<p>Bonald- I have been told of Macalester and have suggested it a few times to her to look at it on the web, etc. She just says “no” and won’t even look…I 've heard very nice things about it. Same with Carleton…I think it’s in Wisconsin? or Minnesota? Either way, she says “no”…we’re on the east coast, and I think she is a little nervous about a plane ride…but who knows, by next year at this time…she may be thrilled to be going “far” away…However, if she doesnt get some of this on her list now…she won’t have choices in the spring…</p>
<p>Aren’t three day weekends just amazing?!! </p>
<p>Fineartsmom, i completely relate to the air fare/miles sticker shock, having just sorted out our summer plans (TO the US for us). You’re lucky you were able to use some miles, because our United/Lufthansa ones are impossible to redeem unless it’s February or some other useless date. We’ve had a couple of friends from Europe join us to visit my parents in LA…it’s a totally different experience to travel with native friends, so I hope your daughter’s friend makes it with you to Paraguay…and with a wedding in the middle, I’m sure it’ll be an experience she’ll never forget!</p>
<p>Tsubram, I’m with the others - go for the Ivy League…but with a good safety net and help her keep that fine balance between stretching herself but not becoming suicidal if she doesn’t get in!</p>
<p>I was really relieved to read the replies to wrldtrvlr…I read the post, fearing the replies, hoping that the arms race wouldn’t be as bad as I feared…we already suck the creativity out of our kids when they start school, I so hope we leave them a little bit of room to live their passions.</p>
<p>Blueslipper, my watch-outs on the UK would be cost vs. quality - if you get into one of the top schools in the subject area, great…the money and distance are worth it and the experience of living abroad invaluable. But I see a lot of southern European parents send their kids to what I think are mediocre schools in the UK just to say they went abroad…yet the academic experience at a lower tier school didn’t seem to justify the considerable expense and distance vs. their home country. Another consideration - with a 3 year program you need to decide immediately and know what you want…none of this American “undeclared/I’ll explore freshman year”! Depending on what your child wants to study, a junior-year abroad program might also be a good fit - I did it at the Univ. of Calif, life-changing experience (literally…i ended up spending the last 20+ years in Europe!). If it’s indeed med school she’s after…then i’d stick stateside.</p>
<p>as an aside, it never ceases to amaze me…just how many universities/colleges do we have?!! every now and then someone will mention one i’ve never heard of, which is probably a confirmation that there’s something for everyone at the end. These kids WILL find their way.</p>
<p>A reminder that I have a ds at Carleton, so if anyone has questions feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>I really liked Macalester for ds2, but he was ehhh on it.</p>
<p>twu, I think her schedule looks plenty rigorous, and if she’s interested in psych it makes perfect sense for her to take it in HS. 
FYI, JHU isn’t an Ivy, and its middle 50% is more in range with your dd’s scores. I have the 2010-11 CDS, and it shows the bottom of the range as 630CR, 660M and 640W. Those numbers might be higher now. The middle 50% for admitted students in 2011: CR 670-750, M 690-780, W 670-770.</p>
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<p>Your ACT is a point higher than ours, which is considered a competitive, mainstream public school. So, I can imagine your school is pretty rigorous too. We usually have between 40 to 50 NM commended or higher each year in a class of ~700.</p>
<p>Boy. most of you folks either live on the East Coast, or you are quite the early birds. </p>
<p>tsubrum-with all due respect to silverturtle, I think he was in high school when he wrote that, and is one of those young CC posters who did probably spend too much free time self-studying AP’s or perfecting standardized test scores, though he did share his knowledge in his excellent SAT guide. Good advice given so far. I would let him take whatever AP courses he was interested in. I think the important thing is to make sure he gets the ‘most rigorous couseload’ box checked if you are going for highly selective schools. </p>
<p>fineartsmajormom-thanks for sharing curmudgeon’s story. </p>
<p>reeinaz-glad the workshop went well. My DS told me a few weeks ago that he ‘murdered’ a presentation, and I had the same reaction. Why such violent words for positive actions?</p>
<p>Earthmother-I agree with the great responses I got; a great group here! DS and I talked about it again yesterday, and he emailed his counselor to request Astronomy instead of AP Physics. I don’t know if you are looking at Canada, but I remember seeing an LAC-like school somewhere in the east mentioned a few times, but the name escapes me; I will try to find it.</p>
<p>so, what would allow a kid to get Most Rigoruous checked off? My kid plans to take AP BIO, AP ENG LIT, APUSH,APCalc (she’s recommended for BC, but is more and more thinking to take AB–it’s a year long course here)and AP Spanish Lit…I would think with or without the BC it is most rigourous…whenever we go to the colleges…the Admission officers seem to say "now, we don’t expect you to take all the AP classes your school offers,unless they only offer two…</p>
<p>“so, what would allow a kid to get Most Rigoruous checked off?”</p>
<p>I would imagine that this would be determined by the school’s offering, the classes that the peers are taking and how a student stacks up and given all of this, it would then be determined by the Guidance Counselor.</p>
<p>drmom123 said what I said too. It is sort of catch 22. Say your kid is in an average size public high school that does offer some but not all AP’s, is not a “prep” school and does not have all the resources of a elite private school (horses, zillion tennis courts, foreign trips, ice rink, etc.). Now let us say such a school sends may be 4-5 kids to the Ivy’s each year. How does a particular student aspire to be that 4 or 5 kids that get to go to Ivy’s. One answer may be: emulate what happened last year. So, now starts the rat race. What did those kids do last year? Well, took all possible AP’s got 5’s, SAT 2350 and higher, EC galore, etc. etc.
Now, where is the place to find “passion” which Ivy’s claim to be looking for?
In fact if you get 5’s in all AP’s that one took, how do you show your passion?
It comes down to the essay, letters, etc.
This is how the system is gamed.
At least this is what I think.
However, it would be a lot nicer, if, as many parents have said here, your kid takes the course they like, do well in it and still compete for Ivy’s
Unfortunately does not seem to be reality.
Anyway, if I am wrong on this analysis, would love to hear alternate “success” stories of how a truly passionate person who did not take the “tough and hard” AP classes in their HC and did not have a legacy or a hook, still got in to an Ivy.</p>
<p>One could always say you dont have to go to an Ivy. But that is a matter all together different. The issue is if you desire to go to an Ivy. Can you play on a level field and take a rigorous “course load” but not necessarily “loaded” with “tough and hard” AP courses.</p>
<p>It is frustrating. Because, even if my kid (who wants to apply to an IVY “because why waste the chance to apply” (her idea, not mine) ) actually likes the small LAC’s…I am hearing a lot of similar statements from those admissions officers: “we like to see continued excellence in the most rigorous classes”…I think she still has the same pressure on her to have a difficult Senior year course load…no matter what the school is…unless I can convince her to just apply to her target and safety’s and forget the reaches…but that also seems a bit silly…</p>
<p>Hi, Blueslipper, congratulations on your D’s 33 on the ACT!</p>
<p>Happy Memorial Day to all!</p>
<p>reeinaz, I’m glad to hear that your S had a good time at the workshop! It sounds like he had lots of fun at Champlain.</p>
<p>DH has just gone off to see if he can get a print out of S’12’s immunizations from the Health Unit so we can get the form done for UChicago. He has had them done by two different doctors and 2 schools.</p>
<p>Drmom - I think the colleges just like to see students who push themselves, who aren’t afraid of a challenge, but who also can rise up to meet that challenge. Some kids like the grind of the classroom. Mine doesn’t. He does perform ok and contributes academically, but he challenges himself in other ways. We just have to figure out how to best present that and find schools that will value what he has to offer.</p>
<p>I guess because this isn’t my first rodeo I’m not too concerned about ds. What I tell friends who are first-timers is that this is all about managing expectations – your expectations for your child, your child’s expectations of the realities of the process, you family’s expectations about the true cost. I feel like as long as everyone understands the reality of the situation – be it financial or whatever – the less likely anyone will be surprised by the outcomes and will be able to plan accordingly and be really happy with the outcomes. Rather than talk to your kid about a 6% admit rate, which might be a little esoteric for a 17yo, tell them for every 100 kids who apply 94 won’t get in. Imagine 100 of your best, smartest, most talented friends and then send 94 away. Doesn’t mean those friends weren’t qualified and wouldn’t be successful and wonderful additions to to the colleges, but there are only so many seats. Likewise, there are only so many dollars.</p>
<p>I let ds1 apply to places that we in no way could afford without substantial merit and FA, but you never know what you’re going to get until you try, and he knew that if the money wasn’t there, the school was off the table. Once all the results were in (9 acceptances, 1 WL, 1 rejection), money and fit became the big determinants: Where would you like to go that we can afford with the offers on the table? That took a few off right away. I mean, he got great money from a lot of schools, but, thankfully, two of the best financial offers were from two of his favorites. But that wasn’t an accident or a surprise; we applied to schools that we knew met 100% of need so we were pretty sure that if he got in, the money would be there.</p>
<p>Anyway, if you’re on this thread your kids are light years ahead of 90% of the people applying to college this year. Keep reading and learning. I’ve been on here a long time, but I still learn something new every day I come here, which is why I keep coming back (no, really, I can quit anytime!). Go ahead and apply to an Ivy (I think ds2 might), but be realistic about your kid’s chances. Apply to the expensive private school, but know whether it meets need and whether it does it with loans so you don’t suffer sticker shock. Have that hard discussion about what you can afford so your child doesn’t feel blind-sided when the money isn’t there. Make part of that discussion how much in loans you’ll co-sign on. I told ds1 that part of my gift to him was to not let him be burdened with debt. Oh, and make sure your spouse agrees. Dh was ready to mortgage the house to allow ds1 to attend a “dream” school. Uh, no. I was shocked and glad we had that discussion before we talked to ds1.</p>
<p>Anyway, this is the place to unload the angst this process invariably brings. We’ll get through this together!!!</p>
<p>Oh, on the most rigorous – you could always just ask your GC. I was shocked by how many people were considered as taking the most rigorous load. It had to do with the diploma plan and less to do with the actual classes.</p>
<p>YDS-very helpful and thoughtful words. thanks,</p>
<p>Hi All…
Been working all weekend…yuck :(</p>
<p>YDS…Bravo…Beautifully said…</p>
<p>I’m reading madly trying to catch up…
Reading backwards…
So Much Great Stuff…</p>
<p>congradts on Everything…it’s almost Over for all of us and then Summer…more work …just different…
But we Will get through this Together…
Thanks for Being there and Being Honest with all the Ups and Downs…
This is the most interesting roller coaster I have ever been on…
I think having a D who’s moody doesn’t make it any easier…
Everyone said it gets harder as they get older…Boy were they right!!!
Thank goodness for this thread…
Thanks Everyone…
You have helped me to bite that loose tongue of mine…</p>
<p>I’m holding my tongue too. My DD got herself so sunburned that she can hardly sit…she says she can’t do any homework because of the pain…and then proceeds to lie down and watch movies…we have 3 weeks left of school, SAT next weekend, Recitals and end of year events , then finals…and DD can’t sit down to study…but can lie down to watch movies…she says she knows what she has to do.l…</p>
<p>Drmom - I was in the military and legend had it that you could actually be charged with damaging government property if you got a sunburn so bad that it restricted your duty. No one I knew ever took the chance to see if it was true…lol. But yeah, my son is frequently too tired to do homework or dishes, laundry, etc but has plenty of energy for video games.</p>
<p>Yeah, well, y’all remind me of my eloquence when I am FREAKING OUT in a few months. :)</p>
<p>Dh and I took ds to lunch today for our end-of-semester tradition. We go out to eat at the beginning of a semester to talk about goals, hopes, dreams and fears and then again at the end of the semester to talk, see whether they had been made and to just celebrate getting through another semester. He had three main goals going into the year/semester, and he made them all. He’d kill me if I posted them here. But it’s a fun tradition. My kids are very motivated by food so a free lunch out always is a pleasant experience.</p>
<p>He’s got two more half-days of “finals.” In reality, he’s exempt and has been checked out academically for days. I got him that Colin Powell book as a “congratulations” for winning that election and am making him read it so that it seems like he’s doing something useful leading up to Saturday’s subject tests. I have to go out of town on a family matter tomorrow, and I’m sure nothing will get done in my absence.</p>
<p>drmom, that my DD last night! </p>
<p>my goal for the week - holding my tongue.</p>
<p>Have the sunday night blues - made worse by an extra day off!</p>
<p>reeinez…: the military model…now how to apply that to home… now my D told me she can’t go for her physical (needed for the usual AND for summer program) because she has gained too much weight…! Do I really believe she is capable of going to college in one year!!! Forget the grades and the SAT scores…how about some commone sense and end-of-the-drama…</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I have been MIA for a week partially due to a trip to Colorado and partially my unhealthy stress fueled by many posters year end results with my D in burnout mode three weeks before the finish line. After a week, I had to catch up as I missed hearing how all your families are doing, recovering from injuries, jamming on tests etc… Good wishes to all!
A few days ago, D was thrilled to get a 95% on her huge 35 page Isearch paper for AP Lang. I was thrilled that she was checking while out of town which tells me that the apathy might be a cover and a strong finish might be possible! She is also receiving her Level 5 Academic Honors this week (7 is highest for seniors, which is a possibility) They get to wear a different gowns that says “smartypants” really. (:</p>
<p>If you all could teach me your successful technique for biting your tongue, I need some pointers! Most of mine has been bitten off(: </p>
<p>YDS- Love your words of wisdom! Keep it coming! BTW where did D1 go?</p>
<p>UK schools. I agree with other posters except that Scottish schools are 4 yearsand are more similar to our system than English schools.</p>
<p>CU Boulder report_ We thought it would be empty because the kids got out two weeks ago. It was actually packed because a huge Bolder to Boulder marathon was scheduled for today. they had festivals all weekend. Boulder is beautiful, artsy, coffee shop heaven and a musicians enclave to boot. Right up my kids alley!</p>
<p>Campus was beautiful! The buildings are beautiful flagstone and the backdrop is the Flatirons Mtns. is spectacular! The river running by the campus has a beautiful bike path. The football stadium is on campus which is a plus for concerts for my kids(: Town is walking distance from campus. It is huge but each department breaks down into a smaller college feel. The alumni are recognizable and impressive, Glen Miller, Shine Down (musicians), South Park creators, 9 astronauts (more than any other college) etc… </p>
<p>D liked it a lot and feels that if she doesn’t get into one of the urban colleges she likes better, she would find her place in Boulder. the whole family liked the artsy, outdoorsy feel and as parents we liked the airport access being 45 minutes away!</p>
<p>Here are our thoughts. D has a 34 ACT, 3.8+ GPA and 7 AP’s. So, she should have a strong chance of being in the honors program there. If that is the case and she feels that she could be happy there, we can relax a little about her reaches? She loves a couple in NYC, DC, LA but would like Chicago too. Northwestern has contacted her, I think her GPA is a little low but she would love that kind of school as well. If you have any other suggestions for schools in big cities, especially smaller schools for comparison that would be great.</p>