Parents of College Class of 2018 (A.K.A., "Is this the line to the poor house?")

[PrincessKsMom]

Can you make an appointment to see the GC? Bring the scores and the form, get it filled out and faxed.

Send a thank you email (cc the principal)....and leave a thank you Starbucks card. You might need help next year...

We could get offical transcripts from the school registrar, so you might call and ask if that is who you contact. A lot of parents didn't know that, and spent a lot of time waiting for the GC's when the registrars office had no waiting.

Can't take another day off of work just to meet with GC. Too much time out lately for other things.

Principal couldn't care less. My next step would be head of Guidance. Who usually doesn't care either.

Every time we have a parent/teacher night I stop in and see her GC and spend about an hour or so with her. No one ever comes to see her on those nights so we have plenty of time together. Last time she commented that she enjoys my visits and was waiting for me. (BTW, she was serious not sarcastic about it). Was going to send a big bouquet of flowers next year after all is said and done. Didn't want it to look like I bought her nomination for Girls State or expect her to do for us more than she would others. I hate gifts that feel like "you will continue to help me" versus "thanks for what you've done".

And we don't have a registrar.

I know she's stressed at the moment and I hate to add to it but this is important. I left he a voicemail and hope to hear back from her tomorrow. I need to step back and have faith that she'll come through. If not I'll call at the end of the week. They are there until at least the end of June.

 

[TLuvsD]

I get the gift thing...D's GC loved Girl Scout mints, so we would drop those off during the appropriate season (candy in the Fall, Thin Mint cookies in the Spring). We would fit in visits when we could--usually report card night when no one was around. She came through big when we needed her.

If the GCs are around for a few weeks after school is out, I'd wait a while. This week might be REALLY busy.

 

[Gina]

I hate gc's... as much as I love my son's school district, this is where they have dropped the ball. They're just useless, every last one of them. I have been trying for a week and a half to get my son's ending rank, because we need that for scholarship apps and his college app in August, and can't even get anyone to call me back. I HATE having to depend on other people, especially for one tiny piece of information that should dang well be on the report card anyway. UGH.

/rant off

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I get the gift thing...D's GC loved Girl Scout mints, so we would drop those off during the appropriate season (candy in the Fall, Thin Mint cookies in the Spring). We would fit in visits when we could--usually report card night when no one was around. She came through big when we needed her.

If the GCs are around for a few weeks after school is out, I'd wait a while. This week might be REALLY busy.

I'm very sensitive to the gift giving because a former boss was very much about "buying" your services going forward. It felt dirty. And particularly with the recent nomination for Girls State. Each GC was only allowed to nominate in girl. Maybe it was because I left a lasting impression and we had a semi-relationship (and of course DD has the grades/EC's etc.) but I certainly don't want there to be an sense of impropriety. I will definitely make sure she is thanked for her efforts.

Gina, I have had a lot of frustration with DD's GC over the past three years. At times it took all I had not to go to school screaming like a lunatic. (Class scheduling mix-ups, no time to answer a few simple questions re National Honor Society requirements when DD was a freshman because 'I'm too busy with juniors and seniors to worry about freshman', etc. Can I tell you how many of DD's friends didn't make NHS because they didn't have enough activity/EC points? I think she realized at some point that I wasn't going away and it was better for her to just deal with me.

 

[elgerber]

Wow, these posts are sad! Our district has many many issues, but my dd's GC is not one of them! She always has time for us, no matter what we need, how old my child is, or what time of year it is. Also, we have class rank and CUM GPA on report cards, and unofficial transcripts, both of which we can print online at any time. After reading all these, I am very glad to see that they make at least that part, easy for us!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Wow, these posts are sad! Our district has many many issues, but my dd's GC is not one of them! She always has time for us, no matter what we need, how old my child is, or what time of year it is. Also, we have class rank and CUM GPA on report cards, and unofficial transcripts, both of which we can print online at any time. After reading all these, I am very glad to see that they make at least that part, easy for us!

Our school began using an online program last year where we can check grades, etc. Guess what? They NEVER put test grades, class grades, etc. And our "progress reports" are codes indicating "pleasure to have in class", "missing homework", "needs improvement". They do include a general average. Last year one of DD's classes said "73". A few weeks later are report card time her grade was a 94. The system is USELESS. And our teachers are without a contract for going on 3 years now. But they are building a new "academy" for the honors program and the music program. Keeping those kids completely segregated from the rest of the school. They will even have their own gym and uniforms separate from the rest of the school. But this is a public school paid for with public funds and there's no money to give the teachers a raise/contract. It's disgusting. And it's the only public school in our City. No other options unless you want to attend private Catholic school. There were two of those and one of those just closed their doors after 80+ years. Can't wait for DD to go to college!

 

[Gina]

Also, we have class rank and CUM GPA on report cards, and unofficial transcripts, both of which we can print online at any time. After reading all these, I am very glad to see that they make at least that part, easy for us!

It would make it easier for them, too, if that was printed on the report cards! It really doesn't make sense -- his current and cumulative GPA is on there, but not the rank. And rank is asked for pretty much everywhere with these apps.

Anyways, I just called again and asked to speak to any warm body who might happen to be a counselor, and finally got the info we needed. And the first person I spoke with tried to tell me that was only on the official transcript and I would need to request one. Um, no, they have told me over the phone every semester, I don't need an official copy. She was all snooty about it too. Sheesh!! Such an ordeal.


Wow, PrincessKsMom, I really feel bad for y'all!! I love love love the online program, because teachers are human and sometimes grades might go under the wrong person's name, and the online thing makes it so much easier to catch and correct. We've been using it in our district for a number of years, and so far all the teachers have been really good about keeping it extremely up-to-date. But GPA and rank aren't a part of that system, unfortunately, or it would be perfect.


Busy day for DS tomorrow -- Dual Credit orientation in the morning then Senior portraits right after that. And he has been working 30-34 hours a week, so he hasn't had a lot of goof-off time so far this summer! But it's of his own doing -- the computer nerd nut didn't fall far from this computer nerd tree, and he's building a gaming rig for himself so he needs $$ for parts. He's also trying to build a cushion for when band camp and then marching season starts and he won't be able to work much at all.

Has anyone's kids started on essays yet? My DS seems to think he can just sit down and spit out the two needed for the ApplyTexas common app, and I keep trying to convince him that he should probably start brainstorming and such. I mean, they flat-out told him at the school that it's the admissions folks who decide what and how much merit aid, and really good essays can go really far in boosting that, and I saw the lightbulb go off over his head when they told him that. Any suggestions on how I can convince him that this will not be a 20-minute endeavor? He has a little over a month before the app goes in on August 1st.

 

[pammypooh]

My daughter attended a "Designing a Digital Future" camp this past week at Penn College of Technology. She really loved the professors that lead the various sessions and created a mobile app and a couple of games.

We need to get out to visit some more schools - would like to see Millersville, Shippensburg, Mt. Aloysius, and St. Francis. Hoping to see all before school starts in Sept. Anyone been to any of them?

How is everyone else doing with college visits?

 

["Got Disney"]

Well Howdy everyone

I have a son graduating next year as well....he is not sure what he wants to do yet so he decided to go to a CC and start there....he will be graduating when he is only 17(he better) so not a problem with me....would rather he gets a bit older before heading off to the Dorm rooms

My other son graduated last year and is in college at a University for Computer Science...he got a $20,000 academic scholarship so that was a no brainer....my other son will not be so lucky My older son also works as a game tester at Sony not an easy job to get...but we know the head animator and programmer their so he lucked out!

After this one I am so glad that HS will be over....and Senior year is such a drag on students...when they get there they are already so done...well except for Prom and fun stuff....their brains are geared towards the college they are going to go to.

Congrats to all you moms that have a Senior this year! and heres to hoping they graduate,get into the colleges they want and don't continue to drive us batty

 

[elgerber]

We just did senior pictures today! So much fun and I can't wait to see them!

 

[njmom47]

My daughter attended a "Designing a Digital Future" camp this past week at Penn College of Technology. She really loved the professors that lead the various sessions and created a mobile app and a couple of games.

We need to get out to visit some more schools - would like to see Millersville, Shippensburg, Mt. Aloysius, and St. Francis. Hoping to see all before school starts in Sept. Anyone been to any of them?

How is everyone else doing with college visits?

My niece goes to Ship and she LOVES it!
She's in the band (I think both marching and performing) and is an art major.

 

[sk!mom]

SAT and ACT scores from the latest round are in. DD 's SAT was 1160 on Math and Reading and 1790 with writing included. Her ACT was 25. I don't know the breakdown. She's out of town and just texted me the composite.

She is pretty certain that University of North Texas is her choice. She's top 10% so an automatic admit. These scores are good enough to save her from additional TSI testing but are they really "good enough."

She is now stressing about whether or not she should retest to try and increase them. Would a little higher scores earn her more financial aid?

I appreciate any and all opinions. It's been years since I had to consider any of this.

 

[Southernmiss]

SAT and ACT scores from the latest round are in. DD 's SAT was 1160 on Math and Reading and 1790 with writing included. Her ACT was 25. I don't know the breakdown. She's out of town and just texted me the composite.

She is pretty certain that University of North Texas is her choice. She's top 10% so an automatic admit. These scores are good enough to save her from additional TSI testing but are they really "good enough."

She is now stressing about whether or not she should retest to try and increase them. Would a little higher scores earn her more financial aid?

I appreciate any and all opinions. It's been years since I had to consider any of this.

It depends on the school. You need to look at the school's website. In our experience, After a act score of 28, the offers become much better. Ds was stuck for three tests with an act score of 30 and finally on the 4th try, broke that number by 2 points and received substantially more $$.

 

[sbtrfly74]

Lurker here, such a long thread trying to read and catch up. You guys are so far ahead it seems.

Little bit of info my DD17 had taken ACT 24 and SAT 1790 (1070 i think w/o writing) on her first try. She did better than on practice tests but these tests dont seem to be her strong suit.

She takes all Honors and a 4.0 this year and has chosen to do duel enrollment at our CC for her senior year which is going to the community college full time instead of high school as long as she takes ENG both semesters.


My biggest question is when filling out a FASFA (havent done one in 5 years) can you use this years taxes (2012) or do you have to put next years taxes (2013) on them? Reason I ask is because I didnt get some 1098's and other pertinent forms until the middle of Feb this year and didnt even have my taxes done until the end of Feb. IIRC FASFA's are due to most colleges Ive looked at by March 1st.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

SAT and ACT scores from the latest round are in. DD 's SAT was 1160 on Math and Reading and 1790 with writing included. Her ACT was 25. I don't know the breakdown. She's out of town and just texted me the composite.

She is pretty certain that University of North Texas is her choice. She's top 10% so an automatic admit. These scores are good enough to save her from additional TSI testing but are they really "good enough."

She is now stressing about whether or not she should retest to try and increase them. Would a little higher scores earn her more financial aid?

I appreciate any and all opinions. It's been years since I had to consider any of this.

Very similar to my daughter's scores of 1130/1750. And she will be taking the SAT one more time in October. At this point we're only looking at schools where she is well-qualified, but bringing up those scores can mean in increase in merit scholarship money. So I'm hoping third time's a charm. Good luck!

 

[TLuvsD]

sbtrfly74 You will use the 2013 income for the Fall 2013 college admit. You will need to get your taxes done ASAP. If you have substantial 1098 income you can estimate and revise. See the book "Paying for College without Going Broke" for detailed instructions. Our public library has several copies (it's revised annually) or buy it for about $16 or so. Worth every penny.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Did senior pictures today. They asked if he wanted cap and gown and DS said no, he didn't want to jinx himself. Lol

It's gonna be a crazy summer, we just got out of school Wednesday and they are already lining stuff up.
Graduation is tentatively set for June 13. I'd like to change that though, it's Friday the 13th!

Sent from my iPhone using DISboards

 

[TLuvsD]

sk!mom: The ACT score of 25 seems to meet one of the requirements for a scholarship for Univ of North Texas (I don't know the amount of the scholarship, but all scholarship $$ is good). I'd call the university and check, once you have scores for each section.

Check out this information, and be SURE to meet the early application deadlines:
http://financialaid.unt.edu/scholarships/unt-excellence-scholarship

 

[Gina]

We are so relieved over here... DS was shooting for a 29 or better on the ACT which would according to the conversion charts then be better than his SAT score, and he ended up with a 34. I could have cried. I am hoping upon hope that we can use it as a bargaining chip for some sort of boost in merit aid. Every dollar will count!!

Sorry, I swear I'm not trying to sound all braggy -- this is just a huge relief for us. I'm hoping it helps us some, $$-wise!

 

[TLuvsD]

Congrats, Gina.

That's an amazing score. That with a decent GPA is automatic excellent Fin Aid at Univ of Alabama for one (honors program, wonderful dorms, etc). Worth a look!

From the Univ of Alabama website:
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR

An out-of-state first-time freshman student who meets the December 1st scholarship priority deadline, has a 32-36 ACT or 1400-1600 SAT score [critical reading and math scores only] and at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA will be selected as a Presidential Scholar and will receive the value of out-of-state tuition* for four years.