The Next Three Days....

[ugadog99]

The next three days could be three of the happiest or three of the saddest days for my older daughter and me. She is a senior this year and has such high goals set for herself post high school. Her number one pick for college is Oxford College/Emory University. I'm just an elementary school teacher with one income for all three of us. There is no way I can afford that school without some MAJOR financial assitance. (Please no debating here.) Today, SAT scores for the October 4th session are released. Tomorrow, Questbridge finalists are announced. (Anyone familiar with Questbridge?) Saturday, she takes ACT for the first time. While we are excited with anticipation, I'm literally sick at my stomach just thinking about the possibilities. I have no idea why I am even posting this. Perhaps just writing it all down might keep calm for a few minutes. To other parents of seniors, I wish you all the best as you go through this exciting but extremely stressful time.

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

I hope it all goes well for your daughter!

Hang in there, it's only three days...they'll come and pass.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

 

[allison443]

Good luck to your dd!! I think she is smart to take both the SAT and the ACT!!

(unsolicited advice-the best advice we got was to please help her pick a financial/admission safety that she will be happy attending if everything else doesn't work out. It just gives a little peace of mind during this very stressful process!)

 

[John Smith1]

First of all there is no such thing as JUST an elementary school teacher.

You have a child who aspires for the best and has a mother who is on her side. She's beat all the odds. She's blessed no matter what happens. You both are already winners!

Go Neighbor!

 

[ugadog99]

Thank you all. We do have a safety school. It's Kennesaw State, and she will be fine if that is where we end up going. We also have Berry College as a possible safety. Even though it is still a private school, Berry was founded on the work-study program. They dilligently work to provide ways for qualified students to attend. She has visited Berry and loves it. So, I guess we actually have two safety schools. She loves Oglethorpe, and we were told virtually the same thing as Berry: "We'll find a way to make it work." Oxford/Emory is just a super special dream of hers related to events from the past, as well as her volunteering at CHOA.

John Smith, thank you so much for the comment about elementary teachers. It is much appreciated and....hi neighbor.

 

[ChrizJen]

First of all there is no such thing as JUST an elementary school teacher.

You have a child who aspires for the best and has a mother who is on her side. She's beat all the odds. She's blessed no matter what happens. You both are already winners!

Go Neighbor!

Couldn't have said it better myself!!

OP, good luck during this stressful time!
Maybe the 2 of you can do something relaxing and fun Saturday after she's finished with the ACT!

 

[ead79]

I remember those days--they were stressful indeed! I have a friend who went to Oxford for 2 years, then on to Emory to finish his degree. He did outstandingly well! Also, I've heard great things about Berry, so it's good that she's got a backup school she really likes as well. Maybe y'all could get pedicures or something pampering after she finishes the ACT. Sounds like you've got a great kid there (I wonder where she gets that from )!

 

[Live4FW]

Hey there,

We just got my son's SAT scores this AM and we are now in the "plan of attack" mode as they were OK but not where we wanted them to be.

He is a juinor and his choice is UGA but he is also looking at Emory/Auburn/UF.

Just tell her as I told him this morning, "now we know one more piece of the puzzle and we can work on it to get it where we need it to be".

Best of Luck!

Our fallback is KSU also.

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks, y'all. Scores are in now. They aren't as high as we were hoping, but they are better than last March. She should do much better on ACT. As an educator, I really don't like standardized testing. Some students test very well but perform poorly in classes. Some students do not test well but are stellar students. Then, there are those where the test scores accurately reflect the student. Oh well...we will just have to wait and see what happens next. Unfortunately, the ACT scores will not be used for the Questbridge finalists.

 

[Charade]

Best of luck!!

 

[SadieDog]

Good luck. My daughter is also a Senior but is looking to go to a state university. I'll do what I can, but she is prepared to take out student loans. It's a stressful yet exciting time.

 

[ugadog99]

Good luck. My daughter is also a Senior but is looking to go to a state university. I'll do what I can, but she is prepared to take out student loans. It's a stressful yet exciting time.

You are so correct. It is a very stressful time, but it is also very exciting.

Live4FW, she has always been a DAWG, but she actually took UGA off her list. I think it's just too big for her. However, she'll always "bleed red and black" and have the barking down perfectly.

 

[manning]

Thanks, y'all. Scores are in now. They aren't as high as we were hoping, but they are better than last March. She should do much better on ACT. As an educator, I really don't like standardized testing. Some students test very well but perform poorly in classes. Some students do not test well but are stellar students. Then, there are those where the test scores accurately reflect the student. Oh well...we will just have to wait and see what happens next. Unfortunately, the ACT scores will not be used for the Questbridge finalists.

I drove my teachers crazy. I would coast and do so so in the classroom (refused to apply myself) but score high on tests.

 

[ugadog99]

Well, she was very pleased with her scores. So, that makes me quite happy. When we compared her scores with the ranges and averages of all her schools, she is right on par with all but Emory. She is just slightly out of the average range. Yet, when I got home this evening there was an email from Emory "iniviting" her to submit an ED application. That is the first one from Emory we have received, so things may be looking up. She also surprised me when she said she will be fine tomorrow if she ends up NOT being a finalist for Questbridge. That thrills me because now the pressure is off of both of us. I had been very worried that she would just fall apart tomorrow evening if she didn't make finalist status.
She also said that if she ended up at her second choice school that she would be fine because she and a very close classmate could room together.
I guess all in all day one of three didn't go quite as poorly as I anticipated. Ready for day two now....

Thanks everyone for listening. It certainly makes me feel better anyway.

 

[js]

for you and to your dd.
This must be a very stressful time for you and your family.
My daughter is in a college prep private HS and is in 9th grade.
We received word today that next week Notre Dame will be at her school next week and we should all try to attend, even though we are 9th grade parents.

My dd's college advisor informed me today what she should begin doing to set up her college resume and informed me that the summer after 10th grade we should begin looking at schools. Last year was stressful enough for us preparing her for the test to get into her current school (she also recieved a small scholarship) and her keeping up her grades and standardized testing for years, and I honestly thought I would have a couple of years to have to stress again about school. She will work on the volunteer and lab work her advisor suggested (I work in a private college and can get her in a lab next summer for research) but I think we all need a break before thinking about college. Would you suggest a break too?

I do know that it is good your dd took the ACT. If a college thinks that the SAT wasn't as high as they wanted for that particular child, they will also look at the ACT. Enjoy this fun yet stressful time. This time next year, you will be looking forward to her coming home for Thanksgiving
Keep us posted.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

The next three days could be three of the happiest or three of the saddest days for my older daughter and me. She is a senior this year and has such high goals set for herself post high school. Her number one pick for college is Oxford College/Emory University. I'm just an elementary school teacher with one income for all three of us. There is no way I can afford that school without some MAJOR financial assitance. (Please no debating here.) Today, SAT scores for the October 4th session are released. Tomorrow, Questbridge finalists are announced. (Anyone familiar with Questbridge?) Saturday, she takes ACT for the first time. While we are excited with anticipation, I'm literally sick at my stomach just thinking about the possibilities. I have no idea why I am even posting this. Perhaps just writing it all down might keep calm for a few minutes. To other parents of seniors, I wish you all the best as you go through this exciting but extremely stressful time.

Good luck to your daughter!!!

Here's the good news, mom. Emory will meet her demonstrated financial need. If she can get in, she should be able to go.

 

[ugadog99]

Good luck to your daughter!!!

Here's the good news, mom. Emory will meet her demonstrated financial need. If she can get in, she should be able to go.

Yes, and that's what we are holding on to for dear life! Today begins the 2nd day of high nerves and stress. We won't know about Questbridge until 5:00pm today. Wow....they like to drag it all out, don't they???

 

[ugadog99]

Good luck to your daughter!!!

Here's the good news, mom. Emory will meet her demonstrated financial need. If she can get in, she should be able to go.

Yes, and that's what we are holding on to for dear life! Today begins the 2nd day of high nerves and stress. We won't know about Questbridge until 5:00pm today. Wow....they like to drag it all out, don't they???