@ynotgo @ct1417 @itsgettingreal17 I remember the 200th as well. We went and visited the Freedom Train when it traveled through our city. I don’t remember much about it other than walking into the train, but I do have memories of it!
(@itsgettingreal17…I have 4 grandkids!! That should make you feel really young!!)
@Mom2aphysicsgeek: I wouldn’t immediately cross off RNP schools—many of them have hidden gems of programs in them. The tradeoff is that they’re often commuter schools, and may be lacking in some student services (often due to getting shortchanged in terms of funding), but if your child is quite that focused on specific programs and outcomes, you should check and see what those programs actually produce.
ETA: So if the program checks out, it becomes a tradeoff of institutional experience vs. program experience. That’s a balance each student (and their family) has to figure out for their own priorities—but, of course, that the vast majority of college students attend RNP schools, and they deal with that just fine.
@Mom2aphysicsgeek why not just apply and go from there and see what else comes in merit wise and then decide on travel? They may throw money at her. We’ve removed it from our list for many of the same reasons as you but it does have a lot of what S wants as well and the price is right. My co worker’s son goes there and is a commuter so that’s not terribly helpful but he likes it. I feel your pain, really frustrating when a school that really isn’t what you want…has the programs you do! On the positive side, Portland itself is a very cool town.
@Mom2aphysicsgeek I remember walking through the Freedom Train, too! They had things from the Smithsonian, but I don’t remember details. (There is a Wikipedia article about the train.) I do remember I got a souvenir spoon from the gift store that got lost somewhere along the way.
Related to remembering 1976: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/06/28/326163561/older-moms-take-heart-you-may-be-more-likely-to-live-longer :)>-
Almost fell over today when D said to go ahead and send in her app for UA. We looked through majors offered again, and it looks like Bio. She now has friends who will be going there. Haven’t visited, but who knows? I still think she’d have fun in the Worm Shack.
@Mom2aphysicsgeek I would definitely apply. The program sounds perfect for your D. I do get the commuter school thing and distance for your family to visit, especially as she will be off on study abroad during most breaks. After all admissions decisions are in hand, your family can then better weigh the positives and negatives of each school and decide.
@Tgirlfriend … What schools are still on your son’s list? I think you actually found most of them. Is it still engineering?
@ynotgo Good news since I had 3 kids after that age (as well as 1 after 40)
@fun1234 @Mom2aphysicsgeek I have heard recalculating GPAs to be both for alignment on a 4pt scale (which is the scale colleges use) and to include only core academic courses (Math, english, social studies, foreign language and science). PE, art, debate, band, music are not included in GPA. They don’t weight any courses in their recalculation they consider them in their assessment of rigor. This was information provided by college admissions officers. There is also a “How to convert your GPA” on the collegeboard website. My son’s school doesn’t calculate GPA, no numerical numbers, just letters (A+, A, A-) and the numerical system used on report cards mirrors the college board chart.
QOTD: part time job - not this summer. He wanted a job last summer. He and all his friends were worried not having a job would reflect negatively on college apps and wanted to have work experience under their leadership section. He worked at a pool club and they asked him to return this year but I did not give him permission to do so. They have to commit to working through the weekend after labor day. Most of the staff are college kids which leaves the few high school kids covering all shifts for 3 full weeks into the school year. His school is on a trimester schedule and it’s his first trimester grades being sent on transcripts. With apps, XC and making sure his trimester grades are as strong as the rest of his transcript, no summer job. It was a nice summer job for him and just getting his car, he enjoyed the independence and responsibility. He saved all of the money he earned. There’s a real appreciation for how many hours he had to work to earn his paycheck. He was paid $10/hr. I told him to think of people who get paid minimum wage and are adults. Many lessons learned for him last summer. I don’t permit a school year part-time job. I provide a monthly allowance and pay for gas. His job is to work hard in school.
@2muchquan I’ve said it before but have to say it again…YOU ARE HILARIOUS! Let us know how fake kid does with the app process.
@Mom2aphysicsgeek - I live near Portland. Portland State University is definitely a commuter school. But a coworker has a daughter living on campus, and she is very happy there.
I am so excited for my trip to New Mexico to pick my son up at the New Mexico Albuquerque International airport. I will report how our trip goes to the Grand Canyon. We are going to the waterfalls and visiting friend. Our final destination the University of San Diego. It will be a lot of driving. It will be a relaxing break from my daycare other than the driving. One more work day. Anyone else in the childcare business.
I am still a over a hundred threads behind. I am sure I will comeback to so many more threads and everyone by then will have subject test scores and AP scores. Too bad we won’t have the internet.
@fun1234 - bring your sunscreen, keep hydrated, and have a great time!
@fun1234 – your trip sounds like it will be a great experience - we look forward to hearing about it! Enjoy this special time.
Anyone have kids applying for any national scholarships (e.g., Coke, Elks, etc.)?
Anyone buying Powerball tix more often these days? =))
Apps in for Bama and KState! Can’t believe its all starting so soon. Tomorrow we need to sit down and narrow down this list. (I would be content to be one-and-done with Bama tbh.)
@tgirlfriend - UT Dallas is the only school that has a defined scholarship plan based on GPA and test scores like Alabama schools.
UHouston gives a full ride (room + board) if you have a NMSF kid.
Texas A&M gives full tuition + other scholarships for NMSF.
I believe Texas Tech has scholarships. Not exactly sure of the basis.
UT Austin has no defined scholarships except their engineering honors students get various levels of money.
I rank STEM schools starting at the high - UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, Texas Tech, UTD for engineering. UTD may have very good premed program.
@texaspg @tgirlfriend The list above is pretty complete with one exception. I would also include Rice. They do have merit money but very little for NMS you have to get one of there bigger awards.
I would say the first two on @texaspg list are interchangeable. Both very good schools but have some unique differences. I went to A&M Chem E. because it was a better fit for me back in the day. UT only takes ~1100 students each year where A&M takes more. Not sure on Rice. I would put Rice in the same mix with A&M and UT excellent STEM school.
@Tgirlfriend @texaspg @NCComputerNerd
I am not from Texas, so I don’t know the reputation of this school for STEM, but Texas State is on the auto full tuition list
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/ as well.
That online UA application is rather comical. At least the paper version asks for what classes you will be taking senior year. The online version pretty much only asks for your credit card.