[The 2017 Acceptance Thread]

Ds.2 got into UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, Baylor (half tuition scholarship), and Liberty (full tuition scholarship). Most likely, he will be attending Liberty with a full tuition scholarship. Ds. 1 will graduate from Baylor and go to Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan, NY for med. school. 

[Input about premed at NC State - could you comment about the]

classes, professors, student life, christian organizations on campus, percentage of students getting into med school, etc. Thanks. 

[The 2017 Acceptance Thread]

Reading this thread with great interest. Ds.2 has not begun applications yet. But will get some out this month hopefully. Ds.1 got admitted to Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NY! It is now called Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai! So yes, both my sons will graduate in 2017 and I'll become an empty nester.

 

It has been quite a ride! I have loved all the support of this community. God bless!

[Trip Report - Liberty University]

RegGuheert or Momsinthegarden, ds2 is interested in Premed. He is looking at Human Biology at NC state but we prefer a christian school. What percent of their students get into med school? Do they have research projects, medical mission trips, MCAT prep etc. that is needed to prepare for med. school admission? What about premed advisors? Thanks for any input.

[Summit Ministries Student Conference at Bryan College, TN: Would like to hear feedback from others who have attended it. Thanks.]

nt

[Does anyone have feedback on the Potter's school Economics course by Dan Rucker? Thanks.]

nt

[Graduation book for high school grad]

I like Alex Chediak's book Thriving in College. Here is the link to Amazon for the book - http://www.amazon.com/Thriving-College-Great-Friends-Faith/dp/1414339631

[Decisions: Please tell us where and why?]

Congratulations CAMom! I am sure she will enjoy it. I have only heard good things from all the parents and students (at least 10 or more families) that have attended that school. One of the students got into Harvard Law School, another to Wake Forest Law School, another to U. of Chicago, etc. So no worries about academic rigor. All God's best for all her future endeavors!

 

I've actually been hesitant to give my dd's decision because I know that lots of people disapprove (not necessarily here but anywhere).

 

She's chosen Patrick Henry.

 

There are many reasons why:

 

1) She didn't get into an Ivy. Princeton was her dream that didn't come true. She did get into Boston University but there was virtually no financial aid offered and there's no way we could afford it without aid.

 

2) She is really excited about the Strategic Intelligence track of their government major. She dreams of working for the FBI and kids on that track can graduate with security clearance. 

 

3) She got really good financial aid-both academic aid and forensics aid. 

 

4) She has some really good friends already there and a couple of friends starting there in the fall. Since she will be all the way across the country, it will be nice to have people she knows. She will be rooming with a friend.

 

5) There are some really good internship opportunities.

 

6) It's outside of DC and being that close to the Capitol makes her really happy. :)

 

I was surprised when she decided to apply at PHC but I actually think it's a really good fit for her and I think she will be really happy there.

 

[How long do you wait before repurposing a college kid's bedroom?]

We got a new queen bed set for Ds.1's room once he left for college. After sleeping on the twin bed in his college dorm, he loved his queen bed. When he was homeschooled he never spent much time in his bedroom. Now he loves his new bed. :-) I guess at college he got used to spending more time in his room. He is also very thankful that he was homeschooled. 

[What are your college students up to this summer?]

Ds.1 is going on 2 medical missions trips this summer. The first one is for a week working with doctors in the medical school at El Salvador and then going with them to the villages there. The second one is for 2 weeks with a surgeon working with a non profit organization in the Dominican Republic. In addition, he is really looking forward to attending the national forensics tournament with Ds.2 and going on a trip to Gatlinberg, TN. 

[How are the freshman doing, as the school year heads towards its end?]

Ds.1 finished first semester with a 4.0 and second with 3.9 GPA. He made a lot of friends, tried out Cricket, bungee jumping, and many other fun activities. He also joined the Pre med society, volunteered at community service events, attended a medical humanities retreat, and got elected to the Student Senate. He has figured out how to study in college, take care of his diet, and maintain a work life balance. Overall, he seems to be more calm and back to his old self now after all the excitement of attending college and dealing with all the social and emotional upheaval that came along with it. Finding a church and life group to attend weekly gave him the much needed spiritual anchoring that was critical being so far away from home. I am very grateful.

[Academic plans for next year?]

Still in planning stage. Ds. 2 will take Precalculus, Anatomy & Physiology, Spanish III, Integrated course with History, Literature, and the Arts, AP Macroeconomics, Theology: Chrisian Living & Ethics.

[Would you go to Israel over winter break?]

Yes, I would. We went last summer with a group and it was wonderful. I don't know how it would be in the winter. The food was wonderful and country is like no other that we have been to.

[Baylor?]

Hi Nissi,

 

My boy is at Teal and it shares the dining with earle!

 

I pm'd you.

[So how are your freshmen doing?]

Ds.1 is doing very well. He is happy overall with life. Roommate is good, has new friends from various parts of the country, loves his church and life group, plays keyboard and even wrote a song and enjoyed playing with a few friends. He also joined their Premed club, and is looking to do some community service. His Spanish classes are 5 days a week and he feels he'll be able to speak Spanish well soon. He has never had this much exposure on a daily basis to the language before. He is working hard and doing well on his weekly quizzes in all his subjects after an initial dip in the first quiz. He loves his Biology reseach class and is doing very well with this. He says he is still working on exercise and sleep.

[Baylor?]

Ds.1 got the Regent Gold Scholarship for National Merit Finalists and an additional scholarship that makes it an almost full ride. He loves it there so far. Their new living learning centers are beautiful. Ds. is in the Health Sciences Dorm (Earle Hall) which I think is one of the best. The new dining facility opposite their dorm is also wonderful. There are plenty of good churches to choose from. There is a 5000 member church called Antioch Community Church that offers a separate service for college students on Sunday and Wednesday. They also offer Life Groups on Sunday evenings. The shuttle service offered from campus to the church makes it very convenient for students to participate. We are very glad that this has been a very pleasant experience so far. Thank God!

[what was taken out of the old AP Bio exam?]

I don't know what exactly happened. Ds.1 loves Biology but he did have senioritis and got a 4 though he was expecting a 5. He used Barron's prep book and took the course through PA Homeschoolers. I am sure the teacher will have a better understanding of the test this year. She seemed very frustrated during the year with what exactly she was supposed to teach. Kept tweaking the syllabus through out the year according to ds. HTH!

[my oldest is leaving for college, and I am a mess]

Ds.1 is leaving on Aug.19 to a school 16 hours away from home in TX. Preparing for it, dealing with personal health issues, and preparing for 10th grade for ds.2 have been demanding but I am hanging in there by the grace of God. Going away on a 3 day church  retreat was the best thing I did to center myself during this time. Also, eating more of a healthy diet has helped to keep the body and mind more stable. Hugs to you. 

[Could you give me a list of movies and documentaries that tie in with AP European History that are too good to miss. Thanks.]

Right now we are reading Instant European History by Libbon that ds. 2 likes. Any other biographies or books on the major players or events will also be great. We would prefer shorter books that will draw the reader in. Thanks so much.

[About money and private colleges: Tell me truly?]

Baylor, UNC-CH, and Boston University offered ds. merit aid without us submitting FAFSA. Both Wake Forest U. and Wash. U asked for FAFSA.

[The 2013 AP Biology Exam]

Thanks for sharing. Ds.1 took this exam and is curious about what scores he'll get in July. I wonder if this is how it will be for AP Chemistry next year.

[Outsourcing English--What do you think of TPS? Landry Acad? Others?]

I have liked every English course we have taken with TPS. Recommend them highly.

[Here is my girl! Miracles DO happen!! UPDATE!]

Congratulations!! So glad for you all!

[If you had to choose between Honors college at UNC Chapel Hill and Baylor University in TX for Pre med which would you choose? Thanks for any input.]

You know, those clean airy dorms may seem like that just cause they are not air conditioned. Or so said our NCSU student tour guide last week in one of several digs he made at UNC.

 

The dorms that we saw did have air-conditioning.

[If you had to choose between Honors college at UNC Chapel Hill and Baylor University in TX for Pre med which would you choose? Thanks for any input.]

Visited UNC Chapel Hill today. Pros: beautiful campus, clean and airy dorms, fresh food at Lenoir Hall, and friendly students. However, the pre-health advisor would not give me any info. about the number of students admitted to medical school last year. He said that was not important. There is not much hand-holding. You have to take initiative and go after the opportunities available in terms of research, extracurriculars, recommendation letters etc. They have a renowned chemistry department, public health program, and political science dept. There seems to be a lot of opportunities available. Ds. did get into their Research Scholars Program. He said their Pre med club had 2000 students. At this point, ds. is still leaning toward Baylor. Thanks to all who gave input.