<p>Is there anyone in NY that knows about Sage colleges, and LIU Brooklyn as well as St. Francis in brooklyn?</p>
<p>My d just decided the schools to send her NMS letter to. She chose the schools she likes the best so far, so they know she is very interested in them and they are not just one of the many.</p>
<p>There are so many little things that she gets NHS, writing awards, Academic Scholar Athlete etc…that others say “don’t matter or count” so she feels very average and feels good about it because she is doing what she loves not what she thinks colleges will love, accept NHS. :0 She loves standardized tests, because everyone is quiet, and it is kind of fun, hence the 34 ACT, high PSAT. Again, she doesn’t rattle but she is told that test scores aren’t that important. All the “your stuff doesn’t count” would stress me out. It doesn’t her, I am her biggest stress with deadlines, timelines and due dates to complete her “not counting stuff”! Hence, the white board(:</p>
<p>Mommaof5- Know kids that have done Girls State and the feeling is that it is very cool and a prestigious thing to be apart of! Congrats!</p>
<p>mommaof5: Welcome! Don’t overthink the NM college choice thing. D decided not to put down one of the automatic scholarship schools (in her case U of Alabama) since she’s on their radar anyway. She decided to send them to her current #1 & #2 since interest is an issue so Lafayette & Brown it is. Of course, I don’t believe either does anything for NMFs. </p>
<p>Regarding score jumps: according to the couple of data dorks following PSAT scores (and I include myself in that group) it looks as if this year will have a downward trend. The commended score dropped by 2 points to 200; NM doesn’t release their methodology but there’s some kind of synergy between the # of test takers & the # of HS graduates nationally compared to the state numbers. There may be a state or two that jumps up this year, but that usually happens with states that have lower cutoff #'s. I have those excel files at home so I’ll take a look at Michigan tonight (yes, I’m ashamed to admit that I have a folder of PSAT data…)</p>
<p>Also: you’re in Michigan. You’ve got a top state university right there. So you’ve got a good starting point. </p>
<p>YDS: A spreadsheet? NO! That’s my world 
RE: FA. I know that Vanderbilt has gone to a “no loan” policy. I think this is the 3rd class admitted under those new guidelines. </p>
<p>Lottery schools: This isn’t an official definition, but I’m using it for any schools with an admit rate less than 20-25%. </p>
<p>There’s a thread somewhere about if kids have to be busy all summer. I’m just saying no. D is signed up for her writing program & she’ll volunteer for the week of VBS. I was going to push her a little, maybe a job? but decided not to. She’s wiped and it’s really hard for her to be creative & write when she has no downtime. She said last night she wants to get started on her apps early (yeah!) so that the fall is easier. I’m wondering about summer homework too. I looked at last years list & I think only 2 AP classes will have summer work. That’s not terrible.</p>
<p>Jazzi…I know a student at Russel Sage and Loves it…all girls though…she’s in the nursing program and doing great…with Albany Medical center nearby they work at the hospital a lot…the other Sage Colleges have a very good rep but you should look at each one independently…
Hope this helps a little…</p>
<p>@ Ama308, thanks, I never get answers on NY threads, I know a few people who really like Russel sage, but I’ve also been told that they don’t see much of the others- the all girls aspect of it turns me away, I have to go visit soon because I did receive a scholarship there, I was just trying to get some first hand perceptions of it</p>
<p>mommaof5:</p>
<p>Those are pretty strong statistics (especially the ACT score) which could make competitive-admissions schools a viable option for him. One big unknown in estimating his chances – the challenge level of his coursework, which can’t be inferred from his weighted GPA because weighting schemes vary so wildly across high schools. Colleges will review his transcript and the set of course offerings at his high school to determine challenge level.</p>
<p>I think he has to determine just what kind of school he might be comfortable with. MSU is good option and if in the end he decides it is what he likes best then he will have not much else to do but apply. I agree that it is a sure-bet admission for him. But I would suggest sampling some other types of schools first. In that vein, I would suggest spending a few days this summer to visit nearby schools of a variety of types. I will assume you are in the Lansing area and mention a few that might make for a good road trip: Kalamazoo (a well thought-of liberal arts college), Notre Dame (a medium-sized, religously affiliated school in a smaller city), and U of Chicago (very urban and the nearest school to you that is closest in character to some fo the those eastern schools people are suggesting). Perhaps stop at Valparaiso on the way back to add another type of smaller-school experience. Those three or four, coupled with his familiarity with a big state school like MSU (presumably you would scope in UM, too), would expose him to a fairly wide spectrum of schools. The goal of these visits would be not to make decisions about applying but rather to develop a college-consumer awareness with which to proceed further.</p>
<p>One possible outcome: after experiencing Chicago and ND he and you will have a better feel for whether or not he might like those premium eastern schools people are suggesting. One caveat: the belief that any strong student will be admitted to these schools is very common and also very wrong.</p>
<p>Regarding the notification service: the choice of which two schools is not really significant at this stage. I suggest picking any two with which he isn’t very familiar but in which he might have an interest.</p>
<p>RobD: thanks for the info. I would love to know your opinion of MI’s psat trend. How do you know if a scholarship is guaranteed or not?</p>
<p>Descartez: those sound like great schools and you are right, close enough to be doable. My question is: he had his ACT sent to U of M, MSU and Northwestern, does that mean he is already on their radar? Does it count at all towards intent of interest (not that MSU or U of M seem to rank that as important)? Or is this the situation where we use it to show interest at a school that would be difficult for us to get to? It would be helpful if he actually was thinking about where he wants to go, but he is actually really enjoying hs and not looking forward to it being over.</p>
<p>I admit I am probably over thinking the whole thing and do need to chill.</p>
<p>Mommaof5: That is our job :)</p>
<p>mommaof5: check out: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation-15.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation-15.html</a> starting with post #589 (that’s the most up to date.) Schools like U of Alabama have guaranteed NMF scholarships & will have wording like this on their website: [National</a> Merit Finalist and National Achievement Finalist Scholarships - Undergraduate Scholarships - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/nms.html]National”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/nms.html)</p>
<p>When do the kids send their scores to colleges? Now? or with applications? D didn’t have any ideas of where she wanted to send scores. She has a handful now that she knows she will apply to.</p>
<p>I like Decartesz idea of trying colleges on for size/fit. With your sons ACT and PSAT score, Im sure hes already on their radar arent you getting the daily pile of mail!?!? Glad to hear hes enjoying high school thats the way it should be!</p>
<p>Were in a small Midwest town, too where kids dont typically go to schools outside of a handful of state schools. Its definitely a misconception around here that my son can not only get into any school he wants, but hed also get a full-ride! One look at the Harvard-type acceptance threads and you quickly learn that is not the case. I dont mean to sound discouraging just realistic. I actually think its very wise for good students from low to low-mid income families to apply to reaches they are very generous if you get in. Here are a few lists for you to start with:</p>
<p>Guaranteed Merit Scholarships <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/754591-parents-hs-class-2013-college-class-2017-a-362.html#post14308749[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/754591-parents-hs-class-2013-college-class-2017-a-362.html#post14308749</a>
Guaranteed National Merit Scholarships <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/754591-parents-hs-class-2013-college-class-2017-a-369.html#post14317516[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/754591-parents-hs-class-2013-college-class-2017-a-369.html#post14317516</a>
Full Need Colleges <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/754591-parents-hs-class-2013-college-class-2017-a-391.html#post14359085[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/754591-parents-hs-class-2013-college-class-2017-a-391.html#post14359085</a></p>
<p>Im running out of time, but I quickly want to add if hes not sure about major, a big school with a lot of offerings might be better. My S is interested in computer science, but could easily decide to go the engineering route. CS is offered at a lot schools, but engineering isnt thats ruled out most Liberal Arts Colleges. I think he likes bigger anyway.</p>
<p>RobD’s NMS list is way better than mine - I don’t think I’ve seen that one!</p>
<p>Wherenext: Jr’s CC told him to not send his scores early and to wait to send with his apps.</p>
<p>MDMom: Are you in CIF SS?</p>
<p>Thanks MDmom, I remember hearing that somewhere but was afraid that I crossed my wires. </p>
<p>Okay, everyone is talking about getting tons of mail. We are getting NO college advertisements! How come?</p>
<p>TX5: Yes!! CIF Pre-lims are Saturday. Have you started CIF for Tennis yet?</p>
<p>Wherenext: I for one am very thankful for that!! My kids have been getting mail from the most random Colleges.</p>
<p>Welcome, Mommaof5!</p>
<p>Hey, does anyone know if it’s ok to register for the Common App as a junior, or should it be done senior year? also has anyone used the FAFSA4caster thing?</p>
<p>Hi everyone, greetings from the other side of the pond - all the posts about stressed out kids were killing me so I thought I’d lighten up the posts with tales of proms in Europe…our turn has finally come! We live in a country where you can drink beer and wine as of 16 so the prom will indeed serve alcohol, with a strict rule that you can’t bring your own liquor. Shuttle buses will run till 5am, although lucky for us the venue is within walking distance of our son’s best friend’s home. The nice thing is that the juniors are invited to the senior prom…and warned to not be stupid and trash the place or they won’t have a venue for their own senior year! </p>
<p>Dress code: black tie for the seniors, long dresses for the girls; juniors just need to avoid jeans and sneakers and dresses above the knee (ha!). So this weekend was a mad run for most parents for “real” clothes - dress slacks, shoes, dressy belts, shirts, jackets…obviously nobody owns any of the above 
I have a gem of a son - he said it was silly to buy a jacket for one night and would wear his father’s blue blazer (even though it’s a bit big), he fits into his father’s white shirt from our wedding (was he REALLY that skinny?!), so we got off cheap with just buying slacks and “real” shoes Still, we were all saying how surreal it is to see them dressed up in suits.</p>
<p>The other nice thing - everyone goes in groups, not really dates unless you have a boy/girlfriend. And for the senior parents/siblings, there’s a celebratory cocktail, pictures at the beginning of the event. </p>
<p>SATs were Saturday at the local international school - son’s very blase’ about the whole thing since he’s pretty sure he’ll study in the UK, but we’re trying to convince him to keep his options open. Luckily he seems to be looking forward to his summer program at Carleton - Mommy Dearest, your choices sound great, but I’d definitely lean for the Chinese, it seems much more unique and “once in a lifetime”…and probably a lot more valuable for the future. When we were looking for summer programs, I couldn’t believe how many STEM-oriented ones were out there…America, the land of endless choice (at a friendly price </p>
<p>To all the new members, I can only echo what everyone else has said - welcome, you’ll love this bunch, they’ll keep you sane and are an amazing source of info. I’m glad I found you all early because our second son has confidently informed us that he’s planning on going to either Stanford, Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale…from his mouth to God’s ears as they say…and to the Financial Aid office!!</p>
<p>By the way, there’s a great post on acronym definitions for the newcomers - look for it via the search - helped me translate this whole new language!</p>
<p>wherenext, ds sent scores when he took the test to take advantage of the four free score reports. We just felt confident that he was prepared and would do well, so we said why not?</p>
<p>And speaking of confident, he texted me saying he thinks he got a 5 on the BC Cal AP. I texted back, “Hurry! Knock on wood!!!” On to Virgil tomorrow!</p>