Parents of Juniors - how is it going?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that mine are done - one in college, another heading to her ED college in the Fall - wanted to check in to see how y'all are doing.
Lots and lots of great information on this site.
Is your DC planning visits, getting a feel for the basics like urban/rural/large/small, researching majors, deciding where/how to demonstrate interest, scheduling AO interviews if offered or finding out when those open, prepping for SAT/ACT, asking teachers for LOR's, thinking about main essay and supplemental essay ideas, creating a resume, researching costs, getting a sense of where/what their admissions chances are etc etc
I wish you all the best and I know there are many on this site that feel the same!

Are they supposed to be asking for LOR's now (spring of junior year?)

My son knows of 4 schools he wants to apply to, only two require LORs--and both require two LORs. Purdue (engineering) and Colorado School of Mines.

He has 3 teachers he is considering asking. Does he just ask for a "generic" LOR that can be copied for multiple applications?

I would say start to plan which teachers to ask, and yes definitely ask them by late Spring. They may not write them until the Fall, but it's best to ask early as teachers get swamped with requests, and some end up limiting the number they will write.
No don't ask for a generic LOR. (You will likely never see the LOR - they are meant to be confidential just between the teacher/counselor and the schools. You counselor will send them to the schools, not you).
Just the opposite. The LOR plus the guidance counselor rec are critical pieces of the application. AO's value what teachers/counselors have to say about a student, and not in a generic way.
Your DC can approach the teachers in person, ask if they would be willing to write a LOR for them,
Your DC could then send a brief email thanking them in advance, and in the email talk about why the class has meant a lot to them, give an example or two of what resonated and why. Teachers will likely include that so write it with that understanding.
AO's want to get a picture of who this applicant is, other than their stats. How they are as a student, how they are valuable to the school/learning community. LOR's help them see that.
The more your DC can provide to the teacher, and also you as a parent (often via the "brag sheet"), the better.
If your DC applies to rolling admissions schools once the Common App opens on Aug 1st - most of them do not require LOR's or transcripts (self report) - heads up that you can do that and it feels great to have an acceptance early, sometimes even before the school year begins.
Good luck!

Thank you!

I guess by "generic LOR" I meant, specific to my son-but "generic" in that it could go to any college?
Since he knows he will need 4 total LORs (2 to Purdue, 2 to Mines--and it's still early, he might decide to apply to other schools and need more LORs) should he ask 4 separate teachers to each write one letter? Or ask some teachers to write more than one letter (specific to the school?) That just seems like a lot to ask of a teacher.
Or can he ask 2 teachers to write the "generic school/specific to my son" letter--the guidance counselor keeps that on file, and sends them out as needed for each application?

Thank you for any help, since I don't really know how this part works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I assumed OP was asking about college juniors since this was in the college forum. What a weird post.

What do you think HS Juniors are doing this year besides getting ready for College? lol.

I'm a parent of a Junior High schooler and I spend LOTS of time searching this forum.

I find all comments, experiences and data information very helpful for years to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overall, she's in good shape. Question about the LORs ... do they have to be from a core subject? DD's favorite teacher is her AP Psych teacher. I know she'd write a good one.

Check the college's website on who they want the LOR to be from. Some do specify to be a teacher from core subject.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overall, she's in good shape. Question about the LORs ... do they have to be from a core subject? DD's favorite teacher is her AP Psych teacher. I know she'd write a good one.

Parent of a junior here who asked a similar question about this a couple of months ago. My kid wants a rec from a social studies teacher with whom they’re taking an elective AP; they love the class and have a strong relationship with the teacher through an EC. The schools my kid is interested in want two recs from teachers in core areas (English, math, science, social studies). Feedback from DCUM confirmed our instinct that this is fine/good since my kid is taking a social studies class with the teacher (even if it’s not the main/required social studies class) and that having a teacher who knows the kid well is key.

Hope that helps!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grades are in good shape (4.0/3.7)

We've done some college tours to see what he wants in a school (bigger school, close to/in a bigger city.)

No idea on major. It waffles from psychology to engineering to computer science (I am not worried about this at all.)

Taking SATs in a few weeks (and will determine if he is going to take them again in the early summer.)

We've talked about teachers he can ask for recommendations. He will ask this spring.

Plan is for him to work on essays this summer so he can apply early fall. Hopefully, he will do this without much argument (he is going to be working 30-40 hrs/week.)

He isn't applying to top schools so we aren't too stressed about the whole process.

Nice - sounds like all is well.
You probably know this already but my kid was interested in engineering too. Encouraged him to go to a school that offered everything not just engineering. Accepted into an engineering program, but now switching to something completely different. They change...

Yep - and he isn't applying to schools where you have to be directly admitted to the engineering school since those are uber competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that mine are done - one in college, another heading to her ED college in the Fall - wanted to check in to see how y'all are doing.
Lots and lots of great information on this site.
Is your DC planning visits, getting a feel for the basics like urban/rural/large/small, researching majors, deciding where/how to demonstrate interest, scheduling AO interviews if offered or finding out when those open, prepping for SAT/ACT, asking teachers for LOR's, thinking about main essay and supplemental essay ideas, creating a resume, researching costs, getting a sense of where/what their admissions chances are etc etc
I wish you all the best and I know there are many on this site that feel the same!

Are they supposed to be asking for LOR's now (spring of junior year?)

My son knows of 4 schools he wants to apply to, only two require LORs--and both require two LORs. Purdue (engineering) and Colorado School of Mines.

He has 3 teachers he is considering asking. Does he just ask for a "generic" LOR that can be copied for multiple applications?

I would say start to plan which teachers to ask, and yes definitely ask them by late Spring. They may not write them until the Fall, but it's best to ask early as teachers get swamped with requests, and some end up limiting the number they will write.
No don't ask for a generic LOR. (You will likely never see the LOR - they are meant to be confidential just between the teacher/counselor and the schools. You counselor will send them to the schools, not you).
Just the opposite. The LOR plus the guidance counselor rec are critical pieces of the application. AO's value what teachers/counselors have to say about a student, and not in a generic way.
Your DC can approach the teachers in person, ask if they would be willing to write a LOR for them,
Your DC could then send a brief email thanking them in advance, and in the email talk about why the class has meant a lot to them, give an example or two of what resonated and why. Teachers will likely include that so write it with that understanding.
AO's want to get a picture of who this applicant is, other than their stats. How they are as a student, how they are valuable to the school/learning community. LOR's help them see that.
The more your DC can provide to the teacher, and also you as a parent (often via the "brag sheet"), the better.
If your DC applies to rolling admissions schools once the Common App opens on Aug 1st - most of them do not require LOR's or transcripts (self report) - heads up that you can do that and it feels great to have an acceptance early, sometimes even before the school year begins.
Good luck!

Thank you!

I guess by "generic LOR" I meant, specific to my son-but "generic" in that it could go to any college?
Since he knows he will need 4 total LORs (2 to Purdue, 2 to Mines--and it's still early, he might decide to apply to other schools and need more LORs) should he ask 4 separate teachers to each write one letter? Or ask some teachers to write more than one letter (specific to the school?) That just seems like a lot to ask of a teacher.
Or can he ask 2 teachers to write the "generic school/specific to my son" letter--the guidance counselor keeps that on file, and sends them out as needed for each application?

Thank you for any help, since I don't really know how this part works.

He should ask two teachers to write LORs. They will know what this means (they will submit their LORs to your sons’s counselor who will then send them to each school he applies to).
AO’s do not have time to read more than two LORs, generally, so the no more than 2 is almost always the case.
You don’t want LORs to be tailored to any particular school. Teachers won’t have time to do this and it would get very confusing. Sorry I missed what you meant by generic but yes you are right - they should be specific about your son but generic in the sense of not mentioning a college by name.
As others have said, generally best to have two core teachers write them. However some schools are flexible on this, so for instance if your DC has a great relationship with an AP Psych teacher as was mentioned - I might consider that. Sometimes the best plan is to ask teachers who you feel will write the best LORs for you. But check to see what the colleges wish to see.
Also, it can be nice to have an additional recommendation to hold onto in case of a deferral. Deferrals in the early round to the regular decision round are very common. Sometimes a school that defers you will allow you to submit an additional letter, for instance from outside of the school like the leader of a volunteer org your DC is involved with - you would send that in with your “letter of continued interest” to let the school know you wish to be considered.
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that mine are done - one in college, another heading to her ED college in the Fall - wanted to check in to see how y'all are doing.
Lots and lots of great information on this site.
Is your DC planning visits, getting a feel for the basics like urban/rural/large/small, researching majors, deciding where/how to demonstrate interest, scheduling AO interviews if offered or finding out when those open, prepping for SAT/ACT, asking teachers for LOR's, thinking about main essay and supplemental essay ideas, creating a resume, researching costs, getting a sense of where/what their admissions chances are etc etc
I wish you all the best and I know there are many on this site that feel the same!

Are they supposed to be asking for LOR's now (spring of junior year?)

My son knows of 4 schools he wants to apply to, only two require LORs--and both require two LORs. Purdue (engineering) and Colorado School of Mines.

He has 3 teachers he is considering asking. Does he just ask for a "generic" LOR that can be copied for multiple applications?

I would say start to plan which teachers to ask, and yes definitely ask them by late Spring. They may not write them until the Fall, but it's best to ask early as teachers get swamped with requests, and some end up limiting the number they will write.
No don't ask for a generic LOR. (You will likely never see the LOR - they are meant to be confidential just between the teacher/counselor and the schools. You counselor will send them to the schools, not you).
Just the opposite. The LOR plus the guidance counselor rec are critical pieces of the application. AO's value what teachers/counselors have to say about a student, and not in a generic way.
Your DC can approach the teachers in person, ask if they would be willing to write a LOR for them,
Your DC could then send a brief email thanking them in advance, and in the email talk about why the class has meant a lot to them, give an example or two of what resonated and why. Teachers will likely include that so write it with that understanding.
AO's want to get a picture of who this applicant is, other than their stats. How they are as a student, how they are valuable to the school/learning community. LOR's help them see that.
The more your DC can provide to the teacher, and also you as a parent (often via the "brag sheet"), the better.
If your DC applies to rolling admissions schools once the Common App opens on Aug 1st - most of them do not require LOR's or transcripts (self report) - heads up that you can do that and it feels great to have an acceptance early, sometimes even before the school year begins.
Good luck!

Thank you!

I guess by "generic LOR" I meant, specific to my son-but "generic" in that it could go to any college?
Since he knows he will need 4 total LORs (2 to Purdue, 2 to Mines--and it's still early, he might decide to apply to other schools and need more LORs) should he ask 4 separate teachers to each write one letter? Or ask some teachers to write more than one letter (specific to the school?) That just seems like a lot to ask of a teacher.
Or can he ask 2 teachers to write the "generic school/specific to my son" letter--the guidance counselor keeps that on file, and sends them out as needed for each application?

Thank you for any help, since I don't really know how this part works.

He should ask two teachers to write LORs. They will know what this means (they will submit their LORs to your sons’s counselor who will then send them to each school he applies to).
AO’s do not have time to read more than two LORs, generally, so the no more than 2 is almost always the case.
You don’t want LORs to be tailored to any particular school. Teachers won’t have time to do this and it would get very confusing. Sorry I missed what you meant by generic but yes you are right - they should be specific about your son but generic in the sense of not mentioning a college by name.
As others have said, generally best to have two core teachers write them. However some schools are flexible on this, so for instance if your DC has a great relationship with an AP Psych teacher as was mentioned - I might consider that. Sometimes the best plan is to ask teachers who you feel will write the best LORs for you. But check to see what the colleges wish to see.
Also, it can be nice to have an additional recommendation to hold onto in case of a deferral. Deferrals in the early round to the regular decision round are very common. Sometimes a school that defers you will allow you to submit an additional letter, for instance from outside of the school like the leader of a volunteer org your DC is involved with - you would send that in with your “letter of continued interest” to let the school know you wish to be considered.
Good luck!

Here’s what one school my kid is interest in says: “two letters of recommendation from teachers who have taught you in major academic subjects (science, social studies, mathematics, a foreign language or English)“; another says “ Two academic teacher evaluations are required. You are encouraged to submit one from a humanities or social sciences teacher and one from a math or science teacher.”

AP psych is generally taught as a social studies class, by a social studies teacher. So I think it works under the guidelines provided by these schools—but it just shows that it’s worth seeking this information on each school’s admissions site.

[Anonymous]

My Junior is freaking out because his GPA is 3.4 right now. He's an excellent kid, well liked by his peers and just made the Varsity Soccer team (again) this year.

We'll be visiting JMU, GMU, VCU and CNU soon, however, from what I read he might not have a chance at any of those colleges. Except CNU.

He takes a mix of regular/Honor/AP classes.

I welcome all the great information I see in this forum, but to be honest, it gives me anxiety. Who would have thought a well-rounded B student can't aim for a good college...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that mine are done - one in college, another heading to her ED college in the Fall - wanted to check in to see how y'all are doing.
Lots and lots of great information on this site.
Is your DC planning visits, getting a feel for the basics like urban/rural/large/small, researching majors, deciding where/how to demonstrate interest, scheduling AO interviews if offered or finding out when those open, prepping for SAT/ACT, asking teachers for LOR's, thinking about main essay and supplemental essay ideas, creating a resume, researching costs, getting a sense of where/what their admissions chances are etc etc
I wish you all the best and I know there are many on this site that feel the same!

Are they supposed to be asking for LOR's now (spring of junior year?)

My son knows of 4 schools he wants to apply to, only two require LORs--and both require two LORs. Purdue (engineering) and Colorado School of Mines.

He has 3 teachers he is considering asking. Does he just ask for a "generic" LOR that can be copied for multiple applications?

He does not send in the letters, the school does.

The teachers only write one, the Counselling office handles its submission (I think through the Common App, but I can't recall). But again, your kid should waive his right to see the letters (so that all goes on behind the scenes)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My Junior is freaking out because his GPA is 3.4 right now. He's an excellent kid, well liked by his peers and just made the Varsity Soccer team (again) this year.

We'll be visiting JMU, GMU, VCU and CNU soon, however, from what I read he might not have a chance at any of those colleges. Except CNU.

He takes a mix of regular/Honor/AP classes.

I welcome all the great information I see in this forum, but to be honest, it gives me anxiety. Who would have thought a well-rounded B student can't aim for a good college...

I will tell you that my son who graduated in 2020 also had a 3.4 GPA. He had either a 30 or 31 ACT (sorry, I can't remember) and 1310 SAT. He was not a Varsity athlete but was an Eagle Scout.
He was rejected at JMU and CNU.
Didn't apply to VCU or GMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that mine are done - one in college, another heading to her ED college in the Fall - wanted to check in to see how y'all are doing.
Lots and lots of great information on this site.
Is your DC planning visits, getting a feel for the basics like urban/rural/large/small, researching majors, deciding where/how to demonstrate interest, scheduling AO interviews if offered or finding out when those open, prepping for SAT/ACT, asking teachers for LOR's, thinking about main essay and supplemental essay ideas, creating a resume, researching costs, getting a sense of where/what their admissions chances are etc etc
I wish you all the best and I know there are many on this site that feel the same!

Are they supposed to be asking for LOR's now (spring of junior year?)

My son knows of 4 schools he wants to apply to, only two require LORs--and both require two LORs. Purdue (engineering) and Colorado School of Mines.

He has 3 teachers he is considering asking. Does he just ask for a "generic" LOR that can be copied for multiple applications?

He does not send in the letters, the school does.

The teachers only write one, the Counselling office handles its submission (I think through the Common App, but I can't recall). But again, your kid should waive his right to see the letters (so that all goes on behind the scenes)

Thank you!
Mines accepts the common app, but I've been reading on some subreddit forums that you have a better chance of getting accepted if you use the "Golden App" (their specific app) so he was planning to submit that.
Purdue only accepts the common app, they don't have their own app.

Lol, "back in my day" the teachers actually handwrote the letter, put it in envelope and sealed it, and then signed on top of the seal so that it was proof no one had opened the envelope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Junior is freaking out because his GPA is 3.4 right now. He's an excellent kid, well liked by his peers and just made the Varsity Soccer team (again) this year.

We'll be visiting JMU, GMU, VCU and CNU soon, however, from what I read he might not have a chance at any of those colleges. Except CNU.

He takes a mix of regular/Honor/AP classes.

I welcome all the great information I see in this forum, but to be honest, it gives me anxiety. Who would have thought a well-rounded B student can't aim for a good college...

I will tell you that my son who graduated in 2020 also had a 3.4 GPA. He had either a 30 or 31 ACT (sorry, I can't remember) and 1310 SAT. He was not a Varsity athlete but was an Eagle Scout.
He was rejected at JMU and CNU.
Didn't apply to VCU or GMU.

PP that wrote about my 2020 high school grad son here again.
To give you some more positive information:

He was accepted at Longwood and was offered about $2k/year scholarship, plus invited to apply to the honors program.
He was accepted at University of Alabama and received an offer of $15k/year scholarship
He was accepted at WVU and was offered about $15k/year scholarship

[Anonymous]

My DS keeps scoring higher on at-home SAT practice tests. I think he runs out of steam. So I offered him $450 to break 1450 on the March test. If I could get my hands on some adderall to drug him, I would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS keeps scoring higher on at-home SAT practice tests. I think he runs out of steam. So I offered him $450 to break 1450 on the March test. If I could get my hands on some adderall to drug him, I would.

I hope and pray you are not a real human

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My Junior is freaking out because his GPA is 3.4 right now. He's an excellent kid, well liked by his peers and just made the Varsity Soccer team (again) this year.

We'll be visiting JMU, GMU, VCU and CNU soon, however, from what I read he might not have a chance at any of those colleges. Except CNU.

He takes a mix of regular/Honor/AP classes.

I welcome all the great information I see in this forum, but to be honest, it gives me anxiety. Who would have thought a well-rounded B student can't aim for a good college...

Why does "good college" have to mean a big state school in the DMV? Look at SLACS, regional universities, go outside of Virginia for crying out loud. Your son sounds like a great, smart kid - there are good colleges that would love to have him.