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My D is an average student (3.4 unweighted) (3.8 weighted). She has taken mostly honors classes with a couple of AP courses (psychology and environ. science). She has an 1190 on SAT's and is retaking them in a couple of weeks.She is very athletic and has played JV soccer, basketball and lacrosse as well as Varsity basketball and Lacrosse. Has been honored with awards throughout the county for Lacrosse. Other than her athletics (which demands at least 13 hours per week, 6 days a week)she has not had much time for too much other extra cirriculars except for volunteering at homeless shelters and nursing homes as welll as working for two summers in the Pocono Mountains as a counselor at a sleep away camp.She has over 280 hours of community service work. She wants to play club sports in college but is not interested in going for atheltic scholarships. Her list includes U of Miami, Penn State, James Madison, College of Charleston and Maryland. Is she on the right track here in her college choices? Any advice?

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 12:16 pm: Edit

Her GPA is low for U of Md-College Park, especially as an out of state student. Consider that a reach.

If she gets her SATs up above 1200, U of Miami will be more of a match. Right now, I'd say it's a reach as well.

The other three schools are all matches. I don't see a real safety --- maybe add one of the other Penn State system campuses in addition to University Park? Otherwise, looks good.

By Jes1st (Jes1st) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:07 pm: Edit

We are in state at MD. Think she has a good chance at Miami if she goes ED? That is where she really wants to be. Otherwise thanks for the advice. Would U of Rhode Island and Colorado at Boulder be safeties for her?

By Pattykk (Pattykk) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:18 pm: Edit

Try Clemson. The weather is nice (not as warm as Miami), and their women's soccer and lacrosse teams are good. Her SAT is a little low (their average is 1204), but strong athletic ability should be a hook. My niece is very happy at JMU-nice, attractive kids, happy campus, good food, and she is happy in math. Sounds like she made a good list.

By Digmedia (Digmedia) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:24 pm: Edit

Jes - I wouldn't call your D an "average student." Her honors and AP classes and her sports achievements definitely put her above that designation. I echo the advice to put a little time into studying for and retaking the SAT, but I would also suggest taking the ACT, which might be a little better suited to her test-taking skills. Her list of schools is GREAT! It's so refreshing to see a list that presents good schools without the usual list of HYPSM, etc...

By Jes1st (Jes1st) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:47 pm: Edit

Thanks to your responses I am much more relaxed in knowing that she has chosen her schools wisely!I have another question though.. At the end of her junior year her dearest friend was tragically killed in a car accident. The accident happend the week before finals. So.... her grades the last semester of her junior year suffered due to her "being in a complete fog". She has chosen to write her essay on this. Here is the problem I have, is it going to look like she is just making an excuse for the drop in grades her last semster junior year?

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 01:50 pm: Edit

OK, got it now (I guess I was thrown by the Pocono's reference LOL!). The average GPA at U of Maryland is 3.9 so I'd say it's still going to be a bit of a reach, although less so knowing she's in state. Again, same advice applies - you might want to throw another instate uni in there for a good safety, perhaps Baltimore County or Towson? Sorry for the mix-up.

Applying ED will definitely help at U of Miami.

She does have a great list of schools.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 02:03 pm: Edit

I just read your second post. My daughter had a similiar experience in her sophomore year (a friend committed suicide) and her grades also dropped in the semester afterwards. She has mentioned the possibility of writing about this for her college essay but after seeking the advice of people here on this board and her guidance counselor, I've decided it may not be a good idea unless she is able to make the essay about what SHE learned from the experience and not just about her friend.

My daughter has been working with her guidance counselor to start a peer counseling group at her high school and she may write about that in one of her essays. However, I think she is realizing just how hard it is for her to write about, even talk about, this experience and has started to back away from using it in college essays.

In any case, she has been working closely with her guidance counselor on starting a peer counseling group to try to prevent future situations with this. Her guidance counselor has told me privately that she will probably mention the death in her recommendation, both in explaining why her grades dropped that semester, and in describing my daughter's efforts with the peer counseling. Perhaps this might be an approach to take with your daughter as well --- talk to the guidance counselor about explaining the grade drop in relation to the friend's death.

It is so horrible when they have to go through this at this age, isn't it? My daughter is still struggling with her loss.

By Jes1st (Jes1st) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 02:09 pm: Edit

Thanks for your advice. In writing this essay, she has told me, has actually helped her in the grieveing process. She said that getting all of her feelings out on paper has been somewhat therapeutic..
She is writing mostly about what she has learned from this and not so much about who her friend was.. which I agree with you is the approach to take. Thanks for your help and advice!!!!Will get in touch with the guidance counselor- that is a fabulous idea.

By 3togo (3togo) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 04:34 pm: Edit

Without knowing the academic fields your daughter is interested in or the type of school (urban, rural, small, large, etc) it is tough to provide much insight into possible schools.

But a couple web sites can help with the sports ... laxpower.com ( http://www.laxpower.com/common/college_women.php ) ... lists all the colleges at all levels of play (DI, DII, and DIII, as well as club) and if you click on a team will show their conference and coach. (It also shows all HS teams also)

For basketball the D1 schools are pretty well known and the DIII teams can be found here ...
http://www.d3hoops.com/index.html

Find some schools of interest and then check out the academics and campus info in one of the college guides. Good luck!

By Alongfortheride (Alongfortheride) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 05:04 pm: Edit

Jes 1st and Carolyn, it just seems so unfair when things like the death of your best friend happen and take the wind out of your sails. I think your daughters must be extraordinary young women to pick up and move on. Whether or not the adcoms are sympathetic or impressed with their recovery, I am. They've had a lot to deal with. What a loving tribute to their friends that they are moving on (as best they can) in such a positive way.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 10:10 pm: Edit

Thanks Alongfortheride. My daughter still has a long way to go -- although her grades are back up and she seems OK on the surface there are still some subtle (and not so subtle) signs that she's still working things out. Which is one of the reasons that I've decided that all of this college and school stuff doesn't really amount to a hill of beans in the long run.

By Reidmc (Reidmc) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 01:45 am: Edit

I agree with Carolyn - she needs a safety.

Div III athletics are less time-consuming than Div I. If she would consider D III lacrosse (and a smaller school), she may be able to get an edge at a very good small liberal arts school or mid-sized university.