Posts by mellowskipper

stormymarlin22 said:I guess there’s no voting for the pre-registrations

They told us that once those lists are locked in—if you get accepted into your first choice school—everything else just gets wiped from the system, and the whole selection process ends right there.
It doesn't even matter if you were actually qualified for all five other schools on your list; it's just gone.

Nathan Garcia said:Our kids aren't even enrolling until next year, so I'm just lurking this thread for now.
Question: This is about the school application ranking—like, what's your first, second, or fifth choice? If my kid ends up deciding they actually want the third school on their list instead of the first one—even if they technically qualified for all three—can we change our minds later, or are we stuck with whichever one they got into first?

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Reddit

There isn't really a choice after the fact. That’s why how you rank those schools is—well, it's everything.

rowdypanther12 said:Michelle Nelson4, I was looking into it, and it seems like most of those kids come from language academies, right?
I guess it just makes sense that students who aren't big on math tend to lean toward language schools.😁
Jokes aside, I’m actually going to look into where those kids are heading based on what she wants (for now); maybe that'll help her make a decision.

Wait, you already know which college she's aiming for?

urbantinker8 said:So, are you trying to jump down my throat again?🤦
If that question rubs you the wrong way, you really don't have to answer it.
I guess I was just wondering if this is all driven by pure curiosity, because I can't quite wrap my head around why anyone would bother studying a massive pile of data if those numbers don't actually impact anything.
I suppose if someone uses them to decide whether to move a kid to a different—maybe better?🤔—elementary school, or if they want to map out a list of realistic or totally unreachable colleges five or ten years down the line, then fine, that makes sense.
But, I don't know, it feels more like that endless, somewhat pointless cycle of comparing and analyzing which school is supposedly better or harder and which one is worse or easier.

I wouldn't use SAT scores as an enrollment parameter for anything else, ever. My little one cares even less about them; she couldn't care less about the SATs. I was honestly just looking at those charts out of curiosity...
But I did find something interesting. I was looking into what students from vocational graphic design programs typically enroll in next.
And it turns out most of them head toward the University of North Alabama in Columbus, Ohio.Actually, very few go to our local state graphics program. I decided to dig deeper to see what the catch was. It looks like the local state program is stuck in the 19th century, whereas the University of North Alabama offers modern studies that actually align with the high school graphic design curriculum.
I found that to be quite interesting and actually useful.

Are kids seriously studying Snoop Dogg to decide which school to go to?
I haven't heard anything about that, to be honest.

Kate Jackson4 said:skyfall, I haven't read it yet, but on the third version, page 13 😉

Quotes

urbantinker8 said:But seriously though: what are you actually planning to do with all this data?
Are you just digging through these spreadsheets out of pure curiosity, or is there some deeper motive at play here..?
I mean, what does it really prove when you link someone's high school to the college they eventually attended? What kind of insight is that actually supposed to provide...? 😵

Curiosity. At least for me.

Michelle Nelson4 said:I don't know... personally, I find the whole thing quite easy to follow, and there's just so much great information to dig into.
Of course, we have that wicked old hag Divjak to thank for how accessible this data is—just more proof of how outdated our digital infrastructure and public information systems really are. Instead of having everything laid out clearly for the public, we're stuck relying on "experts" to interpret everything for us.☕

I can't stand using Excel, probably because I never use it for anything useful, and trying to navigate it on a phone is a total nightmare.
proab, which SER and what specific page were you looking at to find those mid-term enrollment numbers for specific colleges?

northerntiger9 said:Looking at the SER data—at least from the perspective of RI—it’s clear that grades spiked across all grade levels during the COVID era; they definitely weren't this high before. But since last year, things have been trending down again, and now that we're fully back to in-person learning without any isolation requirements, everything will likely just settle back to normal.

That was actually kind of expected, I guess...

There’s definitely a difference there—whether they were getting three or six hours of math a week. That basically doubles the workload.
I think general high schools usually stick to about four.
It’s probably pretty smart for students in vocational tracks to sign up for those extra math prep courses right at the start of their freshman year.

You really put that beautifully, Bill Clinton.

Michelle Nelson4 said:Most students coming out of General Electric tend to head toward the local community college—I think it's the building right next door—so I suspect the location is a huge factor. A good number of them choose to study Algebra, while a few head off to FO, MIT, or even the FBI (and I'm specifically looking at the track for a Computer Technician here)
Looking at those from Isaac Newton, the biggest group moved on to the community college, though if you add up everyone going to FO, MIT, and the FBI, they actually make up more than half the total.

Honestly, your best bet is to check the Sher website; that’s really the only place where you'll find the actual, verified data.

The tuition for those programs at MIT is pretty steep. I mean, I don't know if it's actually worth all that cash.
Everyone seems to rave about the community college, though.

Joseph Martinez4 said:Wait, so there isn't even a computer technician track over at Tesla?

I see they've already responded.

What exactly are we talking about here? I mean, I guess it’s hard to say without any context—not that anyone ever provides much of it around here—but what is the actual point of this? Or rather... what is it actually for? mellowskipper says:
The minimum threshold set by a school—if you want to be precise about it—isn't quite the same thing as saying, "the last person who got in had this specific score." I guess people tend to conflate the two, but they really aren't identical... at least, not in my view. There’s a subtle distinction there that gets lost in the shuffle, which can be a bit frustrating when you're trying to parse the actual data.

The threshold—that minimum score required just to be considered—is essentially what determines if a student can even put a school on their application list in the first place. Each school sets its own specific cutoff before enrollment begins... I guess you could say it's the gatekeeper for the whole process.

The score you see listed at the end—well, that’s just whatever ended up being drawn after the enrollment process is finalized. It could actually be equal to, or even higher than, the minimum cutoff point—assuming the school even bothered to set a threshold in the first place, I guess.

I suppose I see the distinction you're making. To me, though—and I might be wrong here—the more relevant metric is probably just the score from that last entry back in 2022. I don't really expect there to be much of a deviation from that.

I suppose I should probably weigh in here—though I’m not entirely sure if anyone actually wants my two cents on this particular matter. It seems like we’ve drifted quite a bit from the original point of discussion, hasn't it? I mean, maybe I'm being too pedantic, but there's a certain... lack of cohesion in how people are approaching this. I guess you could say it's all a bit disorganized. Anyway, moving on. mellowskipper says:
I mean, if I’m being honest—and I suppose I should be—Tesla seems quite a bit inferior to Ruđer, especially when you actually look at the GPA rankings and, more importantly, those final high school graduation scores.

I suppose you could argue that Ruđer offers a higher caliber of education—it’s certainly more rigorous, I guess.

Kate Jackson4 said:Michelle Nelson4 replied that the minimum score required just to apply for the program at Isaac Newton

I'll have more than that, we'll see... unlikely I'd make it into Computer Technician, maybe some other major, but probably not that either

Other schools like Tesla, General Electric, and the like have similar graduation scores. They aren't bad, but hardly anyone gets into MIT, which says a lot

I know two colleagues whose kids have already graduated from Tesla—they finished up at MIT and then moved through specialized programs in media and naval architecture. They’re all happy, settled, and actually working in their fields now... and I guess, if I'm being honest, they're pulling some very solid, concrete salaries.
Is there actually an option to enroll in a different major first, and then just... switch over during sophomore year by making up the necessary credits? I guess it depends on how strict the registrar is, but maybe it’s possible—assuming you can handle the workload of catching up on all those prerequisites.
Assuming—of course—that they don't just get it right on the first try.

Kate Jackson4 said:Lincoln High, AT&T, and Technical High School
Minimum points required at AT&T

That specific program is also available at schools in Aurora, suburban towns near a major city, and other suburban towns near a major city. So, if those locations work for anyone—or if the transit links are decent enough...

Mark Johnson12 said:My kid was really aiming for Ruđer, but it looks like his test scores are going to be cutting it just a little too close. He'll probably end up at Tesla instead.

And honestly, Tesla, Inc. is a solid choice. A whole bunch of them usually head off to places like Georgia Tech, the FBI, or MIT.

Kate Jackson4 said:Have you attended any Open House events at the schools you're eyeing? We visited three technical high schools recently and found them quite insightful; being able to consult directly with the faculty and students provides invaluable perspective. To me, the most critical factor is gauging the overall atmosphere to see if it truly resonates with your child—what suits one student might be a poor fit for another. If your preferred schools haven't held their Open House yet, I highly recommend going...

We have finally established our application priorities and decided which school 🙂
prefers.

I suppose I’d suggest heading out to the Open House—specifically for those first two schools you put down on your application. It might be worth it, I guess.
That’s exactly how they did it—it was done quite well, I suppose. You can really see the training behind it—the way they engage with the students, talk things through with the faculty, and actually take the time to get a genuine feel for the campus atmosphere...

Kate Jackson4 said:Private schools have started setting entrance thresholds too. Looking at this enrollment page, several private high schools have a cutoff of 65. Those are some pretty decent students... I guess they used to accept lower scores, but their ratings probably take a hit if the kids can't pass the SATs later on.

By the way, the computer technician program at Ruđer has a threshold of 72 points.😉

Where on earth are you getting those numbers for Ruđer? I’m looking at the 2022 data right now—the last entry I see shows 76.11.

rowdypanther12 said:I'm honestly just bummed they aren't enrolling kids in high school this year, otherwise I could have gotten some firsthand info for next year.😂

You’ll get all the information you need—don't worry about that. I personally find the e-enrollment Viber channel pretty handy; it basically serves as a constant reminder, which helps me stay on track. Also, there is that helpful webinar hosted by the local school district specifically for parents and students—it walks you through the entire enrollment process step-by-step, and they even do a live Q&A session to answer questions in real-time... I guess that covers the basics.

Kate Jackson4 said:We visited a few technical schools, and both faculty and students agree—head to Ruđer, they're the gold standard 😁😁😁

If they have a technical bent, then definitely go with MIT. It’s an incredible school—honestly—and I wouldn't worry too much about it being "male-dominated," because smart kids go there regardless, and besides, since it's graphics, there are plenty of women in the program anyway.

rowdypanther12 said:In most developed countries, private schools aren't really a thing

I’m a bit lost here—what do you mean when you say private schools don't exist?

hiddendriver34 said:I totally felt silly for a second! I honestly thought we were talking about an American school over in Brooklyn. I’ve never even heard of this one before. Looking at the photos, they clearly have great gyms and tennis courts, but you know how it goes—it's easy to tell if a school actually delivers on education or if they're just putting on a fancy show with high-end facilities. We'd really need to dig deeper to see if the quality matches the look.

Yeah, I think she only started working about a year ago—give or take. Though, if I'm being honest, even that other one over in Chicago is alright in my book, I guess.

I suppose I should probably weigh in here—though I’m not entirely sure if my input carries much weight in this particular thread—but there seems to be a certain... tension regarding the recent developments. It feels like we are circling the same drain, repeatedly, without actually addressing the core issue at hand. I mean, I guess one could argue that progress is being made, but from where I’m sitting, it looks more like we’re just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Not that I want to be overly dramatic—certainly not—but the lack of direction is, well, it's palpable. Maybe I'm just being cynical. Perhaps. But it seems to me that everyone is so focused on the immediate fallout that they've completely lost sight of the long-term implications—which, frankly, are quite significant if you bother to look. Anyway, I'll leave it at that. For now. mellowskipper says:
I was once reflecting quite a bit on the whole private prep school scene—you know, those elite academies you see everywhere—and honestly, based on everything I managed to gather through various readings and conversations back then, nothing I encountered seemed to be working in their favor. It all felt rather questionable, I guess.
Maybe Seselja—though, I guess she actually sounds decent.
As for the rest of it... I don't know. I suppose I just can't shake this feeling—it’s hard to explain, really—but I simply don't want my child going to school surrounded by kids who think every single problem in life can be smoothed over with a credit card. It feels like everything is being reduced to that one thing lately, which is... well, it's unsettling, I guess.

It’s actually the exact opposite here—well, I guess you could say that. Out there, everyone seems to be scrambling toward private preschools and private schools because the quality is just... significantly higher.

hiddendriver34 said:Isn't their curriculum pretty much identical to the IB program at MIT? As far as I know, the American schools follow the exact same syllabus for both institutions.

To be honest, I haven't actually sat down and studied the specifics—I guess you could say I'm a bit out of the loop there. But, given how massive the price gap is... well, I assume there’s a reason for it. Maybe.

If I had money to burn, I would have enrolled my little one in
https://americanacademy.com/school-z...UaApu3EALw_wcB
Honestly, I wouldn't even be stressing over enrollment right now.
It isn't just because of the intellectual property aspect—though that matters—but rather because I am 200% certain the atmosphere there would be so much more encouraging. They seem to have a better, more innovative approach, superior teaching methods, and a much stronger curriculum; not to mention the general vibe and how they guide students toward their future paths. Compared to the local public school system, this place is basically NASA.

Carl Bishop2 said:I honestly have no clue what the workload actually looks like for the admissions committee. I always assumed things were mostly automated by now—you know, not much to do unless they're grading specific portfolios, like for something over at SPUD or Graphics.

Well, there is always the matter of handling appeals and grievances, I suppose.
The enrollment forms are all digital this year too. And regarding those art school portfolios—those can't just be graded by any random teacher; it has to be a specialized panel of experts.
I'm not really sure what kind of direct contact parents or applicants even have with the admissions board, to be honest.

Ronald Chavez2 said:Well, you can still pull it off; after all, the exchange is supposed to provide its own input anyway, so when you file your next application at the local school board office, just list the specific schools you're actually interested in. The deadline for students with special needs hasn't passed yet, has it?

It's true—we'll get there... I suppose we'll have a decision made by Monday regarding our next move.

Kate Jackson4 said:mellowskipper, true enough, but over here, every mom in the suburbs is already losing her mind over school enrollments while most kids couldn't care less... just saying

Man, I am honestly just sitting here in a state of total re-traumatization. It honestly reminds me of my own old transcripts—and how much of a complete psycho my former school was. I mean, looking back, my grades were actually decent enough that I could have probably gotten into almost any program I wanted... well, maybe except for something like Mio.
I can't exactly say I was indifferent—not when she was dumping all that nervous energy onto me and trying to shake my confidence.

Kate Jackson4 said:In my opinion, the worst part is how active this thread is—high school discussions happening on a parenting subforum... that says everything we need to know.
I’ve tried asking questions in high school threads where actual students or alumni post, but there's absolutely nobody there...

It used to be that parents barely knew which school their kid was heading to, and most kids handled the whole process themselves... nowadays, we're fighting their battles for them, obsessing over GPA and admissions... that's why this isn't working.😢

I suspect it’s mostly because the general public doesn't really visit this site anymore. It’s just not their scene. They’re probably all over Instagram or TikTok talking about this stuff instead.