Parents of the HS Class of 2015

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
6781

<p>@cba - that’s very impressive. I’d love to hear about what you did to get your kids to Stanford. </p>

<p>D school has about ~600 kids each grade (total of ~2300 is my guess) which is considered as a typical HS in this area. About 100 out 600 kids are in IB diploma program. </p>

<p>I think her school had a “good Stanford year”. Here are some other data points from the same class of 13 – 7 out of 28 Cornell, 4/21 for Dartmouth, 5/50 Penn, 4/33 Princeton, 5/37 Yale, 5/20 MIT, and only 1/28 for Harvard and 1/21 for Columbia. I am sure a lot of the same kids are accepted to multiple schools so the acceptance rate is misleading, I think.</p>

6782

<p>In the case of D’s school, I take it all with a grain of salt. On paper, more than 30% of the kids who applied were admitted to Stanford last year. The following schools had fewer applicants but 20% got into Harvard, 10% into Yale, 25% into Brown, 40% into Columbia, 50% into Cornell, and 15% into Princeton. </p>

<p>BUT… when I look at the scattergrams themselves it’s pretty clear that there’s more here than meets the eye. There’s no real pattern to the acceptances and there are as many kids being admitted with scores and grades well below the school’s median as those with scores above. I’m seeing athletes, connections, and money (pure speculation). I’m guessing that the unhooked acceptance rate to these sorts of schools from D’s school mirrors the national average. </p>

<p>The nice thing is that when I look at the slightly less popular schools the results seem to be a lot more predictable. Thank goodness!</p>

6783

<p>Wow, celeste–thank you! I am going to cut and paste your post into my “great advice” google doc. :)</p>

6784

<p>Welcome to the thread, Sally305!</p>

<p>I have not posted much as of late due to BHG’s performance and practice schedule–her company is in full performance mode for the holidays.</p>

<p>As Twogirls mentioned, my D wants a regular career after college. She has no interest of auditioning for a ballet company after college due to the wages, but may wish to work in the commercial dance world, especially if she can obtain jobs during the summers between school years. She has already done commercial work for TV, concerts & plays locally, so is an option for her. </p>

<p>BHG’s desire is to become a DPT if medical school does not pan out for her. She does not want a BFA, as she would not have the ability to double major or major/minor–most BFAs do not allow DMs or Mms. This resulted in many schools coming off the list and an internal evaluation as to what is most important moving forward in life for BHG. She already knows she wants a ballet driven program that also is strong in contemporary/modern dance forms. She is also looking at obtaining an MFA in dance after college on her own dime, of course—wink, but before entering a DPT program.</p>

<p>We photocopied the dance section of [Creative</a> Colleges: A Guide for Student Actors, Artists, Dancers, Musicians and Writers: Elaina Loveland: 9781617600364: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Colleges-Student-Artists-Musicians/dp/1617600369/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384990934&sr=1-1&keywords=creative+colleges]Creative”>http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Colleges-Student-Artists-Musicians/dp/1617600369/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384990934&sr=1-1&keywords=creative+colleges) and purchased Dance Magazine’s Dance College Guide [Dance</a> Magazine ? If it’s happening in the world of dance, it’s happening in Dance Magazine.](<a href=“http://www.dancemagazine.com/thecollegeguide/]Dance”>http://www.dancemagazine.com/thecollegeguide/)</p>

<p>We went through each and created a list of schools that met location and maximum size requirements, then looked at each school regarding stats for acceptance and other majors outside of dance, as well as school “vibe.” There are four majors of interest to BHG and each school must offer at least 2-3 of the four, not including dance. </p>

<p>Once we gathered the list of schools, I created a spreadsheet that lists the school’s name, the dance dept. chair & contact info, THEN the adcom, link to dept page, audition dates & locations for current year, number accepted into the program annually, total in program for all students, stats of accepted students to the school( not just the dance program), COA, tuition/fees, R&B, scholarships for dancers, merit scholarships, link to curriculum page for dance major, if dance minor offered, and an “x” under each non-dance major of interest to BHG offered by the school. We also have listed any DPT, or MPT direct door programs any of the schools offered</p>

<p>On a second spreadsheet, we have all the schools that offer only a minor in dance, or provide only a student dance company, or only a dance/pom team. For these institutions, we researched the area around the schools for companies, dance troupes, or open and or audition only dance programs that BHG may join. </p>

<p>On a third spreadsheet, we list all the schools with only dance program audition contact person audition dates & locations & audition requirements. Application season begins earlier for BHG since she will begin auditioning for some programs early this coming summer thru March 2015–even if she only wishes to minor in dance. </p>

<p>There are schools in the top 20 to state directional U’s with strong dance programs, so BHG had no problems finding schools that met her location, size, institution type and that she has the “current” stats to gain acceptance since her GPA can only go up and she already has baseline official ACT scores of 28 & 31. She may sit the ACT once more before the end of junior year. </p>

<p>As Celeste mentioned, BHG already has SATIIs with excellent scores in Latin & World History. She will sit the Chemistry SATII this winter and the Math II SAT in June and will be done with subject tests. She will sit for the following AP subjects this May: Chemistry, Latin, English Language, and European History.</p>

<p>Oh, and I want to add the following. . .</p>

<p>BHG’s list is final and based off current GPA with an upswing in GPA quarterly and her ACT composite of 31 along with her requirement of continuing dance in some form during her college. She may add a few schools to her list, but the current list, as I stated, will not change.</p>

<p>Start your list & visits now so you make sure to get all auditions in beginning late next summer (that is not far off!) and continuing through March 2015.</p>

6785

<p>Wow BHM you are on a mission!! I am impressed with your organizational skills. I am embarrassed to say that I write my notes by hand and shove them in my folder. I also keep notes in my phone when we visit schools. Do you mind me asking why she is taking 4 subject tests? Mine may take a third this June but she already has two so I realize it’s not necessary. You mentioned that BHG already has two excellent scores.</p>

6786

<p>BHM, dance BFA programs won’t allow you to double major? Is that a formal rule? I know a lot of the profs(D’s included) pooh-pooh the idea and discourage it for music BMs, but nobody has suggested it’s forbidden, just unfeasible. Wow.</p>

<p>It is pretty tough and I don’t think many students manage to complete it for unrelated majors. At one of the parent info sessions at auditions I asked about this when they were talking up how many BMs are in double majors at their music school. I asked how many COMPLETE the dbl major, and they demurred, claimed they don’t keep stats on things like that. Right, sure.</p>

6787

<p>@Twogirls,</p>

<p>Her GC thought it wise for BHG to show strength in a foreign language, science, math & a humanities course via SATIIs due to her GPA, which is rising as BHG earned a 3.87 GPA 2nd semester last year, and so far this semester is earning straight As. BHG’s increasing GPA coupled with excellent SATII scores and ACT will show schools that are slight reaches, that BHG has what it takes to pick herself up even after adversity and trying times she suffered through 2nd semester freshman and 1st semester sophomore year, turn it around and become a top student again. BHG’s GC is going to mention the loss of both paternal grand-parents along with us losing our home to a tornado all within a 9 month period and how that affected BHG and her GPA. </p>

<p>Her ACT scores are from this past April (31) & April 2011(28). Her school has the high school students take the ACT & PSAT beginning in 9th grade as a means to show evaluate student growth and the effectiveness of the curriculum since it does not follow any standards, such as AP, although the majority of 11th & 12th grade students take at least 3 APs tests a year. The school is not AP certified in any subject. The school is a national testing site and we do not pay for the PSAT or April ACT. So, BHG can sit the ACT once more for free in April, but she’s still trying to decide if she wishes to sit the ACT one time outside of the April test date. I don’t think it is necessary, but you know how are children can be at times.</p>

6788

<p>I understand now BHM- sounds like you have an amazing kid!!</p>

6789

<p>So, on SAT scores…I know I will be signing on in the morning to see what D got, and then I will feel uncertain about how ‘good’ the numbers are. When I look at score ranges, it looks to me like anything in the mid 600’-mid 700’s for each section puts you in the mid-range ( 25%-75%) range for most selective (but not HYP…not even looking at those) schools. But, if she wants to be more sure of admission, or qualify for any merit, she’d probably need to be in the mid-high 700s.
Obviously, there is more to the application than this one test score, but I just want to feel sure that I understand this one aspect of it. I just want to know what numbers to get excited about and celebrate and what numbers will just mean…'on to the ACT! lol
She’s plans to take the ACT either way, but it would be so nice to have ‘good’ SAT scores in the bank. I’m not even sure if she realizes scores come out tomorrow! lol</p>

6790

<p>@ Celeste
No, maybe NOT allow is too strong. </p>

<p>Most BFA dance program requirements leave little room to even minor in another subject if one wishes to graduate in 4 years. I’m sure a student can double major or major/minor if they stay longer than 4 years, but that is more tuition, and since we’re full-freight–totally off the table for BHG. Butler U and SMU come to mind regarding schools where it is near impossible to double major or major/minor with a BFA in dance within 4 years–heck, probably not in 5 years. This is due to the number of credits for the BFA is almost equal to number of credits necessary for a degree. These programs are run more like a dance conservatory within a university setting. </p>

<p>For example, Butler U requires 128 credit hours for a BFA in dance (95 for the major, 27 core credits & 6 elective courses). After the required University core curriculum and credits for the major, there is only room for 6 credit hours of courses outside of the major or core requirements. </p>

<p>A Computer Science major at Butler U only requires 50-60 credit hours plus the 27 core credits minus any math or science credits that overlap the core, which leaves room to add a minor and or double major (120 credit hours required to graduate).</p>

<p>Most Dance BFA programs in a university/college are similar to Butler and its credit requirements for a BFA degree.</p>

6791

<p>I can tell you how D’s HS’s Stanford enrollee got accepted last year. She was the student representative to our school board. It’s a somewhat honorary position, but time consuming and educational. It seems like every year the student rep gets into Stanford. It’s sort of a joke in our city, that Stanford really likes those school board reps. Of course she was outstanding student and person in many ways, but you need a little something extra special to push you over the edge. At least 1 chose Princeton, and at least 3 Chicago. For sure 1 each to Cornell, Vandy and Dartmouth, maybe more. A few Northwestern and a few WUSTL. Then there were many kids who got into top schools but couldn’t afford to attend. I’m forgetting now, darn, should have written it down.</p>

<p>shoboemom, whatever the score is, it’s a good score. Good luck!</p>

<p>Now S is feeling really special, got e-mail from JHU. They say they are ‘impressed’ with him. I said they won’t be so impressed if he doesn’t finish his history paper.</p>

6792

<p>Shoboe I think a good SAT score depends on the school. If you are looking for merit I would try to get scores that are 75% and above for that particular school. That may be 670+ for one school and 720+ for another. Some schools have merit awards clearly laid out ie UPitt wants top 5%, A average, 1450 cr/m or 33. Some schools may accept less than a 1450/33- it depends on the individual school. You also need to look at SAT 11 requirements. </p>

<p>I do not want to stress my kid out by telling her that she can’t stop these crazy tests until she gets a certain score. When all the tests are in ( Feb) I will see what she may qualify for and those are the schools that will be high on the list.</p>

6793

<p>Shoboe I was told by the tutor that scores in the mid/high 600’s are very good, and once you plow past the 700 mark the scores are excellent. A lot of this also depends on the school.</p>

6794

<p>^^^^ Yes!</p>

<p>Sometimes we need a reality check on cc on test scores!</p>

6795

<p>Sally you are right. We are made to believe that any score under 750 stinks. The truth is that once you get past 700 some of it depends on luck because one wrong answer can cost you 40 points. It is very possible to get a 780 on one test and then a 700 on a re-take because you missed two questions ( not that you would want to re-take a 780, but on CC you never know!).</p>

<p>I think that if you are full pay you can get away with a score that is " good enough." If you are looking for merit you need a top score- but a score of 700 may be top for one school and not for another. A 32 ACT may be top for one school but not for another. The key is to find the school where your stats put you at the top.</p>

6796

<p>

</p>

<p>I do know a girl who is a double major in dance and physics at Iowa, which has an excellent dance program (ballet/modern). She is both a beautiful dancer and an outstanding student.</p>

6797

<p>“Good Enough” for us was achieving scores that would garner enough guaranteed merit money to build a list of safety schools. One retake of the SAT this past October, primarily because D2 used SAT prep as a primary means of prepping for the PSAT so it made sense to go ahead and sit for the SAT as well.</p>

<p>Both D2 and S took the ACT last year for the experience, but actually scored well enough to hit the “good enough” mark for the safety school goal. Both will retake the ACT in the spring because their HS requires it for all juniors, but we’ve told them it’s completely a no pressure test session. If they improve…great!! If not, they’ve already hit the mark. Improvement might expand the pool of “take a shot” schools, so that may act as a motivator for them depending on their mindset. D2 will take it upon herself to prep for the test, while S will need to be dragged kicking and screaming to the prep book. Twins can be wonderful and frustrating sometimes. :)</p>

6798

<p>Twins…wow… I can’t imagine LOL</p>

<p>My daughter is doing very well on her practice tests- if she does the same on the real thing I will be very happy and we can finally close the door on this chapter. She has been prepping since September 4 so I am really ready for this to end. We have three safety schools ( academic and financial) that she can go to and be happy, but of course she wants to see what else is out there.</p>

6799

<p>Shoboemom,</p>

<p>Regarding scores, I compared BHG’s against schools shes interested in to determine if she should retest after a tutor and serious test prep. At this point, the answer is no, even for her HMRF reach school where the 75th percentile ACT composite score is 33. We look at more than just the top 75th percentile score range. We look at the CDS for each school to get a better picture of chance of admission based test scores & GPA. </p>

<p>Questions to ask while reviewing the CDS information in section C9 to C12:</p>

<p>Reach school CDS info:
What did the top 25% of admitted students score: 33+
What did my kid score: 31
What did the bottom 25% of admitted students score: 29-
What did my kid score: 31
What is the score range of majority of admitted students: 30-36
What is the percentage of students in this range: 68.27%
Percentage of students with GPA range of my child: 25.30%
Is this in the mid 50% range or higher: no
Is this in the bottom 25%: yes
SUPER REACH-HMFR</p>

<p>Safety with possible merit school:
What did the top 25% of admitted students score: 28+
What did my kid score: 31
What did the bottom 25% of admitted students score: 22-
What did my kid score: 31
What is the score range of majority of admitted students: 24-28
Percentage in this range: 50%
What is the Score range of top 25% of admitted students: 30-36
What is the percentage of students in this range: 13%
Is BHG in this range: yes
Percentage of students with GPA range of my child: 10.78%
Is this in the mid 50% range or higher: yes, top 25%
Percentage of students in higher GPA range: 14.71
SAFETY- with significant merit based on current GPA/ACT</p>

<p>Her 31 ACT is in the top 75th percentile or even exceeds the top 75th% even for many top 30 schools. BHG wants a 32 or 33 so she is above the 75th percentile at every school school on her list. She’s above the 75th Percentile at all schools on her list except for the three. </p>

<p>I figure as long as BHG’s ACT is only a point below the highest score within the 75th percentile, she should not worry about it and proceed with her applications next fall based on her current score, as I do not see much difference between a 31 and a 32, but one question on the ACT.</p>

6800

<p>twogirls…Hopefully having those safety schools nailed down will help her relax and get the scores she’s capable of…and expand on that “see what’s out there” list!!</p>

<p>The best view of any standardized test is the one in the rear view mirror. They need to enjoy it while it lasts, because there always seems to be another hurdle upcoming (AP tests, college placement exams, etc.). At least when they actually start their college careers they’ll get a little break from the standardized treadmill…at least until it’s time for the GRE. :)</p>