We got a very late start on the college search process as we spent much of junior year dealing with anxiety issues. So while most kids are putting in their applications, we are making the rounds of Camous visits, local info sessions, college fairs, and rep visits at the HS. The essay isn't even written yet. DS will not write about his performance variances from freshman through junior year, and grade recovery this quarter, nor explain that though he dropped a class he was failing, he continued to audit it and make 5 and 4 on the related AP exams before the end of the year; similar cases with classes where he got Cs for the course but 5s on the APs. (AP scores aren't submitted with the application.) and of course the programs he wants to take call for high GPAs. Test-score-optional schools make us worry: his test scores (no prep) are his best indicator!
Besides affecting the classroom performance, the anxiety kept him from engaging in extracurricular activities, competitions, athletics, volunteering at church and in the community, performing, working, let alone leadership in any of those, all the OTHER things schools consider in a candidate. (Knowing participation is beneficial for applications only amped the anxiety.)
But, I am so proud of him this senior year. He is entering an original composition in a state competition, which meant he had to go to a teacher to work with him on it, and he has to submit it for judging! He participates in class. He talks to his teachers when things don't get turned in on time or when he misses a class (not EVERYTHING has changed lol, but he can DEAL with it now.) He asks questions of college reps. He actually gets in the car to go visit schools. He's taking instrumental lessons again to prepare an audition for colleges that offer music scholarships even to non-majors. None of this would have happened the last 2 years.
A good thing that happened as a result of the last couple of years was the assessment process to obtain an IEP. All the testing dispelled some fears and confirmed lots of expectations, and got the student services department more on his side. (I'd love to show the results to the counselor who once said to me "clearly, he's not the smarted kid in the class".)
So, does anyone have tips on managing all the disparities in the college applications, and colleges with supportive environments? Preference for Common App over the school's application? Can you mention AP scores in an essay?
