Thanks April! I often kid ds about becoming an air traffic controller!! Yes, I find this packaging very distasteful. I feel like I'm "selling" or negotiating a contract. It's very much like drafting a proposal to acquire something or create a partnership (which I guess it is in a way...) but I just don't like it! I know I have to do it but boy, it isn't a pleasurable task for me. However, there is NO WAY I want ds "spinning" in his essays. I want the true personality to shine through w/o any of the silly required buzz words. Good luck to you and your son with the college apps and NMS. God Bless. Mary

Thank you, thank you, one and all!! Terrific responses and many things I never considered. Appreciate the supporting links too!! You have all given me lots to chew on. Much appreciated! Speaking to "learning" for a moment, I agree that we are in "learn mode" all the time, at least around here. Learning is fun! IT need not be grueling although sometimes it is like working through an algebra 2 expansion or a physics problem but those parts are usually only a part of the whole overall process which is still entertaining and educational. One is not mutually exclusive of the other, imho. And, I was NOT looking for ways to "beef up"a resume for my student, We already have accomplished twice the amount of any public high school through the use of accredited outside sources and colleges. I was just curious as to how WOW might have actually contributed to his success in his courses. Thanks to you ladies, I see lots of reasons!! Enjoy your weekend! Mary

First, let me state that I am not trying to open up a discussion of the "values" of video gaming but it seems to me that there are some unique (or maybe not so unique) skills that a kid who is good at gaming can bring to the table. Since I don't play and just can't wrap my brain around games like World of Warcraft, I am hoping you wise folks can help me identify what some of these skills would be, besides keyboarding!! My son focused intently on WOW when he was first allowed to join and advanced to top levels quickly. What did this entail in the way of skills? See...I am a complete dunce left in the dark ages with this stuff. And since WOW did occupy a part of his free time, I thought there might be some redeeming qualities worth capturing for a resume. Many thanks for any help you can give! Mary

FIrst, let me state that I am not trying to open up a discussion of the "values" of video gaming but it seems to me that there are some unique (or maybe not so unique) skills that a kid who is good at gaming can bring to the table. Since I don't play and just can't wrap my brain around games like World of Warcraft, I am hoping you wise folks can help me identify what some of these skills would be, besides keyboarding!! My son focused intently on WOW when he was first allowed to join and advanced to top levels quickly. What did this entail in the way of skills? See...I am a complete dunce left in the dark ages with this stuff:001_huh:. And since WOW did occupy a part of his free time, I thought there might be some redeeming qualities worth capturing for a resume. Many thanks for any help you can give! Mary

Hi Brenda and thanks! You are a life saver, lady. I will share your suggested solution with the recommender pronto. I bet it is the same problem with a window open too long. Good to know! And, thanks for the heads up about the font for the transcript too. Fingers crossed that I can "get it done" but if not, I might be back with questions. Always learning! Thanks again, Mary

Has anyone experienced this difficulty where a recommender wasn't able to upload the letter to the Common App? We did create a ticket asking how to r remedy this but I was just wondering if anyone has encountered this problem and found a solution. The ticket might take awhile to get answered and the recommender is eager. Many thanks for any help! Mary

You are an absolute gem! Many thanks again! Mary

Thanks so very much for your generous offer, Kareni! I PM'd you. Mary

Anyone willing to share a School Profile to help me get going on writing "School Counselor" parts of applications for scholarships? We have a situation, like many, where we have used many outside courses as well as the curriculum from our umbrella school so it isn't quite a straightforward "profile". What needs to be included? I would appreciate any and all guidance from those with experience! Many thanks! Mary

DS did AP Biology at 13. i was in shock when he got a 4 on the exam. We thought it would just be a good experience to "see how he did". I also didn't think his handwriting would do him any favors but I guess these readers are very forgiving!! Once the pattern of learning and then studying for these AP is down, it makes the next ones easier or at least less stressful because they know what to expect. They drive me crazy though! Mary

MusicMom, Thanks so much for taking the time to share that information. Now I see that the land grant tuition break applies only to certain schools within the college. That helps a lot! I gather selecting the school of interest is key in the application and, as you say, the tuition falls into place. Would you have any further comments on Cornell to share after taking a tour of the place? It's a long, long way from home so we are gathering as much info as we can from a distance! Thanks again for your help! Mary

I do understand that a students needs to apply to a particular college/school with Cornell but what I don't understand is the tuition rates as a land grant college. I couldn't find anything on the website that indicated this method of application. Maybe it doesn't exist any longer?! Thanks in advance. MAry

Ha! No...I am not into writing government documents! Turns out BigWords puts together the cheapest prices for a semester of books and give discount coupons. Pretty neat site for college students!

has anyone had any experience with buying used books fro Big Words? Are they reputable? Thanks! http://www.bigwords.com/ Mary

My two cents having had to "learn" calculus along with my ds (and my brain is ancient...)....find a link to the Dr. Ed Burger videos for calculus. They are superb, offer humor and context for the large amount of method that Jane rightly mentions and they are easy to sue. Thinkwell.com sells the program for homeschoolers but you can likely find the cd's for sale for a lot less or even a link to a few to see if they might be suitable. I sympatize with your hubbie!! Good luck!

Oh, I am so sorry. I lost my dad a year ago to liver cancer (didn't drink either). It is so, so, so hard. Prayers for you and your family.

Thanks! Interesting.

Is there a specific language you are considering?

NOT trying to disuade you from geology but I have no experience with it. I can offer that there are now available several great virtual labs for chemistry and physics (see the Kinetic books for one) that will reinforce the lab report knowledge and scientific method in a more palatable manner!

If it were me, I'd head to the Eastern Shore of MD and camp, spend time on the beach, crab, visit all the little towns with wonderful lighthouses, explore the sea life in general. Central VA is so beautiful that my other ideas would be redundant to what you probably have everyday! Or consider a longer drive and see Boston or the likes!

I've noticed several acquaintances moving to the south for the same thing. TN, MS...but I would consider the summer heat and humidity a drawback despite inexpensive land. Then the Dakotas would be great but cold. Idaho does have some extreme temps too BUT it is beautiful. Ever consider AR?

:001_smile:

Yes, but how many flu cases are there "normally" anyway??? Sorry, but this all seems blown out of proportion to me. 13,000 cases doesn't seem that extreme from what the US would normally expect. We were in LAX when this first hit and the hoopla there was astounding! The media had really played it up but traveling to other parts of the country it isn't presented as that big odf a deal. NOt trying to be insensitve but.....

Prayers for peace of mind and comfort! I know exactly what you are going through...the push and pull of itall. God WILL guide you on the right path and my your Mom's passing be easy. Hugs and more hugs along with those prayers.:grouphug:

They will teach them to Twitter or use Facebook and that will be socialization!!