@MACmiracle I wonder about t shirts being like tea leaves!
We got a t shirt everywhere we toured - a couple were free. I notice her wearing some more than others.
:-?
@gclsports Those essays that write themselves are the best ones. I guided both of my kids to look at the prompts to get an idea about the kind of things that are asked, but then to write the essay without worrying about which prompt they are answering. After writing the essay, they could then figure out which prompt it answers. The year D15 applied, the “topic of your choice” was eliminated. So many college blog writers were upset about that because they felt that catchall question was the best thing out there for applicants. I, for one, am glad it’s back.
CC seriously needs to add a “love” and a “dislike” button. I’m glad so many of your kids were inspired this weekend!. My D was working on her supplementals and covered some good ground. The CA essay? That’s another story.
S has knocked out many essays since July but he is seriously losing steam. The one that has him shut down is the “what sets you apart from the other high-stat well-rounded applicants” essay for a competitive Honors College admission. He can’t think of anything special that distinguishes him as a candidate. I gave some suggestions but…
I think what sets him apart is how he has volunteered extensively with youth in our community as a mentor/leader/tutor/volunteer coach. He has even said “maybe I won’t apply to their honors college” to which I reminded him that was the primary reason he is looking at that school and the only way to be eligible for the premier scholarship. We have already spent nearly $100 submitting our application to the college which will be a waste if he doesn’t complete the rest of the supplementals.
BTW re: essays - most smartphones have voice to text built in, so students who are stuck can open a text or email on their smartphone, click the little microphone icon and just start talking. This makes for very fast brainstorming and /or first drafts.
When I’m using Dragon, I can dictate 500 - 600 words in 10 minutes. The smart phone is a bit slower, but not all that much, really.
They can let it be stream of consciousness and proofread on the next pass, or they can speak some basic punctuation like so:
“My Aunt Ida comma who lives in Oregon comma was the third member of our family to have been bitten by a gopher period new paragraph The gopher comma however comma tells a different story period”
That will appear as:
Speaking the punctuation sounds like it will mess you up, but you get used to it after about three sentences.
@1822mom & @planner03 - same boat here. D18 is struggling like crazy and not making much progress on essays.
She’s had so much writing to do over her HS career that I just assumed she’d grind it out like every other assignment, even though she’s not a natural writer. Over the last few weeks I’ve been confounded by her lack of progress and how much she’s struggling. It just dawned on me that even though she’s written a ton over the years, none of it has been about herself. With a slew of APs and 3 varsity sports, she’s been plowing through with blinders on for years and there hasn’t been much time for reflection on her part. Without reflection, she doesn’t have much self-awareness and thus…she’s stuck and uninspired. Tough place to be in and the clock is ticking with app deadlines looming. She has 15+ essays to write in the next 5-7 weeks and only 2 completed. :((
@amominaz Honestly, I haven’t seen the Barrett app. I know it requires two rec letters and a 500 word essay with a specific prompt, but I’m not sure beyond that. D has been great about doing it all on her own. She submitted the McGill app yesterday–I’ve been out of town all weekend and never laid eyes on it. She’s really owning the process. I wasn’t sure if that was going to happen, but thankfully it is.
I’ll be visiting ASU/Barrett with D18 and S20 in a couple of weeks. D probably won’t end up there but it’s a good opportunity for them to visit a potential school together. They are tight.
@Veronica02 you hit the nail on the head! It’s the self reflection and writing about herself that has her caught like a deer in headlights. @-) you’re 2 ahead of us. 2 started 0 completed 
@S18D20mom Without seeing the prompt, maybe he can turn that essay on its head.
He can be honest and not point to anything in particular. He can say “you know what? None of my accomplishments set me apart from this crowd of overachievers. What does set me apart is me.” And go on to talk about intangibles, like patience, kindness, focus, etc. within the context of his volunteering, as you said. Not so much his volunteering, but what it says about him.
Because, honestly, there are going to be a ton of volunteers, medal winners, etc. There is only one him. 
Just a thought.
@DiotimaDM is making me wish my family had been bitten by gophers. Now THAT is a heck of a college essay! =))
Wow, I’m a bit stunned.
Just checked and my DD got her new SAT score (actually I got it, she is on her way to school). She got a 760 Math, 710 R/W. With her previous 730 R/W this gives her a 1490 superscore. Hopefully this means getting into her probable first choice (University of Maryland) won’t be an issue. However, it might also mean some new schools will be on the list!
So proud of this kid. She practiced and brought the math score up from a 660 in March to this 760.
I just wish she knew! Check your phone, girl!
Ugh. She texted me back and doesn’t want to know yet. I’m bursting here.
@Astro77 That’s great news! Congratulation!
I’d like to know D’s score but I think I’ll have to wait until later today. She had no idea scores were coming out today when I brought it up last night, and she just said she’ll check when she has a chance. [-O<
@Astro77, I feel you! I checked D’s subject test scores this morning. She did great but she doesn’t know I’ve seen the scores. (Well, I actually think she knows because she gave me permission long ago to check on scores when they come out.) She says she will check later. Congratulations to your D!
To everyone whose kids are struggling with essays, I feel you as well. D’s common app is finished, but she has so many supplements that she hasn’t started. I do think it’s really hard to write about yourself, and I’m glad that I don’t have to do it. Hoping the kids get a little inspiration this week!
D’s score dropped a lot. I didn’t think someone could drop that much. Lower than her first time without prep.
She just sent me a text from school. I know she must be feeling bad. I wish I could do something but I know she prefers to process things herself, so I’ll just try to be here for her if and when she wants to talk.
The good I see in this is that her really best score was sent out to the schools that are admission and financial safeties. They are all good schools and getting better with more recognition regionally.
Ironically, the lowest score was sent out to the reaches. Maybe for the best.
Yay, to those that received the SAT test score results they were hoping for, hugs to those that were disappointed.
Fingers crossed for those anticipating ACT score results tomorrow!
Thank goodness the testing cycle for applications is drawing to a close! How many kiddos are going to give it a go again before December?
@MACmiracle, I’m sorry. Did her score drop across the board or just one subject? If it’s just one, maybe there was a bubbling issue. Either way, it’s hard to watch your kiddo be disappointed. Hugs to you both.
@suzy100 I don’t know any details. I didn’t think of a bubbling issues. I just though she was overloaded this summer and didn’t practice enough. But it is strange. She felt better coming out of this one than the last, too.
Watching the today show this morning, they are talking about hazing, alcohol deaths at Lafayette, Penn State and LSU; the recent acid attack on BU students studying in France and they recently discussed campus sexual assault. Sometimes it feels like college is a war zone.
S’18 hit the send button on the two coalition app schools (UF and FSU). Still needs to do the score report thing, but close to done there.
I’m feeling the writers block struggles. I just think it’s hard to keep up the energy and inspiration over several weeks/months of essay writing.
@labegg A student shot and killed by campus police at Georgia Tech this weekend as well. So sad.