@mommdc Sigh Just when I was getting used to the ACT, it pulls a “New SAT”.
@KSMom1518 My S16 willingly worked with a tutor for test prep, but D18 refuses. She has plenty of time to prep on her own this summer, but looks at me like I’m talking crazy when I mention it. I got her to take the ACT in June, and she did pretty well without any prep (I think she may have watched 1 or 2 YouTube videos?), so now it’s even harder to convince her to do additional prep work. She even asked me if it was necessary to take the ACT again and I told her that it depended on where she wanted to go to school. She has no idea where she wants to go to school…she claims she didn’t like any of the schools we toured with her brother, and she has not articulated why.
Been off the grid for a while, so welcome to all the new folks.
Just spent a week in upstate NY on vacation and fit in a little college stuff among the hikes and other vacationy activities. Took the official Cornell tour (my alma mater) and boy has there been a lot of growth. Still beautiful though. Also drove/walked through University of Rochester campus (no official tour). Anybody that wants any insight on Cornell (my knowledge for U of R is limited to the hour or so we spent on campus), feel free to PM.
What we learned is that S’18 prefers schools with a campus, but much closer to larger cities. So, while both of those schools are out, it helps narrow the field for schools outside of our home state. In state we are keeping all options open because we have prepaid the tuition, making the whole system a financial safety/match for us (plus likely merit money for in-state students). NMF status would make it nearly impossible to ignore with relatively recent changes by the state making some of the state schools a full ride. Accordingly, we have been strongly encouraging PSAT prep and he has been using KHAN Academy to focus in on his weaknesses. I guess you start Khan by taking a practice PSAT that gives you a baseline (beyond the PSAT tests he took the last two years) and identifies what you need to work on. Seems to be a good approach, but not an hour a day.
S’18 did very well on his 2 AP tests. Next year he is signed up for 5 AP classes, so it will be a much busier year. Fingers crossed.
Interested in hearing how campus tours go for you all as you take them this summer.
@ak2018, I applaud your efforts in putting phone away, how did you do that? I don’t think my DD can do that… She listens to music while studying and tells us music doesn’t distract her.
Any interesting smartphone apps that you know people use for test prep, time management, GPA management or goal setting? Would love to introduce to my DD and I’m thinking I should introduce her to CC community to meet kids like you, it will be a tremendous growth for her, but I also don’t want to overwhelm her.
@jjkmom In my house, there is a bedroom that no one uses. I use this as my study room and leave my phone in my bedroom. I actually used to listen to my music, through Pandora, on my phone, but having my phone next to me quickly became a distraction and nuisance as I was getting at least one notification every ten minutes. After that, I decided to only listen to music when I’m doing something that requires minimal concentration (like making flashcards for my Spanish class). I usually listen to the Classical Music for Studying playlist on Pandora which mainly plays instrumental (strings) songs. However, some of the songs are covers of modern songs, and I admit it can get distracting when I’m listening along sometimes.
As for the apps, there are many your DD can download. Here’s a link to an article about 5 great SAT/ACT apps: http://testprep.about.com/od/sat/tp/Free_SAT_Apps.htm
I haven’t tried these apps, but I could tell you that there are many apps out there for full SAT/ACT prep on both the iTunes and Google Play app stores. I believe the One SAT Question A Day app is pretty popular. It was created by The College Board.
If you ever do plan on introducing your DD to CC, I would allow her to see if she likes it first. A lot of the kids on CC, at least on the HS 2018 Student Thread, are mainly on here because they’re very interested in the college application process. So if your DD is enthusiastic about the college admissions process, I would go for it. However, there definitely is, as many have seen, a dark side to CC. It’s become so bad that apparently one of the co-founders of CC said he had “created a monster”. If you think your DD can handle herself online, not compare herself to everyone else, and not become addicted to it, then I think she’d be fine. Also, wouldn’t force her into it. I’ve seen high school students who will either become ecstatic or cringe once they hear the word “college”.
@jjkmom, you and your D may want to check out the ATLAS center (within the college of engineering and applied science) at CU-Boulder: http://atlas.colorado.edu/
They grant a BS in Technology Arts and Media. Unfortunately CU is expensive OOS (and not WUE), but there may be similar programs at other schools.
So what does anyone know about the new Coalition for Access application?
Some of the schools D18 is looking at indicate that they will be using the application platform…
D18 is finely narrowing things down a bit more! For now it looks like sociology or anthropology major for undergrad. (Either should set her up for graduate school options in law/education/business). She is also taking a closer look at several schools that have 5 year programs with an undergrad in soc/anthro and segway into the 5th year obtaining a masters/teacher’s certification in secondary education. Basically trying to keep as many doors open as possible.
She has definitely determined an urban/suburban preference.
Right now her list includes: Loyola Chicago, Fordham, Clemson, U of Washington (Dad says it’s too far), LSU, U of Miami, TCU or SMU, UT-SA or UT -D (She is top 12% so UT-A isn’t going to happen and A&M is a BiG NO for her), NYU (entirely a pipe dream).
Thinking about: College of Charleston, Rhodes College, University of South Carolina - Columbia, University of Georgia, Tulane.
No idea about coalition for access.
We will most likely apply to schools directly.
@labegg, are you seeing some schools that will require the Coalition for Access platform exclusively? If so, would you mind sharing what schools they are? I am not doubting you, just looking for information. I just looked at one school D may be interested in and they are taking it or the Common App. I’m hoping not to have to deal with the Coalition for Access one.
All of the schools we’ve looked at so far either have their own apps (e.g., VA Tech) or take both the Common App and Coalition. Have not run into any Coalition-exclusive schools.
@suzy100 I stumbled on this
“It is important to note that only Florida, Maryland, and Washington have decided to use the CAAS process exclusively. The other schools listed below will, as of this date, use either the Common App or the CAAS process.”
and then this article
I am not sure how accurate or reliable the source is…so it will be interesting to see if anyone else moves to the platform exclusively for our 2018 kiddos. I was specifically looking at the USC website today, it was unclear to me which app they would be using, but I don’t think it was exclusive to the coalition app yet.
Our high school is having a “Clear to College” night in a few weeks and they are insistent that they prefer that we use Common App so I wanted to be prepared with any questions about how they might be prepared to interface with the Coalition App.
@labegg, the part about Maryland is interesting, because University of MD, College Park (UMCP) didn’t allow the Common App for the fall 2016 applications - we live in MD and the Common App was only an option for UMD Baltimore County (UMBC) and Salisbury University. Towson (another public in MD) also required a separate application. So I guess UMCP is deciding to switch from its own application to the CAAS process.
@jjkmom interesting about the trees at UCSC that’s actually why she’s interested in the school! She wants a campus with trees… we’ll see how she feels about the size of it when we visit.
@RyanG1207 my D took June ACT as well and when her scores came out literally the first words she said to me were “can I be done now?” She scored well enough that I told her it was up to her. She’ll need to decide her level of comfort submitting that score and seeking merit aid. At most schools on her list I think she’s probably ok but it will be her call.
@mommdc so bummed about that ACT news! Math and science were the 2 sections dragging down her composite score so it seems like raising those just got harder 
What wasn’t clear from the article was when these changes are taking place, or have they already?
So impressed with those of you who already know what apps are being used by the colleges you kids are looking at, we’re not in that realm yet! =D>
@1822mom, yeah we don’t need the math to get harder. It seemed from the article that the changes started in May?
I think we will probably focus on the SAT, maybe do a practice ACT. They only do SAT at our school, have to travel a ways for the ACT.
We focus on the SAT because of National Merit. I really want ds to be done with standardized testing by Oct of 2016 but if he wants to try the ACT after that it’s his call.
@sonoran, I totally understand how you feel regarding our DDs not searching for her interest and not enthusiastic about college visits! I have to visit those colleges strategically not to push for any particular major or schools but focused on the views, campus vibes, surrounding areas to get her interest. However each time we narrow down something she definitely won’t even consider I feel like we are making progress. I always know her interest and passion was in Art & Design, but her peer pressure was so strong that she felt like she has to go into a field with monetary reward like medicine or engineering. She knows she won’t be happy in medicine and knows she can do engineering but just doesn’t like the term, everything else seems too abstract to her. Among our campus visits, she likes USC and UCSD the best, so basically I just showed her the entire major list and ask her to pick one or two major that she can ask herself to give a try (and assured her that she can change major after freshman year). That’s how I was able to make slow progress. Now that she found her major, next step is to help her realize she needs to achieve certain stats to be qualified to apply, that’s my plan and next milestone to accomplish.
It’s starting! DS18 is seriously starting to think about college. He told me that he had an email from his high school with the list of college reps that will be visiting his school in Sept and that he’s signed up to visit with the UT Dallas rep.
DS18 also started to ask relevant college questions last night. He wanted to know about the different level of colleges degrees AA, AS, BS, Masters, PHD … the difference between a BA and BS? what exactly is a minor? how do you actually graduate from college. I guess I just assumed he already knew this stuff. I’m so glad he asked!
I pulled up the the degree requirements for one of the majors he has expressed interest in at the school he’ll likely attend and we talked about the general core requirements and major specific requirements, and that there are some required classes but also several major elective classes so he can kind of customize his degree. I also explained that he’d be meeting with a councilor who would help him pick his classes and make sure he meets the degree requirements. Now he’s off researching different majors and different degrees to see what he really wants to do and what he can do now to make sure he’s heading in the right direction. I’m so revealed he’s jumped into the driver’s seat so early, his sister took a little nudging;-)
@3scoutsmom Congrats! I kind of just learned all of that stuff through the Internet, which became a little hobby for me. I definitely want to hear what he plans to major in.
Well, I just came back from my summer school class.
Good News: I was able to run a mile (army-run style) in under 8 minutes with my friends in PE and I got a 95% on my midterm which means I’m one step closer to getting my learner’s permit.
Bad News: We lost a kickball to game to 8th graders 0 - 3. Our second time losing to them.
Quick question: How many times, if any, did your DCs fail the permit test? I’ll be finally taking it for the first time sometime around August 8th, once my summer school class ends. I was going to take it during Spring Break by studying the Virginia Driver’s Manual, but I thought it was too much information to study and memorize in one week.
@ak2018 my DS originally just said he wanted to do “something with computers” he’s now ruled out Electrical Engineering and Software Engineering and thinks that Computer Science is the way he wants to go he’s interested in both cyber security and data science. He also wants to minor in Asian Studies (Chinese).