High School class of 2011

[johnsontrio]

Just an fyi....University of Miami is a private school, not a state school. My older daughter went there. We have relatives in Florida who thought their daughter would be able to go there with her Florida scholarship, and were very disappointed to find out otherwise.

I also have a senior this year. I have been following and occasionally posting the college in 2010 thread, just because I was interested, but now I'll post here too. In the last two weeks, my daughter and I visited 8 schools, for a total of "I think" 15. There is one more we may possibly visit if we have time. Her list is done...in order of her preference Gettysburg, Providence, UCONN, Ithaca, Marist, Alabama. She may apply to Amherst, also. The only one we have not visited is Bama, but I am making her apply as a financial safety, since she can get guarenteed free tuition on the basis of her ACT scores. It would be cheaper than even our state school with free tuition, and the free tuition scholarships at our flagship are competitive, not guaranteed. Our room and board is significantly higher than Bama's room and board.

And, sorry to get long here, but I would encourage parents to have their students to take both the ACT and SAT. Typically here in the NE, very few students take the ACT, but some students, including my daughter, find it much easier. She does not qualify for Bama's free tuition with her SAT scores (just missed it, I think), but her ACT scores were quite a bit better.

Good luck to everone in their search!

Welcome to our thread!

I was referring to Hollywoodhaha's post about the schools she is looking at for Hospitality Management. She had a bunch of the FL public schools listed and I was asking if she had FL prepaid because, if not, she might consider Michigan State's school of Hospitality due to their ranking. I then took a look at the curriculum for FCU and saw that they have a tract just for theme parks so I'm guessing that is what she is interested in.

Because our DD attends a Catholic girls prep school, she gets tons of brochures for expensive private schools and the out of state public schools that hope to reap those expensive out of state tuition dollars. Her school sends an occasional girl to U of Miami and she has probably heard a little about it. I am not leaning toward sending her to Miami for college. Your comments about Bama ring true for many schools. There are tons of schools were your child can go cheaper than the state public schools. Many people never even consider them.

 

[dhcoffey]

DD has been on 3 college visits so far, has 1-2 to go. She's going to be in-state--there is no way we can afford out of state tuition She has applied to Valdosta State U. and found out yesterday that she has tentative acceptance, just waiting for her final transcript next May. She's not totally sold on VSU, mainly because it's 4hrs from home, but she likes their programs. There's one other school she thinks she likes better, Kennesaw STate U., which is about 4 miles from our house. I"m not sure she has the grades to get into KSU, but she can always apply. What's the worst they can say--your GPA isn't high enough, try a year at community college and apply again? That wouldn't be the end of the world.

Minkydog,
VSU is a very good school. I'm about an hour from Valdosta and many of our kids around here go there. My DD is thinking about VSU, too. Valdosta is a great college town.

Heather

 

[Atotty]

Wow, 5-10K per year would be a dream! GPA is good, prob. 3.8 right now and we are working on bringing up the ACT score (not quite 28 yet but that is what we are working toward). We have checked around at a few public universities and the one he really aims for (Samford) is a private Christian college yet costs so much more than the others!

I'm not sure when we need to even start applying. It just seems too soon right now.

Hey Kim,

I believe you can start applying to Samford online now. We just got a card from them this week that said the application was online. I didn't really read it, though, because my dd is set on UA. I have friends who have two children at Samford; they say that Samford can be *very* generous.

We're going to visit Auburn this Fall so my dd has a back up. So far she qualifies for $3500 a year I think at UA. She needs 2 more points on her ACT to qualify for a free ride. She's trying again in Sept.

Can someone please explain the three kinds of application processes? I know I don't have the words right--there's one where if accepted you are comitted to that college, one that is just early admission and then regular admission. My dh keeps telling me there's no way there's one where if you're acccepted that you *have* to go, but I keep hearing parents from last year talk about it. And that it's not a good thing to do because you may not get as much aid from them because they know you have to go there.

 

[minkydog]

Minkydog,
VSU is a very good school. I'm about an hour from Valdosta and many of our kids around here go there. My DD is thinking about VSU, too. Valdosta is a great college town.

Heather

I fell in love with VSU when we visited Heck, if I didn't already have a degree I'd go there myself! I really think it would be a great fit for DD. She is hung up on the distance--4hrs, all interestate except the last 2 miles. I've told her that all her friends are going away to school, so it's not like she'll be the only one leaving. And if she stays home, it's not going to be what she thinks. The VSU recruiter is coming to her HS sometime in Sept and I really hope they can get her connected with other students in Cobb County who are also going to VSU. Maybe that would help some. Other than the distance, she loves the school. Interesting, because some of the other schools she was interested in are in LA, Chicago, and NY. I"m thinking those locations are right out.

 

[agnes!]

DD is a sr, starts day after Labor Day, has hated high school so far and is *so* looking forward to college. We've visited 7 or 8 schools (including last year), her top choice at this point is Belmont University for their music business/music management/music technology degrees (BBA, BA & BS depending on which emphasis the student chooses). She has decided she does not want to go to a 'conservatory'-type of college where the student has to basically declare their major before they apply and then has to audition/present a portfolio. With her HS course-load (by the end of this year she'll have taken 7 APs) and time-killer extra-curriculars (mostly Science Olympiad) something had to give, so performance was it. Her GPA (both weighted and not) is great, even though her school does not rank. ACT is so she doesn't have to re-take that (thank God). She is re-taking the SAT (had a bad day on the writing portion) in October. She's been working on the Common App and deciding which teacher to ask for a recommendation. I am dreading her leaving next fall, dreading filling out the FAFSA in January. In order to be considered for certain scholarships she has to get her apps in by December 1st, so this fall will be a pressure-cooker of activity.

And she is my only...I will miss her so. But it's got to be done and she's ready. Anna Freud said something about motherhood that I've always remembered... "Mothers are to be left."

agnes!

 

[MichelleVW]

DD17 starts her senior year tomorrow!! We are working on her college apps tonight....I don't think I am ready for this....

 

[Anne34]

Another one with a DD who is a senior this year. Boy has time flown!!! We got her senior pictures the other day and I can't believe how grown-up she looks.

She starts school Wednesday, but has been swimming for several weeks already. She also is working, so she is really busy.

She has been accepted to Iowa State and is applying to Purdue (just needs to finish the essay!). Iowa state is generous with aid based on her ACT scores and gpa. She absolutely loves the school and likes that it's not too big. She wants to study engineering & really doesn't like U of Ill. so these might be the only two she applies to. The only thing I don't like is that it's 5 hours away from home

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

Another mom her with a Senior. My DS started school on thursday. I can't believe it's his sr. year. I'm not ready for this. DS is excited and has worked so hard for this. He has a very good ACT score and a 4.0 gpa.

We have visted the Uni. of Arkansas, Uni. of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech, and Uni. of the Ozarks. He loved the U of O. It's a small private christian Liberal Arts university. It really suits his personality. It is more expensive than the 3 public schools we visited, but they offer much better scholarships. When we visted, I was thinking there is no way we can afford this, but I was pleasantly suprised to find out I was wrong. If anyone is thinking about a private school, but is worried about the cost, talk to their financial aid advisor. Alot of them have more money to give than public schools. I started crying when we sat down with the financial advisor and I found out we could afford it. Before we talked to her we were touring the campus and I could tell my son loved it. And I thought Oh no we just tried on a dress that is out of our budget! What can I say I watch Say Yes to the Dress alot.

Arkansas has started a scholarship program (funded by the lottery) it is $5000 a year for 4 year universities and $2500 a year for 2 year schools. To get the scholarship you just have to score a 19 or above on ACT and have at least a 2.5 gpa.

Is anyone else tearing up about everyday? I'm so excited for him, but sad for me. Sorry to ramble, I'm looking forward to this thread to be able to read and share.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I'm a senior this year, and I've been procrastinating so much already. Yeah. It's bad. I gotta start my apps when I get home. The deadline for ED apps are due September 17th to the guidance department at my school.

 

[johnsontrio]

Another mom her with a Senior. My DS started school on thursday. I can't believe it's his sr. year. I'm not ready for this. DS is excited and has worked so hard for this. He has a very good ACT score and a 4.0 gpa.

We have visted the Uni. of Arkansas, Uni. of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech, and Uni. of the Ozarks. He loved the U of O. It's a small private christian Liberal Arts university. It really suits his personality. It is more expensive than the 3 public schools we visited, but they offer much better scholarships. When we visted, I was thinking there is no way we can afford this, but I was pleasantly suprised to find out I was wrong. If anyone is thinking about a private school, but is worried about the cost, talk to their financial aid advisor. Alot of them have more money to give than public schools. I started crying when we sat down with the financial advisor and I found out we could afford it. Before we talked to her we were touring the campus and I could tell my son loved it. And I thought Oh no we just tried on a dress that is out of our budget! What can I say I watch Say Yes to the Dress alot.

Arkansas has started a scholarship program (funded by the lottery) it is $5000 a year for 4 year universities and $2500 a year for 2 year schools. To get the scholarship you just have to score a 19 or above on ACT and have at least a 2.5 gpa.

Is anyone else tearing up about everyday? I'm so excited for him, but sad for me. Sorry to ramble, I'm looking forward to this thread to be able to read and share.

I keep telling people do not discount the private schools. You will be shocked at how much money some of them will give you especially if you have a student that falls into the demographics of the students that they want.

We have Say Yes to the Dress in common... see we will have something to do when they go away to college!

I am having a hard time even thinking about her going away. Mostly because I am projecting forward and wondering what on earth we will do if she doesn't come back? The housing market in MI is at rock bottom and we won't be able to sell our home that we built in 2003 for years. The only thing that is making this any easier to accept is how badly she is trying to become independent. She is really not liking any restrictions or too much parenting. She is staying within our guidelines but doesn't want to hear us reminding her all the time. She has been driving herself and maintaining her own schedule for swim practice, work and ACT prep all summer. She has amazed me with the choices she has made and the way in which she has handled several tough situations this summer. I know in order to continue developing into a mature adult she needs to go. But it doesn't make it any easier. It's going to be a tough year for us Moms, but hopefully a great year for our Seniors.

 

[agnes!]

I'm a senior this year, and I've been procrastinating so much already. Yeah. It's bad. I gotta start my apps when I get home. The deadline for ED apps are due September 17th to the guidance department at my school.

Hey, I have a question that will probably strike some here as stupid... you say that the deadline for ED apps (Early decision applications right?) is September 17th. Ok...what does the guidance department have specifically to do with the apps at all? I mean, I know they have to send the HS transcripts...do they *do* anything else connected with the apps? In our case DD is filling out the Common App now and will do any applicable supplements and we're paying to send the test scores...is it only the transcripts and the teacher recommendations?

agnes!
PS - Told you it would sound stupid, but I really don't know.

 

[parrothead365]

Our DS is a Senior this year also and will start today. He is planing to join the AF so the ROTC programs where very important to him. So far we have visited Valdosta State and UCF. Both have great ROTC programs and the Computer Science Degree he is after. We are hoping for an AF ROTC scholarship to add to his FL pre-paid and Bright futures money. Senior Pictures where Saturday so I hope the old money tree starts to leaf out pretty quick. Dang they grow up quick.

 

[andrekakkar]

Hmmm....

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

First day as a senior/college dual enrollment soon.
I feel sick to my stomach I am so nervous guys

 

[johnsontrio]

First day as a senior/college dual enrollment soon.
I feel sick to my stomach I am so nervous guys

It's all the excitement..... You're going to do fine! Let us know how the day goes... What are you taking at the college level this year?

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

It's all the excitement..... You're going to do fine! Let us know how the day goes... What are you taking at the college level this year?

Thank you I feel so nauseous..

I am taking everything there as I am ahead in credits.
Economics, introduction to hospitality, english comp 1, and intermediate algebra

I'm only taking those. I don't have any classes at the high school.

 

[golfgal]

Hey, I have a question that will probably strike some here as stupid... you say that the deadline for ED apps (Early decision applications right?) is September 17th. Ok...what does the guidance department have specifically to do with the apps at all? I mean, I know they have to send the HS transcripts...do they *do* anything else connected with the apps? In our case DD is filling out the Common App now and will do any applicable supplements and we're paying to send the test scores...is it only the transcripts and the teacher recommendations?

agnes!
PS - Told you it would sound stupid, but I really don't know.

Paying to send what test scores? The testing sites send those for free (up to so many anyway). Your high school will know what to send, transcript and school information about how they do their grading usually. We had to pay a small fee, $5 or something, for copies and postage. Everything else is up to you to send.

 

[bethbuchall]

Paying to send what test scores? The testing sites send those for free (up to so many anyway). Your high school will know what to send, transcript and school information about how they do their grading usually. We had to pay a small fee, $5 or something, for copies and postage. Everything else is up to you to send.

I'm pretty sure that the SAT scores are only sent free if you register the school choice at the time of testing. Otherwise, you need to pay to have those sent. I'm not sure about the AP scores.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

Hey, I have a question that will probably strike some here as stupid... you say that the deadline for ED apps (Early decision applications right?) is September 17th. Ok...what does the guidance department have specifically to do with the apps at all? I mean, I know they have to send the HS transcripts...do they *do* anything else connected with the apps? In our case DD is filling out the Common App now and will do any applicable supplements and we're paying to send the test scores...is it only the transcripts and the teacher recommendations?

agnes!
PS - Told you it would sound stupid, but I really don't know.

I'm honestly not sure. I know that guidance also writes reccomendation letters for us && our teachers give their letters to guidance. I think they put everything together and send it out for us.

We're not allowed to see what our teachers write about us.

 

[MichelleVW]

First day of Kindergarten in Anchorage Alaska...she wouldn't let me kiss her goodbye because the teacher was there!!

First day of Senior Year in Texas...