It's snowing--light snow, says the forecast but this started late in the day and I'm a bit leery as I have a parents-of-college-bound sophomores meeting tonight. I suppose I could just take our old sedan. I work in my jammies or track suits all day/evening with my hair bunched up on my head sans contact lenses--so no worries about appearance but when I go out I have to be driving the Mustang.<whole family: eyeroll> However, I actually do get dressed to go out--unless I get an early, unexpected call for a ride like on Saturday when younger son's Scholastic Bowl team "owned" the away high school team so they were finished a lot sooner than planned. Then I grabbed almost knee-high boots and my black leather trench coat, took the hair down, put on some lipstick, hopped in the Mustang and retrieved him--and I was in my jammies. I know I'm not the first work-at-home mom who has done that--and at least my hair isn't ever in curlers when I do so.
But tonight will be different. I have to actually go inside the high school--to the auditorium and be a part of "PLAN Interpretation Night."
We shall discuss according to the notice we received in the mail, the "benefits" (quotes are theirs) that his taking the PLAN test (predicted ACT score indicator) are.
I don't mind this at all. I am look forward to it, in fact. The part where the school people talk. The part that I'm hesitant about is when the floor opens for questions because I know some of the "who's" that will be asking. These are the same parents who even though asked not to do so grill their child's teacher on Parent Orientation Night. One guy in particular. Awful, just so rude about taking up time that is not his to take. But giving him an open floor tonight? I do want to get home before midnight so I'm sitting in the back. By the door.
So how did son do on the test? Should it continue to blow my mind that he gets scores like this? Spouse keeps telling me that our son "tests well" like it means nothing.
I disagree. I think it means plenty and even if I'm wrong it makes my heart sing a little that the typical scores that "highly selective" colleges ask for on the ACT's are the equivalent on this test to "25-30" and our son got an estimated ACT equivalent composite score range of 30-33! This one indicator is just another in a series of indicators over the past 7 years that have said the same thing. You cannot be of average abilities and get these scores. I know it sounds like I'm trying to convince myself...maybe because I did so poorly the first time I went to college. I dunno. My biggest concerns are that my son is able to go to the school that best suits his abilities and career plans and his overall needs. Thinking about him away at college completely blows my mind though. And that is what this is designed to do, I suppose. Make all involved really think about college. Anyone know of an Engineering school that is really generous with scholarships? That's my real worry. How are we going to pay for this sucker?
There are no bad decisions.
Dan, you are decidedly an optimist which is a good thing indeed. :)
Posted by: Cyn | January 15, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Wow. That's like a B-52s hairdo.
Hmm. Not sure if I can help you with engineering schools. I'm sure he'll find the right school. There are no bad decisions.
Posted by: Dan | January 14, 2008 at 09:17 PM