Hi there – Been following along for a while now. Wishing the very best to those dealing with health issues.
We are in the nothing-close-to-being-submitted boat, though I suppose the NMSC app needs to be submitted this weekend (not that the school has really reminded us of that). That would, of course, require the common app essay to be done. Well, it’s close, and I think we will have to leave it at that. DC took SAT last weekend for confirming score – hoping that is not a problem. Still find it so odd the the school does not to anything to publicize this. Or, frankly, even help the kids with.
I’m suffering silently with a smile on my face as he has not yet committed to which essays are actually being dropped into the text fields :)) I mentioned how nice it would be if today were the day he finalized the app due 10/15 so he could enjoy the rest of his weekend. He said he’s not ready and handed me several pages of essays he’d printed up for his college counselor with her comments and asked me to read them. She had minimal suggested edits and she was on the mark on all of them. She even suggested where certain topics could be used as the basis for other supplemental essays. She’s been great about giving him suggestions on which essay topics would give him the opportunity to highlight some of his activities and personality in the best possible light light.
I couldn’t figure out what is holding him up because he could easily tweak and be ready but then true confession came with the revelation that he doesn’t think the last sentence is tight enough. I can appreciate that. I thought the essay was excellent, reflects his voice and is interesting but for an essay in which every word counts, I can understand how he feels. I asked a couple of questions and I’m certain (or just hopeful) that I saw a light bulb moment so maybe tomorrow is the day. At least I know it will be submitted by Thursday. College counselor set that deadline.
@DMV301 …welcome! Congrats on the NMSF! Ds school had a few this year and I’ve seen zero published about it–no announcements, nothing on the website, nada. Of course all the Friday night lights action is dutifully put out there every Friday night.
@DMV301 You seem to be on schedule by saying that the NMSC app needs to be submitted this weekend. The school needs to finalize the app and submit it by 10/12 so you’ll want to make sure to have your child submit their portion this weekend so you can follow up with the school on Monday to let them know it’s ready for them to make sure they don’t let it slip through the cracks.
I have to admit I’m a little nervous about the school submitting the NMSF on time. D’17’s school is off Monday for Columbus day, and Wednesday for Yom Kippur. The school has several NMSF per year, so I assume they are on top of it. But there is zero communication.
Status says
“You submitted your portion of the application on 10/03/16.
Your school official has not transmitted the completed application to NMSC.”
Does anyone know if the school submits the applications in bulk or one by one?
Returned from New Orleans, and Tulane, tonight. What a fun, fun city with unique qualities and awesome food. We had our official info session and tour today. It was one of their larger events, and I’m guessing there were over 300 kids there with their families. For such a large, highly marketed event, I felt like there was very little energy put forth by the admissions staff. The speakers, including the president, gave short ‘speeches’ and then sent us out for campus tours. They have 35 tour guides, at least. Ours was a senior from NY, who was really quite good. As I think I mentioned last time, the campus is gorgeous, and I think really quite well laid out into several quads. Following the tour, which took about 40 minutes, we returned to the student center and sat in on several optional panels (student/parent/faculty). I finally heard it during the faculty panel: No one actually completes the 3-2 engineering program. The representative from Science and Engineering said she only knows of one case where a student actually followed through on the 3-2 masters of engineering program.
It was a great trip. Lots of fun, BUT I believe my daughter has decided NOT to apply, which kind of surprises me. I didn’t think Tulane, or the weather, did enough to knock them off the list. I’m kind of bummed, but I’m glad she could knock one off the list. She said Tulane just did not show a lot of school spirit, and seemed to lack the energy my daughter is looking for. Things move at a little slower pace in the South, and it seems to be true on campus at Tulane as well. I also don’t think she liked what she heard from the girls she met with from our HS. They both said how much they ‘loved’ Tulane, but my daughter didn’t feel it was really heartfelt.
Something else of note is they have a language requirement that you cannot test ‘out’ of. I think it’s about 1.5 years that everyone needs to take. I love the fact that service work is encouraged, but when it is required, as it is at Tulane, it kind of loses something in my opinion. I still think it’s a great school, but just not quite a fit for my daughter.
@hadmeathello …great review. Is she dropping the “don’t want to have to wear pants” requirement now at the last minute or ??
We don’t seem to have a lot of people who apply and attend Tulane which is surprising since we are in the south. D had considered applying at one point, but she is rapidly approaching the point where it really really really has to be a serious consideration if she is going to write an essay or make a special effort to apply. She does have one friend who is applying and we are rooting her on—fantastic kid.
@Dave_N I don’t know for sure how they are submitted but I suspect S17’s school is submitting them at one time.
Only reason I am thinking this is because S17’s school set the deadline for the student portion for 10/7 and on 10/6, when S17 and his friend were at the college counselor’s office one of the counselors asked his friend why he had not completed his application yet. S17 had his submitted on 10/1 so since they were checking, they could have completed the apps that were complete.
S17’ college counselor’s have set a rule with the kids that they are to hit submit on all apps 2 days before the deadline. If they follow their own guidance, they should be submitting tomorrow.
Regarding post #17729. It says: I finally heard it during the faculty panel: No one actually completes the 3-2 engineering program. The representative from Science and Engineering said she only knows of one case where a student actually followed through on the 3-2 masters of engineering program.
I just want to chime in (about Tulane Univ) and add on as follows: Some people say: 3+2 program is a waste of money and time. I would chime in: No, not at all. My Son graduated this May 2016 with dual degree 3+2 program Tulane Univ(Physics) and Vanderbilt Univ (Mechanical Engineering). He got his job within a couple of weeks aka right away. In fact, he got two job offers - both with high paying jobs. He joined Northrop Grumman (NG) in Cali-Redondo Beach as engineer because he likes Cali. Regarding the funds? Tulane and Vandy are very generous. He got scholarships internal external. He in fact was able to get money from REU (Undergraduate Research). Undergraduate research is huge in both schools and they pay too, handsomely. So, the extra one year to graduate is worth it. Absolutely, two degrees and big bucks to help pay the school (in addition to scholarship) and extra money. In fact, he had money to pay for his vacation in Asia then starts working for NG. One friendly advise: one extra year will not hurt your Professional Career at all. -----(I have posted this one also in Engineering Forum)
Lastly, I would say: University is a fit school and not everyone will be accepted even they have high GPA and high test scores. Also, Tulane has different curriculum which all students are required, I think One Year, of Service Work to give back to community, prepare students to work after graduation and build team work spirit. This so called Service Work makes Tulane stands out among the Top Schools and not many kids complain about this one.
Students from any university are eligible to apply for REUs. Acceptance is very competitive, though. Individual REUs may receive several hundred applications for 5-10 REU slots… My current college jr who is attending the lowly Alabama applied to 6 last summer. Shocking that someone from a cracker jack box school was accepted by 3 of them. 8-|
My Son has high GPA and graduated with Cum Laude in Physics (Tulane) and ME (vandy) (3+2 program) . He did not have outside experiences and his experiences came only from REU since Sophomore. So, because his REU credential, after graduation, he has been accepted by two companies with high paying jobs. He chose NG (Northtrop Grumman in Cali-Redondo Beach) as engineer. I believe the ultimate goal from any college kids is to get High Paying Job upon graduation. You may go to City Colleges, Community Colleges, etc and when you have high paying job with whatever credentials that you have, you ultimately have achieved and accomplished your goal. May the Force be with you.
That is my point. My oldest ds graduated during the height of the recession from a small public with his ChemE degree. (Took him 3 yrs plus a summer session. He also cooped for a yr.) He received multiple high paying job offers and works for a top global chemical company.
To each, each own. My Son experience with lots REU certainly is unique but doable. I think my Son is not the only one. I know some other kids who have no outside experiences but only REU. I am not trying to show boat but lots of REU are doable and have been done.
Yes, my son is that 1 kid that completed the program…and since that 3+2 prggram from Tulane is not popular and hard to do (imagine 5 years of schooling) , lots of teaching staff and admin people do not know or not aware of it. The program is there for those who have passion to do it. Just like MD or medical school, it is hard and takes money and time to do it.
Has anyone suggested REUs are not doable or valuable? Especially as a physics major. (My ds who participated in an REU this past summer is a physics major.)
Eta: it probably isn’t that unique, either. My son had grant funded research his freshman summer, an REU sophomore summer, and will probably have another REU this summer. His goal is grad school. That is a typical scenario for kids wanting to attend grad school. Most engineers pursue co-op. It would be hard for a physics major to get an engineering co-op.
I received a masters in engineering in 5 years, too. The comment from the Tulane S&E representative actually had nothing to do with ‘how hard’ it is to get a masters in engineering. Lots of professional degrees take 5+ years. Her point was that the #1 reason it is not done is that by the 3rd year, most kids are not interested in leaving their school (if they really love it) or their friends (ditto). Kids who know from the beginning that they want engineering tend to go to schools that have a major in the discipline they want. Others ‘transfer’ or do a 3-2 if offered, which is just another term for ‘transferring’ to another school.
I can’t comment on the REU because I have no experience with this factor.