades in a full IB diploma program and a nice ACT score, the SAT is not her test. She doesn’t want to be too far from home, but not too close either. Similar test/grades in math/science and english/social sciences…so it’s up to her. Lots of leadership EC’s, especially in Girl Scouts (Gold Award in progress, national panels, led council wide events,etc). It’s going to be an interesting journey!</p>
<p>When I started reading, Geogirl’s was the last post, now there are 3 more!
We are in the NY and just started reading CC this spring. I only have a 2012 S who has me almost at the point of needing those pepcid. He has decent grade, I guess, and SAT. He attends small public HS with a class of less than 80. If he does not go to one of our State schools, we are in NY, we will definitely need fin aid. Wants to major to join the field of Corporate Finance. Since 8th Grade, Suny Bing…now in love with Penn State Univ Park. Took him to see Ithaca, Bing and Univ of Scranton in the fall. First he liked one, then he didn’t, then he liked the other, then he didn’t. Argh.</p>
<p>He’s got pleny of EC - volunteer, sports, leadership, comfortable engaging in conversation with adults. </p>
<p>He recently was amenable to taking a practice ACT (about 2 weeks ago). No action yet. Will have plenty of time to think of life during S yr thanks to his 4 study halls. </p>
<p>Deep inside, I think he will be happy wherever he goes as long as it is at least 3 hrs from home. I would prefer to see him go then stay at home and attend our Comm Coll. Nearest Suny is just 10 more min away than our Comm College, so that will not be an option. He is very much a homebody. Prefers being home. When he goes out, he stays out. But, if people are busy, he’ll just make X of an effort to go out and will most likely stay home. Sometimes it drives us crazy. Both H and I were very much hang out people. Always out with friends or doing something, at his age. Also, we were **not very **good students and both grew up without parents so we didn’t have someone giving us advise on what to do. Sometimes we feel like we are being pushy. </p>
<p>Annadad - “I’ve done most of the spadework on developing a college list, but based on her criteria. She’s grateful for the help and amenable to suggestions.” </p>
<p>Nice to hear the nice intros! I’ve been working on a spreadsheet this morning with the school’s S is interested in. Gen Ed requirements, AP credits he should have, what’s required for a math degree, and what courses are offered. </p>
<p>northernwoods - please share any other schools you and your S come up with - it looks like our sons are interested in the same stuff, and with your son’s grades I think his matches/safeties might be good additions to my son’s reach/match list. He’s already set for safeties. </p>
<p>I’m already looking forward to hearing where all of our cool interesting kids get accepted! I think S will be filling out his first 3 college apps with 3 or 4 weeks - wow!</p>
<p>I just have to tell the world I talked to my half sister for the first time ever. Up until yesterday she didn’t know I existed. Our lives are so different. She has seven children, married at 16. Lost custody when her youngest was 9 and lives on an Island with her boyfriend. No car, no internet. Walks to work at a deli. Only one of her children have graduated from highschool, one has his Ged and 2 are still in highschool. So many emotions. I grew up an only child and now I can say I have a sister. But so many problems. Het children all live barely an hour away. Going to invite them to my house and I want to take the youngest girl who is 15 out to eat and shopping.</p>
<p>So many emotions. My husband says careful but I found my SISTER. it took me 36 years. She is 40. I don’t even know how to explain. I want to make sure the final,two graduate. The one who graduated this year is joining the navy. It is his chance to go to college.</p>
<p>Wow mspearl. That’s amazing that you found her.
Aren’t families crazy? Mine sure is! I’m happy for you, and it is exciting,
but I agree with your husband - tread carefully.</p>
<p>Hi tooCurious - he can obtain very close to a Corp finance business major in the Cornell AG school or even Human Ecolocy with a degree in Consumer Economics. Have you considered either?</p>
<p>s2012d2017 - I wanted to check Cornell out when we were in Ithaca but S said that was crazy; no way he’d get in and wouldn’t let me drive there. I think he’d have a hard time getting in for the Suny Cornell admit as his Regents are not that high and I understand the Suny Cornell part does take the NYS Regents into account.</p>
<p>pinot noir - I made a spreadsheet but I didn’t fill it out. Should I? Should I offer to fill it out together? This is what it has: </p>
<p>Facts Section: Avg GPA; SAT Eng Top 75; Sat Math Top 75; SAT Combined CR-M; SAT Combined all 3; M-F Ratio; Avg non-need aid Met; Hispanic or ALANA percent; </p>
<p>My Opinion: How I stack; How I perceive their Corp Fin Prg; Mostly Professors teach?;
Class sizes?; Conditions Dorms; Condition Campus; College life; Eateries; Nearby town; Getting around; Weather; Snowboarding nearby?;Accessibility to get home</p>
<p>Common App Yes or NO; Additional Essay; Preferred Deadline for App; Preferred Deadline for FinAid; Scholarships I may qualify for</p>
<p>The My opinion section was meant to be scored 1 - 10 or 100 since they are subjective opinions.
Is there a better way? What am I leaving out? Suggestions welcome.</p>
<p>mspearl many congratulations on finding your sister. I hope it all goes smoothly…but listen to your husband. Take it slow. You certainly want to help out, that’s all good, but slow may help everyone to adjust–especially if she didn’t know you existed.</p>
<p>Hm, I’m liking the spreadsheet, I’ll have to think about that!</p>
<p>I started with her criteria. She said she wanted to go to a school that was no more than a long day’s drive from home and where she could continue her study of Russian (though not necessarily as a major). She also wants a school that has an education program - she’s not sure that’s what she wants to do but wants to leave the option open in case she makes the decision to become a math teacher. She was open as to rural/urban and college size. But nothing in Iowa (and Indiana was originally out, though she is looking at Evansville), and definitely not the local state directional U (we live in Illinois BTW). No rational reason for the Iowa ban, but given her flexibility on the rest of the criteria, I have no problem with it. She had two reach schools that she wanted to look at.</p>
<p>With that, I used various online resources to come up with a list of about 20 schools that met her criteria. I then eliminated those that were too selective for her stats, not selective enough, or clearly out of the picture financially, and came up with a list of 14. I then made a spreadsheet with all the relevant information. We went over that list together and got it down to 10. After we had the family conference with the GC, we added two more, so we have 12 now. DD then took over and started scheduling visits (with input from us as to our availability). That 12 will probably get trimmed by a few before apps start.</p>
<p>Wow - how to keep up! Welcome to all new posters.</p>
<p>This is my second and last college go round. Older daughter is MT and that application process is insane, I am so glad to be done with that. (Sorry PN) She’s thrilled at Northwestern and will be a Junior in the fall.</p>
<p>'12 daughter is so different in so many ways so this is a new but easier college search. She wants a small LAC with few, if any, core requirements. Must have creative writing, ceramics (not just sculpture), art history, regular history, and theatrical stage make-up opportunities. She used to say no foreign language requirement but she’s modified that to P/F one term French 1 (after taking 3 years in hs) being acceptable. GPA is 93 unweighted, SATs in the 700s but she does not do well under pressure or stress so less is more and nurturing environment is more important.</p>
<p>So far she loves Knox, Beloit, and is okay with Skidmore. We are still looking at Hampshire, Ursinus, Rollins, Pitzer, Alfred, Santa Fe U. of Art and Design, Bard. She dropped Grinnell after visiting. I think this is a good mixed list for her.</p>
<p>I’m not good with spreadsheets but I prefer a notebook with each college having 2 or 3 pages to list all that’s needed and her thoughts after visiting. I also like the idea of her applying EA as much as possible because there’s no better feeling than your first acceptance before Christmas season. Definitely takes the pressure off. </p>
<p>The key advice I have for everyone - there are at least 50 great colleges for each kid and your child is bound to get into at least one of them. Relax.</p>
<p>Thanks amtc - I like hearing that.
I like the notebook and used it on our travels but … I guess I have a soft spot for e-data and transferred it as soon as I could. </p>
<p>Anna’s dad - thanks. I am inclined to showing S ur post and asking if it’s ok to proceed in that direction. I was tempted to do that but thought it would be too pushy. </p>
<p>As for anonymity, I left my nook unattended once and I am pretty sure my screen name has already been duly noted. I could come back as someone else but, what would the point be? I’d probably just give myself away again.</p>
<p>My approach has been similar to annasdad - S comes up with the criteria and I have fun searching for schools, and it’s a sickness - I love spreadsheets. My family teases me, but I will say - my older son called me once about 2 months into his freshman year in college and confessed he had a spreadsheet set up with all of his requirements and what classes he wanted to take through his senior year. ;)</p>
<p>t00curious - I don’t know if you SHOULD fill in the spreadsheet, but if you want to and it’s cool with your son, I don’t see any reason why not. I’m all for raising kids to become independent, but I think they learn a lot from working side by side on projects with adults, whether it’s fixing a car, picking colleges, or anything else. In our family we generally try to help each other out - I did the books for my husband’s business, my kids who drive do most of the grocery shopping, my younger son does a ton of housework this summer because he’s the only one not working full time. I don’t see much benefit to not making the college application process a family project if that’s what everyone prefers. </p>
<p>amtc - I’m not the one with a MT kid (I think it’s Gwen?). I WISH my older kids had more desire to participate in performing arts than they do (none). </p>
<p>mspearl - I’ll echo the crowd - how exciting you’ve found your sister but be careful and don’t form expectations - go slowly!</p>
<p>Another spreadsheet fan here - I put ours on Google Docs so DS can get to it. My way of thinking about this is that DS is the CEO who will ask the hard questions and make the tough decision. I am the administrative assistant - though a pushier one than I would put up with in real life :-). We’re both good with that division of effort.</p>
<p>Hey all,
I just logged in and there are so many new posts and posters. We are on vaca on the Jersey Shore so I am not checking in that much lately. DS “says” he completed his AP Lit summer reading and assignment before we left but hasn’t submitted it yet (turnitin.com). He has spent the last few days on the beach or in the house, working on his Java program (something he does for fun). I have asked him to please write his essays tomorrow (common app), since the rest of our extended family will be arriving this weekend and the next week of our vaca will be organized chaos with the extended family. I am hoping he can do this. He has some ideas of what he wants to do so hopefully he can flesh out something. </p>
<p>Welcome again to all newcomers and I will check in from time to time.</p>
<p>I think tooCurious is referring to the state colleges (ag, hum ec, ilr) as they offer discounted tuition for ny residents, but I never heard them referred to as SUNY Cornell when I attended.</p>
but, what would the point be? I’d probably just give myself away again.</p>