Only one of them had taken World Lit first. We love Dr. Bruce's lit courses and we feel he is an excellent teacher. After two years of his courses both girls SAT reading scores went up by 130 points. Of course, that could have been due to maturation also. The reading amount in Western Lit is intense. It is something like 200-300 pages most weeks. Because of that, I scheduled a somewhat easier history year during 9th grade (the same year they took Western Lit). They also took a Write Guide writing course, which we all felt was a waste of time and money. It could have been just their instructor, but she was no help at all. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Staci

I incorporated the units as we covered that period in the Notgrass book. After a while the logic/critical thinking material repeats itself, although the content/plot changes. I found much of the material interesting in rounding out our US history studies. I also used You Decide! (supreme court cases) that year. Eventually my daughter got sick of the same logic skills. We never made it to book 4 and stopped somewhere in book 3. Staci

The tests are quite different from each other. While the ACT is achievement based and theoretically should be easier, the time pressure on that test is intense. The SAT is more aptitude oriented, and more easily studied for through "here's the trick" programs. One should be quite familiar with how to quickly understand these questions. Too much practice testing will never be a problem. How about 20 min. each day for 3 months before each exam? All that said, and despite taking the SAT every year since 7th grade, both my dds scored noticeably higher on the ACT. Go figure. Staci

in conjunction with Mosdos Gold. Mosdos has an impressive poetry section (it's about half of the book), and also allows you to study literary devices little by little. They build upon each other in a way to really help you "see" theme by the end. I do think that Teaching the Classics brought it all together in a more grown up way though. Staci

The thing is, it really varies from college to college. They all say to take the most challenging courses available in areas that interest you. And certainly college level courses help an applicant to look better when applying. My daughter's experience so far has been that her AP classes were more difficult and demanding than her university classes (taken as a high schooler). The particular university at which she takes classes is quite middling and the student body reflects that. AP classes tend to be populated by ambitious over-achievers who love to participate and truly learn. Also, credit transfers vary considerably. For example, Kenyon lets you transfer credit but you still must take 8 semesters of full-time classes on their campus. So maybe you can graduate with a double major, but not necessarily any sooner. Rhodes College won't accept any other college's science classes. Denison is very much like Washington & Lee where you can receive credits, but not use them to fulfill your major or general education requirements. Each private school is quite particular about accepting transfer credits from freshman. So, in answer to your original query regarding, "Can they be prepared for upper level work," I say it likely depends on the course and the child's aptitude for the material. This quite likely applies to both first year university and AP level courses, because, they are supposed to be the same thing. HTH, Staci

In case anyone is still anxious. Staci

The test is difficult mainly because it requires so much memorization. It is less concept laden than physics for example. Last year my 9th grader took a class (that used Campbell), while simultaneously studying intensely herself using AP prep books and Sparknote cards. She had only had a life science course in 7th grade, and a fast-paced summer chem course through CTY. She did score a 5, but she is a dedicated kid who is able to remember a multitude of information after seeing it only once or twice. I heartily agree with the last poster who said that it depends on your kid. My 13 year old son, for example, can't even remember 10 spelling words at one time! Staci

My kids do what Kareni's have done - they take some AP classes, and some University classes. This to prove that they can do tough college work, and that they can get along well in a classroom environment. They plan to obtain teacher recs from both areas. The University is an average 4 year private school. Their SAT 50th percentile is about 1100. Without exception, all of the AP classes have been more difficult, required more reading, writing, and interpreting of data, than the University classes. We have done sciences, languages, and math courses in both places. Additionally, keep in mind that although 95% of the colleges in the US will give you credit for AP work (sometimes the score needs to be a 5), many selective universities will not transfer credit in sciences or languages. This is because they view their proprietary courses as a better foundation for future levels of learning. So, although a 5 on AP Spanish may place you out of a language requirement altogether, Spanish 101 and 102 will almost never exempt you from the same. If you have any idea where your dc are interested in attending, I would seek information directly from them. If you plan on selective schools or intend on striving for merit money, you want to make your dc look as attractive as possible. That means amassing as many credentials as you can to prove that they can function successfully in any environment. Good luck! Staci

God has blessed you with four gifted and special children. This is just one of those ways in which the youngest is special. I'm glad to hear that she's getting the hang of it already. Keep us posted and bless you all. Staci

Percytruffle, I went to Cornell in the 80s. Here are my thoughts: Pros: It's relatively easy to get in; certainly the easiest of the Ivies The complex is huge and amazing; they offer everything. I took wine tasting, labor relations studies, microbiology, entomology... The campus truly is stunning, as is the surrounding area. Cayuga Lake, Buttermilk Falls, Slide Rock Park, all are great places to laze around on a sunny, warmish day. However, we used to hike when these places were covered in snow and ice too. Greek Peak (smallish ski resort) is only an hour away. Between Collegetown and Ithaca Commons, there is always a great place to hang out. Eateries, coffee houses, and even some shopping are easy to find and enjoy. The on-campus Statler Hotel, completely run by the kids in the hotel school, is superb. Everyone should eat there at least once. There is always something going on. Everyone can find their place: lectures, big name concerts, frat parties, walking through nut farms, orchards, almost anything you can think of is available. Cons: As the President said when we first arrived, "Cornell has two seasons - winter and August." It's somewhat true. Although not terribly difficult to be accepted, it is difficult to stay in. My biology 101 class had 800 kids and was purposely curved to a C. They need kids to drop out. Your can hear the professor during lecture, but you will almost never meet him (only TAs). I don't think I ever met with or even knew I had an advisor. Frats and sororities play a big role as there isn't enough housing for everyone (I suppose this doesn't have to be a con). There are so many distribution choices, and no core curriculum, so that you can graduate and never read Shakespeare, take History, learn about our Constitution, or write an English paper. It is incredibly PC and was even when I was there. There are private housing choices offered for all sorts of "groups," none of which did I belong to. In short, I am glad I went but I would never send my kids there. It is too large and impersonal and easy to remain anonymous. Staci

I think you said your ds wanted to major in econ (I could be wrong). U. Chicago has produced most of our country's greatest economists. Their faculty is top-notch. I think that should win if he is after the greatest intellectual economists. However, I don't know anything about their scholarships. Staci

The College of Agriculture is one of the state funded colleges and of particular interest to you lucky ones who live in NY. Biology majors can attend the Ag School or Arts and Sciences, but the price would double for her to attend the private side. The campus is gorges (sic) as anyone who has been to Ithaca well knows. Cornell also accepts a plethora of transfers so I recommend your dd go for it!

The US State Dept. offers many youth exchanges to promote learning of certain foreign languages and cultures. Arabic is one of the languages for which there are offerings every summer. I have heard (second hand) that it is high quality and that you really learn. You can learn more about it here: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/students/programs/nsli.htm Staci

Gwen, Congratulations!!! I am so very happy for you and ds. I know you worked very hard and long to make this happen. Your son is a wonderful teen and he'll do well wherever he ultimately goes. Is he somewhat wary of the "heavy fraternity" scene? I think a large percentage of the kids at W&L join frats. Sometimes they have lots of parties and too many kids drink way too much. Maybe the thought of that isn't appealing? Of course, your dd would know for certain if that was the case. W&L is viewed from the outside as a very social school, but with incredibly top notch academics. I have a feeling he'll end up there. I completely agree with the others who mentioned class sizes and teaching by grad students vs. profs. Best of luck deciding. You are blessed! Staci

I know that you two, along with your families and God's guiding hand, will make the right college decisions for your children. I don't believe there is one "perfect" college for each child. I believe many schools will work perfectly if given a chance. Even if you end up sending your son/daughter to the less expensive option with a tiny bit less prestigious name/program, it is likely to work out with the child being more than content during his college years. I think the world is pretty evenly split on taking out as much loan money as possible for that dream/reach school, vs. heading to a lesser known school for no or little money. Personally, I have a feeling that the child would rather not be $100,000 in debt after 4 or 6 years. We are aiming for the latter alternative in my home. We are just not going to apply to schools with little or no chance of merit aid. Now, if Gwen's son and Dolly's dd have to choose between 2 equally economical options, why don't you have them spend the night or weekend at the institutions to get a real feel for the environment that might suit them better? What is the social situation like? What percentage of the kids join a fraternity? What percentage stay on campus all weekend? I'm sure you know the other 100 questions to ask. Best of luck, Staci

My kids download various lectures unsolicited, because they find the information presented in an entertaining and engaging way. Ds age 13 is listening to AP Euro History lectures by Hank, as we are studying the 17th and 18th centuries this year (albeit at a much less in depth level). DD age 16 found something called the Thomas Jefferson hour that she loves. It seems TJ comments on some modern events (what he would have thought). DD age 15 enjoys various parodies of Lord of the Rings. I think they have something for everyone on iTunes - and all for free. Also, we are able to keep books, tapes, or CDs from our library for 9 consecutive weeks by renewing them twice (every three weeks). I find that other patrons rarely put anything more than 6 months old on hold. Best of luck to your dd. It sounds like she'll have an amazing summer. Staci

I'd say that this is doable with a motivated 9th grader who is very good at memorization. AP bio differs from AP chem and AP physics in that there are fewer concepts to understand, but many many things to memorize. If your child is one of those who sees it in print and can forever "see" it in his mind, then you can go straight to AP bio with Campbell's. It really is an easier science to comprehend, and that is why many more kids graduate with AP bio than with the equivalent chem or physics on their transcripts. Good luck - Campbell's is an excellent and thorough text. Staci

put out by the test makers. You can find it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Real-ACT-Prep-Guide-Official/dp/0768926750/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_k2a_2_txt?pf_rd_p=304485601&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0375766340&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=08GZ2YVXQ91DPF5T6673 I'd also recommend one typical test prep book. The kids on College Confidential (a highly overachieving college bound crowd) seem to like the Princeton Review version called, "Cracking the SAT." Staci

It worked quite well and I highly recommend it for a math oriented student. Staci

to engage in a major project outside the house. You are still needed there, especially if you're working with the younger ones 3 hours a day (including reading). Read aloud time is my favorite part of the day! My kids are in 7th, 10th, and 11th. Only the youngest requires my services. But I seem to rarely have time to even check all of his work. I am constantly driving one of them somewhere. They have so many jobs/volunteer programs, along with college classes. Besides that the cleaning takes up a ton of time - but I do enjoy a tidy house. I do like baking too. I've recently learned to put flax seed and wheat flour in everything! Nobody notices! So although they need you less in terms of outright teaching, they do need your home-baked bread and the reassurance that you're there should anything arise. Staci

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Now I understand how to answer the questions. Staci

a late junior higher/early high schooler. I recommend supplementing it with Critical Thinking in US History though. Also, a solid book on the Constitution (like Your Rugged Constitution) works too. Good luck, Staci

To anyone who has filled out/supervised the filling out of this form, On the secondary school form, you need to rate your student vs. others in her class. Since we home school classes of one, did you check No Basis? Is there really only ONE personal essay to write? I thought college applications required all sorts of essays. I am reading that you pick only one from a bunch of topics including "topic of your choice." Am I reading it wrong? Is there anything else that you think I should watch out for when filling out this form? I know that the 08-09 form isn't out until June, but I wanted a head start on putting together school papers. Thank you for any and all guidance. Staci in CT

Heather, Stacey, and families: Your full and quick recoveries are in my family's prayers. We are also praying for courage for your families in this tough time of need. Staci in CT

They have reams of information on the parents forum about obtaining big money MERIT scholarships. Need-based is something totally different.