Parents of the HS Class of 2015

[erlanger]

<p>The class of 2015 can’t get a break with a possibly harder PSAT and first class to have the new AP Bio and AP Chem exams. I am sure it all levels out (like the class above having a new Common App process that is frustrating), but in our house, where my 2015 is son #3, it seems like with each kid, there are new challenges and a continual higher bar for achievement.</p>

[suzy100]

<p>OHMomof2, that report was not very helpful. Glad you figured it out though!</p>

<p>D has a lot of work here this week also. The quarter ends on Friday so she is bogged down.</p>

<p>ahsmuoh, I’m really hoping that D will NOT be close. That would have been very rough to have missed it by 1, but it sounds like it worked out great for your D. That is encouraging, and what I wish for all of our kids no matter where they land on these stupid tests.</p>

[mittentigger]

<p>Wrights- and BHM- have been right there with you and still am some days. Excellent advice to just love the kid on the couch, as they are amazing just as they are. Wrights you child has people looking out for him at school which he will realize when he starts to get better. I frequently wish I could walk through this struggle with my D. She is much better now but mostly she just has learned to cope better, she still struggles with the depression. And sometimes she is quite annoyed that she has to make these big decisions at this point in her life. My only advice would be to make sure to keep the school in the loop, our school has been great about accomodating her issues, hopefully yours will be the same.</p>

<p>As for the PSAT, my D thought it was easier than last year and the math in particular was easier than she expected. Who knows if that translates into a high score though. So glad it is over…good luck to all who will test on Saturday!</p>

<p>We are off to visit a few schools over the next two days and will be sure to post our impressions…</p>

[BunHeadMom]

<p>

@OhMomof2

@BunHeadMom

applying EA increases BHG’s acceptance rate by 10-30%

It’s been said elsewhere on this forum that part of the reason EA admit rates are higher is because athletes and development admits are done in the EA round…so for a student who isn’t one of those, it may make no difference. ED means a lot at some schools that want to keep or raise yield numbers but you can only do one of those.

</p>

<p>I promise, none of the schools on BHG’s list outside of her safety publics are known for their athletic prowess outside of ultimate frisbee and quidditch, which are more popular than mainstream sports at 7 of 10 LACs on BHG’s list. But on a serious note, I looked at the total number of applications, total number accepted, total number applying via EA–sometimes greater than 50% of total applicant pool, and total number accepted EA to come up with the figures. At many of the schools, most slots went to EA applicants with the remaining slots being fought over by the RD round applicants. The RD rate of acceptance of even schools that accept upwards of 70% of their applicants show that applying EA is the only game in town with some schools having less than 40% of “acceptance slots” remaining for the RD applicant pool. This means that a school may “accept” 70% of all applicants overall, but in reality only accepts 25% of applicants who apply during the RD round.</p>

<p>Also, I did not notate any figures or calculations pertaining to ED acceptances, as BHG does not plan to apply ED anywhere at this point in time. Of course, that may change once BHG actually begins submitting applications next cycle.</p>

[BunHeadMom]

<p>BHG, like a few others, thought the PSAT was much easier than last year–particularly the math section. She also thought the CR section was not too bad. She actually came home excited about how composed she was during the whole exam. Now to wait for the scores to see if BHG’s SAT mental block finally dissipated, and if it is worth studying for if the PSAT is similar or exceeds her current ACT composite. And, does it even matter in the end or will it add undue stress? </p>

<p>When are PSAT scores released?</p>

[sunnydayfun]

<p>Wrights-Sending my positive thoughts your way. Kids at this age are easy to get stuck. It is hard for them sometimes to realize whatever happened is not the end of world and to see beyond themselves. May the achievements and positive things that he has accomplished for himself and love from you help him to move on.</p>

<p>S2 thought the PSAT was good today and was able to finish it on time. Last year he was unable to do so. He used the strategies he learned from his test prep program and that helped a lot.</p>

[OHMomof2]

<p>

When are PSAT scores released?

</p>

<p>Early December online, according to the CB:</p>

<p><a href=“https://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/psat/deadlines[/url]”>Higher Education Professionals | College Board;

[celesteroberts]

<p>I think BHM is correct about EA applications. For example U Chicago sent half of their acceptances EA. RD they had twice as many applicants as EA, so the acceptance rate fell to half of EA acceptance rate(from 13.38% to under 7%). They have regular EA, not ED or SCEA. Crazy stuff going on in admissions there the last couple of years as they become more fashionable. They got 55% yield this year overall. D couldn’t get act together to finish essay for EA. Might have gotten in that way. Others at her school very similar did, but nobody got in RD. She was waitlisted and they didn’t take anyone off list this year. If any of you you apply there, really try to do it EA.</p>

[suzy100]

<p>BunHeadMom, I believe the scores are released in early to mid December. They send them to the school, though, and it’s up to the school when they are released to the kids. I think one poster here (can’t remember who) said that her child’s school doesn’t release them until January. That would make me crazy!</p>

[OHMomof2]

<p>^ that is true but we got D’s online last year before her school released them.</p>

[shacherry]

<p>This sort of stinks. I was hoping to see my sons PSAT score to determine if he should take the December SAT. Now I am not sure what he should do.</p>

[mihcal1]

<p>BunHeadMom – I’m confused about something you wrote:</p>

<p>

BHG does not plan to apply ED anywhere at this point in time. Of course, that may change once BHG actually begins submitting applications next cycle.

</p>

<p>I thought the main point of ED was to disallow early application anywhere else. I guess some schools make an exception and allow the ED applicant to also send apps to in-state public schools with rolling admissions, but then you need to withdraw them as soon as you get a positive answer from the ED school. But I don’t understand how your D could begin submitting EA applications and then change her mind and do an ED. Please elucidate?</p>

[herandhisMom]

<p>OHMom, how did you get the score online last year? I think my D. had a college board account last fall, but we didn’t see her score online.</p>

[OHMomof2]

<p>mihcal I think you can apply ED and EA at once (EA, after all, is just an early answer without strings) but if you get into the ED school you have to withdraw the other apps. ED means you can only apply to one school ED, however.</p>

<p>herandhis…she has a CB account and at some point the score report appeared on the college quickstart page. I suppose she checked it somewhat regularly…</p>

[OHMomof2]

<p>I am trying to remember now…she shouldn’t have been able to get it without the access code and yet I feel like she did. My memory may be faulty…I know her HS also distributes the reports in January.</p>

[BunHeadMom]

<p>

@Mical1

BunHeadMom – I’m confused about something you wrote:</p>

<p>Quote:
BHG does not plan to apply ED anywhere at this point in time. Of course, that may change once BHG actually begins submitting applications next cycle.
I thought the main point of ED was to disallow early application anywhere else. I guess some schools make an exception and allow the ED applicant to also send apps to in-state public schools with rolling admissions, but then you need to withdraw them as soon as you get a positive answer from the ED school. But I don’t understand how your D could begin submitting EA applications and then change her mind and do an ED. Please elucidate?

</p>

<p>I know and understand the differences between the types of early submission programs along with the rules.</p>

<p>EA, EA(SCEA) and ED are not interchangeable.<br>
EA(SCEA) does not allow you to apply EA or ED to any other schools.
ED allows you to apply EA (not SCEA) depending on the rules of the ED school
EA allows you to apply to many schools early, and my preference for submitting applications </p>

<p>In my original post regarding tracking EA acceptances, I spoke of calculating acceptance rates for EA programs only, not ED. OHMomof2 responded to my post but used the term ED, and gave examples pertaining to ED applicants. </p>

<p>In my response to OHMom’s post, the part you quoted above, I was clarifying to OHMom that ED issues did not apply to BHG, because BHG was not interested in applying anywhere ED. I also put in an exception, because BHG could change her mind in the next 12 months and want to apply ED somewhere, but I doubt it. She wants choices. And, if she made the decision to apply ED, of course we are bound to follow the rules pertaining to submitting an ED application.</p>

[celesteroberts]

<p>OHMomof2, I just used that link you provided and that page has a link to CB’s mycollegequickstart. If you don’t have the access code from the school, then you can use your regular CB login. It takes you to the PSAT stuff. In my D’s acct I can see her old PSAT stuff. For S it asks for access code, but maybe once scores are out we might see the scores without the code???</p>

[OHMomof2]

<p>Yeah, D accessed her score report from last year to go over missed questions for this year just the other day. I assume it will be replaced by the latest PSAT when that time comes but I’m not sure. She doesn’t need a code to log in there now though it’s possible she put it in way back when and will need it again for this year…?</p>

<p>Does your S have a CB account already?</p>

[celesteroberts]

<p>Yes, took Math2 subject last year and CalcAB. That’s all so far.</p>

[mihcal1]

<p>I looks like whether ED prevents you from putting in early apps elsewhere depends on which ED school it is, and on the specific nature of the other apps (whether they are non-binding EA, rolling, early deadline for scholarships, etc.) Confusing!!!</p>

<p>College Board [says](<a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/early]says[/url]:”>Early Decision and Early Action – Counselors | College Board):</a>

ED applicants [may]: Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans.

</p>

<p>CC’s Ask the Dean [says](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/can-an-early-decision-candidate-apply-elsewhere-via-early-action.htm]says[/url]:”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/can-an-early-decision-candidate-apply-elsewhere-via-early-action.htm):</a>

College admission regulations can be confusing indeed, especially when it come to early-application options. In most cases, however, early decision candidates are free to apply to other colleges via NON-BINDING admission plans, which include early ACTION. But you’re right to be concerned–as well as confused–because not all colleges follow this protocol.

</p>

<p>and [further</a> elaborates](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/applying-via-early-action-early-decision-and-rolling-admission-all-at-once.htm]further”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/applying-via-early-action-early-decision-and-rolling-admission-all-at-once.htm)</p>

<p>

If you are applying Early Action or Early Decision, you must locate a description of that option on the college’s Web site to see if any “restrictions” apply. Note that the policies at one college may not be the same as those at similar schools, so read those Web instructions well!</p>

<p>Typically, an Early Action application doesn’t prevent you from applying to another college via a non-binding Rolling Admission policy. Usually (but not always), you can also apply Early Action to other colleges concurrently. In most cases, you can apply to one college Early Decision, too (as long as you understand that you must accept the Early Decision spot, if it is offered).</p>

<p>BUT some Early Action colleges put restrictions on where else you can apply during the EA round. For example, colleges with “Single-Choice Early Action” prohibit you from applying elsewhere via Early Action or Early Decision (but exceptions can be made for public-university EA programs, so check Web sites carefully). However, you can apply elsewhere via non-binding rolling admission plans.

</p>

<p>Petersons [says](<a href=“http://www.petersons.com/college-search/ask-experts-early-decision.aspx]says[/url]:”>Ask the Experts: Early Decision and Early Application - Peterson's):</a></p>

<p>

Unfortunately the area of admission plans has gotten more, not less complex. Fundamentally, the rules depend on which colleges you apply to. Some Early Decision colleges (offering the binding ED plan) do allow you to apply to other colleges Early Action (non-binding) while others don’t. Some Early Action (EA) colleges allow students to apply to other EA schools, but others don’t. Some allow EA, but not an ED. Applications to public universities under rolling admission plans (non-binding) are usually not prohibited. Make sure to check the fine print on the Web site and in the application materials for each college to which you are applying to see what is allowed or not. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (nacacnet.org) offers a summary of admission plans and guidelines on its Web site.

</p>

<p>In short, it sounds like one really must read the fine print on each and every combination of schools & application plans that one is considering.</p>