We had issues with my S always being at the top of his class in our very urban public school, and this was why I enrolled him in CTY during the summers. He went for 6 years starting as a 4th grader until he was in high school. The work was always above his ability, and there were always kids smarter than him. But he learned that he belonged with the smart kids, even if it meant he had to work harder than some of them. He also learned that he needed to be humble because while he was not as smart as some of the kids, he was quicker than others. They really encouraged kids to find their strengths.
In the parent meetings before each session, the director warned parents, that their kid might have difficulty with the program at first, because for some it was the first time they had to work hard, and for others it was the first time they actual had to deal with others who were smarter then they were. But they keep the program fun and interesting.
Although many colleges believe TJHSST may be a big deal and admit a lot of them, it aināt all that. They are just better prepared, not higher IQed than the other admits at the top schools.
D16 sent me a copy of an email she received this morning from the Director of music programs at her chosen school. He had been contacted by someone from her major department as a likely candidate for a music minor. (she had not marked anywhere nor told anyone yet that she was thinking about a music minor) I am absolutely amazed that someone actually read her application and took note of her activities/interests and passed that information on to the appropriate party.
He laid out the opportunities that she would have playing piano and suggested that she contact the choir director about possibilities as a paid accompanist. Told her about how they utilize pianists in the bands and how he would use her to play oboe on the pieces where they are not using a piano. It was very detailed. He asked her to see him when she is on campus in June for Freshman Preview.
She usually doesnāt send me copies of emails that she has received when she has been in contact with a college she was super excited about this one. We had just been talking over the weekend about dropping her oboe lessons, now she says wait. She ended the text she sent me with āI know I have made the right decision.ā, indeed!
@Ballerina016 : Iām going to find the things Iāve written elsewhere and PM you about the stress MIT kids undergo, and the universityās response, its ongoing responsiveness, its reach out to parents for the creation and maintenance of an open dialogue and sharing of ideas and strategies.
Additionally, something I said to a mom here on CC (not in this thread) that she truly did not appreciate regarding the super-smart kid who now finds himself in the position LKnomad spoke of with the CTY program. I shared it because it was a matter of fact, welcome-to-this-new-world truth that my son had to navigate, and offered up a perspective for both parent and child. Taking the risk, and in that same vein, I will share it with you.
@texaspg reminds us to look across the aisle and know that all the kids can struggle, and your daughter seems to sense, and be sensitive to, a skewed over concern for her due to her gender. That right there tells you there some teeth in her pom-poms. Donāt forget to listen to her.
Remember that AWESOME experience we had with UC application verification? Remember how fantastic it was. Hoe the first time it didnāt work. How these people were idiots? Remember that?
Yes we have been chosen for FINANCIAL AID verification as well, because, well, why not.
I know kids tend to stress, my daughter too, about college and how they will perform academically with other students. I would appreciate more conversation and information as to how you are directing your kids.
Thank you @Waiting2exhale and @texaspg Any information about MIT is greatly appreciated. Please PM me. As I am the biggest fan of my DD, I realize she will not be the smartest kid in the room at her reach schools. I am glad she had her summer experience to realize that and it did not scare her. In fact her dream environment is an exact copy of that summer research program.
Ugh, we were chosen for verification also. Each school is now requesting it. Sent in the tax return and they came back with needing it signed. It was signed electronically but guess that does matter. What a pain.