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

[PrincessKsMom]

Which state school? We are in NJ as well....originally from northern NJ

Congrats to your DD. Senior year was the toughest for DS20. Harder to stay focused and burnt out...he was ready to get out of HS.

Richard Stockton. And hello neighbor!

My daughter, so far, is loving senior year. She is struggling a little with a few classes but she's trying to enjoy every minute. She knows this year will fly and she will be away from all of her friends so she's trying to create great memories to take with her.

 

[maxaroni]

Richard Stockton. And hello neighbor!

My daughter, so far, is loving senior year. She is struggling a little with a few classes but she's trying to enjoy every minute. She knows this year will fly and she will be away from all of her friends so she's trying to create great memories to take with her.

Since we are now in South Jersey, we know a lot of students who go to Stockton. It was between Stockton and Ramapo for DS. He ultimately chose Ramapo, which wasn't a good fit for him. He transferred out to our community college and wished he chose Stockton after talking to friends that are there. My DS now has regrets on how he handled his senior year (graduated 2011), it is in the past and he moved on

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Since we are now in South Jersey, we know a lot of students who go to Stockton. It was between Stockton and Ramapo for DS. He ultimately chose Ramapo, which wasn't a good fit for him. He transferred out to our community college and wished he chose Stockton after talking to friends that are there. My DS now has regrets on how he handled his senior year (graduated 2011), it is in the past and he moved on

Sorry he wasn't happy at Ramapo. I'm hoping that Stockton will be a great fit for DD, but who knows. I just read an article about huge partying issues and that's not her AT ALL. But I guess only time will tell if this is the right choice or not. Honestly, a huge part of why I'm pushing Stockton is the less expensive tuition than other schools. They have a great marine science program and I'm sure she'll love it, but I wish I could have considered any and every school, not just a select few.

 

[maxaroni]

Sorry he wasn't happy at Ramapo. I'm hoping that Stockton will be a great fit for DD, but who knows. I just read an article about huge partying issues and that's not her AT ALL. But I guess only time will tell if this is the right choice or not. Honestly, a huge part of why I'm pushing Stockton is the less expensive tuition than other schools. They have a great marine science program and I'm sure she'll love it, but I wish I could have considered any and every school, not just a select few.

Actually, that was one of the issues with my DS.....partying. It isn't him and his 1 roommate brought vodka in Poland springs moving in day. He and the 3rd roommate were not only big drinkers, but big into parties and sitting out on "pot rock". DS was ostracized and was miserable early on. DS found the suitcase school to be an issue as well. It didn't add to the other issues he was having. He is the type who prefers a beer with a couple of buddies than a party scene. DS is in criminal justice, as is a neighbor who is at Stockton. We looked at NJ and PA state schools....PA was just about the same cost as NJ. At the time DS only wanted D3 schools....another decision he now regrets. Good luck with everything. We hoped DS had made the right choice but didn't. I have heard so many stories of kids transferring, it doesn't phase me anymore.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Actually, that was one of the issues with my DS.....partying. It isn't him and his 1 roommate brought vodka in Poland springs moving in day. He and the 3rd roommate were not only big drinkers, but big into parties and sitting out on "pot rock". DS was ostracized and was miserable early on. DS found the suitcase school to be an issue as well. It didn't add to the other issues he was having. He is the type who prefers a beer with a couple of buddies than a party scene. DS is in criminal justice, as is a neighbor who is at Stockton. We looked at NJ and PA state schools....PA was just about the same cost as NJ. At the time DS only wanted D3 schools....another decision he now regrets. Good luck with everything. We hoped DS had made the right choice but didn't. I have heard so many stories of kids transferring, it doesn't phase me anymore.

I'm worried about DD being ostracized as well. Her answer to these issues now is to just stay home and avoid the parties and friends when they're drinking, etc. How she'll manage that in college, I have no idea. She's also a little concerned with the suitcase aspect of it, but hopefully we'll buy her a used car so she can come home if she wants. I'm just going to trust that everything will work out, and if it doesn't then we'll deal with it when it happens. Unfortunately many of the schools we were looking at were either in NJ or had a huge NY/NJ population, so I'm not sure it would have been any different elsewhere.

Sending and for you and your son. And thank you for sharing your experiences with me.

 

[IDoDis]

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I'm worried about DD being ostracized as well. Her answer to these issues now is to just stay home and avoid the parties and friends when they're drinking, etc. How she'll manage that in college, I have no idea. She's also a little concerned with the suitcase aspect of it, but hopefully we'll buy her a used car so she can come home if she wants. I'm just going to trust that everything will work out, and if it doesn't then we'll deal with it when it happens. Unfortunately many of the schools we were looking at were either in NJ or had a huge NY/NJ population, so I'm not sure it would have been any different elsewhere.

Sending and for you and your son. And thank you for sharing your experiences with me.

I lived at home when I was in undergrad school, but I spent my last semester of my senior year studying at the University of London tied to a program called, "The London Semester." It was my only experience living in dorm-like conditions I shared a room with two other girls who I'd never met who were also in the program from other universities. One girl was from Stockton College!

Both of my roommates drank and entertained boys non-stop. I was ostracized because while I went out and had fun at times, I took school seriously and wanted to finish with good grades. So, many times I passed on the partying and was eventually out of their group. It was hurtful to me at the time, but nothing I lost sleep over. A lot of the kids including BOTH of my roommates did not end up graduating that spring upon their return to the states because they messed up so badly in London.

Is your DD going to live at home or live in the dorms? If she's in the dorms, hopefully she'll find a good match for a roommate.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

.

I lived at home when I was in undergrad school, but I spent my last semester of my senior year studying at the University of London tied to a program called, "The London Semester." It was my only experience living in dorm-like conditions I shared a room with two other girls who I'd never met who were also in the program from other universities. One girl was from Stockton College!

Both of my roommates drank and entertained boys non-stop. I was ostracized because while I went out and had fun at times, I took school seriously and wanted to finish with good grades. So, many times I passed on the partying and was eventually out of their group. It was hurtful to me at the time, but nothing I lost sleep over. A lot of the kids including BOTH of my roommates did not end up graduating that spring upon their return to the states because they messed up so badly in London.

Is your DD going to live at home or live in the dorms? If she's in the dorms, hopefully she'll find a good match for a roommate.

She'll be living in the dorms. We live about 2 hours from Stockton so there's no way she could commute. And she's really looking for the whole college experience. I worry, but I'm a mom, I always worry. I wanted her to look into Honors housing because they sent her an application to apply but she wants no part of it. She wants the whole, regular college experience. She also is thinking about pledging to a sorority. No like me at all in that regard. I guess she'll learn to adjust one way or the other. Worst case scenario she comes home and transfers schools, but I can't imagine she wouldn't have to deal with these types of situations anywhere. I just hope she doesn't get caught up in the party scene because it's easier to go along to get along.

 

[njmom47]

Purchased Senior portraits yesterday. $378.01. And that was just about the cheapest route I could go. (I mean, I could've done the basic pkg but I know he will want his sports pic and there's multiple sets of g-parents.) Dd#2's photos were under $200 and she was class of 2011.

 

[Gina]

DS logged into the Howdy Portal and got those magic words from A&M...

Application Status: WHOOP! You have been ADMITTED




Now he's just hoping the actual letter comes soon, so he can hold it in his hands.

 

[TLuvsD]

Yay! for Gina's S!

Love that: "Admitted" Enjoy the snail mail letter!

 

[Jeafl]

I know I am late to this party, but may I join in??

I came home the other day to find m daughter crying at the kitchen table. Long story short, we visited Purdue last week and she fell in love with it. She was pretty sure she would get admitted, or at least very hopeful. She got a 32 on her ACT, and her GPA is around a 4.2. She also took 4 years of engineering classes, all the math and science that she needed, and thought she was in good shape.

Well, a rep from Purdue came to her school so she went to talk with her. The rep told her that everything looked great EXCEPT she is short one year of social sciences. Instead of taking a third year of that she took an AP computer science class which she thought would benefit her more. The rep said absolutely no exceptions to the social science rule.

So now she is devastated. There is no room in her schedule, and it is too late anyway at this point. We are going to call Purdue on Monday and ask if they would accept a psychology class from the community college if she did it over the summer.

All her other college choices are distant second choices. I have no idea of what she is going to do if she can't go to Purdue. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

[TLuvsD]

See if she can take the social studies/college course online. There are a lot of college courses online, some have different start dates.

Utah online classes start date in January: http://www.schools.utah.gov/CURR/socialstudies/Home/On-Line-Course-Schedule.aspx

Ask about a CLEP course--she would have to self study and pass the test, but it should be doable.

Purdue transfer info (the community college class would be a transfer credit)
http://www.admissions.purdue.edu/transfercredit/

Good luck!

 

[camreesmom]

DS logged into the Howdy Portal and got those magic words from A&M... Application Status: WHOOP! You have been ADMITTED Now he's just hoping the actual letter comes soon, so he can hold it in his hands.

WHOOP!!! That is AWESOME!!! That has to be a great feeling. Congrats!

 

[IDoDis]

I know I am late to this party, but may I join in??

I came home the other day to find m daughter crying at the kitchen table. Long story short, we visited Purdue last week and she fell in love with it. She was pretty sure she would get admitted, or at least very hopeful. She got a 32 on her ACT, and her GPA is around a 4.2. She also took 4 years of engineering classes, all the math and science that she needed, and thought she was in good shape.

Well, a rep from Purdue came to her school so she went to talk with her. The rep told her that everything looked great EXCEPT she is short one year of social sciences. Instead of taking a third year of that she took an AP computer science class which she thought would benefit her more. The rep said absolutely no exceptions to the social science rule.

So now she is devastated. There is no room in her schedule, and it is too late anyway at this point. We are going to call Purdue on Monday and ask if they would accept a psychology class from the community college if she did it over the summer.

All her other college choices are distant second choices. I have no idea of what she is going to do if she can't go to Purdue. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Awww, I hope things work out. What about taking a dual-enrollment social sciences class in the spring at your local university and transferring the credit? Or would that make her app too late as far as scholarships go? Worst case scenario is she does a semester at a different school, gets that class taken care of and then transfers. Would that work?

 

[JeannieNM]

A lot has gone on for everyone this last week. Things here have been busy busy.

DD has a learning difference (LD) so it takes her 5 days to take the ACTs, so finally it is done. In the middle of the ACTs she had a two day Physics (AP level) exam. She studied more for that exam then any other test she has ever taken. She had an A going into the exam but it is doubtful she will when she gets it back. She does not test well and his tests are very tricky according to my husband who has his undergrad degree in physics. He gets really annoyed because he does not think that is necessary in high school and feels it turns a lot of kids away from science. He thinks there should be one or two tricky questions but not every question. Oh well, it is good for us to learn to let go which for me is nearly impossible. Life is not fair why should we expect school to be? Ok, easier said then done, actually this is the first time I have tried to embrace this attitude. Maybe I can send DH to see the teacher.

Like Gina and PrincessKmom' kids our DD is really enjoying senior year. It is ironic as she hated junior year and could not wait to be done with school. Now she is embracing all the social aspects with a level of sentimentality that is new to her. She dressed up everyday for spirit week, planning outfits with friends, going to as many games as she could squeeze in. Attending homecoming with 5 other couples. Then partying to all hours afterwards. She even commented on, how can she leave our beautiful home, the view and the animals. Until now she could not wait to get out of dodge.

Senior photos went well but we were rained out of our last location so we have to reschedule that one but it is easier said then done with DDs schedule. Tomorrow the photographer generously offered to come to DDs dance studio to take a photo she needs for her audition next weekend. Her teacher is going to make sure she is positioned well. This school is a safety for academics for dd but is a top tier dance program with barely a 10% admit rate so we shall see how it works out. Last night when we were taking homecoming photos our friends said their daughter also applied to this school, but is not applying to a performing arts so it was so simple. DD has to do an additional app for the dance program as well as resume, photo, and audition. oh well it will be a fun weekend away.

IDODIS- how is the psych class issue going? Any updates?

I hope everyone has a good week.

 

[madge]

if your student took the ACT (without writing) last Saturday ... there's a site where you can check the score early, if the ACT site shows the student as tested, not registered.

www.earlyactscore.com

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busy week here. end of the first 9 weeks, several projects and such due before fall break begins.

 

[Gina]

WHOOP!!! That is AWESOME!!! That has to be a great feeling. Congrats!

Yay! for Gina's S!
Love that: "Admitted" Enjoy the snail mail letter!

Thanks!! He got his "Congratulations and Howdy!" letter on Saturday -- He is one happy Aggie.

Now it's just a matter of stressing out about scholarships and finaid, and casing which banks we want to knock over, lol. I have to believe it'll all work out, somehow. Aside from that, all there is to do is convince him that he needs to head to college with more than a toothbrush and a change of underwear!

 

[elgerber]

Thanks!! He got his "Congratulations and Howdy!" letter on Saturday -- He is one happy Aggie.

Now it's just a matter of stressing out about scholarships and finaid, and casing which banks we want to knock over, lol. I have to believe it'll all work out, somehow. Aside from that, all there is to do is convince him that he needs to head to college with more than a toothbrush and a change of underwear!

congrats to him!!! Did the send anything fun with the letter? My dd got a window decal with hers (which I keep forgetting to put on her car).

Sorry to everyone else who is stressing!!!! I am still stressing the two AP classes, but the Econ class is back to 100%.
I hope she is enjoying her senior year, for some reason she didn't go the homecoming dance after the game, like she was planning to. She said nothing was wrong, and then said she didn't have any cash to get in. Then I went to bed worrying about her and something upsetting her, UGH, I worry to much about everything.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I submitted the senior ad for DS17 that I had to pay for last spring. The due date is tomorrow so I couldn't put it off any longer. I put in a picture of him as a 3 year old as well as a casual shot from his graduation pics. Then I had to write something. That was hard and the reason why I kept putting it off.

My DS17 has finally started to jump on the college bandwagon too.

He had a meeting with his High School Counselor last week and even asked me to take him to the High School tonight for their College Fair. Over 100 colleges are there with their information and many of them had a student or two along with the admissions person which was great.

He decided on 4 colleges he wanted to talk to so he did. It was interesting watching him ask questions and find out what was important to him because in the past he didn't take the lead. This time I told him I was just the chauffeur so he needed to ask the questions.

Next up he has to coordinate the open houses of the 4 colleges and make the appointments.
And he has his 2nd SAT testing coming up this Saturday.

Yay for him finally getting interested and involved!

On the minus side he totally messed up his latest AP Environmental Science test. He completely flunked it which tanked his grade for the class. Ugh. Senioritis is kicking in.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Odd. This posted twice.