<p>Congrats to AvonHSdad!! What a nice score! </p>
<p>DS took the ACT one last time just to see if he could bump it up one more point. I think his English was the highest it’s been, but his Reading score is still low compared to the rest - 4 points lower than the other three.</p>
<p>We had a great two days at Univ of Tulsa. We sat through many different info sessions - general, engineering, Presidential Scholarship, research program, etc. Seems like everyone had a panel of students or professors to talk about the programs. DS spent the night with some students, attended the basketball game and a class. Hard to tell what he thinks of it, but I liked the small school feel and how caring the faculty and support staff appear to be (and that it’s only 2 hours from home!!).</p>
<p>Congratulations to every family with acceptances in their pocket!!!</p>
<p>This thread has been a veritable hive of activity, and I’ve read every word on my nightly thread update email. Frankly, I keep thinking our family is doing something wrong. DS is only applying to the UCs, with one supplemental application - for a school within the school - that is due in January. </p>
<p>Consequently, he’s been taking his sweet time. The essays are written, rewritten, and edited (finally!) but he has not started filling in the rest of the application. He has agreed to have it done by this weekend, and he has a GC appointment the 19th to review it. Theoretically, we will hit “send” on the 20th.</p>
<p>The positive is, he doesn’t have to do the CA. And I won’t add to my gray hairs trying to goad/prod/manipulate him into doing it. The agony, of course, is we won’t hear ANYTHING until mid/late March. No safety acceptances. Nothing. His scores are high and he should be a shoo-in for at least two of the four UCs, and a match for the other two. (He doesn’t want to attend the two most competitive UCs, UCLA and Berkeley, and is not applying to them). </p>
<p>But with so many applicants, nothing is guaranteed. I’m on pins and needles and will be for the next four months. </p>
<p>I am looking forward to joining everyone in those double margaritas!</p>
<p>I will happily help myself to margaritas, bloody marys - you name it! We are DONE. My DS applied to three schools - all match or safety schools - and is now accepted to all three, with scholarship offers in the pocket already for two, including his favorite. He gave up on the fourth school in which he was interested when the CA became a hassle. He is ignoring the athletic recruiting letters and contacts because he wants to go to a D-I school, where he probably won’t make a team, just because he wants that atmosphere. Whew! He is going to college! At least, I HOPE! There is a downside to being successfully finished - he has mentally checked out of high school! How to keep him motivated??? I may skip the margaritas and go straight to shots…</p>
<p>Congrats on being done! It has to feel good. Please note that you will still be welcome to join most of us sailing on the SS Indecision. We depart on April 1st and hope to return to port by April 30th as May 1st is the magic national committment date for most schools. We are adding a new feature onboard this year. All parents who had to deal with CA issues or clueless GC’s will be eligible for unlimited premium drinks at all bars and lounges onboard! :D</p>
<p>PS - Captain Morgan will be onboard and assist in handling the daily congratulatory toasts! :D</p>
<p><em>fuming</em> First quarter grades aren’t out yet, but one teacher actually was sending out progress reports pretty much every week, and S’s grade was consistently A- or B+. So imagine my surprise when I see his 1st quarter grade as B-. This is the only teacher who has conveyed the first quarter grade.</p>
<p>S went in to see him today (after the NYC field trip) and the teacher changed it to an A-.</p>
<p>What was that? Whoops? I mean I’m glad he changed it but geez…</p>
<p>Oh, I’ve sailed on SS Indecision! My DD sat on our steps and cried the entire evening one April 30 past, because she just didn’t want to decide between two colleges. Ended up turning down a lovely scholarship to Tulane one year before Katrina hit! Sometimes providence works in your favor! Now, can someone help me explain to DS that playing FreeRice is NOT the same as doing homework, no matter how “noble” it is?!</p>
<p>Classof2015-
Does it not make you wonder how many kids just live with whatever grade shows up? We had a go-round with administration one year when a teacher had posted a major project grade as an A, and it showed as an A the whole quarter. AFTER the quarter grades came offline, the teacher changed the project grade to a C.
Being a math teacher, I can figure out grades. Being a teacher at a different school who uses the same online grading program, I know how to call up already posted assignments. Never got a satisfactory explanation as to why it was changed. Did get it changed back. This is the only time I have to believe a teacher just didn’t like my kid and then tried to sabotage his grade!
Whether intentional or a genuine mistake, so many kids have uninvolved parents and amazingly, many kids don’t keep track of their own grades, so they may never have caught that! Good thing you are on the ball!</p>
<p>Hi, all. So my daughter has her best.report.card.ever! this week, like a full GPA point higher than any other, and with a heavy-duty schedule. So no EA/ED for her. She wrote a great Common App essay and did very well on the September ACT so we’re cautiously optimistic. Just a few supplements left.</p>
<p>Wow! It’s been awhile since I’ve been on CC … so busy with start of fall, EA apps and a freshman who was having some transition-to-high-school issues. And after reading all (each and every!) post over the past couple of months, I am in awe, complete and utter awe, over the love and support and encouragement and concern all of you have for your kids. Of course, I would love to think that all parents feel this strongly for their kids. I would love to think that all parents want the absolute best chances for their kids. I would love to know that each senior out there is being supported like all your seniors. But I know that’s not true. You are all amazing parents, and though your kids may not say how much they appreciate all your efforts, I’m gonna say it … right here: I’m grateful that your kids have you in their corner, someone rooting for them, pushing them, holding them up when they can’t stand it anymore. I’m filled with hope for the family love expressed here on CC. Way to go, Parents of the HS Class of 2014!</p>
<p>Oldmom - congrats on those grades! It’s all downhill for you now :)</p>
<p>Maryjay - thank you! Yes - what would happen if he and I didn’t catch this stuff? And so glad you and DS are done! what is FreeRice anyway? </p>
<p>AKmom - so glad you and your D had a good visit at Smith. It’s really beautiful thus time if year, and it sounds like she got an authentic experience with the professors there.</p>
<p>I haven’t posted in awhile but I was so touched by Portlandia’s encouraging words. A few of us moms at DS’s school have been organizing parent-to-parent discussion nights around the college process, and I am always thrilled when parents show up at the end of a long day of work to learn more to help their kids!
We have good news here - DS14 is in to his state school safety with a bit of merit aid! He felt so good reading the letter! I can’t recommend a rolling admissions safety strongly enough. All three of mine have done that and it really gives them a little extra oomph as they are slogging through the rest of the apps. Neither of our older girls ended up attending their safeties, but this school is definitely a strong contender for DS.</p>
<p>4beardolls - I hear ya! DS still has 3-4 apps to go, and I’ll tell you, it’s not always pretty around here! But as of Dec. 1, he’ll be done! And just in time for the holiday eggnog for mom!</p>
<p>Totally agree with moltian about the benefit of have a safety under your belt early in the process. DS did get an acceptance from his safety (a state U Honors with some merit money.) Knowing that he will have one college he can go to does prevent me from going crazy.</p>
<p>I love your message, Portlandia. Thanks! <3</p>
<p>On a bummer note… DS hit a wall today. Got up and dragged through breakfast, then flopped back on his bed. Said he couldn’t go to school, that he’d been working ALL weekend and just can’t do it anymore. He’s not sick.</p>
<p>The thing is, he didn’t really work all weekend. He goofed off a LOT but somehow when he looks back on the day he sees himself slaving away relentlessly. </p>
<p>Regardless, he’s exhausted. I suspect it’s the fact of being a senior and transitioning to the idea of college. He’s never done transitions well. I hope he’s better tomorrow. :(</p>
:D</p>
:D</p>