How Involved is your DS/DD in the College Search Process?

[disfan07]

DH is very agaisnt ds going away, because he feels he is too immature, lacks initiative and is shy. I feel like CA schools are self destructing-kids can't get classes, tuition is rising and so on.

Are you guys not in california? If you're out of state than yes teh tuition is insane (but IMO i think it should be much higher for out of state...it keep sit more reasonable fro in state which is more fair). If you are in state, the tuition is still A LOT less than in most other states.

 

[Julia M]

Are you guys not in california? If you're out of state than yes teh tuition is insane (but IMO i think it should be much higher for out of state...it keep sit more reasonable fro in state which is more fair). If you are in state, the tuition is still A LOT less than in most other states.

Yes, we are in CA. We know families where kids can't get any classes they need. Five years (at minimum) seems to be the norm for graduating. From everything I've read, this is the tip of the iceberg...things are going to get worse.

It's very discouraging.

Julia

 

[LIDisneyFan]

My DD is now a senior and (Thank God) accepted to 4 colleges. She was very very involved, from the selection of the schools to look at to the visits. I do think I have been lucky in a way.

I think some start slower than others - but by Junior year, you have to start 'guiding' them if they're not doing it themselves.

I think you sound like you're doing whatever you can. Maybe a vist or 2 with some college interested friends would help get the 'feel'.

 

[disfan07]

Yes, we are in CA. We know families where kids can't get any classes they need. Five years (at minimum) seems to be the norm for graduating. From everything I've read, this is the tip of the iceberg...things are going to get worse.

Thats very interesting becasue everyone I know who goes to UC or CSU schools are on track to graduate in 4 years.

I know 8 professors at UCLA and 6 at UCSD....they have all been saying that its actually not as bad as people think...at least not form their perspective

But this is what you call a matter of opinion.
Some people think that tuition is too high. I dont agree with that. I think its low especially compared to other states. I dont see any problem with raising tuition more if need be.

Its all a matter of perspective.

I think compared to many other state schools, students at california colleges are still better off than students in many other states...JMO

 

[allison443]

Thats very interesting becasue everyone I know who goes to UC or CSU schools are on track to graduate in 4 years.

I know 8 professors at UCLA and 6 at UCSD....they have all been saying that its actually not as bad as people think...at least not form their perspective

But this is what you call a matter of opinion.
Some people think that tuition is too high. I dont agree with that. I think its low especially compared to other states. I dont see any problem with raising tuition more if need be.

Its all a matter of perspective.

I think compared to many other state schools, students at california colleges are still better off than students in many other states...JMO

I'm not in California but I have seen a number of articles about the impact of the state budget crisis on their university system. Here's one that was in Time magazine:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1911455,00.html

Here's another from the LA Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-college-cuts31-2009jul31,0,6428362.story


Just fyi. For what it's worth my dd is at another state's flagship university and so far they don't have cuts like this (and hopefully won't!)

 

[geffric]

I agree with the midwest being cheaper to go private with a good scholarship. In Illinois -- the flagship is about $29,000 (instate!) with the smaller schools running about $16-18,000. My dd is looking out of state for less than the flagship here in IL. It will be cheaper!

.

another person from ILL.. it is so sad that ILL does not look at students from instate any different than out of state.. only the top 10% of a class has the privilage of going to ILL and spending $30K plus for instate tution/room/board.. it is cheaper to go to IA out of state then pay instate at ILL..

 

[mominwestlake]

OP here and I have about had it with my DS. Semester grades are out and he had a B in honors pre-calc. That is also what he had last year in Honors Algebra II. I am not a grade fanatic but I also don't see a lot of effort going into earning these grades. DS spends so much time on the computer and texting. With a little more effort couldn't these grades go up? I was talking to a friend who has a DD who is a senior in college. She is a math major and is currently tudoring kids in math to put on her teaching resume. I ask if she will tutor DS in pre-calc and also go over math for SAT and ACT. Great! Wrong, DS thinks it is the biggest insult in the world for me to suggest a tutor. I must think he is really dumb. He won't go and if I make him he'll sit there and won't say anything. This is the same kid who thought it was dumb when I told him I got software and a book so he could prepare for the SAT. Well, his score came out and it isn't high enough for an Honors diploma or high enough for some of the pharmacy programs he wants to look at. I am pretty sick and tired of this kid rolling his eyes at everything I suggest- colleges to visit, summer pharmacy camps to apply to, service projects to volunteer for......

So, do I just say fine- no tutor, average grades, low test scores- and see what happens? Or do I say, "mother knows best" and go with the tutor and push to see higher grades. He only has 4 classes this semester along with 2 bands. I would think he could get an A in each class with this easy of a schedule.