<p>Ama308, interesting insights on Harvard, also on the tenure track phenomenon from fineartsmom. My husband and I have been debating the merits of smaller, more intimate LAC vs. what he suspects is the stronger intellectual level of a major research uni (with something like Caltech being the best of both, perhaps)…in the end, fineartsmom raises the right questions, and as well as you think you know your child, sometimes they just might know themselves even better 
For now, we’re parking these conversations with our son so he can focus on his exams (and studying for the SATs today…thank goodness for May Day in Europe so he can have a study day before Saturday!). We figured it’ll be much easier to talk about all this during the summer, after he’s seen a few of the UK universities and gone to his US summer program…it’s all a little abstract right now.</p>
<p>There is a preview of next year’s common app on the common app web site. It is in PDF form.</p>
<p>AP’s. (and IBs here) D is looking over a review book for 30 minutes a night. Seems like passive prep here. Teachers are doing no prep in class- still working through the material. Our school starts late here so May AP’s can be tough to complete the class work. </p>
<p>Regarding essay’s. I just got word from a friend who sent his S to a “class” for the essay. $250. Basically, there are 3 classes. One where they review how to approach the essay. One to bring in a draft, and one to bring in the near final draft. I am thinking about this since it will take the nagging off me.</p>
<p>Fineartsmajormom-loved your reply on “fit”. That is approach we are taking. We have a long list of colleges, however right now DD is set on the 5Cs. She will most likely apply to CMC and Pomona. The rest of her list is really more options in case she doesn’t get in. I want her to consider an Ivy, but we will see how things progress.</p>
<p>Wherenext-great ACT score! DD is also taking 4 AP tests and all she does is study.</p>
<p>Can’t wait until the month of May is over. This is the most stressful month I think.</p>
<p>Nellie- great idea for essay camp. DD will start essays in late June/early July. Last time with son I srnt to professional essay service. This year, I might have her AP English teacher edit.</p>
<p>Good luck everyone!</p>
<p>More congrats on more great scores!</p>
<p>Bernese, thanks for the heads up on the essay prompts. If we can just get through AP exams first.</p>
<p>Ds spent a good amount of time last night with an AP Physics study guide. His teacher has been gone several days to take some kids to a competition, and I think ds is starting to feel nervous about that one.</p>
<p>Good questions, famm!</p>
<p>The mtg with the GC was good. She thought his list was well thought-out, and he has good chances at most. Thought one of his “match” schools could be a “safety.” Yea, as it’s one he really likes. Lots of other info, but it’s kind of specific to ds and our school so it wouldn’t be helpful to share. She said she’s called some of her colleagues about some odd, to her, results. For instance, Pomona (on ds’s list) didn’t take a single one of our kids this year, but G’town (also on his list) used to be a super-hard “get” yet for the past two years, we’re getting more and more of our kids in there. She did say that our HS already is experiencing “summer melt” and that she can’t wait for today, when it all starts to shake out. And talk about last minute: Yesterday morning she set up a last-minute revisit for a girl at a local school for 1 p.m. – yep, less than 12 hours until decision time, and this girl was still visiting schools! Part of the reason is that the school came through with more money and now was in play when it was less so just last week. :eek:</p>
<p>Oh, and she suggested Davidson to ds. Anyone have thoughts or insight into that school? The little bit I looked at last night made it seem like a possibility. Is there Greek life?</p>
<p>ETA: laxmom, we LOVED the 5Cs when we visited!</p>
<p>BerneseMtn–Thanks for the heads-up. I printed that off for the kids to look at.</p>
<p>Youdon’tsay-I wanted DS to look at Davidson. I think he would love it there but no go. I think the community atmosphere there would be wonderful. They do your laundry for you too :D. I don’t know about Greek life or not, didn’t look into it that much.</p>
<p>Kids are only taking 2 AP’s tests this year. The other AP classes are in their major in college and the schools they are looking at don’t give credit for AP’s in your major so not worth taking the test. For DD and pre-med it’s advised NOT to skip the 100 level classes if you took AP’s in high school because they tend to be GPA boosters (much needed) and for DS, he has to take college given placements for his major so, saves me some $$$. :D.</p>
<p>Congratulations on the many, many fine scores on the ACT! Each and every kid did well. The odds were in their favor indeed!</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up on the Common App preview. Will take a look. Will NOT mention it to my D, who is in the throes of a stress meltdown right now. Major physics project coming due, massive amounts of homework in AP plus studying for the test, SAT being taken on Saturday… She has every reason to be stressed. She is a kid who needs her sleep but was up until after midnight doing homework last night (and she legitimately started studying as soon as she got home from school) so was a pitiful little wreck this morning. I succeeded in being somewhat sympathetic and kind, bit my tongue in regards to comments about life in college being like this and I think I let only one comment slip on how one’s attitude about one’s day affects how the day goes. Whoops. ;-)</p>
<p>FineArts- I would really, really love it if you would repeat those questions we should ask SEVERAL times next year. I really need some mantras to keep in my head. If nothing else, this next year should be instructive on learning how to shut my mouth. :-)</p>
<p>SteveMA- Congrats on the summer program! That’s huge!</p>
<p>5 AP tests here starting with Chem on Monday. Lot’s of study group activity. Level of readiness seems closely related to teacher style. Some are cramming in final material. Others have been done with material for several weeks and have been reviewing ever since. He seems the most nervous about APUSH - lots of dates to remember.</p>
<p>Congrats on all those ACT scores! I’m hearing a lot of success stories from this admin, so I hope that’s happening as much as I think it is Great way to start off the week.</p>
<p>I forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS yesterday on some mighty fine test scores. Way to go!</p>
<p>I’ve been over on the Class of 2012 thread as today is/was D-Day for getting off the SS Indecision (the term the HS Class of 2010 coined for the journey those kids agonizing between acceptances in April) and guess what: all of us will know what where & what our kiddos will be doing exactly a year from today. </p>
<p>Two things I thought while I was browsing their thread: Northeastern is a really hot school on CC this year and there’s more kids double depositing than I remember hearing about in the past. </p>
<p>My sympathies to those whose kids are swamped with work. I guess it’s because we’re done so early that D2’s heaviest work load was a few months/weeks ago (I almost feel guilty!) End of course exams start today, so they’ll have a screwy schedule even if they’re not taking any (D2 is not.) IB exams start tomorrow and of course AP next week. Big happy news for D & classmates is that the math final exam is being written by the state; our county designed exams are always harder than the state, and her teacher this year has been giving killer tests. So the kids feel that the pressure is somewhat off. </p>
<p>So…I’ve been thinking about the next spreadsheet. You know. The one to keep track of admissions. I didn’t do one for D1, but I want to be more organized. Any suggestions on what to have on? I’m thinking:</p>
<p>Name of school
Cost of application
Common application participation
SAT/ACT sent? Yes or no
Transcript sent? Yes or no
Number of recommendations needed
Deadline for admission
Deadline for merit
Special program applications?
Supplemental materials
EA/ED option?
Date decision expected</p>
<p>What am I missing?</p>
<p>BTW, WUSTL sent us a paper application yesterday. Congrats to them, they’re first again.</p>
<p>Another longtime lurker, finally delurking.</p>
<p>So far, my biggest mistake in D2’s college quest has been to assume that the process would be pretty much like D1’s was, four years ago. </p>
<p>Well, this one sure seems harder. Personalities are a definite factor: D1 was/is a lot more open about her hopes, doubts, dreams, goals, you name it. With her, communication only increases when stressed. </p>
<p>D2, however, goes into porcupine-CIA-clam-up mode when stressed. And stressed has been her state of being most of junior year. These past weeks, as high-stakes milestones are hitting (ACT testing, AP tests looming, keeping that GPA in the top 10%) it’s only gotten worse.</p>
<p>I’m starting to wonder if most of the colleges she’s looking at are too high-pressure for her to thrive at, should she be accepted and choose to attend.</p>
<p>At the same time, she doesn’t want an “easy” school. Aieeeee!!! (Insert sound of hair-tearing here.)</p>
<p>Anyway…the variety of colleges and approaches families on this forum are exploring are very, very helpful. Somewhere, there’s got to be the right mix.</p>
<p>Welcome OutInLeftField.</p>
<p>RobD - what does “double depositing” mean exactly? Does that mean kids are reserving a space in 2 schools and making a decision later? Can you do that? Would you even want to?</p>
<p>Similar situation to dadtoboys, 5 AP tests starting with Chem on Monday and Euro on Friday (with evening games on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday!). I keep trying to hint that the Euro studying needs to be done in earnest this weekend.</p>
<p>OutInLeftField, I understand the worry about stress level in college also. She seems to thrive on it now, so how much is too much is the question.</p>
<p>No spring SAT/ACT tests though, but may still add a subject test in June to the 2 she took last spring. We still have 6 more weeks of school, it seems like a long time.</p>
<p>Outinleftfield, I love the porcupine analogy! My freshman S is definitely that!! </p>
<p>SteveMA, you are so smart! I was a little confused when I was looking at accepted AP’s at some schools D is looking at. They said that certain AP classes she is taking won’t count towards her major…yet she is taking the tests (8</p>
<p>RobD Your organization is great! Keeping a list. What about INTERVIEW dates to the list? BTW, Isn’t your D going to a writing program this summer? did she decide which one and which session?</p>
<p>Vandy-I empathize with you! I caught my daughter still working a few weeks ago at 3:30am…I really hate that with the 6:00am wake up! Trying on the way to school not to say anything and then…“why didn’t you realize that that assignment involved 2 hours of work before 11:30pm, did Facebook get in the way?” Yikes!</p>
<p>I am very thankful tennis season is over as are all big competitions and prom. That, plus no other tests, means S’13 can focus on APs.</p>
<p>Not taking the AP test does not seem to be an option here (frankly, I never even thought about it). The school pays and every kid taking an AP class is expected to take the AP exam. I believe it is part of the statewide school grading criteria. I imagine some kids take it more seriously than others. The AP test score does not factor into the class grade. So a kid can get a 2 or a 3 and still get an A in the class.</p>
<p>Always surprised at how differently things work across the country.</p>
<p>Our AP kids are also required to take the AP test (paid for by school). I think this is done to boost our ratings by US News and World Report, which apparently uses the criteria “Number of AP tests taken” not “Scores on AP tests.” At least our school (Fine Arts Magnet) does not actually “pay” the kids for scores. The top ranked Science and Engineering Magnet and Talented and Gifted Magnet not only pay the test fee but pay cash for scores of 3 or above! </p>
<p>S2’s school work load is pretty light these days - not even any rehearsals after school. He’s busy working on a piano composition and learning a new voice repertoire for his summer programs so I’m constantly serenaded - could be worse.</p>
<p>
You have it exactly – it means committing to two schools. It is usually motivated by the desire to keep options open but is tantamount to bigamy among admissions offices. Not only is a student entering into at least one commitment s/he intend to break–and calling to his/herself wasted planning, time, and resources from a school–but s/he is denying a spot that could be offered to someone else.</p>
<p>However, that it is unethical doesn’t prevent it from occurring and, sadly, going without consequences. There is the risk that both schools could rescind if the double-depositing is discovered but this seldom happens.</p>
<p>Far better to contact each school and discuss the situation before the deadline if more time is needed for a decision. It should also be noted that waitlisted students can accept late offers, and thus rescind their initial commitment, without penalty.</p>
<p>S3 doesn’t seem to be too stressed, but he should be. I put his May schedule up on the white board and it is crazy. He has league finals for tennis tomorrow and Thursday. He has a chance to make individuals (if he and his partner get first or second) which would be on May 18th. Team region playoffs are next Tuesday or Wednesday (single elimination, but depending on the draw they could win a match or two). He has 3 AP tests, AND the next production for Drama opens May 18th, which means 3 practices this week and practice every night the following two weeks (plus Saturday). Yikes!!!</p>
<p>Out of the blue S announced he would take the June ACT. His first test was a 33 and he didn’t study. A 34 or higher would put him in the top quarter of one school he wants to consider. He finishes everything important except showing up for classes on May 18th so has decided to study the 3 weeks before the test date. </p>
<p>Anyone planning to apply ED next year? We are considering it.</p>
<p>Wow!! Sounds like a busy but great start to everyone’s week!!</p>
<p>Proms is this week, but S13 is sitting this one out as League Finals are the next day and it looks like he will be running If he doesn’t this week, the he will 100% be running next week in our CIF Pre-lims.</p>
<p>Tomorrow is our Renaissance Rally (Academic vs Sports Rally) at school where they recognize the Top 10 students in each grade. This will be S13’s 3rd year in a row in the Top 10. Very proud Mom :D</p>
<p>SAT Subject Test are Sat…and AP’s start next week. Just hope his brain doesn’t go on overload.</p>
<p>Rob D: I would LOVE to see your spread sheet when you are finished :)</p>
<p>TX5: Good Luck to your S this week!!!</p>