Just want to say: my daughter was selected to receive one of the Johnson scholarships at Washington & Lee University, a private liberal arts school in Lexington, VA. It is a full ride+ scholarship. Absolutely astounding. (over $50K/yr in value) So, when I saw this thread, I felt it was appropriate to place this news here. Yes, some private schools do offer full rides. They all have different programs, different kinds of money available. You just have to research. She applied for this, got selected for the competition. They pay your way to campus, a trip during which you are interviewed twice for one of the coveted Johnson scholarships. I'm so proud of her and thankful to God. JC

she took Math lev. 1, Math lev. 2, and Literature. In the spring, right after taking AP US Hist., she also took the US Hist. one (I think after she'd taken the AP exam) and did well on it, too. A couple of the colleges to which she is applying really want to see them. She would like to take physics after the first of the year, as well. We'll see...... Hope you are doing well!

Some good subject scores here; daughter took three of them.........happy about that.....hope it encourages some of you to press on! :)

I think having conversations, such as at the dinner table every night, with your student is one of the best ways to really prepare. You be the interviewer (without anyone knowing you're even "practicing") by dialoging about the various schools that are on the line-up, listening to your child share his/her heart, finding out what he/she has researched online, etc. about the schools. Talk about their interests with them. Get them talking about where they'd like to be in 5 yrs, 10 yrs, 20 yrs. Ask them things like what they liked most about homeschooling and what things were difficult about it. Get them to talk honestly about what they view as personal strengths and weaknesses, and what they feel they could contribute to student life on a given campus. These are some of the types of things that get asked of them in interviews. HTH! Jo

It was a wonderful fit for her. She was first attracted to their dance program, being a ballet enthusiast for years. However, she ultimately minored in dance and majored in business. She is now a financial adviser with Edward Jones. I know that Belhaven is one of only 25 colleges in the nation to be accredited in all four of the art areas. I made many trips to campus to see performances, etc., and was always very impressed with their dedication to teach the arts, not as compartmentalized, only sacred music or works, but appreciating all of beauty and learning to present it to the world and impact the culture with the arts. A true, Christ-centered worldview. And they do have a core curriculum requirement for all students. It's a sweet, beautiful campus. My daughter's main dislike was the dining hall. The food left a lot to be desired. She and friends many times hoped there would be more fresh food, more fruit available on a regular basis, but unfortunately, I heard a lot of complaint about that. And, even the couple of times I was there to eat, it was not stellar. All performances of various forms I was impressed with at different visits I made - music, dance, theater. They really are a wonderful school especially for the arts. There is also a wonderful church there, Redeemer Presbyterian - PCA - in case you are interested in knowing that. I think there are a couple of other good ones some of the kids liked in town, too. Jackson itself isn't the prettiest place in the world, but the area right around BC is like a little historic section and is quite nice. And just a little tidbit of trivia - Belhaven is the first place that a "living Christmas tree" was ever presented. It is the birthplace of that. And every year, the college puts on the living tree and any students wishing to participate are invited to do so. (it is outdoors) My daughter made what I believe will be lasting friendships there and it was a good experience. Please let me know if there is anything specific I could find out or answer for you. God bless, Jo

My thoughts are that you can't go wrong with Wheaton, for one, since you mentioned it. Distinctly Christ-centered, biblical, well known, strong school, good reputation and it is in the suburbs. Not right in Chicago. Wheaton is a little town outside the city. Just FYI. I was surprised, for example, to find out from a friend here in my town that her son was offered quite a nice package from them last year. (he didn't go there) - I was surprised at how good it was. Covenant - also biblical and Christ-centered. We know a philosophy prof there - he absolutely loves it there, loves the students, says they are serious-minded, top-notch. He has taught all over the country (and he is one bright and gifted guy) at great schools and says Covenant has been his favorite. (taught at Calvin, Wheaton, Erskine, and now I'm not remembering the FL school he was employed with, & others) For any of the Christian schools, you really do have to decide up front whether you are willing to incur any debt. It's just that simple. They just simply do not have as much money to work with, typically, and it's harder to get the "free money" from them. Though I know they do work with you the best they can. I have heard (and we shall find out soon enough, for my daughter plans to apply to both of these) that Wheaton is quite generous w/need-based money. I don't know how far Covenant is able to go. I do know that there is nothing like the experience that a college like either of these would bring. It would truly be priceless. You just have to decide what is most important to you. We are also applying to secular schools, sure, and expect to be offered more scholarship $$ from them, but we're also stepping out in faith and trying with Cov. and Wheaton and Grove City as well because we've seen our God do great things before and know that nothing is out of his reach. My daughter has been investigating Grove City quite extensively lately and is really itching to get there and visit. So, we plan to in Oct. There again, these are hard for me, because I know in my heart it's not likely they'd award her "what she's worth" academically, ya know? Not near what some other secular schools will do for her. But I just have to step out and see where God is leading. I've had two to go to Christian colleges. One graduated from Belhaven - loved it. Is a financial adviser now. Belhaven is a sweet liberal arts school in the heart of Jackson MS. Very strong in performing/visual arts, as well. One is a senior at Cedarville. Cedarville is great - truly. They are top-notch, truly Christ-centered as well. Just low on scholarships. The onlyway we did it was that my son earned an air force ROTC basically full 3 yrs. free schol. The first yr. was well covered by his academic & debate schol., etc. Last three free. He has a 4 yr. commitment to the service. At any rate, God really provided in both situations. Both kids got great scholarship offerings. And we were pleased. Hope some of this helps...... Jo

I believe Alg. I & some work in Alg. II is sufficient - especially if they've had Saxon and had geometry integrated through the years. But it would be best if by taking it in 11th (when it counts) they've had more. And before taking it even in 10th, they should practice with SAT/PSAT prep materials. NM is a good award/honor to be able to list on a high school resume for a child, even if it turns out that your student receives scholarship presumably based on SAT results. We homeschoolers have few ways we can *legitimately* award our children - NM provides such an award. In some schools, yes, semifinalists and/or finalists can receive sizeable funds, just for having made it that far. It all depends on the institution. HTH. Jo

On the parental employment section for the NM finalist app: If I, the mom, have not been employed (other than a few years receiving basically a stipend for children's ministry at church) since I've had kids - should I totally leave all the mother part blank? Like not fill in any mother info, since I am not employed? Like the way it is set up on there - it doesn't make sense for me to even put my name b/c the whole block is about employment. Thanks for your help, as always. Jo

Hello - just a question regarding the Common Application if there's anyone out there who could field this: My daughter's working on this now....... On the privacy act question that comes up when you click to invite a teacher to do a recommendation - that FERPA - thing - Family Educational Rights Privacy Act, or something like that - what did you guys do with this? And any and all explanations or help or advice is welcome! :bigear: I love this board. Jo

We've used the website of ISI - Intercollegiate Studies Institute as well as both the guides mentioned already here by kareni, I think. Choosing the Right College and All American Colleges. ISI provides gooooood info if you are interested in choosing a school with strong liberal arts and core curriculum and would like insider info on conservative/liberal bent in particular schools. ISI is always updating and provides new reviews periodically - you can purchase up to date reviews online. HTH! Jo

Thank you so very much. You both really helped with just about all I had on my mind. I will keep in mind, though, about calling them. That helps a great deal to feel that they will be helpful. I was thinking similarly to you, Gwen, on that "highest level course" part. God bless - I may be back on here......... Jo

We received notice of this today. Yea! Nice, but are now looking over and beginning on the paperwork. :001_huh: Those who have done this in recent years, I had a few questions: 1. On the academic record part, where you're basically supplying a transcript - we, personally, have to give numerical grades for our accountability group, but did most of you guys just supply letter grades or did you give numbers? and did you just put a grade in the "final" column or in other terms? Did you base your GPA's on a 4 pt. scale?, etc. 2. The other main part that I'm not exactly sure how to treat is part C (the school profile section - this is not the section where you're giving grades of your child) where it says "list highest level course" and in the column next to it it says "list other AP/accelerated courses." - what I'm wondering is if they're asking highest level in that subject that my student took, or highest "offered in my school"? I'm just wondering what any of you did w/this section. We do have some AP courses through PAH - but not a ton or anything - I just want to represent things correctly, but don't want to do anything dumb or leave anything out, or, misunderstand what is being asked. I have some other questions, but could some of you field either of these at the moment.....? thanks, Jo

Is anyone else on here considering one of their "college weekends?" There's one in Sept and one in Oct for the fall. We'd also like to get up to Grove City this sem. Please chime in any others of you who are thinking about making visits to these soon! Thanks Jo

my daughter did well with Cliff's. But she liked Barron's and Princeton's for US Hist. We haven't done AP bio. I've heard some really like 5 Steps to a 5 books, too. HTH!

Are you asking about this in relation to working on college admissions? Or, I couldn't tell, but were you somehow saying that these moms said it mattered once they were IN college?..... Thanks! JC

You guys are awesome. I appreciate this board so much...... :thumbup1:

Hi Everyone - just looking for input on what the latest and greatest is on titling this type of course. We'll cover lots of cooking and baking, general kitchen and nutrition topics and such. Then home management, etc. - it's home ec stuff, but I truly just wondered if I'm behind the times in what people tend to put on a transcript for this as far as a title. I'd love your ideas. Thanks! Jo

teaching outlining is part of the writing curriculum in TOG - you should be able to find it in their Writing Aids program. Do you have that? A lot of what TOG does for Hist./Lit. - depending on the level you're working in - is provide the "accountability" questions and discussion material. It's totally up to you how and at what age you want your children to record things in their notebooks. If you want them outlining as they read their spine material, you certainly have that freedom to have them do that. Whatever it takes to have them ready to sit with you whenever you have decided to have "discussion time" each week. As, to me, that is the hugest bonus and strength of the TOG program. It provides the BEST literature and history discussion, especially for rhetoric level, that I have seen in my 12 years of homeschooling. Your children will learn how to fully appreciate and really analyze all types of literature. HTH!

And I'm truly not sure what it is worth....but my daughter's ACT math was 34, SAT 720; she had finished the first half of Saxon Adv. math by the time she got those. Was almost done w/second half at the time of that SAT score. Oh, and PSAT last fall was 74, I think. At that time she'd only just begun the second half of the book (Also had done only Saxon from kindergarten on...) She's math-minded to a degree (not nearly as much as language) and definitely not math-interested. Did do plenty of prep-work.(likes Princeton books) The Saxon Adv. Math is a difficult book, but I feel it served us very well. It challenged my kids and they had to work and sweat to get it. Also used D.I.V.E. cds. She would tell people, though, that it's really a lot of algebra you need to know (for SAT espec.) - and largely, it's being able to get around the "trickiness" factor. Don't "overthink" stuff. HTH.

I know for a fact that many four year institutions do NOT accept or transfer CC credits. You need to check with any that you'd be applying to to see what they'll take. With AP - most places will award credit for a good exam score. And, they'll KNOW your student most likely had a challenging course. With CC - sorry to say - you never know what people are getting. YOU might, as the parent, obviously; but colleges very often are suspicious of CC courses and won't take them. Does depend on how selective a school you're hoping for, I'd think, too. And for later, I've heard for vet school - harder to get into than med school. Seems like you'd want to have all your ducks in a row. I think AP definitely carries more weight than CC courses.

Thank you so much for that post with the link to the homemaker course! I LOVE this board. What a ministry and blessing it is to me. My very academic daughter has asked that we do a home ec course together before she graduates. I have been reluctant, feeling like I just can't make it happen along w/all the academic stuff - plus I just don't feel confident in all the home ec skills. Thank you for this resource. Sincerely, Jo

I really don't think there's any substitute for having students read challenging - challenging - literature - the great works - works that can be intimidating - regularly and requiring their analysis of it. I just don't think kids will score high on CR without reading hard stuff, regularly. They've got to sit down and tackle the hard stuff. Studying vocabulary cards, that's not going to do it. They are a nice enhancement - but a regular analysis of challenging literature is the best way. If you have younger children - keep this in mind as they are coming up - lots of reading, discussion, read through the summer. Don't just let them choose their books at the library; you help. Or they choose two easy reads - you choose one hard one, etc.

to Christian schools. It's just a fact that there's not as much money given by these really strong Christian institutions. Some people reason it out that it may be largely because many of the graduates go into fields that don't necessarily make them "millionaires" so they cannot give back to the school as with many of the secular institutions. That could very well be. Whatever the reason, it's very, very sad and disappointing and I feel like some of these really good schools - Covenant, Grove City, Cedarville - will only continue to attract folks who either are A. very wealthy and can afford to send their kids, no questions asked, or B. kids who don't mind being in debt for years to come. I truly hate it. I wish there was a way they could more effectively attract and give to students who are so academically deserving, as well as middle/lower class; a way they could "compete" for the academically gifted with schools like Vanderbilt, the ivies, and others that have lots of endowments..... What do I know? ah well.

and may change EVERYthing for me.....if I can't buy the book from some other source, I'll have to drop this idea..... Ugh. Oh well. Just too much money for my budget. Well, if nothing else, maybe this resource (in some "used" form) will be a nice "extra read" for my daughter as she prepares fully to take the subject test in physics...... Thanks ALL for your time and attention!

Could someone clarify: What if you're using an edition which is not the current one? Will the publisher's website still be available/applicable to you? Also, questions or problems in the text - where are answers for these? Are they in the back of the text or is there a teacher book or answer key of some kind? Thanks for your help; I really need to find out all of this because this text is quite expensive and I want to be sure of what I am getting into. Thanks! Jo