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Sandra in NC

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Posts posted by Sandra in NC

  1. Instantcert is a worthwhile tool.

     

    You can get a discount using code 85722.

     

    The specific exam feedback is the most useful part of instantcert to us because we are able to keep abreast of how the various versions of exams differ and the experiences people have with them. There seems to be two main versions of the sociology exam. One is very close to the REA prep book and the other is focused on current statistics/trends.

     

    Sandra

  2. One of our Hive members (and I wish I remembered who) posted an article from AARP magazine recently. It listed a bunch of open source education opportunities.

     

    One was a FREE class from Stanford University on programming iphone apps. I sent the blurb to my son, so I still have a copy in email. Here it is:

     

    Computer programming. Maybe you’ve read about Ethan Nicholas, who earned $800,000 by writing an artillery game called “iShoot” for the iPhone. If you want to try your own hand, consider auditing Stanford’s Computer Science 193P: iPhone Application Programming. The 10-week undergraduate course attracted 150 students for only 50 spots when it was introduced on campus last fall. Online viewers see the same lectures as classroom students.

  3. I would recommend she look at descriptions of Western Civ I and II exams in CLEP

    Here is the link for Western Civ II

    I'd recommend using REA CLEP prep books for these.

     

    I wouldn't bother with CLEP if she is bound for a top-tier school. In that case I'd look into the SAT II test. Otherwise, I'd have her take CLEP for the possibility of college credit. See DegreePlanners.com for more info - check the CLEP/DSST FAQ section.

     

    Sandra

    PS: I am doing this with my son...he is taking a rigorous western civ class this term and I've signed him up at our local testing center for the CLEP next month. He has been accepted to a state university that accepts these CLEPs. Might as well!

  4. Thanks for posting this! It matches what we were told in a meeting with one of UNC's admissions guys -- that you put Algebra 1 on the transcript and all math after that, no matter when it was taken. It looks like the same is true of foreign language. But the guy said specifically that he wants to see Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and one other math, and they don't recommend dropping math after that, but he wants to check off those four. No one ever believes me when I say that. :glare:

     

    Note on page 2 of the document: only certain math courses "count" as that 4th unit of math.

     

    Also, be sure you have 3 sciences including one life science and one physical science. My son took biology in 8th grade and I needed to be sure he took AP Bio or another life science in high school.

     

    As you say, admissions wants to check off the minimum course requirements and if they aren't clearly included in the high school transcript, a student is out of luck!

     

    I've noticed a lot of schools requiring 3 units of foreign language in high school and recommending 4. This is another area I'd be careful about!

  5. So much to think about.

     

    Where did you find out your states high school requirements?

     

    I mean I know I can look at the board of education website for my state. But did you find a place that specifically told you, you could count Algebra 1 as high school math?

     

    Here are the state of NC requirements:

    http://www.cfnc.org/static/pdf/home/sc/pdf/min_course_requirements.pdf

     

    At the end of page 2, counting Algebra I taken in 8th grade is specifically addressed.

     

    Here is a link to a video that specifically addresses how to research minimum course requirements, regardless of which state or school you're looking at. It's about 20 minutes long. Researching minimum course requirements for all colleges is addressed about 5 minutes into the video.

     

    HTH,

    Sandra

  6. Here's a link to the VCU scholarship page. If you scroll about 1/2 way down, you'll see "typical GPA" and "typical SAT" data for presidential scholars.

     

     

    Some schools give automatic scholarships based on National Merit status. (see this link http://excelcollegeprep.com/pdf/scholarships.pdf)

    For these, once you're accepted to the school, you're entitled to the scholarship. For the University of Alabama, it's full tuition, room and board, + some money for books. Usually, it's third-tier schools that offer the most incentive.

     

     

    HTH,

    Sandra

  7. If possible, encourage her to boost her SATs ...the Honors dorm at VCU has private rooms w/private bathrooms! Honors housing is included in the nice scholarship packages my son's friends received.

     

    My son, on the other hand, received $3000 per year from the School of Art for his portfolio. Period.

     

    He would have gotten that, plus free instate tuition, Honors housing, and meal plan if he had had better SAT scores/grades.

     

    SATs and grades won't matter to all art schools, but they do to some like MICA and RISD

  8. My son was accepted to many fine art schools: School of the Art Institute Chicago, Maryland Institute College of Art, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, etc.

     

    The problem was: Money. Even though all the schools offered him "Presidential" level merit scholarships, it would still cost $40K/yr to attend. He ended up going to VCU School of Arts for one year (That cost us $30K out of state) but it did not fulfill him. He longs to go to SAIC or Cooper Union and is reapplying in hopes of getting more merit aid (or, in the case of Cooper, acceptance!) this year.

     

    His mistake was not taking academics and the SAT seriously. Some of his peers received full in-state tuition, room and board at VCU because of academics/SAT scores/National merit status. VCU has highest rated art school among public universities. If money is an issue, I'd recommend this route (get the academic scholarships!).

     

    My advice: merit scholarships based on art talent are not enough. Take academics and the SAT seriously.

     

    It has been heartbreaking to tell my son that being accepted to a fine art school is not enough. He needs big merit scholarships.

     

    Sandra

  9. My son is interested in CS, too. He has been accepted to NCSU College of Engineering and is CLEPing out of the gen ed requirements where ever possible. This will lighten his load in college and let him focus on what he is interested in.

     

    CollegeConfidential has a CLEP forum now. See the third post down on this thread:

    http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/clep-exam/792374-can-clep-taken-while-college.html

     

    We're taking that poster's advice (same school!)

     

    Sandra

     

    PS: Be sure to find out which CLEPs are accepted at the college your son plans to attend. NCSU doesn't accept many, so my son has to be careful to take only the ones they do.

  10.  

    AP - This is an advanced (college level?) high school class. Is grading different? A=5.0 instead of 4.0?

     

    CLEP - This is a test to earn college credits - but not all colleges accept all CLEP tests.

     

     

     

    Not all colleges accept AP either. And some colleges require the equivalent of a B or better on an AP where they'll take a C or even D on the CLEP! http://www.freewebs.com/officesolutions/clepfaqs.htm

     

    Sandra

  11. You will not hear anything until September regarding semi-finalist status.

     

    Your son will probably take the SAT this coming spring or early next fall. Be sure to list NMSC as a score recipient.

     

    We just got a letter from NMSC saying they hadn't received my son's SAT scores and without them, he would not be considered for finalist status.

     

    So....be sure to put NMSC as a recipient on your student's SAT score report.

    They are listed as:

    0085 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

  12. I am considering letting students rewrite but should I give them all the opportunity or just the ones who had significant problems.

     

    Any opinions?

     

    I would use this as a valuable learning experience for students. Give them the grade they deserve (with a narrative explaining why they did not get an A) and do not allow re-dos. They will learn from their mistakes and take assignments more seriously -- and read instructions more carefully-- next time! It's better to learn this lesson now than in college.

     

    Ultimately, you do them a favor by not coddling them.

     

    Sandra

  13. My younger son is in public school. His guidance counselor asked us to fill out the following information forms so she can write letters for college admissions/scholarships. This may provide a clue as to what she writes!

     

    Here is what she asked for:

    Self-Assessment Form

    Part B

     

    Parent/Guardian Name:

    Son’s/Daughter’s Name:

     

    As your son’s/daughter’s counselor, I want to write a most positive summary letter for him/her. This letter will accompany each transcript packet sent to colleges, scholarships, and other programs. For me to write this, I must have the two parts of the Self-Assessment form.

    Self-Assessment Form: Part A, which is filled out by your son/daughter.

    Self-Assessment Form: Part B, which is filled out by a parent/guardian.

     

    In an effort to provide the most thorough and accurate summary letter for your son/daughter, I need your input on Part B as the parent/guardian. Please respond to the following questions and either mail or email back to me.

     

    • Describe your son’s/daughter’s personality and uniqueness.

    • Please share some anecdotal experience(s) in your son’s/daughter’s life that are examples of his/her exceptional ability to learn or his/her love of learning.

    • What can you tell us about your son/daughter that we should convey to college representatives to let them know how very special your child is?

     

    • Has your son/daughter had any adversity in life that you may want to explain?

     

    Here are the questions on Part A that my son filled out.

    SELF ASSESSMENT FORM

    Part A

     

    Name:

    Name you go by:

    Home High School:

    Home Town:

     

    Please respond thoughtfully and thoroughly to these questions. Your comments will be essential to your counselor writing a strong, effective summary letter. This letter will be sent to all colleges to which you apply and to some summer opportunities and scholarships. Without this document being completed and returned, a summary letter will not be written for you.

     

    • Describe your family’s history: members and relationships to you; where your family has lived; parent/guardian education and employment; etc.

    • Describe your home school and community.

    • What 3-5 words best describe your character? Give specific examples of why each word is applicable to you and how your descriptions make you unique.

    • Describe at least two extra-curricular activities such as, but not limited to, research, music, sports, leadership experiences, or community service that have had the most impact on you. Describe the ways in which you grew from this.

    • Describe two or more significant academic experiences. This may have been in or outside of school. BE SPECIFIC.

    • Give and explain an example of how you have taken initiative.

    • What else do you want to make sure college admissions officers know about you? Are there any extenuating circumstances that you would like us to share with them? Be specific.

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