We usually have 10 to 12 nmsf out of 750 in a class.
Mine is battling a cold which has dragged on more than a week and may be turning in to a sinus infection. She has now missed two cross country meets and hasn’t run in a week.
Cold is spreading here as well. Son missed a day of school last week; substituted tennis with video games. DH was down with it since yesterday. I am holding up ok so far…
vickisocal - our XC coach has pulled varsity from 2 races to give them rest as many have had virus infections, colds, etc. It’s so hard to run when they are feeling bad. Hope she’s back soon.
Thank you @Itisatruth and @Musicmom2015. I do have some questions about Yale. DS really wants to double major in Science and Music (specifically performance) or to at the very least keep playing as it is something he is passionate about. They seemed to suggest that double majors are not encouraged and/or uncommon at Yale. There are a number or permutations for this at other institutions such as Boston U’s minor in music performance and Princeton’s Certificate in music performance. Duke and MIT also seem to be very accepting of non-music majors in ensembles. So my question is, what would be the options available for DS to study music performance, play in a symphony orchestra, and get weekly lessons? This did not come up yesterday nor was there time to ask.
Also, read some about the crime rate in New Haven. Area around the school seemed pretty nice although there were some panhandlers even right on campus. We also witnessed a “streaker” getting arrested near campus. (Actually kind of funny.) What is the relationship like with New Haven residents? Are there issues with crime on campus? Even though I know this is not an issue unique to Yale, I’m asking because of some of the reviews on Niche. Also, how’s the transportation to/from college such as rail, bus or plane?
@SoccaMomma
DS wants to double major math and music, lol. We attended a Yale info session and the AO told us that double major is pretty common and not very hard to do. Residential college is one of the major reasons that DS likes about Yale (among many other good reasons! Ha)
We are approaching the end of first quarter too, DS is doing fine. Managing to go to bed at 8 pm daily since his siwm practice is at 4:30 in the morning! He loves all his IB courses and we are glad that he took IB music since it is very easy for him (kind of a class for him to enjoy and relax and getting easy As!)
Some of DS’ swim club’s faster swimmers are already getting emails from IVY coaches and doing OV. Hopefully DS will drop some time too.
We take vitamin D3 daily (4000 IU, Costco brand) to boost immune system.
@SoccaMomma My son is studying science at Yale and extremely involved in the music world. I am not familiar with the details of double majoring in music, but I know that all ensembles are open to everyone and you don’t need to major in music to have a full musical experience. My son has been in YSO since freshman year and they are truly fantastic. It’s a competitive audition to get in. However, there several other very good orchestras as well. So, if he doesn’t make YSO there are still lots of options. Acapella is also HUGE at Yale. Between singing and orchestra, my son rehearsed five days a week on average. There’s also the Yale Band and the marching band if he’s into that. The marching band is a scatter -type band, not a serious marching band.
My son has been doing research since summer of freshman year. Since then, he has done research for credit every semester. I always recommend Yale to people on CC looking for top tier school and a strong music interest, but not a music performance major. The music major is not a performance major, but like I said there are tons of opportunities to play. It depends what he really wants.
The area around Yale is really nice. There are definitely a few panhandlers though, including a few in the areas where students frequently go. I’m told as you move away from campus, it seems “worse” but we’ve never had any problems. Most of the time the kids are on campus or very close by. The residential colleges are all gated so only students/authorized people can enter. I believe old campus is open during the day (the buildings are locked), but the gates are closed and locked at some point in the evening.
Hope that helps! Feel free to pm if you have questions.
Workload has been okay so far but this week is going to be a bit crazy with the first choir concert (rehearsal after school until about 9pm tomorrow with just a quick dinner break, and then rehearsal, quick dinner break, and then concert on Thursday evening). SAT on Saturday after 5 weeks of Saturday SAT prep class, then PSAT next week. It would be super lovely if the first SAT could be so amazing that it wouldn’t need repeating and then this kid would be done with the standardized testing (aside from AP tests) although I know that’s relatively unlikely. You never know, though.
@musicmom1215
Did your DS17 submit music supplemental when he was applying? And if he did, do you think it was helpful in his getting in? I know Yale does not do real music audition like some of the other schools do.
@SoccaMomma
Echoing @musicmom1215’s comments. Double major not uncommon though maybe slightly less common for STEM + something else. Musical involvement at all levels is easy, common, and encouraged, from lessons for credit and serious ensembles to much more casual stuff. Can also change over time. One of D17’s suitemates auditioned for YSO last year for cello and didn’t make it in; she’s second chair this year.
Residential college system is the best! Love that aspect so much. New Haven is fine, you just have to be careful like you would in any city and the campus safety is very good. I was there in late 80s/early 90s and it seems so spiffy compared to back then.
D is currently struggling with time management - balancing homework, sport and sleep! She decided to take an extra class so she (we) are up and out the door an hour earlier than last year. She’s adjusted well to getting up at 5:45 but I haven’t! Her sport keeps her busy until late afternoon and into the evenings on competition days.
We are starting to plan the fall college trip which will cover school within our state and are hoping to venture out of state in the spring. Its been challenging to get a list together since she hasn’t identified an area of study yet.
My D is also struggling with time management, compounded by the fact that she goes straight from school to dance and doesn’t get home until 9 or 9:30 most nights. She’s making A’s in most of her courses with a couple of B’s, but one teacher hasn’t actually recorded grades so that one may be an A as well.
Add her to the list of kids taking the PSAT list on the 10th, although I don’t think there’s much hope for NMF. She’s good but her school last year had 14 NMF out of 550 kids, and I’m positive mine isn’t in the top 14 or 15 kids in her class. She’s also taking the ACT on the 27th.
My kid isn’t in the top 100 kids GPA wise. Test score wise, she’s at least top 20. Not the same thing at all. 
My D will also be taking the PSAT October 10th. Our school had 1 NMSF and 1 commended this year. The year before we had 3 NMSF and 1 commended. Our state raised the cutoff by 1 point which I think might have impacted how many made it this year. I think D has a chance at least at commended but keeping fingers crossed that things go very well on the PSAT.
“Add her to the list of kids taking the PSAT list on the 10th, although I don’t think there’s much hope for NMF.”
Ha, our ACT tutor told my D don’t worry about studying for the PSAT “as you will not be in the running for NMF anyways”! At least I appreciate his honesty and not wasting her time, which is better spent on getting her ACT into the 30’s.
I’m still conflicted about D possibly dropping her V sport senior year for another AP class. Will see how she feels about it next June when the season ends.
question: i took in payment to register my kid today for PSAT. cant even remember if i included an email on this small school registration. Do kids put their email down when they take it? I want our college account listed and not his or our home account. anyone know?
@Redslp A letter from USC about the RHP arrived today. Son is not interested in skipping senior year. It sounds pretty competitive. Is your DS interested?
@bgbg4us You can update the college board account to have the desired email address. I think when they take the test, the test book asks for email address again. Make sure your DS puts in the one you want.
@whataboutcollege- He’s interested and I think at the very least, he’ll get the practice of the application process. It does seem quite competitive, I think only 15-20 students are accepted a year. I’m not sure if his extra- curricular achievements are on par with the accepted students, but I wouldn’t worry about him in terms of maturity, work ethic or independence. Did you look at the program? What questions should I be asking?
D has been prepping hard for the PSAT, but I don’t think she will make NMF. She has always had top grades, but isn’t the best standardized test-taker. At this point, she’s aiming to increase her scores enough to at least get the Presidential Scholarship at Alabama. We’ve been helping her investigate lots of schools, but Alabama is still her favorite. My spouse is hoping she will like OK State U because it’s where a lot of his family went, but she has no interest in dad’s pick.
@VickiSoCal I also have a very good tester/ not as good with the GPA-er. Kid dropped down from the AS (honors) english track and is taking CP English rather than AP this year but is STILL currently averaging a B in English. Gah, might as well have taken AP English and at least gotten the point-bump.
@washugrad gotta love those smart kids who don’t care as much about grades. Is yours also a second child following a grade loving sibling?