Don't overlook National Merit. I just now joining in because OP kids seem past the 11th grade. But, now that conversation has broadened, I bring it up. There are many schools that give free rides, some with stipends, for NMSF and NMF. But, to have a fairly reasonable shot of reaching NMSF takes some planning starting around 7th grade. A kid that has completed Precalc (rather than Alg 2) by end of 10th grade will have more than enough math to do well. The verbal portion is very teachable. Just take a couple of practice tests in 8th grade and start training any weakness. Then 9th and 10th grade start taking practice SAT tests--the NM test and SAT are very similar. the SAT is a little more challenging, but not that much more. Plus you kill two birds with one stone, by prepping with SAT materials. The reason a lot of really smart kids don't make NMSF is because most high schools treat it like a practice SAT exam. No prep or practice, just get a baseline for the real SAT. In my state, a high achievement state, NMSF are kids most likely to get 1500 on the SAT. In some very high achievement areas like MD or D.C., the winners are kids likely to 1530+ on the SAT, However, there are many low achievement states, where a projected 1380 might make it. The actual amount of money National Merit awards is one time $2500. But, there are a lot of schools that will offer full rides for NMSF or NMF, regardless of financial circumstances. If I remember correctly, there were even a few schools that we looked at that did not even require a financial aid app. It didn't help my kid because most of the very generous National Merit scholarships schools are in the south or mid-west. My kid only applied Northeast, and one on the west coast.

When is he taking the SAT/ACT. Most of the highly selective schools claim to be test optional, but are really test biased. Also, ED or EA apps have a significant admission advantage.

Harvey Mudd is one of a handful of colleges collectible known as the Claremont Colleges. All volleges are considered excellent. Pomona college is the star of this cluster. About as difficult to get into as a mid ivy. The town of Claremint has a college buzz with so many colleges in it. But be warned,, summers are brutally hot and smoggy. Down the road there is cal poly pomona. . A very good stem school, with easier acceptance rhan SLO.

I guess you are not in Texas

National Parks just announced that D.V. is expected to reopen October 18th.

Start with a list of schools your kids are interested in attending. Then, look up each school's admitted student profile. When I googled U Migh admitted student profile, this came up: https://obp.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/pubdata/factsfigures/firstyearsprofile_umaa.pdf. There will be all sorts of information popping, such as admission strategy, school life. 9th grade is a great time to start researching. 11th grade is too late if you end up seeking extremely selective schools.

You need to better define your target colleges. While 1300+ admit most applicants, 1400+ schools are highly selective--examples include UCLA, UMigh, Wellesley, Uflorida,, and NYU. 1490 is very low entry for the extremely selective colleges. The rigor of math and science needed differs for each range.

Hope you are able to work it out too.

I can't take credit for the solution. The scholarship got it straightened out with the school

My one and only started freshman classes this week. But, we encountered an issue that was a complete surprise to us. It seems his college, and nearly half of all colleges, will reduce the financial aid offer by the amount of any outside scholarship award. We went all summer thinking that his outside scholarship would easily cover the expected family contribution, as well as provide him some generous pocket money. But the school's policy is that the family contribution cannot be reduced. Our work around, with the college's consent, was for us to take out students loans for the family contributions, and student spending allowance. The outside scholarship will then repay our loans. I don't recall ever reading anything out this on the forum. Heads up to you. https://hechingerreport.org/august-surprise-that-college-scholarship-you-earned-might-not-count/

My favorite Twilight Zone episode came to mind: To Serve Man

I dropped mine off to orientation a week ago. He has already has his first piercing.

If you are shipping things, check out Parcel Monkey. We are shipping a medium adult sized bike (boxed) cross-country. We priced all the well known parcel shippers, prices ranged from $275-475. Parcel Monkey gave us a price of $100 using one of well known shippers ..

Well, the cheapest way to get to downtown from LAX is the FlyAway bus https://www.flylax.com/flyaway-bus, it will take you to Union station (historic train depot) at the edge of downtown. At Union Station there are many options for getting to the convention center. It is only four miles away, but it is a long walk. https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Union-Station/Los-Angeles-Convention-Center

Thanks for posting. My kid will be taking a tour quality set of golf clubs, and a pretty nice bike. We cannot afford to quickly replace the golf gear. The price from Gallagher's is very reasonable and will cover the clubs and bike. Thanks again.

No. But, participating in online school tour, admission and financial programming do.

If he understands the math (alg 1 &2, and geometry) and just needs practice questions, check out Dr. Raymond Chung's SAT Math ( I believe 5th ed. is latest, but 3rd or 4th will do, and are cheaper), PWN the SAT Math Guide, and as many of the kaplan, princeton practice test you can get your hands (2020, 2021, 2022 are fine and cheaper). Alternate daily taking timed calc/no calc sections. Dad should score the exams and have your son fully rework any wrong responses--not simply, I see what I did wrong. Repetition is the key, because there is a pattern to the test questions.

https://www.imore.com/how-to-turn-on-off-restrict-facetime-iphone-ipad#cellular

I wonder if they considered just say no?

Breaking news. Flint's next pop-up is September 17th, Tickets go on sale August 13th. Anybody in greater Los Angeles area interested in strategizing?

Orientation starts August 21st. We are planning logistics of his cross county move. Determined that we can avoid oversized baggage fees ($175) by packing golf clubs separately from bag, will count as two regular checked bags. Went through all options for a bike on campus. Found a bike shipper that will do it for $80. Still cheaper than buying local, plus he will have a really good bike, and I clear a little garage space. Bought a excellent used down puffer jacket on ebay. We still have four checked bags, and 3 carry-ons to to coordinate. We two heavy duty boxes that we can use for fans, heater, printer, and school supplies.

Here's a start: https://www.coursera.org/articles/audio-engineering. Also, the very few people I know with a dedicated and elaborate home theater set-up used sound engineers for room treatment, tech purchases. I think some had degrees, and some were ex roadies.

Just got back form Target. They are marking down bedding by 20%. after discount, I picked up Room Essential label for: Twin xlt sheets 3 piece set at $7.60 twin xlt comforter 16.00 four piece towel set 8.00

Thank you Heading out to target

I was just about to order a top and bottom set from Amazon for $22. A four pack for $10. Anybody know if there is still a sale at Costco or Sam's. Thanks