<p>I just wish S2’s teacher would start his LOR. He logs on to the Common App every day and it still says “not started.” He is trying to decide when to resend. I’m saying 2 weeks. Then if the teacher still doesn’t start it - pick a new teacher. Only 2 schools of his need a teacher rec.</p>
<p>Dragonfly - I am so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news.</p>
<p>My D walked into school the first day and found that the girl that has sat next to hear the last three years in homeroom is visibly pregnant. D was obviously shocked by it, she keeps saying,“What was she thinking?”</p>
<p>Hugs to everyone going through terribly stressful situations. My dd is stressed but hasn’t had some of the overly stressful things some of your kids are experiencing. We take a walk almost every night after dinner and my dd is starting to share her stresses - she is such a perfectionist and the unfortunate thing about this process is no matter what - there WILL be some disappointments - in the end it will be a good learning experience and will all work out but the process is rough!</p>
<p>Lots of stress this morning!! Hugs to all.</p>
<p>DS is sick. But has no time to be sick. He came home from practice last night and took a nap. Woke up briefly to eat and finish homework, and then went to bed at 8:30 PM!!! He got up today, took some Sudafed and ibuprofen and went to school. Needless to say there was no progress on the college applications.</p>
<p>ugadog99: It sounds like CC is in agreement to pull her out. If it were me, I would talk to the GC to ensure that she will be able to tactfully write about it in her LOR. I like the positive angle that someone suggested, no need to bring up the dirt, just make sure it gets documented by either the CG or a teacher in the LOR.</p>
<p>ugadog: At our school. kids can get internship credit for working at local professional, or community theatres - even if most of their hours are in the evenings. Might be something your D wants to ask GC about. That way it can go on the transcript.</p>
<p>to pester, or not to pester… that is the question. I was up for 2 hours in the middle of the night last night worrying about DD’s applications which are not getting done, her SAT scores, which are not being sent, and all sort of other related issues. I know she was up very late doing homework, so I can’t fault her with being lazy. And I hate to remind her of things still on her list, because its her applications. So instead, I drive myself crazy worrying about it. I also can’t stop stress eating - she better get in ED so I don’t have to buy a new wardrobe! </p>
<p>In the meantime, her younger sister is now “depressed” and we think its because she is already feeling sad about DD’13 leaving us to go off to college.</p>
<p>Thoughts and hugs for the family of the girl who committed suicide. So sad for all. And thoughts to classmates of these victims as well :(</p>
<p>ugadog99 - I am in agreement with everyone else! Pull her out and get an independent study class for her work with the local theater company. I would be careful about portraying it as a positive to work with the company versus her getting out of an unhealthy situation, in terms of applications. You never know if someone would be dumb and thing "what’s one more year?” - not knowing how difficult the situation is. I know in my D’s hs one of the girls in MT didn’t work on a huge musical at her hs because she wanted to experience other directors. That is a good thing! No need for your D to go through her senior year with this knucklehead causing such stress for her. Ridiculous! Something needs to be done with that situation for future kids.</p>
<p>My opinion: I would never tell a college that you dropped a class because of a conflict with the teacher. Don’t want them to think that you (or your kid) are difficult (even though you know that it was the teacher!) I would portray it as an “opportunity” to explore other avenues, etc.</p>
<p>Hugs to all that need them today…and loving Wahoos advice :)</p>
<p>Back to School night last night was bitter sweet knowing that it was our last one for Jr.
<strong><em>SIGH</em></strong>
Thanked the teachers that he has asked to do his LOR’s. I am sure they are not a fan of this time of year.</p>
<p>On a happy note, Jr’s Homecoming date is just ADORABLE!!! He had a friend call her at the end of the day to tell her that he (the friend) “hit” her car. While looking very despondent to distract the potential date, Jr walked up behind her with roses and asked her if she wanted to “crash” Homecoming together. Not Oscar worthy…but it did the trick. She has invited him to the UCLA game this weekend…which means he will be wearing a Stanford shirt 
It would just be to dangerous to wear and SC one…LOL</p>
<p>dragonfly: so sorry for your community. We had a “string” of suicides (all in front of a train) at a high school in a neighboring community last year. It really makes you take stock of the pressures on kids today. I know I am guilty of adding “expectations” on my kids and there are the financial realities involved in the college search, etc. but hearing such terrible news makes me take try to take stock and appreciate the days I have with my kids. Hope you, your family & your community are coping.</p>
<p>On a lighter note: had a meeting at school today- CONFIRMING that you should send test scores & (if not common app) transcripts ASAP to schools since it can take 3-4 weeks. Also LOR should be sent ASAP. The schools will hold for the rest of the application.</p>
<p>S13 is finally getting into the process. He said several apps are ready to go…but for the essays. Deep sigh!</p>
<p>S2 wrote his last essay last night because he has to turn it in to his English teacher for a grade. He let me look at it and, other than going crazy on the commas (he admits he has a problem), it was really good. He finally has found his “voice.” Now, let’s see what the English teacher thinks.</p>
<p>ugadog99: totally agree with prior posts. Pull her out but DO NOT put it in essays or anything. Double check with the school that it will NEVER show up on a transcript. It should be early enough that it won’t even be on anything official the school sends out. Agree with Megpmom that if you do address it at all, put it in a positive light. NO negative stuff ever.</p>
<p>Awww, MDmom, I think we all needed that story (especially after the “last back to school night”- we’re doing that today too). My D is hoping her boyfriend of well over a year “does something” to ask her. I’m shaking my head, poor guy. Last year he did a scavenger hunt which ended at this quaint little ice cream stand… does he really have to do it all again? He has no time either.
Believe it or not, I’m trying to write a “guide” for some of my friends. One of them called me from a trip the other day to say her child is in full panic mode and ask questions. I’ve had so many people who really are clueless, and I thought I’d share our <em>vast</em> knowledge. Thoughts for things to include? Told them about Naviance and common data sets…mentioned ECs and listing them with thought, rather than “oh yeah, and this too…”. Its kind of late to say much about test scores… what else? Notebooks for “ideas” for essays? (Lord knows my kids would not use that trick…)
Looking forward to your thoughts. Maybe we can create an “advice from Walker’s Basement” forum on here.</p>
<p>I need some advice. S1 13 and S2 13 are both taking one last SAT subject test in October. Neither one of them technically need it. They both have three, but they are math and science. They are taking another one (not sure yet, either Literature or World History) to show that they are more than math and science kids. They will likely get a lower score on this one than they did on the others. Hopefully not bad, just not their highest one. So my dilemma is this-- do I go ahead and register for their top 4 schools for the free reports? Or should we wait to get the results and then decide if it’s worth it to send them? I guess for EA they wouldn’t receive them if we decided to see them first… My thought is that even if they aren’t great, their other three will count anyway. But then it would defeat the purpose to try and show that they are also good at something other than math & science… Of course the hope is that they will be great and it gives them 4 solid subject tests. What would you do?</p>
<p>89wahoo: I have a doc I’ve used to “counsel;” I can share that if you’d like.</p>
<p>Greekmana: since there’s no school that needs 4 Sat ii’s, and only 1 that needs 3, I’d be hesitant to send until I saw the scores especially since you feel they’ll be lower than what they already have. I’d hate to shoot myself in the foot for ~$50, KWIM?</p>
<p>Greek: HOLY COW!!! ANOTHER SET OF TWINS!!!
OK…back to your question:</p>
<p>To be VERY honest, Jr took his (3) test in June and said “Peace out…I’m done!”
In your situation, if it was me, I would wait to see how the scores match up with the rest of their test scores and go from there. But then again, a place like Stanford says that you need to submit ALL OF YOUR TEST SCORES regardless.</p>
<p>Rob- that would be great! I’ll see you in Walker’s basement? I’d love to see your document. : )</p>
<p>Rob, I want to see your doc, too. You know where to find me. ;)</p>
<p>Today, I’m feeling like this can’t be over soon enough – college, HS drama, everything.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry for those of you whose communities are experiencing loss.</p>
<p>GreekMana–Do any of the schools they are applying to even ask for the SATII’s? We have one school on the list that uses them for placement only and even then only in non-major classes or foreign languages–thus, unless DS gets into that school-lottery school, they won’t take any SATII’s. Are they used for admissions at their schools? If not, send the scores, if so, wait on the “off” subject scores but send the math/science ones.</p>
<p>First acceptance in the door today!!! DS got accepted at one of his top choices–not surprising but still nice to have that YES in the door! I probably won’t give out names of schools or put them on the list since they are applying to small schools and with DD being an athlete–just way too much info out there. This is the school he did the summer camp thing at . They called the other night to “remind” DS to get them his transcripts. He was not home so I talked to the ad comm that called. I jokingly said I could send a PDF of his transcript from the online grade book and she said “sure, send it over”. That was easy. I wish everyone else would take that!</p>