<p>Only because there’s been so much discussion about good affordable options lately… 
My 2013 daughter is in the Croft Institute of International Studies, Chinese flagship and Honors College at Ole Miss. She loves it and she received a phenomenal OOS scholarship. These programs are selective and are really outstanding. The campus is also very beautiful. Ole Miss would like to recruit more strong students and they are very generous with merit aid. My D is very happy to be taking small, rigorous honors classes and looks forward to graduating debt free and having many options. If you have a student interested in international studies, Chinese or Arabic, I highly recommend Ole Miss. They have a nice summer program for high school juniors where students live in a supervised dorm and take classes for credit. There is merit aid for summer programs too! Forgive me for recommending Ole Miss yet again but if you are new to this thread you might be interested. :)</p>
<p>mihcal1, I hadn´t thought about it that way…that the schools want those kids with the impressive hook for PR purposes. Those are the kids that they put on their website to ´meet the incoming class´. So then, everyone applying thinks they need to be like that, but, hopefully not everyone admitted is so accomplished, and those are just the select few that stood out. They sure do make you feel like that´s what is expected though.</p>
<p>mihcal, surprisingly oboists are a dime a dozen. It’s bassoonists and violas that are in high demand these days.</p>
<p>DANG! My D was a viola player but gave it up after freshman year. (Started in 4th grade.) If only I had known! 
(Kidding, and yet not kidding!)</p>
<p>My D will be among the guinea pigs for the new Psych AP exam. Ironic, eh? ;)</p>
<p>shoboemom, I think of you as shhh oboemom, because when D practiced oboe in the wee hours, as was her habit, S would wake up and holler from his bed for her to shut up and be quiet. Only for oboe. He slept through sax and piano. House is so quiet now.</p>
<p>One of H’s colleagues who taught at a top ivy for a couple of years said the students there were mostly ordinary kids ‘but they all seemed to have some kind of club they were super involved in.’</p>
<p>When we we doing apps last year D said plaintively ‘They can’t ALL be the leaders. Don’t they need some kids to be just regular members who they can boss around?’</p>
<p>My daughter played the oboe in elementary school and hated it. It was the only time when we would get daily emails from the music teacher asking her to please come for extra help. </p>
<p>Suzy that’s very funny being the guinea pig for psych AP LOL!</p>
<p>Celeste our high school sends kids to the Ivy League every year and they do seem like regular kids. We have one girl who was accepted to two and she really does seem very " normal." She had outstanding test scores and GPA and was involved in science research, but to the best of my knowledge she did not have anything else ie national awards etc. I guess she just had “something” that they wanted, but I have no clue what that " something" is. </p>
<p>Last year when I took my daughter to her therapist it just so happens that her daughter ( a senior) was applying to schools. This kid played the violin and was in the hs orchestra, but was not planning to continue in college. She was just a regular violin player- no awards etc. She received two acceptance letters from schools offering her approximately $15,000 if she would continue to play the violin in college.</p>
<p>twogirls, I remember a piece on TV where they asked current Ivy students did they know how or why they were accepted. While some answered (rather sheepishly), yeah, it was probably …and went on to mention something amazing, most responded, “I don’t know” or more honestly, “I have no idea”. They all were probably like the girl you described.</p>
<p>My latest rant - I really loathe that online grading system. The heart attack alert email saying D failed her AP bio quiz WAS WRONG. D was pretty down when I told her about the grade but she had a plan. Then she got the quiz back, 5/5! She assumed she failed because because most of the class failed. (obviously D is the more mature one between the two of us).</p>
<p>Almost new to CC, at least in terms of posting, but by DD1 is part of this class and I am pretty sure she goes to school with BunHeadGirl, based on descriptions from her mom. No idea who BHG is but the description of the school and the kids is spot on. So we are just outside Minneapolis. We have been working hard to come up with a list of schools and so far it is very long. Most of DDs friends will be going to very expensive, close to Ivy schools, and I am guessing and or two will be Ivy. Four or five have the stats, but not many have a hook, so we will see. Her friends dont actually talk to each other much about college selection yet, but their parents sure do.</p>
<p>Open to any suggestions. DD is lopsided for stats- very high test scores, she will have completed 8 AP classes by the end of Sr year, but GPA will likely be around 3.5 weighted, 3.1 UW by the end of this year due to some personal struggles. Her hearts desire would be to major in the classics, she is an excelleny latin student who loves history, but she is leaning towards biology or computer Science as a major as she finds them both interesting and does think she wants to leave school with a career path laid out. She plans for grad school but knows that the CS major would leave her with many employement options right out of college and understands the appeal of that. Her Dad is a CS guy and she has talents in that area but like all 16 year olds she is not quite sure where her path leads her and we are ok with that. Because she is son undecided, I feel like many of the CTCL schools may be too small with fewer options to change majors…but some seem like a good fit. We are touring Cornell College in a couple weeks, and have been to UM-Dultuth ( not on the list anymore) and Purdue ( her dad went to school there). Purdue is still on the list but not sure she will get enough aid. Finances are a key consideration for us. I am a financial aid administrator ( and happy to answer questions for you) and keenly aware of the impact of excessive debt. We have some savings but will also be paying out of current income, and have another child 3 years behind. So good merit aid is high on the list of criterea.</p>
<p>Seems like a great group on the thread already. Look forward to sharing the journey with you.</p>
<p>Hi mittentigger, it’s always good to see a new name, especially a financial aid person (no questions, but it’s early days yet).</p>
<p>D has marked Cornell College as a possibility. I’m trying to figure out when and how to visit, so I would really like to read your and your daughter’s impressions of the place. It definitely has an intriguing setup.</p>
<p>Slacker great to hear about bio- very stressful!! Welcome Mitt I am sure you will be answering plenty of questions as time goes on. </p>
<p>About the kids who got into Ivy League without knowing why- they probably do shine in some way, but they don’t see it that way because for them, this is normal and what they have always done.</p>
<p>I know my sample size is small, but the kids who get in to Ivies from our school all have that extra something. My eldest is at an IVY and he was regional/nationals in his area, as were all the others from his school who got into an Ivy. (I’m not saying he is a better person than anyone else, he just excelled in his area). We didn’t send anyone to an ivy that people wondered why they were accepted, but we had several who didn’t get in that we thought were equally outstanding.
I don’t think its about bragging rights for the school, i think that with 30 thousand applications which most have great grades and test scores, you need to find something else to stand out from the field. They always say they could fill the class three or four times with qualified applicants.</p>
<p>Welcome mittentigger…looking forward to chatting with you. How great will it be to have a financial aid admin here with us?</p>
<p>Our HS seems to be the opposite. We don’t send many kids to top schools at all. We are a typical run-of-the-mill suburban school district. I know of two kids who’ve gone to Yale but they were both lacrosse players. The list for next week’s college fair just came out and we are very disappointed. Only one school we were planning to visit is on the list. All the SUNY schools except for the top 3 are coming (or what we consider the top 3). D wants to sit in the corner and do homework. I told her to approach a few tables and ask about their merit scholarships. At least it will give her experience chatting about schools without us there.</p>
<p>Okay I think what I meant to say what the kids who replied “I have no idea” are “normal” kids with 2150+ and straight A’s and probably one good EC. They’re top achievers in the local high school but they didn’t cure cancer, go to the Olympics (of any sort), or publish a book. These kids did not have a hook. They happen to get in on the luck of the draw. </p>
<p>My cousin’s daughter is at Columbia engineering. Nice person, very smart, self-assured, probably had high SAT scores and perfect grades but if you ask me there is no obvious reason why she got admitted over the next applicant. Same goes for her high school boyfriend who’s at Princeton, again very bright, perfect grades and I suspect perfect scores in Math SAT II as well as in the SAT (but they seem a dime a dozen her on CC, if not in real life). They won the lottery, a lottery restricted to students with high stats.</p>
<p>Welcome mittentigger! </p>
<p>So my usually calm D had a bit of a meltdown last night. She had a lot of homework, and we also had been casually talking about colleges earlier in the evening. When she was going to bed she started crying and telling me she wasn’t sure she was ready for the SAT this Saturday. I told her I thought she was ready, but was fine if she wanted to hold off. I think she’s going to go ahead with it, but I hate seeing her worried about this - it’s unlike her. :(</p>
<p>How many bassoonists does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Only one, but they’ll insist on going through about 5 bulbs before they find one that suits this particular room and situation.</p>
<p>suzy - sorry about your D. Kids are under so much pressure… Take her out for some ice cream later. D and I go out for ice cream (or craft store) whenever she feels down. It sure makes me feel better! Hope she feels better today.</p>
<p>soeboemom - you can approach “neuroscience” from many different angles. Traditionally, it’s a part of bio field but nowdays you can approach it from many different fields. One can major bio, chem, engineering (chemE, bioE, or bioME), or go to med school and do research. So many different options. If she is interested in research, she probably needs post college education (PhD maybe?).</p>
<p>Ha, rarefied double reed jokes first thing in the morning. But if I didn’t have a kid who plays them I wouldn’t get it. I feel so smart.</p>
<p>Yesterday was a very unusual day for S. First it was the business with the social media. Then there was soccer. I wrote about his injury sob story here already. When he was in elementary he was his team’s star forward. But when he joined club soccer they pushed him into defense. He was very tiny but scrappy and played his new spot well, didn’t complain. Now he’s 5’5"/120# and defense is not viable anymore, hasn’t been the last couple of years. He isn’t as scrappy because of injuries and the size differential has gotten to the point it’s dangerous to engage too hard. There just aren’t any tiny guys in defense. HS coach doesn’t want to risk any goals against, so plays the strong defenders and S spends a lot of time on bench except in easy games, never starts. But I think coach likes him and wants to let him play so lately he’s been putting him out there as midfield or forward to give him a chance. It’s very kind of him but S has forgotten completely how to play those positions so it is very painful to watch. Last night something finally clicked. It was H’s turn to go to game while I stayed home with puppy so I missed it. He got 3 goals in a 4-2 win against a team that beat them last year and that clinched the conference title (D1) for his team. They put him in 20 minutes into game when they were 0-1, he scored soon after and then played to the end. Pretty good night.</p>
<p>I have been following this thread since I have a 2015 girl. I learnt a lot from you guys, so thanks. </p>
<p>I never thought I would start my first post on this board with this question. I am so sad. My world is totally upside down now. </p>
<p>I know this is not the place to seek the help I am looking for now, but please I don’t know where the right forum is. I need you wise parents out there point me to the right direction. </p>
<p>Long story short, I have been like each one of you, a happy parent with a smart daughter. I have had no single doubt she would have a bright future. Be fair to say even I am so disappointed at her now, she is athletic and smart with great grade. But we just found out in the past weekend she has been sexually active in past months. not with one boy, but more than one. we are strict Asian parents - no sleepover in other people’s house (can come to my house) since 7th grade, no dating allowed, blah blah blah; my marriage is happy; She is loved and adored from us; but I never imagined the worst scenario could happen in my family. I am still in shock and in denial, but I know my nightmare needs me to face it and fix it. </p>
<p>Anybody can point me to a parenting forum more focusing on teenagers in trouble? I truly believe you guys can provide very wise guidance to me here, but I am afraid that is not the purpose for this thread. Please advice.</p>
<p>I am crashed and I cannot sleep or eat, but I know I will not give up on her, I hate her but I know I cannot hate her. I just heartbroken for her. My heart is broken thinking she got hurt out there without my protection. sorry, please help.</p>
<p>suzy, does she know that if she feels she bombed the test, you can call to cancel score through Weds. of following week? Nothing on your record. So she can see how she feels that day once she’s in the room with the test. Knowing there is that option calms some kids down. I’m so sorry to hear. D has IBS, which is anxiety related, and I never knew what might happen on test days. Knowing that it ultimately didn’t matter one bit and we could just hit ‘delete’ soothed her completely so that the IBS didn’t hit during the test. As a junior your D still has many opportunities to take the test, no worries about last chance.I hope she feels better Saturday.</p>
<p>newtoday, you say you don’t allow dating. Is this casual then, not in context of relationships? She may need to talk to a counselor. Some teen girls do this as a way to mask feelings of inferiority and act out, relieve stress. I found out the hard way that gorgeous smart talented girls who have every reason to feel on top of the world can still feel small and worthless, especially if their social skills are not as developed as other facets of self. Not saying this is the case with your D, but it’s a possible scenario. </p>
<p>She needs to see a doctor to be treated for STDs if you haven’t taken her already. Some of these diseases can stay silent and invisible in women for years, no symptoms, and cause PID later in life which results in infertility.</p>
<p>I am very sorry for your heartbreak. You need to stay strong to help her through this and believe she will grow up and get past this. Raising teens is so hard. I think I have PTSD from some of the things I went through with my D. Don’t know if here is a forum here for stuff like this. People at your D’s high school might know of some local groups that can help you.</p>