things you wish you knew as DC started HS...

[Anonymous]

So my oldest is now in 9th grade -- tests well and gets good grades but not much else in terms of "hooks" (has tried sports and instruments in the past but nothing going on right now). I expect (hope?) there will be some sort of EC but certainly nothing earth shattering. In theory I'd like DC to be challenged but not burned out by HS. I am not looking for admission to an Ivy but figure there will be some place that will be "right" or close enough (wouldn't mind UMD but wouldn't be surprised if DC wants to leave MD).

Is there anything you wish you knew as your kid started high school, either in terms of course selection, testing, or how to approach the process, that you'd like to pass on?

thanks and good luck!

[Anonymous]

Take the ACT and SAT/PSAT as early and often as you can for practice. The scores on those exams are very important.

Don't take SAT subject exams too early - 11th grade spring is fine.

Try to get a leadership position in some EC (I know it's hard but it helps). If you don't try to be noticed as a leader in any event.

Around 11th grade pay a lot of attention in class and make notes about good things that have happened in class -- did you do really well on a particular tough exam; did you participate really well in some discussion; etc. Because these teachers will likely be your college recommenders. If you can can make a memorable impression - or refresh the teacher's recollection with specifics of how you contributed - that will make for better recommendations.

Think about attending a summer camp in something at a school you would like to attend.

Contribute somewhere - at school, church, the animal shelter - wherever so you have some public service.

[Anonymous]

Can you afford OOS full pay at a public outside of MD? If so, grades and scores are probably all he needs (fewer resources for admissions + more applicants = a more mechanical process). Look at Madison, University of Washington. Both are strong across the board and both have decent rates of admissions. Consider others based on interests, preferences re locale, finances. Midwestern LACs would be another possibility.

Re HS — encourage him to do what he enjoys and to take APs selectively (in areas of strength and interest vs whenever possible). Try to keep him from adopting the las much as possible, as hard as possible, as early as possiblel mentality that is so prevalent in local HSs. It’s (a) only relevant for kids aiming for single digit admissions schools and (b) counterproductive if/when they get there. Much better to focus on doing what you do well, figuring out what you enjoy, learning how to pursue/develop an interest beyond/outside the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Mine: to calm the hell down and let them grow and explore and learn about themselves and make mistakes and figure it out. The amount of stressed out overhelicopter parenting in this area is insane, and it's not good for our kids (assuming you see your kids as unique individuals who deserve to be happy and well-adjusted, and not as pawns). It's not good when a 16 year old is constantly terrified of messing up

[Anonymous]

BTW, if he’s interested, real jobs (vs. internships, camp counselor) are seen as a plus these days in college admissions. Shows you’re on the road to responsible adulthood. So don’t discourage PT or summer employment if he’s interested and can manage it.

[Anonymous]

Check out Young Scholars at UMd for next summer.

https://oes.umd.edu/middle-high-school-students/terp-young-scholars

[Anonymous]

Honestly, now that I have a high school senior who is going through the application process and applying to mid-level public schools - Pitt, University of Minnesota, Ohio State, etc. - I am really surprised at how little extracurriculars seem to matter.

I assume it is different for smaller schools and for the most highly competitive schools, but it really seems like it is all about GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, now that I have a high school senior who is going through the application process and applying to mid-level public schools - Pitt, University of Minnesota, Ohio State, etc. - I am really surprised at how little extracurriculars seem to matter.

I assume it is different for smaller schools and for the most highly competitive schools, but it really seems like it is all about GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

I agree. For most schools, good grades in a rigorous curriculum and and fairly high test scores are all you need. Other than that, I think students should do something they enjoy and that fits their interests such as job, volunteer work, theater, a sport, band, a club, a hobby, etc. and not go crazy filling their "resume". The only kids who benefit from that are ones applying to a small handful of schools or ones whose personalities lean that way naturally.

[Anonymous]

I wish we had known to be more strategic about advise.

[Anonymous]

College admission to in-state schools is very area/your HS specific. Ignore advice coming from FCPS and NoVa. Btw, vise versa.

[Anonymous]

It goes by too fast!! Relish it. I know teenagers can be annoying but try to have a sense of humor and enjoy them despite their antics. Soon you won't be picking up those shoes or wincing at that unmade bed anymore.

[Anonymous]

It isn't the number of extra curricular activities but the depth of them, don't be in 10 clubs be in one and be the leader of it.

it isn't the grades but the rigor

go to the school that fits your desired career even if nobody has heard of it.

[Anonymous]

You were doing well but this is needs a comment.

"go to the school that fits your desired career even if nobody has heard of it."

Be really careful about picking a career (in HS!!!!????!!!!) that seems to require a major that very few schools have.

If you change your mind about your career choice where does that leave you?

[Anonymous]

There's a school for everybody. Let them be the student that they are and will be most happy being. Sure, rigorous course load and a few outside activities are good, but this should be with a focus on becoming a successful and happy young person, not solely on producing a good college application. It's a tough time in life for young people; you want them to be happy first.

I told my kids, don't worry about what schools will or won't accept you. Remember, they look at thousands of applications and have years of experience. They know what they are doing. Their goal is to identify potential students who will succeed at their school. If they don't choose you, they're doing you a favor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:College admission to in-state schools is very area/your HS specific. Ignore advice coming from FCPS and NoVa. Btw, vise versa.

This. Also, for the most part, we didn't talk about college at home until the kids brought it, at the end of 10th grade for one kid, and after the start of 11th grade for our oldest DS -- but our kids are in private school where the expectation is that everyone is going to college. I, on the other hand, started reading the DCUM college forum about a year before they started looking at colleges, and learned a lot that was very useful later on. I don't think I fully understood for instance, how ED helps you, and where to look for merit aid. You have to sort through the advice, but it was much more informative, and easier to read than the stuff on college confidential, which I just don't find very helpful.

Know that there are different paths to the same place. DS is at a pretty selective school. His roommate got there with a perfect 4.0 unweighted GPA, but a pretty mediocre SAT score. DS got there with a mediocre GPA, taking very tough courses which he chose on his own, but a sky-high SAT score. They are both doing great in college.