Rush at OU

[srmom]

Of course if you can throw a football, GPAs and SATs have no meaning at all in the UT admissions process.

Too True! haha!

But it gives the Romans something to do on the weekends - they go and watch the gladiators perform at the coliseum (Darryl Royal Stadium).

[XOMichelle]

that happened to my cousin (although he never lived in Texas). He got an engineering scholarship out of high school, joined a fraternity, drank too much/ studied too little and flunked out!

He's currently back on his feet, working as a police officer and has 2 beautiful daughters. So it wasn't the be-all and end-all.

[srmom]

Do y'all seriously fly to Lubbock? That's crazy! It's not THAT far...

9 to 10 hours in a car is to be avoided at all costs! Especially when the scenery is flat and brown

Crazy story about your student. Geesh, what people (who've been given everything their entire life) think they can get away with is amazing!

[UHDEEGEE]

Hey, I'm with Srmom on that driving to Lubbock! 10 hours from our home through the least attractive parts of Texas is not a fun drive. That's why my son is looking at Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU & OU (& A&M, of course). They may be out of state, but they are ALL closer to us than Tech.

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by UHDEEGEE

Hey, I'm with Srmom on that driving to Lubbock! 10 hours from our home through the least attractive parts of Texas is not a fun drive. That's why my son is looking at Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU & OU (& A&M, of course). They may be out of state, but they are ALL closer to us than Tech.

Let me put a pitch in for Arkansas if he is looking at others! Great campus, great Greek life, Fabulous business school, etc. Go Hogs!

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Let me put a pitch in for Arkansas if he is looking at others! Great campus, great Greek life, Fabulous business school, etc. Go Hogs!

WPS!

And he'll never get freshman 15 walkin up all our hills.

[UHDEEGEE]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Let me put a pitch in for Arkansas if he is looking at others! Great campus, great Greek life, Fabulous business school, etc. Go Hogs!

Oh, I tried! But once he got a look at a particular one out of those five.....he refused to look at any more. He's planning to apply to those five + UT (which is pretty much the same as buying a lottery ticket).

[Blue Skies]

In high school, this student ran into numerous problems with his teachers. His homework was turned in late, or never. He skipped many, many classes. Worst of all, he used up all of his high school's computer time. And as we know, he was a college dropout.

Bill Gates.

I teach urban, at-risk students, and I know to a certainty exactly how hard the motivated students among them fight to get an education. Those students overcome long, long odds. They well deserve all the breaks they get.

There are gifted students in all strata of society. Are we identifying them properly, and giving them the opportunites they need to succeed?

I'm not convinced.

The Texas 10% law is well-meaning, but I find it wanting. Grades aren't everything. A 4.0 student pleased every teacher she ever had. A 3.8 student may have butted heads with someone on the faculty...who was this student, and why did it happen? Do we even care anymore? Do we value originality, or do we all just have to say, "Moo!" and fit in with the rest of the herd?

*in an ornery mood tonight*

[breathesgelatin]

I'm still surprised so many of you won't drive to Tech! I guess it's because so many people I knew drove to W&L? W&L was close to me (3 hours, closer than a lot of schools in NC would have been), but I had tons of friends who drove to the NYC area (~10 hrs) and even more friends from Texas and Louisiana at W&L... who obviously had to drive. Just a different context, I guess.

I drive to Lubbock frequently (my boyfriend grew up there), but it's only 6-7 hours from Austin.

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

The Texas 10% law is well-meaning, but I find it wanting. Grades aren't everything. A 4.0 student pleased every teacher she ever had. A 3.8 student may have butted heads with someone on the faculty...who was this student, and why did it happen? Do we even care anymore? Do we value originality, or do we all just have to say, "Moo!" and fit in with the rest of the herd?

*in an ornery mood tonight*

I understand what you mean completely. I taught high school for many years in public school and became so disillusioned with the "perfect behavior means the perfect student" mentality.

Teaching and being an advocate for your students is tough. Hang in there, Christmas break is right around the corner!

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Blue Skies

In high school, this student ran into numerous problems with his teachers. His homework was turned in late, or never. He skipped many, many classes. Worst of all, he used up all of his high school's computer time. And as we know, he was a college dropout.

Bill Gates.

I teach urban, at-risk students, and I know to a certainty exactly how hard the motivated students among them fight to get an education. Those students overcome long, long odds. They well deserve all the breaks they get.

There are gifted students in all strata of society. Are we identifying them properly, and giving them the opportunites they need to succeed?

I get what you're saying, but Bill Gates went to The Lakeside School, arguably (but not really) the best school in Seattle. A huge percentage of the school's students are named National Merit Semifinalists/Scholars every year. And Bill G. still got in to Harvard, despite the shortcomings you mention.

All of this talk makes me wonder, with so many kids not getting into their state's flagship university, are they considering private schools before they choose an out-of-state public university? For some of those kids, it actually may be cheaper to go to a private school! I know my private school in California always has A TON of Texas kids.

[UHDEEGEE]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Let me put a pitch in for Arkansas if he is looking at others! Great campus, great Greek life, Fabulous business school, etc. Go Hogs!

Oh, I tried! But once he got a look at a particular one out of those five.....he refused to look at any more. He's planning to apply to those five + UT (which is pretty much the same as buying a lottery ticket).

Well, once his ACT scores became available he started getting mail & emails daily from Arkansas. He's now considering taking a campus tour.

[AXOrushadvisor]

Ladybugmom-

I read your post and as a mom and a Recruitment Advisor I hope I can offer some insight. Not being a legacy should not hurt your daughter at all. In fact, at the school I advise at it is almost a strike against you! The girls feel legacy's have an attitude of "I'm in no matter what" The first thing we look for and cut for are grades so if you daughter has good grades that is a bonus. I will also tell you that if your daughter is shy or reserved it will make it a little more difficult. The girls that do really well during recruitment and have perfect recruitments tend to be the girls who are beautiful, envolved, good grades and light up a room when they walk in the door. Of course it doesn't hurt that they wear all the right things (cute, current stuff) say all the right things (act very interested and sincere and not look around, maintain good eye contact) and are generally warm and friendly. I could write a book after 15 years of doing this on the right way to look and act in a recruitment party. You should hear and see the comments that I hear on PNM's Tell you daughter to keep an open mind and not to listen to the rumors on what house are good and bad ect. Not all you hear is true. Good luck. She will have a lot of fun.

[Ladybugmom]

Originally Posted by AXOrushadvisor

Ladybugmom-

I read your post and as a mom and a Recruitment Advisor I hope I can offer some insight. Not being a legacy should not hurt your daughter at all. In fact, at the school I advise at it is almost a strike against you! The girls feel legacy's have an attitude of "I'm in no matter what" The first thing we look for and cut for are grades so if you daughter has good grades that is a bonus. I will also tell you that if your daughter is shy or reserved it will make it a little more difficult. The girls that do really well during recruitment and have perfect recruitments tend to be the girls who are beautiful, envolved, good grades and light up a room when they walk in the door. Of course it doesn't hurt that they wear all the right things (cute, current stuff) say all the right things (act very interested and sincere and not look around, maintain good eye contact) and are generally warm and friendly. I could write a book after 15 years of doing this on the right way to look and act in a recruitment party. You should hear and see the comments that I hear on PNM's Tell you daughter to keep an open mind and not to listen to the rumors on what house are good and bad ect. Not all you hear is true. Good luck. She will have a lot of fun.

Thanks so much for the information! I think my daughter will do just fine, as she will be more than prepared. We have already gotten at least 2 recs from each house lined up and we will go on major shopping sprees this summer. As far as writing a book, I wish there was one out there to help those going through recruitment to know what to expect. I have not directed my daughter to this site because frankly, some of the threads on here would scare her in to not going throug recruitment at all.... I want her to go in prepared but with an open mind. She really doesn't have any pre-conceived ideas about any of the house so far.
As far as the top 10% rule, I had no idea my thread would spark such discussion. My daughter does go to an affluent, highly competitve high school. I am certain that she is just as prepared for UT or A&M as many of the top 10% in more inner city or rural high schools. I do not know what the answer is, however in our case, it is disappointing to know that she can't get into UT (her first choice) simply because there is no room for her. Thanks so much for the lively discussion!

[ChiOmegaMOM2]

Originally Posted by Ladybugmom

As far as writing a book, I wish there was one out there to help those going through recruitment to know what to expect. I have not directed my daughter to this site because frankly, some of the threads on here would scare her in to not going throug recruitment at all.... I want her to go in prepared but with an open mind. She really doesn't have any pre-conceived ideas about any of the house so far.
!

I totally agree! I am so glad that my daughters did not know about this site until after recruitment. One of them ( they are twins) did not want to go through recruitment, but the other did. They preffed 2 other different houses, but pledged together. Now, at their pref, the one who was hesitant about rushing speaks about her decision and how much it has enriched her life.
After choosing clothes, and getting manis and pedi, the only advice I gave them was to be very positive, polite, and NEVER say a negative about any group or person. Which is pretty much good advice for life.