| Author | Post |
|---|
CarolynLawrence
Administrator
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 3191 |
| Mana: |    |
|
Posted: Tue Dec 19th, 2006 01:00 am |
|
Bumpyroad, congratulations to your daughter! I, like you, am wondering if my son repeated his sophomore year scores, and the longer we wait, the more I'm tending to convince myself that he didn't. The good news is his school will finally be giving the PSAT scores out tommorrow! If they don't, by the end of winter break, at this rate, I'll have convinced myself that he didn't crack 900. 
|
KatsMom
Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 20 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Dec 19th, 2006 01:55 pm |
|
Isn't it interesting that we, as junior parents, are all fretting and worried over PSAT's and SAT scores while the list of SAT/ACT Optional schools keeps growing every day? Some highly selective schools have joined the list such as Mt Holyoke, Middlebury, Bowdoin, and Holy Cross. You can also add Gettysburg and Muhlenberg to the list. I think that "future generations" of applicants will have the luxury of not worrying so much about these tests and be able to concentrate more on the high school transcript, which is, I believe, a much better indicator of a student's overall academic abilities and talents. It is, after all, only one day of testing (which can be prepped for) versus a four year high school career! 
|
Chedva
Member
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 553 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Dec 19th, 2006 04:05 pm |
|
| Sorry to butt in - mom of a senior, but I just wanted to mention a caveat to KatsMom's mention of SAT optional schools. Muhlenburg, for example, is SAT optional but do require test scores (SAT or ACT) for merit scholarship consideration. There may be other similar schools. So the tests seem still to be important for financial purposes.
|
HImom
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Dec 19th, 2006 04:16 pm |
|
The other thing about testing is that it gives the schools SOME basis to compare schools, as there is a lot of overall grade inflation nationally & tough for Us to know EACH school. Standardized tests can really help some of our kids who have had to overcome significant challenges in school which have adversely affected their grades even tho the kids have learned the material (as substantiated by the teachers in rec letters). This has been the case for my kids & the test scores helped provide a much-needed boost in admissions & merit aid consideration.
|
bumpyroad
Member
|
Posted: Tue Dec 19th, 2006 05:38 pm |
|
The PSATs seem particularly foolish as a measure of a student's abilities - it's a one day snapshot of something with a high variance. I expect a fair number of kids are like one of my daughter's friends, who scored high enough last year when it didn't count, but this year had his score fall below last year's NMS cutoff. Maybe he didn't get enough sleep the night before, maybe he didn't eat a good breakfast.
On the other hand, if my daughter's skills at test-taking get her more merit scholarships I won't complain.
|
HImom
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Dec 19th, 2006 05:58 pm |
|
| Yea, my S had significantly higher scores the years his PSAT didn't count & barely made the cut-off the year it mattered. We're grateful it qualified him for some nice merit money, but it does seem pretty arbitrary.
|
CarolynLawrence
Administrator
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 3191 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Dec 19th, 2006 11:32 pm |
|
| Well, the results are in. Son did a bit better on reading and writing than last year, but lower on math, so he'll be a commended NSM scholar but probably miss the California cutoff for semi-finalist by one point. He was told by his guidance counselor that his scores were the second highest in his class, so he is pleased, and I am happy for him! The math drop appears to be totally from not having had geometry for two years, so a little bit of review and he should be good to go for the SATs in March. Last edited on Tue Dec 19th, 2006 11:33 pm by CarolynLawrence
|
HImom
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Dec 19th, 2006 11:54 pm |
|
| Congrats! Your S has a lot to celebrate--commended & almost NMSF is great & like you say he should be able to do even better for the SATs. Good job! My D will have to work on grammar if she wants to bring up her scores--she did fine in CR & improved her math, but still doesn't know the grammar parts of the standardized testing.
|
skibum
Member
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 176 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Wed Dec 20th, 2006 12:54 am |
|
Carolyn-
One point?!?!?! Ooohhh, What a mixed blessing!! I wish I could donate a point from s's test Commended is wonderful too, and will bring opportunities from schools as well You, of course, know all this And who knows- maybe Calif's cutoff scores wil drop this year. You never know...
You should be proud of your son and his accomplishments. Sending happy holiday thoughts your way!
|
Alumother
Member
| Joined: | Fri Mar 24th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 201 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Fri Jan 5th, 2007 11:22 pm |
|
Hi all.
Checking in with S's college list for visits this spring. Remember him? If SAT is like PSAT he will be a 2290. Grades were all As freshman year, three A-s over two semester sophomore year and three As, three A-s, and a B+ this semester - but family issues explain that drop if indeed they go up again next semester. Played school soccer all years, on varsity, they won the championship in their v. small league. He plays club soccer too, but nothing special. Just loves to play soccer. Used to be in band, quit, now teaching himself the guitar because he also loves music and is learning to play the songs on his iPod from the Internet....
Has decided that as a result of a childhood trip to Costa Rica that he never forgot, CTY Oceanography and a recent trip back to Hawaii that he wants to go somewhere where marine biology is a possibility. And that he wants to take Marine Bio, AP Bio and AP Chem next year and only one semester of History - but that's another story.
He is not a joiner, but not a loner either. Will be volunteering at a local marine preserve this spring, and this summer will probably do CTY - or TASP in the long shot he was accepted there. Is a very good and very original writer - says his teachers not just me - and so essays will probably be above average even for highly selective schools.
Does not want an LAC, even says that even if it was good for him he wouldn't want to do it. I plan to sneak him by the Claremont Colleges on a drive down south some time.
Schools on the list so far: University of Miami, US Santa Barbara, Duke, Brown, Princeton, Stanford. P.S. he also loves college sports.
Thoughts? I know, top heavy, but he likes the idea of Miami and UCSB so maybe that is OK. Must be near an ocean....Might do Brown ED if he likes it. There is of course the Princeton family connection what me and his sister. He is quirky but absolute and resolutely not nerdy. Personally I think he doth protest too much but that's another story.
|
DesperateDad
Member
| Joined: | Tue Mar 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 829 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Sat Jan 6th, 2007 01:36 am |
|
alum:
with those grades and test scores, I'd put Miami and SB in the safety category. But, might I also suggest UCSD since it has a strong marine bio program, and Occidental (for a LAC; Oxy also has a summer marine bio program on a ship).
|
HImom
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Sat Jan 6th, 2007 03:22 am |
|
| I believe University of Hawaii has a very good marine biology program and you can't get much closer to the ocean. I assume you & your child have already checked it out, as you say you've all been in HI.
|
Alumother
Member
| Joined: | Fri Mar 24th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 201 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Sat Jan 6th, 2007 03:52 am |
|
Occidental? Who knew? That's a great thought as a possible LAC. And glad to have Miami and SB confirmed as safeties. SB I figured, but Miami was unsure.
And for some reason he doesn't want to go to college in HI - despite how much he loves it there. I think I will lobby for a visit, as we haven't gone to the school itself, and then Mom gets a benefit from the college trip!
|
CarolynLawrence
Administrator
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 3191 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Sat Jan 6th, 2007 04:31 pm |
|
| I agree with DD's assessment. Your son might also want to look at UCSC - they also have a strong marine biology program. Humboldt State also has an excellent oceanography program, but it may be too much of a safety for him. And, for something just a little different, he may want to take a look at the UCSD chemistry/Earth sciences program, which is run in cooperation with the world-reknowned Scripps Institute of Oceanography. It is not a marine biology program per se, but it may be of interest because of the fabulous internship and research opportunities available through Scripps. Last edited on Sat Jan 6th, 2007 04:46 pm by CarolynLawrence
|
bumpyroad
Member
|
Posted: Sat Jan 6th, 2007 05:50 pm |
|
A couple of other PAC-10 schools to consider for mairine biology - Oregon State and the U. of Washington. Both are Sea Grant schools, both have research labs on the Pacific coast. Washington's Friday Harbor, in particular, is one of the major marine research stations in this country. And OSU is where a lot of the research on deep-sea life and hot water vents has been done. Both schools have pretty good sports teams.
Of course, the weather on the Northwest coast is pretty intense in the winter. That may or may not appeal to your son. He could either see it as a rugged challenge or a depressing pain. Around here Hawaii is pretty popular this time of year.
|
Alumother
Member
| Joined: | Fri Mar 24th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 201 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Mon Jan 8th, 2007 11:55 pm |
|
He's kind of a tropical guy - just discovered surfing - so we're looking south for now, thanks for the PNW items.
I wanted to ask you guys a question. We can pay full fare, so I suppose that counts in our favor. Here's the thing, do you think he has any chance at Brown? We have zero hooks there, well, I guess my BIL went to school there but that doesn't count. Should he bother to apply? Or put it this way, what sort of grades does he need this semester to be in the range? It would be a great place for him, he would love to set his own course schedule.
D's grades were all As except one A- in PE when she had a ballet injury. I am a babe in the woods in S's territory....nor do I know if the rumored "boy premium" is really true.
|
CarolynLawrence
Administrator
| Joined: | Sun Mar 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 3191 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Jan 9th, 2007 12:45 am |
|
| Alummother, I would have to know more details about him, but from the little I know of him, he seems like a viable candidate for Brown, especially if ED is under consideration. It would, of course, be a reach, but a realistic one, I think. Again, I'd need to know more to really say for sure -- I'd be happy to talk with you privately if you email or PM me. (CZLAW@aol.com) Last edited on Tue Jan 9th, 2007 12:46 am by CarolynLawrence
|
HImom
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Jan 9th, 2007 01:58 am |
|
| Would not seem that Brown is very tropical or that there would be much chance of surfing there. HI is one of the few places he could surf without a wetsuit year round, or perhaps Australia/New Zealand at some times of the year.
|
Alumother
Member
| Joined: | Fri Mar 24th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 201 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Jan 9th, 2007 02:50 am |
|
LOL HIMom. You are so right. It's one of those things where you make the tradeoff thinking of the kind of students you will find at Brown vs. UHI - but who am I to make that assumption?
Carolyn, yes, I will PM you in the next couple of days.
|
HImom
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 261 |
| Mana: | |
|
Posted: Tue Jan 9th, 2007 06:13 am |
|
Brown was one of my son's "dream schools," but he was not accepted and is extremely happy at University of Southern California. My husband's friend's D is a sophomore there from HI & miserable (tho I don't have many details about why). I have a neighbor & good friend who loved it when they attended 10 & 20 years ago.
It is interesting to see the eclectic mix of schools our kids apply to -- they love different things about each school & for different reasons, each school would be "right" and "wrong."
|
|
|
