Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums High School Audit versus Fail?

Be VERY careful with science coursework that way-- some universities (and thinking UC system in particular, but they aren't isolated) REQUIRE that a lab course have been completed in a brick and mortar setting for the course to "count" as a prerequisite/requirement.


My advice on AP exams and physics is too dated to be useful- DD took AP Physics B when it was a one-year course (the course that uni's didn't know what to do with since it has no functional college equivalent, basically).


Let me also offer my sympathies for your family's situation and need to make some difficult choices. I know that it doesn't always seem like it at the time-- but things will be okay in the end. It will be fine-- it just won't be right now.

Have you considered asking a local college application coach?

I have to agree with bluemagic that much depends upon what his range of plans might include-- understanding that the upper end may seem out of reach at the moment if you're all feeling overwhelmed. If you could share what you'd all LIKE-- even if you think it probably is now off the table, that could help us to give you some additional insights into at least not closing the door completely.

[quote=NotherBen}We weren't planning on Ivies or elites for DS, but we were hoping for a public university in our region. That may not happen now. We will consider the smaller technical/engineering universities, or the private colleges.[/quote]

Have you thought about asking these questions of the admissions offices at a few of the schools you're considering? I'm don't have the answers for you, but do have a few concerns/questions - if your ds is interested in either science or engineering. First, I'd expect the schools may very well want to see the science classes as b&m courses, not just taking an exam and passing it. I'd also consider that you've mentioned smaller technical/engineering universities as if they are a tier down from public universities in requirements for admissions (that might not have been your intent, but it sounds as if that's what you're anticipating)... I'd be sure to double-check that... I'm not really sure where you're at or what schools you're interested in, but I don't think it necessarily follows.

Sending you lots of good wishes - I truly wish high school didn't have to be so stress-filled for so many of our kids!

polarbear

Ah, polarbear, I didn't mean that they are a step down at all. But the public universities in our region, encompassing several states, are excellent and very popular, and very popular with students from our area, so the competition is fierce. We were hoping for the price break of the public schools, even out of state (though that gets into the price range of the LA colleges as we recall from an older child). The technical/engineering schools are farther away and we are just less familiar with them. I just meant that we are broadening our search.

In the past we would never have considered a professional college advisor, but DS is an interesting case and I am understanding why people hire them. DS is interested in math, computer science, and music. He is especially interested in composition, I'm looking for a local experience in music engineering or technology to see if it piques his interest.

DS17 is at the start of his college search and if you add "Engineering" as a possible major you end up back at the large state schools. Few smaller LA schools have Engineering programs and those that do are very competitive. On the other hand you aren't stuck on Engineering there are many more LA schools that have good math/science/physics programs. In my DS's case we are looking at both options.

As I suggested. Look at the details for the college admissions particularly the science requirements. Keep in mind Engineering departments sometimes have different requirements. And some of this information is a bit buried.

From my son's perspective at the state schools his higher test scores (SAT, AP tests) will help offset his not so high grades because it's often just a formula. And the extra stuff that makes him well rounded won't make as much of a difference. But a smaller LA school would hopefully be willing to look at the whole package and be less rigid in it's acceptance policies. But I know most colleges are really focused on the grades because this is often the best indicator of college success.

UGGG.. This whole college acceptance really makes navigating grades with 2E kids really stressful.

The extra stuff can make a difference in terms of financial (merit) support at those public schools, though. It kind of depends on how deep the competition is in any particular cycle, which is a bit hard to predict.

That depends on what college/university. Many schools at AP scores, or will look at them if they are sent with the admission info. And others don't look at them at all. Check with the school about this. Just went on a bunch of college tours so I'm fairly fresh with this info.

Many students take APs senior year, so they can't have taken the test before admission deadlines, let alone commitment dates. But admissions offices do like to see that you are taking/have taken the courses. In this particular class, however, he will have taken the course, it will show as one semester regular, one semester audit, and 2 AP scores will come out of it.

If nothing else, it gives him something to mention in his essay. And his counselor will know him well enough to write a knowledgable recommendation letter for him. The counselor is new this year and I'm pretty sure knows DS better than many of the other juniors on the roster.

Yup. Something to write in the essay is a good thing. The advice we were given from the private counselor I hired for my DD was if there was more than one place to write. Explain LD's and other handicaps in a supplemental essay rather than the main one.

I'm going to need to figure out how to handle this. One admissions advisor last week made it clear she would like non standard situations explained, she specifically called out students who have high SAT yet low grades. Not sure how I'm going to get my son to discuss this on his applications. We aren't getting a private college councilor for DS, but probably will finding him someone to work with him with his college essays.