Parents of the High School Class of 2017/College 2021

[punkin]

Currently my niece has 9. Three reaches, three matches and three safeties. I think that's enough, but she's still thinking about one more school to put on. She wants to leave the state, but I am really worried about affordability. My DD is in her first year of college, so I need to be able to afford both schools. For at least 3 years.

 

[mommykds]

That's very interesting about The Univ of Chicago. That's on my ds's list. Thanks.

 

[robinb]

My DD told me last night that she doesn't want to move too far from home and her friends. That limits things for her.

 

[aprilgail]

I'm not sure, but DD17 is getting tons of mail and email saying she can apply for free. Her ACT score was good, but not super high, so I don't know what the qualifications are to apply for free. We did one for practice, one of my alma maters, so it would be nice if she could go. We won't apply to any that aren't ones she would truly consider.

We'll apply to more after she gets her 9/10 ACT score.

My daughter and her friend are getting the same mail from college saying they can apply for free- My daughter has a 31 on the ACT and her friend has a 21 on it- so I don't think they are picking certain kids to send it to, I think they just send to them all.
My daughter is applying to about 11 colleges, No clue where she will end up, it depends on who offers what. If she gets in early decision though then she obviously can't apply to any other colleges.

 

[debster812]

She's supposed to select them based on her time and academics and she's to include the coach's contract information. This is something I have been trying to get her to sit down and do but I think the whole process has been pretty overwhelming for her, especially when sometimes she says she doesn't want to swim.

If a parent with a 2015 graduate can weigh in.....DS is soccer player. Played since he was 5, played on a highly competitive team since he was 12. He chose his college solely on academics and what he thought he wanted in a college. This school is also a D1 soccer program, and the flagship state university to the state next to ours. DS had been in contact with the coach, attended and ID clinic, and an ID camp, and was invited to try out as a walk on. In the end, he did not make that team, and it did not surprise us, as he is not at that level. He also realized that what he thought he wanted in a college, is not what he got.

He has since transferred to a smaller, in-state university, attended pre-season, tried out for, and made the soccer team (this is a D3 program). He is much happier in the smaller environment, he is doing better in his classes, with the smaller class size, and he is thrilled to be back on the soccer field.

The point of all this, is to encourage her to try and find a school that she'd really be happy with, with or without swimming, as she may not think she wants to do it, but if she's anything like DS, if she chooses not to swim, she may miss it more than she thought. I think it's easier to try it, and stop after the 1st year, than to NOT swim, and wonder 'what if?'

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

My son will graduate in 2017. My question is how many colleges is the average for a student to apply to? His scores/gpa are excellent and he has lots of choices ahead of him. I wasn't sure how many is too many? Thank you.

It's really fact specific. I think the more selective the schools you want, the more you need to apply to. Also the more reaching you want to do, the more you're going to need to apply to. Also the major might dictate some of your applications. Some schools may be awesome, but lacking in his major. Others may not even have it at all depending upon what it is. There are some majors in newer fields that will end up eliminating a lot of schools. If he's visited some already and has an idea of what he wants and has a realistic assessment of which he can get into, and just as importantly, how much scholarship or aid money is he going to realistically get, fewer will need be applied to. The further he is away from that, the more he's probably going to need to apply.

Two reaches, maybe a safety school or two and however many he wants that are in his wheelhouse are probably enough. The important thing is to be realistic. You can have a perfect transcript and perfect scores and not get into Harvard. So even if you do have a perfect transcript, you have to apply to some schools beneath that level of selectivity.

Just for a real world example though, my son ended up actually applying to very few schools. He did not end up applying to several at which he was looking. Many didn't have one of the majors he wanted or were not appropriate for him for the other. We had a scholarship offer come in from the first school he applied to very early, before his auditions even. So that I must admit probably caused him just to apply to the schools he really wanted. I think he ended up applying for just four, one public, three private.

 

[robinb]

If a parent with a 2015 graduate can weigh in.....DS is soccer player. Played since he was 5, played on a highly competitive team since he was 12. He chose his college solely on academics and what he thought he wanted in a college. This school is also a D1 soccer program, and the flagship state university to the state next to ours. DS had been in contact with the coach, attended and ID clinic, and an ID camp, and was invited to try out as a walk on. In the end, he did not make that team, and it did not surprise us, as he is not at that level. He also realized that what he thought he wanted in a college, is not what he got.

He has since transferred to a smaller, in-state university, attended pre-season, tried out for, and made the soccer team (this is a D3 program). He is much happier in the smaller environment, he is doing better in his classes, with the smaller class size, and he is thrilled to be back on the soccer field.

The point of all this, is to encourage her to try and find a school that she'd really be happy with, with or without swimming, as she may not think she wants to do it, but if she's anything like DS, if she chooses not to swim, she may miss it more than she thought. I think it's easier to try it, and stop after the 1st year, than to NOT swim, and wonder 'what if?'

Right now she really wants to go to one of two flagship state schools and says that she won't swim. I have no idea why she wants a super big school except she grew up with the University of Wisconsin campus 2 miles away and that's what she thinks is a "college". Plus, her boyfriend is a freshman at the UW. As for swimming, the UW has a tiny team and there is no room for someone who isn't a superstar that can score conference points in multiple events. The other one, the University of Minnesota, might have room for a walk-on but she needs to still drop a lot of time to get there. She's also looking at a couple D2 and D3 schools where she could swim but she is starting to think that she won't have time to swim and do her school work.

I don't want her to "settle" for something she's not happy with and if she wants to go to the University of Minnesota, that's OK with me. She would apply to the smaller colleges within the university, although still on the main Minneapolis campus. It's really her choice and her journey. I want to show her some other options so she has choices.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Right now she really wants to go to one of two flagship state schools and says that she won't swim. I have no idea why she wants a super big school except she grew up with the University of Wisconsin campus 2 miles away and that's what she thinks is a "college". Plus, her boyfriend is a freshman at the UW. As for swimming, the UW has a tiny team and there is no room for someone who isn't a superstar that can score conference points in multiple events. The other one, the University of Minnesota, might have room for a walk-on but she needs to still drop a lot of time to get there. She's also looking at a couple D2 and D3 schools where she could swim but she is starting to think that she won't have time to swim and do her school work.

I don't want her to "settle" for something she's not happy with and if she wants to go to the University of Minnesota, that's OK with me. She would apply to the smaller colleges within the university, although still on the main Minneapolis campus. It's really her choice and her journey. I want to show her some other options so she has choices.

D3 might be a good option for her if she chooses to swim. I've come to see it as the best of both worlds. But I agree with Debster, she should be happy at the school even without swimming, because anything can happen. It might be nice, and sort of complete the package, though, if the school she chooses does have swimming, where it's been such a big part of her life for so long.

My DS chose D3 athletics, also, for several reasons. It's a good fit for him. He had his first practice yesterday, but more importantly, he seems to love the school! It's been a big adjustment so far, but in a good way. I think in a lot of ways, his sport has been a stabilizing factor in his life. It's what he knows, loves, and strives for, even if he's with all new people now, so I can already see that carrying over into his college experience. Many I've talked to who've participated in college athletics say it was a really great experience, even if it's tough. They can always choose to stop if it gets to be too much, but otoh, for someone who's missing it and doesn't have an option for it, that might hard, also. Lots to consider.

http://therecruitingcode.com/is-ncaa-division-3-a-good-option-athletically/

http://therecruitingcode.com/what-is-ncaa-division-3/

"Division 3 athletics are not full of mediocre players. The players are very good and the competition is great. Division 3 athletes come from great club teams. Often they were the best players on their club and high school teams. You will be surprised if you believe that you can succeed at the Division 3 level with little work or talent. The players you typically find at Division 3 are players who excelled during the high school years. They are dedicated athletes who understand that they are at college to first and foremost get a great education. In Division 3 programs there are many athletes who could have gone Division 1, but decided to go to a small campus and maintain a focus on their education."

 

[PlutoPony]

My DD told me last night that she doesn't want to move too far from home and her friends. That limits things for her.

I'm a couple years removed from college decision time, but having gone through it I can tell you we knew a LOT of kids whose initial list of schools included quite a few that were geographically distant. They were all excited to go away to school. But as decision time got closer, most of them decided that when push came to shove they really were fine staying close to home (and they had really good academic options, they weren't settling by staying in state). Don't be surprised if you get mixed signals from her for a while, senior year is quite a roller coaster for kids as the future becomes more "real" to them.

Some majors are really tough to combine with sports, no matter what the coaches say. The kids who were in science based majors especially had trouble balancing because it was tough to fit their classes into the time they had available (i.e.non practice time)....labs are difficult because they are typically a large block of time. The good news is athletes usually get first chance at scheduling but even with that it can be tough with certain majors.

 

[laughinplace199]

DD will probably apply to 9 schools, with a good balance of reaches, possibles, and likelies and none of them more than a 4 hr drive from home. She's currently on her school's crew team, but not sure if she want to do that in college. She knows college will be a big adjustment and she's not sure she wants to add a big time commitment right away.

 

[mamacatnv]

I will second CU Boulder for astrophysics. They have one of the highest rates of astronaut alumni of any university.

Their guaranteed merit scholarships are decent and range from $10,000 to $25,000 depending on your ACT/SAT scores. They also started a new program this semester where the tuition you start with as a freshman is your tuition for the next 4 years. It will never go up.

I have a sophomore in Aerospce Engineering there so PM me if you have questions.

Thank you for that information I will pass it along to DD. Is this information published on their website? I need to go look at the merit stuff based on her current test scores.
Also, do you know if the merit scholarships is extended to out of state students? I was just reading some of their offerings and they all said Colorado Residents. Hold that thought, just found the out of state tabs. Thank you for the tip!

Currently she has a REACH UC Berkeley, Matches Univ San Francisco (stupid IMO) and Univ TX Austin, Safety Texas State, Unclear Univ. Minnesota Twin Cities and Amherst.
I've not done the research to know if these are reaches, matches etc. I do know that UC Berkley is a BIG stretch, the rest she has the "criteria" for just not sure how admissions will really play out.

 

[AustinTink]

Currently she has a REACH UC Berkley

That is my son's reach school also. Major reach, but he still wants to give it a try.

On a side note, did you make that mum in your profile pic?? The lady that has made or mums in the past is out of business. I am not crafty in the least and dread the thought of making one.

 

[mamacatnv]

That is my son's reach school also. Major reach, but he still wants to give it a try.

On a side note, did you make that mum in your profile pic?? The lady that has made or mums in the past is out of business. I am not crafty in the least and dread the thought of making one.

DD and two of her "nerd herd" friends are all applying to Berkeley, one might have a chance as he is #2 in the class and his Dad and Grandfather are both alumni, the other two including my DD.....well snowballs and hot places come to mind

I read an interesting article a few weeks back about how Berkeley got spanked by the state of California following a 2014/2015 audit for having too many out of state kids (more revenue) and so they have raised their out of state criteria even higher to accommodate more in-state students which makes it that much more of a reach.

The mum, LOL, we were new to Texas, this whole mum craze took us by complete surprise and I had this one made for DD her freshman year by a local lady (Stephanie's Mums), it was Dr. Who and SuperNatural themed, her passions at that time.
I just pulled up her website and it says they are closed for the 2016 season or I would send you the link (Did you use Stephanie's Mum's?). DD has not wanted one since so I was off the hook and her social group has not really paired off into couples so no mums. Today is homecoming, I saw tons of mums heading towards the high school this morning. HEB sells them for the various schools! You could buy the HEB basic model and then hit Michael's for a few personalized items, braids etc, glue them on and be done!

 

[AustinTink]

DD and two of her "nerd herd" friends are all applying to Berkeley, one might have a chance as he is #2 in the class and his Dad and Grandfather are both alumni, the other two including my DD.....well snowballs and hot places come to mind

I read an interesting article a few weeks back about how Berkeley got spanked by the state of California following a 2014/2015 audit for having too many out of state kids (more revenue) and so they have raised their out of state criteria even higher to accommodate more in-state students which makes it that much more of a reach.

The mum LOL we were new to Texas, this whole mum craze took us by complete surprise and I had this one made for DD her freshman year by a local lady (Stephanie's Mums), it was Dr. Who and SuperNatural themed, her passions at that time.
I just pulled up her website and it says they are closed for the 2016 season or I would send you the link (Did you use Stephanie's Mum's?). DD has not wanted one since so I was off the hook and her social group has not really paired off into couples so no mums. Today is homecoming, I saw tons of mums heading towards the high school this morning. HEB sells them for the various schools! You could buy the HEB basic model and then hit Michael's for a few personalized items, braids etc, glue them on and be done!

I read that same article about Berkeley. Of course the state would buckle down right before our kids apply! He knows his chances are are slim to none, but he still wants to try. He is applying to three other school in the UC system, so the application won't be a total waste of time.

Mums... we used Stephanie's Mums also! Can't believe she's shut down for the season. I'm in a panic. I've been to two HEB's already and neither of them do mums anymore. I don't even own a glue gun. This is not good...

 

[robinb]

I read that same article about Berkeley. Of course the state would buckle down right before our kids apply! He knows his chances are are slim to none, but he still wants to try. He is applying to three other school in the UC system, so the application won't be a total waste of time.

Do you know anything about San Jose State University and out of state students? My back of the envelope calculation tells me that she has the Eligibility Index to get into the Kinesiology program. I found them while looking at schools where my DD might swim earlier this week (before she told me she wanted to stick close to home) and I thought their kinesiology department was an awesome fit for her academically too. It's still on my back burner since I think she would really like it there.

 

[mamacatnv]

Do you know anything about San Jose State University and out of state students? My back of the envelope calculation tells me that she has the Eligibility Index to get into the Kinesiology program. I found them while looking at schools where my DD might swim earlier this week (before she told me she wanted to stick close to home) and I thought their kinesiology department was an awesome fit for her academically too. It's still on my back burner since I think she would really like it there.

My Dad and Sister-in-law are SJSU alumns! The article I read was directed at Berkeley, no mention that I recall of other schools in the state however, I am from that part of California and have had several friends whose kids had housing issues at SJSU along with several of the UC schools in the state, San Diego is one of the worst. My SIL was telling me that the UC systems are now considered 5 year schools. (She is a high school teacher in San Jose, CA). Not sure if you have looked but when DS was looking at colleges in 2007/2008 he looked at Humboldt State in N. Calif for their kinesiology as he wanted to be a Physical Therapist. He is now a PT but his undergrad was from the Univ. of Nevada Reno where he earned a BS in Community Health Sciences, he then went on to a graduate P.T. School, Univ. of St. Augustine. He passed his boards this past January and is now an official grown up

 

[mamacatnv]

I read that same article about Berkeley. Of course the state would buckle down right before our kids apply! He knows his chances are are slim to none, but he still wants to try. He is applying to three other school in the UC system, so the application won't be a total waste of time.

Mums... we used Stephanie's Mums also! Can't believe she's shut down for the season. I'm in a panic. I've been to two HEB's already and neither of them do mums anymore. I don't even own a glue gun. This is not good...

Small world! Have you checked out Michaels? I know in years past I've seen mum kits. What about other Mom's at your school, anyone who can help? What about calling the floral shops, maybe they will have a resource?

What other UC schools is he applying too? Since I grew up in N. Calif and then lived in Reno, NV for 20 years, I have a ton of friends whose kids are looking at UC schools. DD toured UC Santa Cruz but the size of the campus completely intimidated her. The biggest issue I hear is the inability to get out in 4 years and housing issues.

 

[robinb]

My Dad and Sister-in-law are SJSU alumns! The article I read was directed at Berkeley, no mention that I recall of other schools in the state however, I am from that part of California and have had several friends whose kids had housing issues at SJSU along with several of the UC schools in the state, San Diego is one of the worst. My SIL was telling me that the UC systems are now considered 5 year schools. (She is a high school teacher in San Jose, CA).

Housing is my #1 fear in San Jose. I could easily pay more for housing than I would for tuition. How are they considered a 5 year schools? Are their graduation requirements harder?

Not sure if you have looked but when DS was looking at colleges in 2007/2008 he looked at Humboldt State in N. Calif for their kinesiology as he wanted to be a Physical Therapist. He is now a PT but his undergrad was from the Univ. of Nevada Reno where he earned a BS in Community Health Sciences, he then went on to a graduate P.T. School, Univ. of St. Augustine. He passed his boards this past January and is now an official grown up

That's awesome! My DD also wants to be a PT. UNLV was also on my "long list" and I'll look at Reno too but like I said upthread my DD just told me this week she wants to stick closer to home.

 

[AustinTink]

Do you know anything about San Jose State University and out of state students? My back of the envelope calculation tells me that she has the Eligibility Index to get into the Kinesiology program. I found them while looking at schools where my DD might swim earlier this week (before she told me she wanted to stick close to home) and I thought their kinesiology department was an awesome fit for her academically too. It's still on my back burner since I think she would really like it there.

I don't. What I have read is directed mostly at Berkeley, but also extends to some of the other UC system schools like UCLA, etc.

 

[AustinTink]

Small world! Have you checked out Michaels? I know in years past I've seen mum kits. What about other Mom's at your school, anyone who can help? What about calling the floral shops, maybe they will have a resource?

What other UC schools is he applying too? Since I grew up in N. Calif and then lived in Reno, NV for 20 years, I have a ton of friends whose kids are looking at UC schools. DD toured UC Santa Cruz but the size of the campus completely intimidated her. The biggest issue I hear is the inability to get out in 4 years and housing issues.

Michaels wants $100 plus to put one together! I'm heading to Hobby Lobby, apparently they have ribbon specific to our tiny school, which is hard to find.

My kid is applying to Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UCSB so far. He might add Davis. Those are the only ones we are familiar with as of now. His principal told him to consider UC Davis as well.