We’ve got the same situation as @Cheeringsection. Our DD is enthralled by the idea of going off to college and would probably pack her bags and go this week if she was able, but she just does not have time right now to read up about various schools and daydream. I’m hoping that winter break will be a good time to do that so that we can plan a spring break trip around the schools in which she’s most interested.
Pretty soon she should hear back on several programs she applied to and get her PSAT score, and then take the ACT. I think that it will be a huge relief for her to have the outcomes from these in the rear view mirror so that she can move forward with a clear mind.
The college learning curve has been ridiculously steep for me. Before joining CC and attending a couple of college tours, I thought, “of COURSE the most selective schools will want my precious pumpkin and will all give her full rides.” I literally did not even know that Ivy schools could not offer merit scholarships. Ha.
This is where we are at too! I just want to know the PSAT score to see if there is hope for NM. Thankfully our school has usually put the PAST scores up on Naviance shortly after they get them (several days before they are on the student’s CB account) so we could know in as soon as a week. If DS20 doesn’t make our state’s ‘historic cut off’ then he’ll need to think about taking the ACT.
We are waiting for the PSAT. Actually I’m waiting she will be get the scores on the 12th. We don’t have Naviance so I will probably be contacting counselor. Daughter picks out classes for next year tomorrow based on teacher’s recommendations. She already told stats teacher she’s not taking math but teacher has to give counselor a recommendation. It will be an interesting discussion between the two but my guess counselor will go along even if its 5 AP each semester and 6 overall. Of course he may contact me.
@MuggleMom I’m on kid #2 and I’m still driving the process right now. She’s kind of interested in theory, and has enjoyed going on tours, but I’m kind of having to gently insist on a certain amount of reading descriptions in the Princeton guide each week or it doesn’t happen (I’m trying to get her to figure out from the list of 25 or 30 we have now, which ones are most appealing and we can prioritize visiting those). Over the past 6 -8 months I’ve seen some change in the thinking from ‘likely math major and a small LAC is probably the best fit overall given other considerations’ to ‘likely CS major or maybe CS/math double, leaning towards a more urban setting’ which is making me rethink that top 30 list we started with in the first place. I think she’s done with testing but waiting to see how grades shake out this semester (the C in AP physics seems to be just about back up to a B, thank goodness… but I don’t think there are enough points left in the semester to get to an A- in there).
We have a 4 day weekend in early February (teacher in -service) and so might go do a visit or 2 that weekend.
honestly, i can’t imagine him going anywhere other than our state flagship which is 1 hr away and his bro and sis are there now. It’s not that i don’t want him to look – but its more that i’m being practical. D16 went to an LAC and transferred back, losing all scholarships, and somewhat tainting the idea of going to school out of state. We know exactly what merit scholarships our midwest school gives to instate kids. And as he hasn’t tested yet, i don’t know his scores will be. He’s bright, but not tops. SO – because we can’t afford our EFC and are going broke now paying for two, i can’t imagine it’ll be any better price-wise anywhere else. but the rest of you – go for it!!! enjoy the process
@bgbg4us - that is my S20. While his brother S19 would be fine going off where he knows no one, S20 would like to know a few people. Although he will likely end up with strong stats, I think he would find the greatest fit at CU-Boulder or Colorado State. Both “still away” by distance but both will have more than a few kids he knows. He seems interested in chemistry and biochemistry so either would probably be just fine. I think S20 could easily get admitted someplace OOS and with more “prestige” but I think he would be unhappy and come back. His college search will likely be much simpler than his brother’s which is fine by me! I still need to deal with D26 down the road so less stress for me would be great! But I do love to hear everyone’s reports on school visits, so everyone please visit away and report back!
@Itisatruth Lol - a regression model! I’ve not thought of that but you’ve given me an idea I really enjoy researching colleges and reading Niche, CC, prepscholar, and other sites/blogs/articles. My spreadsheets have spreadsheets. Lol!
My DS was very engaged. Then junior year got intense. Not much happening now on that front. He’s not looking to add any additional colleges; he’s got 11. Our limit is 10; so he either needs to cut one or pay for the application fee himself. We’ve just been told that a summer internship is highly encouraged to get a jump on a required senior research paper. Summer plans will need to be adjusted. I was hoping for him to start on essays this summer. Not sure how he’ll fit it all in.
@VickiSoCal thanks for that info. So when do you think students will have access? With my DS16 I think students had to wait until after Christmas break to receive their scores. It would certainly be nice to know before that.
@SoccaMomma Is your son taking the AP Research class? My D20 will have that next year and just wondering if getting a summer internship is something she needs for that?
Hi. Jumping in. Have a D20. From IL. Also have a D18 who is a sophomore at a Big 10 school, so readying for round 2. D20 has a few ideas for major, all Health Science-related. Looking forward to contributing to the group in my own little way.
NMSF is not a big deal here since our state flagship doesn’t really do much for it. But you guys made me want to check Naviance However it seems to be down for several days? Anyone else’s Naviance is having issue?
“so i just checked s20’s naviance for PSAT scores.
and . . . . . nothing. not yet. you know what they say, the anticipation is the best part!” - I’m hoping my kid’s score is either clearly high enough or clearly low enough (obviously the first rather than the 2nd would be better) to not have to wait until next fall to really know for sure. Getting like a 222 here in CA would be a little nerve-wracking, since that was not high enough this year but was every other year.
@washugrad Yeah, that would be nerve-wracking. It would really stink to miss it by 1 point. Last years cutoff for our state was 219 so we don’t have it as bad as you. 219 is hard enough to get.
But I do love to hear everyone’s reports on school visits, so everyone please visit away and report back!
I really enjoy researching colleges and reading Niche, CC, prepscholar, and other sites/blogs/articles. My spreadsheets have spreadsheets. Lol!