Parents of Class of 2018 thread

[StephMK]

What state do you live in?
Even the in state tuition in NJ. Is ridiculous, I'm so jealous of other states rates for their residents.

My daughter needs to practice driving more, too. I told her she needs to go at least once a week, even if it's just driving around town. She just doesn't ask and I always forget. LOL She hates driving my car( Pilot) because she says it's too big, she likes to drive my husband's car (Accord) because it's small, but it's a pain to wait until he's home.
I want her to drive herself and her brother next year, too!
We'll see if they can get along for the 5 minute ride. @@

I am worried about mine carpooling too! DS is already trying to work out how his friend can drive him instead. We are going to have to have some pretty serious consequences for the car because I worry she will try to leave him behind or they will argue and she won't concentrate. She has good instincts when I drive with her but I hate practicing. DH isn't as available and she likes it when I drive with her better.

We live in NE but are from VA. DH & I are looking to move back East sometime in the next 3-6 years. DS is looking at schools in all different regions around the country and we are not opposed to DD going far away. Our oldest is moving to SC this summer. DS is a freshman and already is pretty confident in his major options and has a list of schools he is interested in. DD16 is our middle one and not as adventurous as she used to be. She has seen the process when our oldest went through it but has no motivation to think that far ahead.

 

[sk!mom]

She did finally choose a possible major and wants to study interior design. I think it's a great fit for her but she doesn't have much interest in looking at schools or starting that process. Worst case, we have a good state school in town and another campus not far so she can live at home or be close. The one school she wants is in CA and we are not too excited about that idea, plus the acceptance rate is so low. I told her to get her degree someplace cheaper then she can move to CA if she still wants to. She wants to live with a guy friend who plans to study fashion but they are struggling to find a place that is not outrageously expensive for out of state and would let them live off campus. Any ideas of an artsy school that is reasonable in price and not overly competitive? They fell in love with the idea of Boulder CO but it is sooo expensive out of state! Who knows if they will even still have the same idea in 2 years but we're working with what we've got at the moment. LOL

It probably doesn't help you as it's likely still out of state but my DD19 is studying Fashion Design at the University of North Texas. It is an awesome school for artsy kids.

DD's best friend is at CU Boulder.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

Hi everyone!
Can't believe we are 2 months away from our kids becoming Juniors and when the stress level seems to go from 0-100. Nice to read everyone's updates This Friday is my son's formal. They did another combined Freshman/Sophomore formal at the school. Last year when he was a Freshman, they there were about 100 Freshman and 80 Sophomore's that went. This year they have over 200 Freshman and over 300 Sophomore's going so way better turn out. We had our first MiniThon this weekend. It was great - not a big turn out as for whatever reason, the district and school did not promote it which frustrated them, but they raised $15,002.85.

We have gone on two college visits and going to an open house on May 1st. I keep trying to read and listen to podcasts on college admissions and aid and timelines and my head is spinning. We went to Penn State and Matt LOVED it and is his first choice. We went out and spent the night and walked around Friday night and then did the tour on Saturday, and I must say, DH and I really liked it too! On the list is University of Delaware, University of Pittsburgh, Villanova, St. Joe's and possibly West Chester. Still unsure about major - he is know thinking science. He said Chemical Engineering and then maybe Food Science. But next year he is taking Honors Physics and AP Chem 2, so that will really help him decide. He really liked Honors Chem this year, but since January it seems once a week he gets stressed out and says "I don't know about this science thing...." LOL. So - we shall see!

Driving - yeah I am still not ready for that one. We drive to WDW for Spring Break and he drove for a little bit on 95 in Georgia at 7:00 am so that was not bad and then he drove from resorts to parks a couple of times. Maybe it was just we were in my happy place so I was more relaxed He still has one more lesson and then the instructor will take him for the test sometime in June.

Hope everyone has a good last few months of the year!!

 

[dvcfamily41801]

We did course selection last week! Junior year already..wow.
I have an appointment for my son on Tuesday, he's going into his freshman year. When did I get old enough to have 2 high schoolers??

Anyway, Julia is taking Spanish 4 Honors, Band, Gym/Health, US History Honors(she decided against APUSH, against her teachers recommendation-she just has so much going on, I really dissuaded her from taking 3 APs, and after thinking on it, she agreed), AP Lang, Pre Calculus Honors, AP Bio and Medical Terminology.
Starting to take those med classes since she wants to go into nursing.
She's decided to only look at colleges that direct admit into the nursing programs, which cuts the field down a lot. Some have you apply to the program for your junior year. But not everyone gets in, even if you have great grades.
JMU in VA, which she was seriously thinking about, for example, has 90 spots for 200 applicants. And then if you do t get in, you can apply again (adding another year of school?) or you end up getting a health sciences degree instead of a nursing degree. Forget it.
When they gave us her transcript, we saw that she is currently ranked 3 out of her class of 329. Crazy! I would have never guessed.

I guess we'll start looking at some colleges this summer. There's only a handful in close-ish driving range that do direct admit, so we'll start with those. One is only half an hour away( Ramapo College) and she's actually seriously thinking about that one. (Yay)She'd still live there, which I fully support and encourage, so she'd still be away, but I wouldn't have to go months without seeing her.
I keep my mouth closed and let her come to her own decisions though.

Anyone else narrowing down college ideas? Tips on college visits?

Congratulations Julia on class rank!!!! That is awesome!!!

Matt took Honors English 11 and Honors US History 2. His teachers told him to take AP for each next year but he HATES (that's my boy) to read. He was getting all upset worrying about not taking what they suggest that they would be annoyed at him. I said it is your decision and not to worry about it. He is taking Honors Math 2 which is like pre-calc and taking Honors Physics. For electives he is taking AP Chem 2 and Finance and Investment. He chose Spanish 3 as a back up elective. He wanted to be done with Spanish and double up on science, but there is a part of him that is really nervous about the AP Chem 2 thing. I told him I got nothing on that. I stopped taking my science and math classes when I had enough to graduate - 2 credits of each. And then made it through all years of English and SS by the skin of my teeth. Mom got by on social skills not academics . He is already stressing about losing his GPA. He has a 4.3077. I told him it is GOING to happen and to please not be that way and try to have that talk about kids getting stressed about grades and putting so much pressure on themselves.

We went to Penn State last weekend and he LOVED it. I was so against it because it was so huge campus and student's, but honestly I kinda loved it. We walked around on our own Friday afternoon and just kind of stumbled across science buildings and bookstore and freshman dorms and then took the tour on Saturday. It did not feel as overwhelming as we thought. Pat felt better after taking the tour, I liked walking on our own better. I told Matt to try to take pictures of things so that a year from now when he is really trying to compare, he can look back on them. I think this summer we are going to check out campuses that are near us and then he can decide if he wants to go back in the fall when classes are in session. I told him maybe look at 2 in-state public and private and 2 out of state public and private. They told us at one of the college nights try to keep applications to between 6-10. Yike$. LOL. On the list for tours is also Villanova, Pitt, St. Joe's and Delaware.

There are two podcasts that I listen to that are really great and so helpful - The College Prep Podcast and The College Checklist. They are both current and there are new ones once a week. Talk a lot about aid, timelines, and SAT/ACT test prep. I think there are a few that talk about college visits and that is where we got some of our ides from.

 

[DawnM]

Just an update on my son. He had said he wanted to go to the Early College High School program, but we have decided not to move and so he doesn't qualify, as he doesn't live in that district and won't live in that district.

So, he is just going to do dual enrollment instead. We will have to pay for books and fees, but tuition is completely waved.

In a lot of ways this is a better option, it allows more choices and freedom, but will be more expensive, but not by too much.

And, we found out that in our state, as long as you take college classes DURING high school, you still qualify for freshman scholarships at colleges.

Dawn

 

[mrsv98]

Wow, you guys do course selection late, DD chose her Junior year classes in Feb! Too soon in MHO but we were given a final opportunity to change them right after Spring Break. DD is taking

APUSH
Honors Lit (She really fought against taking AP Lit as it is more of a critiquing class and she hates that)
AP Physics
Honors Spanish 4
Orchestra (Director wants her to audition for Chamber but she is REALLY fighting it and frankly it is not a battle I am interested in, she isn't a world class musician and I want her to enjoy, not dread playing)
Pre-Calc
lifestyle fitness

She is taking her Consumer Ed requirement this summer online. She will be gone from June 10-25 with the Orchestra travelling in Austria and Germany so online is the only option. We are still locked in battle over driving. She completed Driver Ed and the absolute minimum driving required to get her certificate but refuses to drive most of the time. DD will be 16 on Sunday and we offered to buy her a car, she said no!! The only kid on the planet who DOESN'T want a car for her bday....sigh.

Chem has been kicking her butt so we are looking for a tutor just to help her this last quarter, she actually asked for help so maybe we are moving toward a less donkey like future!!

All the Sophs took the PSAT yesterday so we will see how that went. She took it in October and did well but not spectacularly but is on the right track. Wow, time is going so fast!

 

[Mickeypooh99]

My DS took the PSAT again last week. I'm not sure why they have the kids take it in October and April. I guess it's just for practice.

DS did course scheduling last week. I know he's taking Spanish 3. Other than that I'm not sure. I don't get too involved with his education because he's pretty mature about it. (It's a different story with my youngest!) He recently brought up that he would like to join the Air Force after he graduates. While that is not the path I would choose for him, I will support what he decides. I'd rather he go straight to college, and get a nice safe desk job.

He recently became an Eagle Scout. We are so proud of him for accomplishing that. He worked very hard on it. He just loves being active, and he says he does not want a desk job!

 

[momabaarjo]

He recently brought up that he would like to join the Air Force after he graduates. While that is not the path I would choose for him, I will support what he decides. I'd rather he go straight to college, and get a nice safe desk job.

He recently became an Eagle Scout. We are so proud of him for accomplishing that. He worked very hard on it. He just loves being active, and he says he does not want a desk job!

Congrats on the Eagle Scout! My son be Junior son just submitted his project plan and if all goes right project will be done in a couple of weeks.

Mine too is talking about joining the military. We did our really first contact meeting last weekend with the Academies Forum...now instead of being a Falcon he wants to go to West Point. If he does not get accepted he has decided to go Air Force for engineering.

 

[Vijoge]

My granddaughter (the one who lives with me) will graduate in 2018. Classes for her junior year include Spanish 3, English 3, Chemistry, Advanced Algebra, US History, and Athletic Performance/Driver's ED. She's on the swim team. I don't think she really has any idea what she wants to do career-wise. Right now she lifeguards and teaches level 3 swim classes. Last year she wanted to be a paramedic, then this year it was a nurse, and last week she decided she wanted to be a dolphin trainer lol. She's on the honor roll, but just barely, and will probably continue her education at our community college after graduation.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My daughter is waffling on career choices. She is steering back to a field that has always held her interest. We just stay the course on course selections but she is making sure the build
Her education around the two fields--art and animals.

Next year she will do 1 Duel Enrollment class (subject TBD but most likely a history class of some kind. I'm hoping to match it up closely to the Middle Ages without being a generic world history course. Do those exist in college?), French, lit of the Middle Ages, civics/geography (election time, so it fit), animation, pre-calc, and physics. She is also doing another writing course.

All courses are on line except the civics/geography which will be taught by me and the DE class which is at the college.

She is hoping to get a gig at the zoo this summer. We will see how that works out. She is also chomping at the bit to get a job. But at this point, we are just waiting until her birthday so that it opens up what she will legally be permitted to do.

She also earned her final level award with AHG. But I think her journey with them as far as earning things is at an end. Next year will be whatever she wants with them. They do have a high honor award--but the work involved rivals that of Eagle Scout and she just isn't interested.

Congrats to your son, MickeyPooh99.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I just wanted to pop in and say hi. . My son is in the Class of 2018. He's my third child so I definitely feel more relaxed this go round. He's driving to school now which I didn't let my two girls do that until their junior year. I still get teary eyed every year around graduation time. His high school held their graduation this past Saturday. Just two more until it's his turn. Good luck to every one who has exams coming up.

 

[clori]

My dd turned 16 Sunday which is the earliest you can get a permit in MA and went and got her permit yesterday. She did the 30 hour classroom portion over April vacation. Dh took her out to a cemetery last night for a few minutes. We live in a city so its hard to find practice space. She signed up for English 11 honors, precalculus h, AP Physics 1, Modern World History H, Spanish 4 h, Accounting 3 h, and AP Government. She is very interested in studying accounting in college.

She has decided to do early college. Her classes and books/fees etc are free. She won't be taking the high school classes but still needs to take similar classes to graduate high school. She will still be considered a high school student so eligible for all high school activities. Her classes, however, will all be taken at the local community college with regular college kids in the fall. She had to take a placement test. She is taking College Writing 1 which counts as junior English, World Civilization from 1500 which will count as modern world history, Intermediate Spanish 1 (it may be partly review but vocab can be different than what she has learned so it is a good starting point) and for now a college stem math class recommended for business students. She won't pick spring classes yet but probably Spanish intermediate 2, math, science, and ?. She needs to retest on the math because she tested before the trig was taught so it might get switched to precalculus. However the math is a bit different than algebra 2 h so it could be beneficial. She is also hoping to get approval to take accounting 3 honors as an independent study in business at the high school but it needs approval from the teacher and principal first.

The college schedule sounds like one I would have liked. She goes from 8 to 9:50 on Mondays and Wednesdays. She will need to leave a bit earlier than she does now but dh can drop her off at the bus stop. It is about a 10 -15 minute bus ride and 10-15 minute train ride plus wait time. Coming home will be a bit longer since it won't be rush hour. On Tues/Thurs she will be in class 8:30 to 12:45 (with breaks) and the college has a break at 1-2:30 for activities those days. Fridays she has no classes. It should leave her time for the figure skating team (mostly fun and recreational) and other activities.

 

[clori]

How is the end of the school year going? DD finishes finals Monday (start close to Labor Day). No true summer plans for next week other than tickets to a Red Sox game. My youngest wants to see Finding Dory so probably try and do that too before summer plans really start. While finals are going fine I'm sure dd will be happy when she is completely done. Saturday she is doing a special teen program at MIT and a science museum with teens from around the country though in all reality I anticipate in being all local teens. It's free and just a 1 day program. We might do a tour next week of the college where she will be taking classes since she doesn't know it that well besides how to get there.

 

[jbcheerchick93]

We have gone on two college visits and going to an open house on May 1st. I keep trying to read and listen to podcasts on college admissions and aid and timelines and my head is spinning. We went to Penn State and Matt LOVED it and is his first choice. We went out and spent the night and walked around Friday night and then did the tour on Saturday, and I must say, DH and I really liked it too! On the list is University of Delaware, University of Pittsburgh, Villanova, St. Joe's and possibly West Chester. Still unsure about major - he is know thinking science. He said Chemical Engineering and then maybe Food Science. But next year he is taking Honors Physics and AP Chem 2, so that will really help him decide. He really liked Honors Chem this year, but since January it seems once a week he gets stressed out and says "I don't know about this science thing...." LOL. So - we shall see!

If UD (Delaware) is still on the list and you have any Qs let me know! I worked there for a few years in admissions, residence life, greek life, athletics, and gov relations

I also applied to PITT asa HS senior, and there were a lot of my classmates who ended up (very) happy there!

 

[mom2travel]

DD is 2 weeks into summer vacation and has barely sat still! I guess she's trying to squeeze in all the things she hasn't had time to do all spring

Her goal for the summer is to come up with a list of colleges she'd like to tour next year. So far she only has UGA and GA Tech. She's also hoping to figure out what direction she may go with her major (loves science and anatomy/biomed stuff).

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer so far. Good luck to the kids with finals still ahead!!

 

[DawnM]

Just an update on my son. He had said he wanted to go to the Early College High School program, but we have decided not to move and so he doesn't qualify, as he doesn't live in that district and won't live in that district.

So, he is just going to do dual enrollment instead. We will have to pay for books and fees, but tuition is completely waved.

In a lot of ways this is a better option, it allows more choices and freedom, but will be more expensive, but not by too much.

And, we found out that in our state, as long as you take college classes DURING high school, you still qualify for freshman scholarships at colleges.

Dawn

Ok, well, this has changed AGAIN!

We had some long discussions and he realized he would miss out on some high school things if he did dual enrollment and he really wants to do those high school things and be a part of a high school.

The charter school he was attending really just isn't an option anymore, for several reasons. So, he is going to attend our local high school for the last 2 years. This will make things much easier as he can take the bus until he gets his license in Oct/Nov and then can drive the one mile to school.

At first I was disappointed, but the more I think about it, the more I think it will be best for him to remain in high school 2 more years. Maturity wise, and for the social aspect. CC doesn't lend itself to strong relationships.

We will begin college tours soon as he says he has no idea about colleges or what to look for. Although he doesn't have any idea what to do with his life either.

 

[ahutton]

DD is on summer break, but taking PE in summer school so she can take music theory next year. PE in summer school turned out to be a win - 14 days of class per semester, and they are doing daily field trips - roller skating, swimming, and today is bowling. It is helping keep her (and DD#2 who is a freshman in the fall) very busy!

 

[mrsv98]

Phew, glad this year is done! DD is currently touring in Europe with the music dept, over 130 kids, bless those chaperones! They are visiting several different countries and performing in local venues. Such an experience!

DD has been so burned out, we are letting her veg some this summer. She was going to take her consumer ed requirement online but she won't be back until late June, then we have a family wedding and a local vacation in August so it is just too much. She has been going 120 mph for 2 years and needs some down time.

We haven't looked at colleges seriously yet. DD is interested in digital animation and psychology so we are looking at colleges that have good programs in both. It is all going so fast!

 

[clori]

We had some long discussions and he realized he would miss out on some high school things if he did dual enrollment and he really wants to do those high school things and be a part of a high school.

My daughter will be doing dual enrollment/early college. However she can still go to her high school before school starts which she can do 3 days a week in the fall if she wants. She can also go to high school for lunch if she wants also 3 days a week in the fall based on her schedule. She will continue doing the high school figure skating team, key club, class of 2018 activities etc. The high school guidance counselor is still available and used to apply for colleges. Since she finishes classes in May she will be free to participate in all senior activities and she will graduate high school with her class. She is still a high school student and gets to do all the high school activities she wants that are not part of a high school class. Basically her classes are just somewhere else adding on about 15-20 minutes to the commute. I will say that I'm very happy that tuition/fees/books etc are all free.

 

[Mom2DDs]

My Class of 2016 DD just graduated and my now Junior (Class of 2018) already has a full summer scheduled. She made the Varsity cheer team as well as track so she's running everyday when she can. We leave for vacation in a couple of weeks and then she leaves for a trip to Europe with one of her history teachers - she so excited even if she's been to most of the place they're visiting before She gets back to go to sprinters camp and then cheer practices followed by cheer camp and then school starts back up! In between she taking an SAT/ACT prep course. Wow, as I type this it looks like summer will be gone in a flash. She's a excited that she'll be around the day we take her sister to college.

She's already made her list of colleges that she wants to visit and most are in the south so we'll be going during the school breaks.