<p>We very much have the Tiger Mom syndrome at my school. S came in the other night and sat down and said “Thank you and dad for being normal”. I wish I knew how to do a smiley because I think that is the best compliment I’ve ever received.</p>
<p>Our kids know their rank and it is a big deal. S tells only his closes friends but it is easy to figure out. S is ranked 3rd. He is one of only three kids in his grade to have never made a B. There are no hopes and he’s not trying to move to Val / Sal status. As I said earlier we have Tiger Mom Syndrome and everyone has to beat the other. S stays out of the drama. One kid currently Sal did 60 YES 60 practice SAT tests. She spent one whole summer doing nothing but SAT. She made a 2360. Her mother is making her retake the test because someone else received a 2400. I tell my son to do his best AND enjoy this time in his life. Don’t sacrifice one for the other.</p>
<p>Good morning! Looks like we have some mixed results on the SAT so both congrats and condolences are in order!</p>
<p>My understanding from earlier threads is that if a school doesnt allow score choice, then when you go to send the SAT scores, you wont have the option to choose scores - all scores automatically go to that school. It doesnt sound like too many schools require all scores though (maybe Penn, Stanford, etc.) </p>
<p>Wahoo she might do better on the ACT just from her prep for the SAT. If science killed her ACT score, then maybe she could just do a practice science test. Time is the key with that test. S said you just go straight to the questions and skip the reading as most of the questions just refer you to the graphs/charts. Only read if you need to! If her ACT is higher, Id go with the June ACT and Subject tests and only do the SAT in the fall if her ACT isnt up to snuff.</p>
<p>Congrats on the happy SAT scores and Boo on the not so happy ones.
Overall, D kind of did “eh” on take two. Her math score came up 40 points and they were very necessary points but even so, her math score is going to keep her from getting into (or, rather, getting the merit money she would need to attend) her top schools. </p>
<p>So now we will go to the drawing board and take a hard look at what she has and what it indicates her focus should be. She’s a great girl- smart, works hard, compassionate and a leader- so I know she will do just fine in life. She’s miles ahead of where I was at the same age. Loving my kid on the couch! I will not let scores define her, even if the colleges will.</p>
<p>In line with what you all are talking, I have been reading this book: Overachievers:The secret life of driven kids". The craze around the college application and the stress kids feel about the testing, grades etc are reflected very well. The whitman school pictured in the book could be any school that our kids attend. Like to hear from people if you have read it, if you haven’t, it is a good book to read at this time of our journey.</p>
<p>Have a great day all…This will all be in rearview mirror in few years and we can all make it together to the finish line.</p>
<p>Yes, congrats to those happy with their SAT scores. One of D’s schools, I believe Pomona, asks the kids to send all their scores for all tests taken. </p>
<p>We had junior awards this week. Many of the top students received departmental awards, my D and her cohort felt pleased that the student who is #1 in the class currently did not receive any, as they feel she is a GPA manipulator and not really interested in learning. I don’t think that is the right attitude, although I understand their feelings.</p>
<p>Agree with the ACT science advice - go straight to the questions. Much of the science is interpreting charts and graphs.</p>
<p>Donivrian: I read that book when D1 was going through the process & thought it was hyperbole until another CC mom informed me that her kiddos were in that district & it was really true. Wowzers! I remember feeling so badly for the kid who took 17 AP classes. Some of that IMHO borders on child abuse. The author wrote a book on sororities (Pledged) which was similar to Overachievers in that it took the most extreme example of something and had a lot of anecdotal evidence. She also wrote The Geeks Shall Inherit The Earth (about “Popularity, Quirk Theory, and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School”) which I liked best and made both my kids read ;)</p>
<p>Whitman is nothing like our HS and certainly light years away from our old district.</p>
<p>Yesterday was awards day at Ds’s school…He got an award in precalc and tennis but the most important award, according to him, was the Billiards award! And guess what…he’s taking intermediatte billiards next year???</p>
<p>I’m not looking forward to taking my son to the airport in a couple of hours. They don’t give me a gate pass any longer because he’s not a little kid. He’s still my baby though!!! I have to say goodbye to him at security. I always miss him before I even get back home. But at least I can do all of my obsessive planning without bugging him about it now that both sets of scores are in. But I do get to show my crazy to his gc tomorrow. I’ll have to remind myself to reign it in.</p>
<p>terinzak -bright kid with the right priorities. Love it.</p>
<p>I haven’t read the book Overachievers but I have stories that would shock you. We have kids having breakdowns and going on antidepressants because of the need to be #1.</p>
<p>I will have to find the Overachievers book- though I’ve been reading too many books. Crazy U made me laugh; another one made me think who in the world would send essays like they describe? Sadly none is telling me much I don’t already know.
MommyDearest, thank you for saying exactly what I wanted to hear about June tests. Could you please tell my D that? ; )
Vandy you are exactly right with your view of your child. I am right there with you. I wouldn’t trade anything about her including the SAT scores.
As usual you all come through with perspective and great advice. I think I’m going to find I miss you all nearly as much as my girl when Fall '13 rolls around!!
Have a great Thursday!!</p>
<p>CBGMass: I am grateful every day that my son know’s how important grades are. However, I am even more grateful for his realization that it doesn’t matter if he’s val/sal and that life’s too short not to have fun. Hence: Billiards. Never fear tho, next year he’s taking Honors English, AP Calc, chemistry (took AP Physics this year), and I have no clue what else :)</p>
<p>As for the ACT, he did great (26) on science and math in April and not very good on reading (17) so his composite score is 22. That’s high enough, with his 3.98 GPA, to most likely get him into his first 2 schools. HE is taking it again in June hoping to raise Reading…IF he doesn’t, then we’ll submit his scores from April. I would like higher scores for Merit Aid…</p>
<p>His plans for this summer include: playing tennis with his coach once a week (aiming for state champion next year !), working out, and maybe getting a job (remember he turned down an interview at Mcdonald’s)… Oh to be 17 again</p>
<p>^^^oh we’ll still have a thread! The tradition is that July 1 of the year that the kiddos graduate, the parents of the HS Class of XX start a new thread for the college years. Our HS Class of 2010 thread is still going strong as the College Class of 2014 thread (and beyond)</p>
<p>RobD: Yes, that school is so real for us! and I can see any public school around boston and the suburb is one of them. Cutthroat competition and students taking as much AP classes as possible, some of them do AP tests with out taking the AP classes, do any thing in their power to make sure they have an edge in the game. And most kids are really stressed. I can really see it- it is not an exageration at all. I will surely read the other titles you mentioned once I finish this one. I too was shocked to read about the kid who took 17 AP classes and how his mother tortured him to do study and wouldn’t pursue his interests.
vandy and 89Wahoo:Let me know once you read it.</p>
<p>DONI’s post and a previous one made me think of all the pressure that some of these kids are under. Last night, ds told me about a conversation he had with one of the top guys in his class, and the kid asked “Do you ever wonder whether it’s worth it to try so hard?” The question was curious because 1) Why would anyone think my ds is trying so hard???, and 2) I think my ds is worried about this friend. He even said, “I hope he doesn’t lose it.” I’m still trying to decide whether to do anything about his comments.</p>
<p>Asthma, gall bladder, and concussions wow hope all the kiddos are doing OK!</p>
<p>Congrats on all the awards and leadership positions!</p>
<p>We desperately need rain here the lawns look like they normally do in late July!</p>
<p>My H makes fun of me for being such a freak about taking showers or baths in thunderstorms. Lightening and water is just not a good combo!</p>
<p>I have ACT and SAT passwords since I set up the accounts to sign him up for the tests. S doesnt care. </p>
<p>Im so glad S doesnt go to a cutthroat school with tigermoms! The kids know their rank, but I dont think anyone tries to game it. He said there are a couple of kids at the top of the class that study like crazy and freak out if they dont get an A on a test, etc, but most arent like that. APs are weighted here for rank, but they only offer 9 total. DE and PSEO classes are not weighted. </p>
<p>Weve been dealing with a couple situations here. For the summer program S chose to go to, we received all the forms for to find out that both parents need to sign off. This is the first time ever I have needed the NCP signature on ANYTHING. S hasnt spoken with him in two years and he was MIA. Finally tracked him down, S said it was awkward, but ex agreed to sign. S emailed him a scan of the forms, step-monster intercepted them and created a huge stink resulting in nasty emails to S. She will do anything to sabotage Ss happiness and ex will not stand up, which is why S doesnt see them anymore. Next year should be interesting!</p>
<p>Secondly, S is dealing with his first girl infatuation. lol He said he couldnt concentrate during his Physics exam because he couldnt stop thinking about her. So, we had a looonnnng talk about keeping balance. I knew all the texting/skyping was interfering with studying, but I didnt know how much of a distraction its been.</p>
<p>I guess hearing about all the stress, I should be happy that my dd’s school does not rank. They do announce the top 3 every year - in alphabetical order - so I guess those three know - it really doesn’t bother my dd - I think it does keep the stress away. Nice that she doesn’t have aspirations to go Ivy! Wants big school with school spirit - wants the full college experience - I think this is all great as long as it comes with some merit aid!</p>
<p>She took the SAT subject tests - she didn’t even know the scores came out today - may not tell her! Her Math 2 was lower than expected and her US History was higher than expected. But I will say she was studying for the APUSH exam so she somewhat prepared for that one - absolutely NO preparation for the Math - although I don’t see how you can really “study” for a math test - it is so cumulative - you either know it or not I think.</p>