High School Class 2013: Picking Colleges..Check in Here!

[ugadog99]

For those following my drama story, it hit the fan BIG time this weekend! Yesterday, my daughter's doctor decided the increase of frequency and intensity of the headaches is stress related. She is now taking meds for anxiety and depression. This isn't caused by the pressure of senior year. It's caused by that director and his evilness. Thus, after one act, my daughter is finished with the high school drama department. It is so sad in one way, yet so freeing in another. She has already made contact with the theatre company in our town. It is actually very professionally run and gives her the opportunity to learn under new directors and work with new people. I hate that I didn't make this decision a year and a half ago.

Now to the dilemma, our school runs block scheduling. Second semester she was to be in class with evil man HALF the day. In order for her to work with the other theatre company, she needs to be out of the Drama 3 class because that showcase will interfere with a show at the other place. Should I just pull her from both so that we are done with him totally? Will that look bad on her final transcript? She does have Thespian Conference to attend under his guidance in February, but there have been other students (seniors) who have done exactly what I'm thinking of doing now.

Any advice?

 

[mom2travel]

For those following my drama story, it hit the fan BIG time this weekend! Yesterday, my daughter's doctor decided the increase of frequency and intensity of the headaches is stress related. She is now taking meds for anxiety and depression. This isn't caused by the pressure of senior year. It's caused by that director and his evilness. Thus, after one act, my daughter is finished with the high school drama department. It is so sad in one way, yet so freeing in another. She has already made contact with the theatre company in our town. It is actually very professionally run and gives her the opportunity to learn under new directors and work with new people. I hate that I didn't make this decision a year and a half ago.

Now to the dilemma, our school runs block scheduling. Second semester she was to be in class with evil man HALF the day. In order for her to work with the other theatre company, she needs to be out of the Drama 3 class because that showcase will interfere with a show at the other place. Should I just pull her from both so that we are done with him totally? Will that look bad on her final transcript? She does have Thespian Conference to attend under his guidance in February, but there have been other students (seniors) who have done exactly what I'm thinking of doing now.

Any advice?

First, hugs for all the stress you've had lately. I hope this change will have many positive benefits for your DD

I am not familiar with theatre or block scheduling, but I would suggest doing whatever makes the most sense with your DD's schedule. Honestly, if this man is even half the beast he sounds like, he may very well make her last semester of HS hell if she's in his class. With the community theatre group filling in her theatre time, and another elective (?) filling in her school schedule, shouldn't she be fine? At that point college acceptances will already be out, and the final transcript would only be sent to the school she's attending. Unless I'm missing/forgetting something. Or it works differently with theatre majors. I can't imagine that last semester would make or break college acceptance and/or FA, especially since she'll be continuing her theatre involvement.

Good luck!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Quick update on my DD...

She's been asked to join the World Language National Honor Society. That should look really nice on her transcript, as she wants to move abroad and teach English (or science, she's not sure) to Spanish-speaking children.

Her GPA has been running in the high 3's--usually around a 3.85. We're fine with that, but in our very competitive school district, that put her barely in the top 10%. Well, she did really well last year, and ended with a 4.17 GPA, so she's now moved up to 28 out of 400. Now, here's hoping she can pull off another 20 points on her SATs this time around, and she should have no trouble getting into her choice of schools.

Ugadogg--The best I can suggest is, talk to other theater-type people in your area about what colleges are looking for. I know that some colleges do go back and look at the second half of senior year, and I've heard of cases of offers/scholarships pulled. I understand (and completely agree) with what you want to do, but I would hate to see this decision hurt your DD's long-term prospects. I think your reasoning and explanation are sound, though. Are there any classes that she can take that might also be appropriate for a theater major, where she wouldn't have this director? Maybe something in the art department, or even something like public speaking (I know she wants to do lighting, I'm just reaching, here).

 

[donac]

For those following my drama story, it hit the fan BIG time this weekend! Yesterday, my daughter's doctor decided the increase of frequency and intensity of the headaches is stress related. She is now taking meds for anxiety and depression. This isn't caused by the pressure of senior year. It's caused by that director and his evilness. Thus, after one act, my daughter is finished with the high school drama department. It is so sad in one way, yet so freeing in another. She has already made contact with the theatre company in our town. It is actually very professionally run and gives her the opportunity to learn under new directors and work with new people. I hate that I didn't make this decision a year and a half ago.

Now to the dilemma, our school runs block scheduling. Second semester she was to be in class with evil man HALF the day. In order for her to work with the other theatre company, she needs to be out of the Drama 3 class because that showcase will interfere with a show at the other place. Should I just pull her from both so that we are done with him totally? Will that look bad on her final transcript? She does have Thespian Conference to attend under his guidance in February, but there have been other students (seniors) who have done exactly what I'm thinking of doing now.

Any advice?

I am sorry to hear about her leaving the program. I would urge you to talk to the administration about this person.

I would also see if she could use some of the new theater group as an independent study. I think that she should take another elective in the spring but on any application stress her work with the local community theater.

Good luck. I hope she is feeling better soon.

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks, everyone, for your support and advice. I had someone else mention an independent study for the new theatre group. At this point, we have not found any theatre college ask about what classes she would be taking second semester. Before I make a final decision, I'm going to do a little research into what she could take. She will be taking a visual arts class second semester, but we still have to find something to fill those two drama classes.

I saw a definite difference in my daughter this afternoon. I picked her up and took her to get something to eat before her call time. She seemed much "lighter" today than in the last month. I know it's because she is almost done with him. She will have to stay a little active until February so she can go to ThesCon, but she won't have classes or shows with him. Woo Hoo!!

 

[ugadog99]

Well, tonight's opening of her very last show at the high school. It's very, very emotional for me. With all the long hours, dedication, and hard work that she and I have both put into this program, knowing that it all ends like this is devastating for me. She is just ready to be done. As a teacher, I could never imagine treating a dedicated parent and student the way we have been treated.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Well, tonight's opening of her very last show at the high school. It's very, very emotional for me. With all the long hours, dedication, and hard work that she and I have both put into this program, knowing that it all ends like this is devastating for me. She is just ready to be done. As a teacher, I could never imagine treating a dedicated parent and student the way we have been treated.

FWIW, this is lot more common than you'd think. In our school, it's the band director. My older two both quit band because he was such a jerk. For example, DS15 FAILED band for a quarter, because he didn't hand in a permission slip. Not defending DS15--he should have handed it in--but honestly, let's ignore his work all quarter and fail the kid. I'm lucky because my older two won't pursue music, so they could quit. And DD9 is a strings girl, so she won't have this guy (jury's still out on DS6, but a lot can happen in 8years). But, it's so obvious to me that the band director is on a major ego trip, and the kids who want to pursue music are stuck with a total jerk.

 

[marcyinPA]

Two applications paid for and sent last night!!! Woot Woot!!! These are to the two state schools he is interested in- the apps are short and sweet. They basically want to know nothing about you except for your GPA and your SAT scores. The one will take a letter of recommendation, so he is having the guidance counselor write one up.

The transcript folders were taken into school today- so hopefully he remembers to take them to the office Second round of SAT testing is Oct. 6. Things are moving along!

He still has another app to finish- the essay to write, and another college visit on Oct. 8.

I am a little worried about the SAT scores. He has a 1280 math/reading/writing, but it looks like the average SAT scores for the state schools are 1000 math/reading only. For math/reading only, he has an 850. He is taking them again, but I'm not convinced that they will jump too much higher. He is a really bad and nervous test taker- always has been.

I hope it is enough to get him acceptances....

 

[hemispheredancer]

DD has submitted her app for Central Michigan. They have received her transcript and my $$ so now we wait on them. She is also working with her AP Comp teacher on her essays for Univ of MI. We spent the day out in Ann Arbor walking the campus and had a great time. Going back 11/10 for a "real" guided tour and game vs Northwestern. She will also be meeting with her admission counselor next week. This is her dream college and she doesn't have the high ACT or gpa that most applicants have, but hopefully it will be enough with 3 killer essays! She has been elected president of science club this year, along with all the other stuff she is involved in. By the time she graduates, she will have taken every science class our HS offers!!

It's nice to hear other stories of those going through this stuff! Getting these kids to work on this stuff is like pulling teeth!

 

[mom2travel]

Two applications paid for and sent last night!!! Woot Woot!!! These are to the two state schools he is interested in- the apps are short and sweet. They basically want to know nothing about you except for your GPA and your SAT scores. The one will take a letter of recommendation, so he is having the guidance counselor write one up.

The transcript folders were taken into school today- so hopefully he remembers to take them to the office Second round of SAT testing is Oct. 6. Things are moving along!

He still has another app to finish- the essay to write, and another college visit on Oct. 8.

I am a little worried about the SAT scores. He has a 1280 math/reading/writing, but it looks like the average SAT scores for the state schools are 1000 math/reading only. For math/reading only, he has an 850. He is taking them again, but I'm not convinced that they will jump too much higher. He is a really bad and nervous test taker- always has been.

I hope it is enough to get him acceptances....

Congrats on your son getting some apps submitted!

My DS is not a great standardized test taker either. I've been told by a math teacher who tutors for the SAT that based on my ds's scores, as little as 4 more correct answers could pull him up 40 points (he's at 560 now - math is his high score). I don't know if that varies by what the current score is, but perhaps knowing that, and having a concrete goal, could help your DS, rather than an abstract stress-filled "I need to do better"? I'm hoping it works for my DS

 

[luvavacation]

Ugadog99, I am sorry to hear of the bad experience your daughter is having, but in regards to how dropping something Senior year might effect her college chances, everything I have been told is that Junior year has the most influence on college decisions. Not sure if it is true for those that major in the arts, but at least for what my daughters study, it is supposedly true. Either way, sure does stink that your daughter's final year is tainted with a bad learning experience.

The local High School also had a band director that was on a major ego trip, and the administration and school board just bowed before him. You either loved him or hated him. He was a very "touchy-feely" guy, and definitely played favorites. Most of the students in band really liked him, but some of the parents felt something was off, just not sure what.

Turns out, May of 2011, one day before the final band concert, he was arrested for having "relations" with two of his Senior students, not just outside of school, but he was caught in the band rehearsal room by another band teacher! It is just coming out now that he had been found in somewhat suspicious circumstances with students in the past, but all he got was a warning to be more careful from the higher ups. He won awards for the school, and had more power and influence than the school's principal, so he pretty much did what he wanted until caught "in the act" by another teacher that felt it was her duty to report him. The repercussions are still being felt, and sadly, the band kids that respected him and learned so much from him (he really was a very good band teacher, just not a trustworthy person apparently!) were just devastated to see someone they respected fall in such an awful way. My DD was so confused over the emotions she had when she found out, for she went from trusting and respecting to questioning her own judgment of people. Tough lesson to learn at any age.

Congrats to those that have heard back from schools already! I can now say that we have also heard from one of the schools DD applied to!

Yup, by email, with an attachment outlining all the upcoming information she will be receiving, and including confirmation of a scholarship (yippee!!!), DD has learned that she was accepted at Eastern Illinois University. While pleased, she was not ecstatic. I realized, from her lack of jumping up and down, that this is not the school she really wishes to attend. DH and I are trying to help her see that this is a good acceptance, and the scholarship is wonderful, considering that she probably won't get any offers from Purdue or IU-Bloomington (the two she really would like to attend), but she is just so nonchalant about the news. Even though I think this school will be a good fit for her, I realize I can't force her to see it my way.

My worry is, if she gets accepted at Purdue and her sister decides not to continue on in Graduate studies there, she will be stuck at a school that she really didn't want to attend (have I mentioned that DD#2 ideally would like to attend University with her sister, who will graduate this spring, but is not yet certain about Graduate school because hey, it all depends on where the boyfriend/fiance from out-of-state decides to work? ). Purdue is a great school, but the only reason DD#2 likes it is because she could live with her sister!

I am sitting back, trying to be patient and letting things work their way through, but I would really like this to all be done so we can just enjoy the rest of the time DD#2 is home with us, with no pressure of college apps hanging over us!

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks for the support, everyone. We survived the two nights of the show. Her lights looked great and garnered attention from quite a few, including evil man. If it weren't so sad, I would have to laugh at his behavior. Every time he saw me, he would go in the opposite direction. It was pretty funny, but just shows what a jerk he is.

My daughter is still trying to decide what to do about the two classes. One of them she will have to drop because the showcase in there will conflict with the show at the other theatre. The final class is just up in the air. It is such a subjective class, and he could really mess her up with the grade. But, it's a stagecraft class, so I don't know if it would look bad to drop it. Ugh....this is not how it was supposed to go!

We are going to finish up the last of the apps this weekend with the exception of the one in state safety school. We still aren't sure which one of those it will be, but there isn't a rush on that.

Have a great weekend y'all!

 

[ugadog99]

Giving us a little bump and need some advice, please.

As you know, my D is a technical theatre kid, so I know the colleges are a little more slack on the grades/test scores for these kids. The interview/portfolio review is a huge component of the admission process. Additonally, she's tech and not performance, so there is a greater need for the colleges with these kids. Her grades aren't terrible. She hits the 3.3 unweighted and higher weighted. She has done no AP classes but lots of advanced/honors classes.

She also has the 504 for a math disability, ADD, visual issues, and anxiety. All of those equate to HORRENDOUS standardized test scores. Now, I'm talking AWFUL! While I know that, with her major, the schools don't look too much at the scores, I'm concerned they may hurt her. Her standardized scores are not a reflection, at all, of the kind of student she is. Rather, they are a reflection of her disabilities. I know the scores have to be reported, but do we need to send a letter to her admisssions counselors in regards to the situation, or do we ignore it and say nothing? She will be taking the ACT and SAT again in December, but there are no hopes that the score will increase, at least not signficantly. What should we do?

 

[Christine]

Giving us a little bump and need some advice, please.

As you know, my D is a technical theatre kid, so I know the colleges are a little more slack on the grades/test scores for these kids. The interview/portfolio review is a huge component of the admission process. Additonally, she's tech and not performance, so there is a greater need for the colleges with these kids. Her grades aren't terrible. She hits the 3.3 unweighted and higher weighted. She has done no AP classes but lots of advanced/honors classes.

She also has the 504 for a math disability, ADD, visual issues, and anxiety. All of those equate to HORRENDOUS standardized test scores. Now, I'm talking AWFUL! While I know that, with her major, the schools don't look too much at the scores, I'm concerned they may hurt her. Her standardized scores are not a reflection, at all, of the kind of student she is. Rather, they are a reflection of her disabilities. I know the scores have to be reported, but do we need to send a letter to her admisssions counselors in regards to the situation, or do we ignore it and say nothing? She will be taking the ACT and SAT again in December, but there are no hopes that the score will increase, at least not signficantly. What should we do?

My son has been working on various admissions packages and, with the exception of one school, there always seems to be an area in the application that basically says: Tell us something about yourself or you academic record that you feel we she know when considering your application. I think that this would be a perfect place to do this if you have it on your applications. If not, I do believe it would be more appropriate for the high school guidance counselor to send a letter of recommendation when they said the college transcripts that explains the 504 issue, learning disability, etc., while also demonstrating your daughter's ability to overcome this in the school environment.

 

[LisaR]

Giving us a little bump and need some advice, please.

As you know, my D is a technical theatre kid, so I know the colleges are a little more slack on the grades/test scores for these kids. The interview/portfolio review is a huge component of the admission process. Additonally, she's tech and not performance, so there is a greater need for the colleges with these kids. Her grades aren't terrible. She hits the 3.3 unweighted and higher weighted. She has done no AP classes but lots of advanced/honors classes.

She also has the 504 for a math disability, ADD, visual issues, and anxiety. All of those equate to HORRENDOUS standardized test scores. Now, I'm talking AWFUL! While I know that, with her major, the schools don't look too much at the scores, I'm concerned they may hurt her. Her standardized scores are not a reflection, at all, of the kind of student she is. Rather, they are a reflection of her disabilities. I know the scores have to be reported, but do we need to send a letter to her admisssions counselors in regards to the situation, or do we ignore it and say nothing? She will be taking the ACT and SAT again in December, but there are no hopes that the score will increase, at least not signficantly. What should we do?

My son will face these same issues in a few years when he starts applying. My DD (without any LD) is applying for colleges now. What I noticed is that most of the personal statements she has been required to write would be a good place for my son to create a story about how he has overcome his LD. It would give the college a heads-up on the issues without throwing it in their face (assuming it is written well). Again, I am just thinking ahead for my son based on what my daughter is doing now. Not sure if it will actually work that way when the time comes.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

My son has been working on various admissions packages and, with the exception of one school, there always seems to be an area in the application that basically says: Tell us something about yourself or you academic record that you feel we she know when considering your application. I think that this would be a perfect place to do this if you have it on your applications. If not, I do believe it would be more appropriate for the high school guidance counselor to send a letter of recommendation when they said the college transcripts that explains the 504 issue, learning disability, etc., while also demonstrating your daughter's ability to overcome this in the school environment.

I agree with this. It's going to sound better coming from the prospective student or guidance counselor, in the form of "this is what I'm striving to overcome". If Mom wirtes something, it just comes across as amking excuses. I know that's not what you're doing, but that's how it might be perceived by the school.

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks, all. The letter would definitely be coming from her and not from me. I will oversee said letter, but it will be submitted by her. Her GC is useless. He has way too many students to know any of them. He doesn't know anything about her 504 or anything related to it. He wouldn't know her from any other student at the school. The AP who is in charge of the Special Ed/504 kids is a wonderful man, and she wouldn't be where she is without him. However, no one wants him to write anything for them. Really, it's just bad. You will have to trust me on this one. Great man....not so great with the writing.

All of her applications are done and submitted, so there is not an opportunity to work this into her essays or short answers. I wish I had thought of this earlier, but we had hoped that the scores would be marginal, at the least. Her essay does discuss, briefly, how she was always in her sister's academic shadow and would never be the academic student. It also states that until theatre she just had no real direction, but since then, she has found her passion.

I guess the best we can do is have her formulate a letter to send to the admission counselors. I can't think of anything else at this point.

 

[padams]

Giving us a little bump and need some advice, please.

As you know, my D is a technical theatre kid, so I know the colleges are a little more slack on the grades/test scores for these kids. The interview/portfolio review is a huge component of the admission process. Additonally, she's tech and not performance, so there is a greater need for the colleges with these kids. Her grades aren't terrible. She hits the 3.3 unweighted and higher weighted. She has done no AP classes but lots of advanced/honors classes.

She also has the 504 for a math disability, ADD, visual issues, and anxiety. All of those equate to HORRENDOUS standardized test scores. Now, I'm talking AWFUL! While I know that, with her major, the schools don't look too much at the scores, I'm concerned they may hurt her. Her standardized scores are not a reflection, at all, of the kind of student she is. Rather, they are a reflection of her disabilities. I know the scores have to be reported, but do we need to send a letter to her admisssions counselors in regards to the situation, or do we ignore it and say nothing? She will be taking the ACT and SAT again in December, but there are no hopes that the score will increase, at least not signficantly. What should we do?

Your dd's college counselor should include this information in the school's recommendation letter. Talk to her counselor.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

That's too bad that her guidance counselor knows her that little. Here, I joke with my kids' counselor, that the poor woman can't get away from our family! DD17 used to volunteer in the guidance office, I talk to the GC regularly due to DS15's issues, her DD6 sits next to my DS6 in first grade, and her DS4 goes to preschool at the HS--and my DD17 works in the preschool! So, she's definitely high on DD's list for recommendations, since the GC can even talk directly to how well my DD "student teaches", in addition to addressing her academics.

One bit of advice DD got from her GC was, definitely interview if at all possible. As you can see, the GC knows my DD's offbeat personality, and told her that interviewing makes you stand out, and that DD, in particular, would be memorable. I'm hoping she means this in a good way... But, my point is, if your DD were to interview, it might be a good time to address the test scores issue, and generally talk about her learning issues, and how she's worked hard to handle them and so forth.

 

[padams]

Thanks, all. The letter would definitely be coming from her and not from me. I will oversee said letter, but it will be submitted by her. Her GC is useless. He has way too many students to know any of them. He doesn't know anything about her 504 or anything related to it. He wouldn't know her from any other student at the school. The AP who is in charge of the Special Ed/504 kids is a wonderful man, and she wouldn't be where she is without him. However, no one wants him to write anything for them. Really, it's just bad. You will have to trust me on this one. Great man....not so great with the writing.

All of her applications are done and submitted, so there is not an opportunity to work this into her essays or short answers. I wish I had thought of this earlier, but we had hoped that the scores would be marginal, at the least. Her essay does discuss, briefly, how she was always in her sister's academic shadow and would never be the academic student. It also states that until theatre she just had no real direction, but since then, she has found her passion.

I guess the best we can do is have her formulate a letter to send to the admission counselors. I can't think of anything else at this point.

Even though the gc doesn't know her well, I'd still give him a call. It is the gc's job to help with these sort of issues. If he's going to help anyone, it might as well be your dd.