Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's extremely difficult to get into the top colleges. Don't view that as the only way to success. I think grad school is the new college.

Totally disagree. Not sure what kind of “grad school” you’re talking about but most master’s degrees and PhDs are a waste of time & money. If you’re independently wealthy, which is the only way you could disregard the discussion of ROI, carry on.

Do undergrad the right way, and you won’t need grad school.

Maybe I am crazy - but a JD quadrupled my salary. I do expect my kids to go to grad school - my oldest is interested in engineering, and both my dad and his dad had engineering master degrees (paid for by their companies, I believe).

I have a college freshman and what I think is most important for middle schoolers is to develop good study habits. If you child masters this they will have an easier time in HS and college. Also, allow your child to fail and learn from natural consequences in middle school, don't be tempted to step in if they are not doing something well buy give them pointers so they can figure things out themselves.

Focus on extra curriculars. That's what colleges seem to care most about. SAT scores are optional in so many colleges now.

1. Keep your kid reading all the time.
2. You (parent): get a job at a top school. You would not believe how many marginal/underqualified faculty/staff children get admitted to T20s.

OP, your kid is in 6th grade.

Let them be a kid.

Let them discover if they like to play music, act or paint.

Let them find out if they like to write, think, do math, solve problems.

Let them learn if they can kick or throw a ball, or climb a wall, or run fast.

Do not foist anything on them.

There is a lot of time to worry about "college"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's extremely difficult to get into the top colleges. Don't view that as the only way to success. I think grad school is the new college.

Totally disagree. Not sure what kind of “grad school” you’re talking about but most master’s degrees and PhDs are a waste of time & money. If you’re independently wealthy, which is the only way you could disregard the discussion of ROI, carry on.

Do undergrad the right way, and you won’t need grad school.

Maybe I am crazy - but a JD quadrupled my salary. I do expect my kids to go to grad school - my oldest is interested in engineering, and both my dad and his dad had engineering master degrees (paid for by their companies, I believe).

Anonymous wrote:It's extremely difficult to get into the top colleges. Don't view that as the only way to success. I think grad school is the new college.

Totally disagree. Not sure what kind of “grad school” you’re talking about but most master’s degrees and PhDs are a waste of time & money. If you’re independently wealthy, which is the only way you could disregard the discussion of ROI, carry on.

Do undergrad the right way, and you won’t need grad school.

It's extremely difficult to get into the top colleges. Don't view that as the only way to success. I think grad school is the new college.

Please don’t get on the crazy train when your kid is only in 6th grade.

He should continue to try his best. Also pursue something outside of school he genuinely enjoys (club/hobby/sport/volunteer work).

Be upfront to your DC about whether or not you’re willing to pay for a top private college. They will cost over $100,000/year when your child applies.

Pay attention to the middle school math track, which often determines what level a student can reach by the end of high school. For example, if there are placement tests, make sure he reviews beforehand so that the results are accurate.

Anonymous wrote:I want my kid to go to a bad college … what should I do?

Because of costs?

I want my kid to go to a bad college … what should I do?

Shoot for the moon, and if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.

At bare minimum, in high school: four years of the same foreign language; math up to & including calculus; and biology, chemistry & physics.

Our son is 6th grade right now. We live in MoCo and he has a very good academic record including admissions offered in magnet for both 4th & 6th. However, as local schools here are good with advanced courses, we didn't accept the magnets. He seems to be interested in math/sci a lot right now but we are open to anything that interests him in the future.

We haven't studied in US schools so this entire prep process for college is new for us. Looking for pointers from DCUM community as to what should he be focusing on apart from maintaining a good academic record for increasing his chances for admission into a good school after his graduation.

He probably will do some AP courses by his high school graduation and will do more than the required SSL hours too. What else? Thanks!