Parents of the HS Class of 2015

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
6521

<p>Caveat: I have never taken the subject test in lit myself. I’m just passing on what eldest D has said. Lit is “easy” if you are a really avid reader and write well. She did nothing to prepare for this test and scored an 800. She claimed there was no preparation that would be helpful or necessary. (I know her well enough to know that’s probably not true.)</p>

<p>My D15 will no doubt have more difficulty with this test because she doesn’t read with the same energy as my eldest and she doesn’t write with the same facility. My middle D didn’t even consider taking it. But I want to let those of you out there with kids who can excel on this exam know that they should not be scared of it.</p>

6522

<p>I just checked D’s school profile to see how many kids took Math II and how they did. It doesn’t specify when the test was taken but it looks like a healthy proportion of the current senior class took it and the mean score is just over 700. I’m hoping that means that the pre-calc class covers the subjects covered on the test but I am definitely going to check!</p>

<p>The mean scores in literature, history, and in FLs are quite a bit lower, in the mid 600s. As a general rule though, humanities are not stressed at this school to the same degree as math and science.</p>

6523

<p>My daughter took two subject tests- biology in 9th grade and chem in 10th grade. We have not spoken about a 3rd test yet- I want to get through all the SATs and ACTs first. I will leave it up to her because she has two scores that she can use. Last year she signed up for Lit along with chem but she chickened out- I lost my money. I guess we can figure this out in the spring. </p>

<p>She is having a melt down. Too much pressure. Definitely needs a college with a laid back vibe. I am looking forward to June.</p>

6524

<p>Ah, I love the sound of June! I hear you! Even when things go smoothly, I never really relax, I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop.</p>

<p>We have a college counseling night tonight at school. I almost don’t want to go but I will force myself.</p>

<p>I had been thinking that D should take the subject tests in Math and History so that she has something across disciplines. Right now she only has one subject test in chemistry.</p>

6525

<p>My older son took Math II at the end of junior year after Pre-cal. He scored 740 without any prep.</p>

6526

<p>My S took math 2 and chemistry at the end if sophomore year without any prep. Will likely take history in June.</p>

6527

<p>My daughter did not have any prep either except for the class. They use the SAT subject test books in class. She did not study- no time. I did not push studying because I figured she could take the tests again if she had to, but she can use the scores so it’s a happy day. I am not pushing a third test unless she wants it. </p>

<p>Two and through is the plan for the SAT and ACT. It’s enough already. My daughter had a friend over Sunday night to work on the yearbook. This girl is a senior and she is applying to Northwestern where she was told not to turn the SAT into an extracurricular activity.</p>

6528

<p>s15 is doing much better for those of you who remember. Back in school full time, seeing a therapist, and hanging out with a couple of new friends. :slight_smile: Thanks for all your support through that storm…</p>

<p>On the subject we are on now (I think I am actually keeping up!) he will take 4 AP tests and 1-2 subject tests in May/June (not sure of exact dates yet). He took 2 AP tests last year and one subject test so this will be a bit more work!</p>

<p>A couple of questions for all you experts. First about NMSF. Was talking to someone about it last week and she said they are need based? I must have had a shocked look on my face, she seemed shocked that I thought it was all based on PSAT scores? Am I wrong? I have no idea what it would or wouldn’t get for S15 if he made it, but it is on my list of possible help. </p>

<p>Also, went to a financial planning college presentation last night. I knew it was a sales pitch, but wanted to see what he said that I didn’t know. He said the online FAFSA has room for 10 schools to be listed and that those schools can then see who else you are considering and could possibly give more aid if they really wanted you? True? Also, we live in Michigan and he said you should focus on private schools on that list because state schools give you less in general. What if S15 is considering OOS state schools? Does the same rule apply there?</p>

<p>Also we visited Vanderbilt last weekend. Standard info session, but S did Dore for a Day, where he toured alone with a student while I did the info session and a tour. He went to a linear algebra class and really liked it. I did get a good vibe about the school, but wondered about the greek life. They have about a 40% greek population, but only the officers of the house live in the house…I think this would make it a little less greek, but I don’t know? I think 40% is high for S15. Also it was a beautiful campus but felt like the area around it was dicey in a few spots. Lots of people out running, so that is a good sign, but just not sure. He says it is up there with WashUSTL and Claremont McKenna now. $$$$$ I think I need a big spreadsheet to keep all this straight!</p>

6529

<p>wrights, I remember! I am SO glad he is doing so much better! That must be a huge relief for you.</p>

<p>As for NMSF, it has nothing to do with need at all. It is all based on the PSAT score, then a “qualifying” SAT score (just high enough to essentially “confirm” the PSAT score wasn’t a fluke) and then I think some paperwork from the school. I don’t think GPA factors in (I could be wrong on that) but I am positive it has nothing to do with need.</p>

<p>As to FAFSA, I believe it’s correct that a school listed there can see what other schools are listed, but I have no information as to what influence that might have on aid offered.</p>

<p>I don’t know a ton about Vandy, but D is interested.</p>

6530

<p>Wrights I am also happy that things seem to be working out for you!! I did not realize that Vandy had 40% Greek life- she is interested in Vandy but the Greek life may be a deal breaker ( as well as the price LOL). </p>

<p>I do not think that OOS state schools have good financial aid.</p>

6531

<p>Mine just decided that she wants to look at GW at almost $60,000 a year. Are we having fun yet? The web site does not state how much the Presidential Scholarship is for, which means it may vary, depending. </p>

<p>I need to keep a sense of humor and remind her that this is not Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.</p>

6532

<p>@wrights, great to hear from you again and know your S is doing better!! </p>

<p>@3girls3cats and sunnydayfun, It’s great to see your kids’ SAT scores. very encouraging.</p>

6533

<p>Wrights–you might want to pop over to the NMSF board to confirm, but I believe there is an application process and I have read that having a C on the transcript is frowned upon. I think I recall reading that 15K out of 16K semi-finalists become finalists, but the bump to finalist is not exactly a slam dunk. The confirming SAT score is not high at all (1970 perhaps–a formula is followed where W is granted less weight, I think). Notice all of my disclaimers…</p>

<p>You are correct that qualifying has nothing to do with need. The NMSF board has threads that list the full ride and other guaranteed scholarship amounts for NMF.</p>

<p>Re: FAFSA form permitting other colleges to see where your S is applying. I have read that also but then someone on this CC site posted that he created a new FAFSA form for each school. I do not know what this entails, or how long it would take, but he did so in order to prevent the colleges from seeing where his child was applying and perhaps awarding aid money based on this info. I got the impression that it was similar to creating a second version of the Common App. Once the first one was finished, copying subsequent versions was relatively easy. Don’t quote me on that but this approach could provide a solution for you.</p>

6534

<p>Wrights- so happy S is better. I thought of you often and wondered how your family was doing. </p>

<p>In regards to NMSF and financial need, not sure what your acquaintance was addressing. It is true that financial need has zero to do with achieving NMSF/NMF status, but depending on where you enroll and your financial need, it may affect how much your family benefits from any money you receive for the NMF status. If your EFC is very high, above the COA of institution, then any scholarship money is great because it reduces costs directly, even if it’s only $2,000/yr. If you enroll at one of the big money NMF schools, and if you are at least middle class, so that EFC is above the rm/bd costs, then any scholarship that is at least full tuition/fees benefits you because it is greater than financial aid you might have received from the school (if any), and replaces that with something larger.</p>

<p>But suppose you enroll at a place that has one of these smaller scholarships like Vandy ($5K/yr) or WUSTL($2K/yr) and your EFC is below COA and you get financial aid from them. Then later when they go to incorporate their NMF scholarship (or the NMSC or corporate scholarship if you happen to get that), they reduce your FA package. Typically they will reduce loans and work-study first, which is good, but if there are no loans in package, then they end up reducing grants once they get past work-study. I guess also some people might want to keep those loans in any case to help pay, so might not think reducing loans is good. But it’s better than reducing grants anyhoo.</p>

<p>That happened to us last year at Vandy. They gave all grants/work-study and no loans. Then NMF scholarship eliminated work-study and reduced grant. However, they did allow us to ‘keep’ small part of NMF scholarship, did not reduce grant as much as expected . I gather that is not quite regular, don’t understand. </p>

<p>Anyway, perhaps that is what your friend was referring to.</p>

<p>OOS state schools in general will not give you any need-based aid, though I understand there are exceptions. UNC-Chapel Hill is supposed to be one, but all they gave us was loans, which don’t count in my book. As far as merit, most state schools reserve the bulk of their scholarships for IS and give very little except to a few extraordinary or hooked OOS applicants. Your UM-Ann Arbor is a prime example of this. A few state schools that are trying to build their reputations by attracting high stat OOS kids may have special scholarships for them. The NMF scholarships are an example of this and there are others. My D received several full tuition merit scholarships from OOS state schools not for her NMF status last year. But they weren’t the highly competitive based on leadership named scholarships, and not really top state schools. Stonybrook, Rutgers, UIUC(almost full tuition), and I can’t remember now where else, but schools like that. You have to check websites to see if schools open their big scholarships to OOS and set the same standards to get them. Some do and some don’t.</p>

6535

<p>wrights I am so glad to hear your S is doing better. What a scary time your family must have been having.</p>

6536

<p>wrights, so glad to hear your S is doing well! It is so hard when our kids are going through difficult times.</p>

<p>On the Fafsa, I just read an article a few days ago (I just searched and couldn’t find it) about that listing of the colleges on Fafsa, and how colleges being able to see who you listed might matter. The aticle talked about a double edged sword of sorts. Schools assume that the schools listed at the top of your list are the ones you most want to attend, so they may be more inclined to work with you if they are at the top of the list. On the other hand, if a school sees that they are your top pick, they may be willing to gamble that you are willing to pay more to go there and so may not offer you as much aid. In the Article (maybe it was in the Wall Street Journal???) colleges admitted that they do see the listings and that, even if it doesn’t officially mean anything, it can have an affect. In the comments there were a lot of suggestions for FAFSA lists to be randomized before being reported to colleges, or to not let them see the list at all.</p>

6537

<p>They say to alphabetize the FAFSA schools ( did I read that here?). One person on the 2014 thread wrote about filling out a new FAFSA for each school. </p>

<p>How is the FA at schools like Duke or Vanderbilt for people who don’t qualify at " regular" schools? All we got with my older one was loans.</p>

6538

<p>That FAFSA listing topic was discussed on CC recently: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1570250-using-fafsa-against-students.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1570250-using-fafsa-against-students.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6539

<p>wrights1994, so glad to hear that things are better for your S and you!</p>

<p>About SAT subject tests, D is taking Math 2 in June which is when she’s done with Pre-calculus. She took Bio at the end of 9th grade and World History last June. She’s also thinking of taking the AP exam for World History this May.</p>

<p>I just read the FAFSA thread and article. Great…one more thing to worry about… :-(</p>

6540

<p>keepmecruisin, we definitely weren’t on the same Fordham tour as your H and D–our 2 tour guides took us through the University church because it was raining but hardly talked about religion at all.
Did they tell you what a huge event it was? I would estimate that there were at least 400 people in the gym at the Fordham College / Liberal Arts presentation and at the same time there must have been a couple hundred more in another room attending the College of Business presentation. I didn’t expect that big a crowd but I think it helped D see it as a place that loads of students want to attend.</p>

<p>Someone mentioned the Common Data Set a few pages back. Warning, reading these can be obsessive and addicting! Here’s the thread with a compilation of links:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/76444-links-common-data-sets-posted-colleges-29.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/76444-links-common-data-sets-posted-colleges-29.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Other sites where some of the CDS data can be found, in a simplified format: <a href=“https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/[/url]”>https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/&lt;/a&gt; and [CollegeData</a> - College 411 - College Match](<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com/cs/search/college/college_search_tmpl.jhtml]CollegeData”>College Search & Match with our College Finder | CollegeData)</p>