High School Class of 2016/College Class 2020

[MomofKatie]

The summer is flying by! We are in the midst of buying all of the stuff DD will need for her dorm. There is a big and still growing pile on the dining room- mini fridge, bedding, school supplies, eating utensils and food, and desk chair.

She is anxiously awaiting her roommate and dorm assignment. Once we contact her new roommate's parents, we can finish getting shared things, like a printer, rug, or futon. Move in day is just over a month away- I'm not ready to lose my 15 year old to boarding school.

So far this summer has been busy! Volunteering 10 hours a week, Driver's Ed, summer science online course, and summer reading for DD.

 

[czycropper]

I can't believe that I posted here so long ago and that now my DD will be a junior in September and the younger one will be a freshman!!

We're starting the college visits on Friday - going to Columbia/Barnard, her top schools which has me scared

Then we'll visit all her choices near us (we live in Central Jersey). She wants to know exactly what she has to take to get into them. She's all excited since a couple of her friends from this year's graduating class got into Princeton, Yale & GW.

Has anyone had any experience with tours at Carnegie Mellon, BU, or Syracuse?

She's in line to be on the NHS next year and is taking APAmerican History, APEnglish, Honors Chem. & Honors Math Analysis.

 

[zoemurr]

I can't believe that I posted here so long ago and that now my DD will be a junior in September and the younger one will be a freshman!!

We're starting the college visits on Friday - going to Columbia/Barnard, her top schools which has me scared

Then we'll visit all her choices near us (we live in Central Jersey). She wants to know exactly what she has to take to get into them. She's all excited since a couple of her friends from this year's graduating class got into Princeton, Yale & GW.

Has anyone had any experience with tours at Carnegie Mellon, BU, or Syracuse?

She's in line to be on the NHS next year and is taking APAmerican History, APEnglish, Honors Chem. & Honors Math Analysis.

We went on a tour of CMU last year and loved it. (Except the price tag.) It has been DDs first choice for ages, but of course it is super competitive and $$$. She also wants to look at RPI and WPI. does your school use Naviance? That is the best way to find out where your DD can really get in.

My DD just got a 4 on her APWorld test so she was happy about that. She also decided at the last minute to switch from AP physics to AP chem so she will be better prepared for the Chem SAT2 next year. (If your DD is looking at CMU make sure she has 2 of the SAT subject tests.) DD's counselor was great and fixed it for her over the summer. So next year is AP Chem. AP ELA, APUSH, BC Calc, Spanish 4, Latin 2, gym, band and chorus. (What is math analysis? I'm not familiar with that.) I wish I had a tenth of her energy and drive. I hope we all make it through in one piece.

 

[hereyago]

Hi everyone. How is the summer going?

Dd has been busy with our new puppy and pet sitting.

I will be taking her school supplies and clothes shopping soon as we will have a tax free weekend. I actually enjoy doing that.

May I vent?

Ok, I wrote an earlier post about her applying for a Veterinarian Assistant course. We went to the Open House and the teacher said she gave the ones who showed up at the Open house first dibs when she got the applications.

Dd's guidance counselor turned them in late, so she is on wait list.

So, boo,lol. It was a teaching moment.

 

[czycropper]

My DD absolutely LOVED Columbia!!! When my DH saw the costs he said "whoa! so happy that she's going to keep going to other schools". She's thinking doing early decision there but we're hoping that she likes other schools

@zoemurr - Math Analysis is taken when the student is not going into the sciences but it's as rigorous as Cal & Trig.

We've looked at Naviance and she in line to apply there as well as way too many that we're hoping she won't apply!

 

[HannaBelle]

Hi everyone. How is the summer going?

Dd has been busy with our new puppy and pet sitting.

I will be taking her school supplies and clothes shopping soon as we will have a tax free weekend. I actually enjoy doing that.

May I vent?

Ok, I wrote an earlier post about her applying for a Veterinarian Assistant course. We went to the Open House and the teacher said she gave the ones who showed up at the Open house first dibs when she got the applications.

Dd's guidance counselor turned them in late, so she is on wait list.

So, boo,lol. It was a teaching moment.

Oh no! I would be seriously upset about this!

My DD16 is dog sitting, baby sitting and working at my office as needed. She is not interested in looking at colleges and is not handling the pressure of "growing up" well. Her older brother was very focused and knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go. Her, not so much... So, I am trying to be patient and not pressure her. We have had multiple meltdowns and borderline panic attacks about driving and college and classes and grades. I am trying to be zen about the whole thing. That is a struggle for this type A momma!

 

[czycropper]

I can't believe my DD junior year starts in less than a couple of weeks!

I have a question - is your 2016 graduate taking both the SAT & ACT? Are they taking the PSAT, even if they took it as a sophomore?

My DD is taking the PSAT in October and then wants to taking the SAT in January and she also wants to take ACT in November and I'm telling her that she's over doing it taking so many tests so close to each other.....am I just being overanxious for her or should I let her do it?

 

[zoemurr]

I can't believe my DD junior year starts in less than a couple of weeks!

I have a question - is your 2016 graduate taking both the SAT & ACT? Are they taking the PSAT, even if they took it as a sophomore?

My DD is taking the PSAT in October and then wants to taking the SAT in January and she also wants to take ACT in November and I'm telling her that she's over doing it taking so many tests so close to each other.....am I just being overanxious for her or should I let her do it?

I would let her. My DD is very ambitious and will probably do something similar. Unless you don't think she will do well I believe she needs to take the PSAT as a junior to qualify for any awards. I wish our school had given it to sophomores but they didn't.

Mine has taken a few practice SATs and took her first ACT last week. Although the score was about the same she liked that test better and now wants to take both officially. She will also take 2-3 SAT2s and 4 AP tests in the Spring.

So I guess she is looking at: PSAT in the fall, SAT/ACT in the winter, SAT, SAT2, AP tests in the Spring.

Unfortunately for motivated students this year is going to be crazy and very stressful. I hope we all live through it.

 

[luvsJack]

DD won't be taking the SAT but will take the ACT at least twice this year. She will take in October and then again in the spring (they require all juniors to take it in March or April). Depending on the score she gets, she may take it one more time during the year. She is trying to get her score high enough for a scholarship.

Unless one of the students plans to attend a school outside of this region, the ACT is what they take here.

Between academics and a crazy choir schedule, its going to be something else this year. Add to that things she is taking on outside of school (starting Judo classes soon) and raising funds for both a choir trip in the spring and a school trip to Europe in the summer and WHEW!

So far so good but choir hasn't really kicked off yet. About the time the work will start piling on in academics, the performances and competitions will start coming one after the other.

 

[luvsJack]

DD won't be taking the SAT but will take the ACT at least twice this year. She will take in October and then again in the spring (they require all juniors to take it in March or April). Depending on the score she gets, she may take it one more time during the year. She is trying to get her score high enough for a scholarship.

Unless one of the students plans to attend a school outside of this region, the ACT is what they take here.

Between academics and a crazy choir schedule, its going to be something else this year. Add to that things she is taking on outside of school (starting Judo classes soon) and raising funds for both a choir trip in the spring and a school trip to Europe in the summer and WHEW!

So far so good but choir hasn't really kicked off yet. About the time the work will start piling on in academics, the performances and competitions will start coming one after the other.

 

[czycropper]

luvsJack-where do you live? We're in NJ and the SAT seems to be the test they take. She's looking into a northeast colleges.

Your DD sounds like mine - she's also in choir (they're going to Annapolis for their competition), Debate Club (she's going to San Francisco in December) and in theatre (her high school program has been chosen as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next August) - so that's part of the reason I'm anxious for her taking so many tests-she's also taking the AP tests in Spring and this year all Juniors also take HSPAs.

 

[luvsJack]

luvsJack-where do you live? We're in NJ and the SAT seems to be the test they take. She's looking into a northeast colleges.

Your DD sounds like mine - she's also in choir (they're going to Annapolis for their competition), Debate Club (she's going to San Francisco in December) and in theatre (her high school program has been chosen as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next August) - so that's part of the reason I'm anxious for her taking so many tests-she's also taking the AP tests in Spring and this year all Juniors also take HSPAs.

I live in MS. Some of the kids take the SATs but not many.

I never realized choir would be as much or more work than sports! Both of my sons played sports and stayed busy in their season but choir is all year!

Plus she is in the A Capella group that the director started last year and it has really taken off. We are the first high school group around here and everyone is requesting them to come and perform.

There are some weeks that they have a performance almost every night or some during the school day and then at night too. Its been an amazing journey for that little group.

 

[snoodledoo]

DD16 chooses to practice her sport 2 hours a day M-F and 3-4 hours/day on weekends. I'd like to get a SAT / ACT study book, but between the sport, homework and her after school commitments (related to a particular class), I don't know when she'd have time to work on it. She gets good grades, but didn't do well on her psat last year.

 

[jetskigrl]

Oh no! I would be seriously upset about this!

My DD16 is dog sitting, baby sitting and working at my office as needed. She is not interested in looking at colleges and is not handling the pressure of "growing up" well. Her older brother was very focused and knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go. Her, not so much... So, I am trying to be patient and not pressure her. We have had multiple meltdowns and borderline panic attacks about driving and college and classes and grades. I am trying to be zen about the whole thing. That is a struggle for this type A momma!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. Sometimes I feel like the only parent in the world with a not-so-motivated High School kid (especially one that has the ability to do very well but lacks initiative to get out there and do more).

It is taking everything that I have to be patient with her also. She knows what she wants to do and where she wants to go, but there is no way she is getting in if she doesn't step it up. And given the price tag, I am not going to push her to get in and then have her not take it seriously. So we may be looking at Jr. College while she matures a bit.

She is OK with her schedule but was disappointed that she did not get creative writing (too many special courses this year and I'm sure they overlapped periods).

She will be taking:
AP US History
Pre-Calculus
English Honors 3
Psychology (her back up elective to creative writing)
Art 2 (her goal in life, LOL)
School Newspaper Production(finally, something to put on a college application).

She plans to be an Art major in college but I have reminded her that those extra AP/Honors classes and GPA may determine which Art College she gets into so at least she continues to do well there.

But it is frustrating to see her so lackadaisical about it. My DS, on the other hand, struggles every day at school. His grades are good if they are passing, etc. But he is already speaking about college as if it is just a given that he will attend. Such opposite kids.

 

[mjkacmom]

luvsJack-where do you live? We're in NJ and the SAT seems to be the test they take. She's looking into a northeast colleges.

Your DD sounds like mine - she's also in choir (they're going to Annapolis for their competition), Debate Club (she's going to San Francisco in December) and in theatre (her high school program has been chosen as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next August) - so that's part of the reason I'm anxious for her taking so many tests-she's also taking the AP tests in Spring and this year all Juniors also take HSPAs.

We're in the northeast, and although dd18 took the SAT's, the tutoring place we sent her too (cost a fortune, but brought up her scores 200 point, and they were good to start) suggested ds16 take the ACT, because even though his PSATs were almost identical to dd's, he is stronger in math. He plans on going to a school in this area - hopefully the same as dd.

 

[mjkacmom]

Oh, and just got ds16's schedule - I was curious, because he's more of a slacker than dd18.

AP chemistry
Culinary arts
AP us history
English 3
Honors choir
Acc pre calculus honors
Spanish 3 honors
Gym

No lunch for him this year, but zero period killed him last year. E t a, he's starting varsity goalie this year - so happy for him!

 

[zoemurr]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. Sometimes I feel like the only parent in the world with a not-so-motivated High School kid (especially one that has the ability to do very well but lacks initiative to get out there and do more).

It is taking everything that I have to be patient with her also. She knows what she wants to do and where she wants to go, but there is no way she is getting in if she doesn't step it up. And given the price tag, I am not going to push her to get in and then have her not take it seriously. So we may be looking at Jr. College while she matures a bit.

She is OK with her schedule but was disappointed that she did not get creative writing (too many special courses this year and I'm sure they overlapped periods).

She will be taking:
AP US History
Pre-Calculus
English Honors 3
Psychology (her back up elective to creative writing)
Art 2 (her goal in life, LOL)
School Newspaper Production(finally, something to put on a college application).

She plans to be an Art major in college but I have reminded her that those extra AP/Honors classes and GPA may determine which Art College she gets into so at least she continues to do well there.

But it is frustrating to see her so lackadaisical about it. My DS, on the other hand, struggles every day at school. His grades are good if they are passing, etc. But he is already speaking about college as if it is just a given that he will attend. Such opposite kids.

No science class?

Do your kids have summer homework? DD has been doing hours and hours of APUSH and AP Lang.

 

[jetskigrl]

No science class?

Do your kids have summer homework? DD has been doing hours and hours of APUSH and AP Lang.

Only 2 years lab science required for graduation (3 years recommended for Cal State and Univ. of Cal. schools).

She already finished Biology Honors and Chemistry Honors. Her next course would be Physics AP but it must be taken concurrently with Calculus. She is only in Pre-calc this year so she will be taking the Calculus AP (depending on grade this year) and Physics AP next year.

The one that I'm really disapponted in with her is that she doesn't want a 3rd year of Foreign Language. Only 2 are required for the universities but 3 are recommended. But she had a really bad year in Spanish 2 and really dislikes it Since she is looking at private art schools, it may not matter but I still wish she would have taken the 3rd year anyway.
But she needs to get her Art 2 this year and Art 3 next year (she took Art 1 over the summer to get further long in the series).

She only had summer homework for her English Honors class. The regular English classes choose 1 book from a list of books to read and then do a summery report for the first day. But the honors classes have two additional books (specific books, they didn't get to chose) to read and do reports on. So she has been working on those all summer.

 

[mjkacmom]

No science class?

Do your kids have summer homework? DD has been doing hours and hours of APUSH and AP Lang.

Ds definitely had a lot of apush, and something else.

 

[HannaBelle]

Oh boy! DD16's BF of 4 months broke up with her last night. She is heartbroken! This is her 1st real relationship and I am so sad for her.

After snuggling with her while she cried and texted with friends, we watched some Gilmore Girls and I sent her to bed with a couple of Tylenol PM's. She has 2 tests today.