Parents of the HS Class of 2013

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
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<p>No fee to view the ACT, just log on to the account. S13’s were up at 12:05 am central time on the first day – the writing score was even there. It seems like most kid’s composite scores are posted that first day – I’m sure some get delayed though. The letter sometimes comes weeks later, but it’s the same thing you can print out online.</p>

<p>There is a fee to send the scores to each college, so maybe that’s what you’re thinking. Also, the ACT, unlike the SAT, requires you to pay separately for each test date – so if you want a school to superscore, you have to pay double (or triple/quadruple lol) for each college. Apparently, this is why a lot of schools don’t superscore the ACT – puts poorer students at a disadvantage. </p>

<p>S13 was going to take the SAT IIs in May, but prom is that night, and he figures he’ll be cramming for AP Physics that weekend. If the Physics test were in the first week, he probably would have done them on May 5. So they’ll have to wait until June. </p>

<p>Tuxes are expensive (plus tickets, flowers, etc), but I figure it’s still cheaper to be a boy! I wish he were done growing so we could just buy a tux. His first suit did last him 4 formals, so we were pleased! Just had to buy different shirts/ties.</p>

<p>Regarding NMS, I was thinking about sending to the schools that give competitive scholarships, rather than the automatic NMF ones or the high reach schools that don’t care about NMS. Does anyone know if any schools offer free applications for potential NMFs? If so, I’d send to those schools as these app fees are going to add up quick! </p>

<p>Speaking of free apps, Pitt offers free apps to those that apply while attending one of their summer visit programs. So if you’re planning on attending, be armed with transcripts, etc! [University</a> of Pittsburgh: Undergraduate Admissions & Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.oafa.pitt.edu/oncmppgm_seasonal.aspx#summer]University”>http://www.oafa.pitt.edu/oncmppgm_seasonal.aspx#summer)</p>

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<p>We are in the midst of spring break college tours with DD13. This week, we saw Lafayette and Ursinus. Liked Lafayette, but am thinking the community is not a great fit for DD. (Girls all looked “dressed” - not a t-shirt in sight. DD is much more casual.) But generally, for the right kid, it seems like a great school. Excellent academics, good size, nice campus that is obviously cared for. Upon arrival at Ursinus, DD was hot, tired, cranky (“why are we HERE?” yes- it was mostly my choice to visit Ursinus) and now, I anticpated a terrible tour. We had a one-on-one info session (very nice touch) and a personal tour, but I was pretty focused on DD’s mood (had it passed? was she being polite?). Back in the car she (sort of sheepishly) said she LOVED it. (She knew she had given me a very hard time before the tour and was embarrassed to now admit she was SO glad we had come.) Phew. This whole college tour business is draining. But I also felt like she finally got the concept that she needs to participate in the process. (And that maybe I do have some idea of what might appeal to her.) The next day we visited Temple and Drexel. Large urban schools - big contrast. DD wasn’t crazy about Temple (seemed too big, crowded) but liked Drexel much better. Seemed a little less urban (the lower buildings, more space appealed to her). Had an excellent info session and tour. Tour ended back at admissions office where the info session leader was available for one-on-one Q&A. (we really appreciated that he was available. It was VERY helpful in clarifying some issues). Ended up with a very favorable opinion of Drexel. Two more college visits before vacation ends. Phew.</p>

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<p>Tuxes are expensive, but so much easier than dress shopping with a teenage girl. S3 goes to a fair amount of formals, I have considered buying him one rather than renting. When S2 was a freshman I bought a tux from a tux shop on Ebay for $20 which both boys wore for a couple of years. D1 and many of her sorority sisters wore quite a few of her prom/formal dresses for sorority functions in college.</p>

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<p>Prom is Saturday night here. Tux is rented and corsage is paid for. Dinner reservations are set and we are hosting an after prom breakfast for S13 and his date and his BF and his date - guess we’ll know where they are after prom :). It does add up, but it’s fun and he’s excited.</p>

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<p>Also, very exciting news yesterday. S13 received word that he has been accepted to the Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University this summer ([TTU</a> Clark Scholars Program](<a href=“http://www.clarkscholars.ttu.edu%5DTTU”>http://www.clarkscholars.ttu.edu)). He will be working with a professor of Social Psychology conducting research for 7 weeks. Program includes room, board and a stipend - we just have to get him there. Should be great.</p>

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<p>Congratulations, dadotwoboys! That sounds great, I hope your DS has a wonderful time this summer.</p>

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<p>I haven’t been able to get on cc today. <em>withdrawals</em></p>

<p>Congrats, dadof2! How nice that you’re hosting an after-party.</p>

<p>Yes, dresses are expensive but at least you get to keep them afterward. $150 for one night of wear seems excessive when you have to give it all back.</p>

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<p>YDS: I have done both, and yes, you get to keep the dress, but when you add going from store, to store, to store, to get just the right dress, shoes, manicure, pedicure, make-up, hair and a boat-load of stress vs. one trip to the tux shop, and a shower 30 minutes before it is time to leave, I will take the tux anyday.</p>

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<p>My son’s school announced their Gates Millennium Scholarship winner today. So far they’ve had a winner every year that his school has been in operation! I had no idea that scholarship provides funding even through grad school. What an amazing opportunity.</p>

<p>Congrats to your S dadotwoboys. Are you already in Texas?</p>

<p>I told my S that I was making him take psycholgy at the community college this summer. They have a special program for high school kids with about 10 different classes. Out of all the choices, psychology seemed like it would more accurately reflect the amount of work in a typical college course. I want him to realize that it will be much harder to catch up in a semester long class. He’s used to having all year to bring his grades up.</p>

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<p>You’re right, tx5. But he/we are paying for the tickets, dinner and flowers. I can’t decide whether I’d rather be the mom of the girl or the boy. Aw, who am I kidding? I’m a boys mom all the way!</p>

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<p>Dacinlu, loved your story - your DD sounds a lot like my younger S…we’ve got 5 years before we start visits with him, but I think that’s going to be his MO.</p>

<p>Dadotwoboys, congrats! Sounds like a wonderful program.</p>

<p>DS had decided he wasn’t going to prom, but now he’s having 2nd thoughts (it isn’t for a few weeks yet). Wish he’d make up his mind (for one thing, someone else may ask the girl, a good friend of his!).</p>

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<p>Trust me, YDS…you definitely want to be the mom of the boy! I have been the mom of both, and it is far easier and less expensive for the boy.:)</p>

<p>Congratulations to your S dadotwoboys!</p>

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<p>Dd is going to prom with her boyfriend. DS asked a girl and she said NO. I don’t think he is going to ask anyone else. Poor kid. This is a good friend of his. I am guessing money might be the issue knowing the family but we would have paid for everything except the dress (would have tried to offer for that too, not sure how though). He is kind of a shy, quiet kid so for him to ask was a big deal. Poor kid.</p>

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<p>My son just came back from his track meet beaming!! I have no idea if these are good times or not but they are my his personal bests and major improvement from just last week’s meet. He just started running track in March. 100m 11.75 sec, 200m 25.91 sec, 400m 60.059 sec</p>

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<p>reeinaz - we are not in TX, but in FL. The 12 kids who attend each year appear to be from all over. We will need to figure out how we will drop off and pick up in Lubbock - fly or drive. But no complaints. The summer will be great for him. From being involved in research to being in a new environment to learning to do his own laundry, etc. He’ll learn a lot. I guess it’s a practice launch for next year (for all of us - his little brother included).</p>

<p>SteveMA - poor kid is right. Asking is hard (particularly if you are shy - I speak from experience on this one) and not getting the response you hope for is Really Hard. Of course, the good news is you get over it and get better at it over time. Still - poor kid is right.</p>

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<p>Steve, I’ll bring my pitchfork over from the 2010 thread. We rally, armed and ready to fight, when someone hurts one of ours. Ds’s bff got told yes yesterday and then no today because she had kind of promised to go with someone else as a friend. He had a new date by lunch! lol</p>

<p>dadof2, Lubbock is hardly the garden spot of our state, but, yeah, both my boys did three-week long camps in middle and HS in part to get them used to college life. And to get us used to the idea they might go far away. It’s a great experience for everyone.</p>

<p>In exciting news, ds was named a Questbridge College Prep Scholar, which, in his case, means he’s in line for all-expense-paid visits to partner colleges. I have no idea how a college will decide whether to fly him out. We just sit tight until the end of summer and see if anyone wants him, I guess. :slight_smile: He also was WL’d for a daylong conference at one of three schools. Not sure whether he’ll stay on the WL.</p>

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<p>Congrats on the Questbridge Scholar, YDS. Kudos to your son.</p>

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<p>Youdon’tsay, congratulations on Questbridge Scholar!</p>

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<p>Congrats to you and your son YDS on the Questbridge Scholars program. Good luck waiting on a college. I’m sure it will work out great.</p>

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<p>YDS: Congrats on Questbridge! I think it’s the start of a good year of news :)</p>

<p>Steve: the 2010 group has amassed groups with pitchforks whenever necessary, so just say the word ;)</p>