One semester down, three to go

The first semester of senior year ends tomorrow. We've been holding our breath for most of these ten weeks. The stakes seemed high. As well as A has done the last two years, his mediocre performance (by his standards) in 9th grade have brought down his GPA. At 8.3, it is on the low-ish end of what MIT and other top schools look for. (Please, don't ask about the odd GPA numbers. Whereas most schools rank on a scale of four, Newton North uses some unique and bizarre system that involves level of class, degree of difficulty compared to other similar classes, number of students taking the class, and the phase of the moon. Honestly, no one seems to understand the ranking system, yet everyone accepts it.)

To kick things up a notch, he took a heavy course load: AP Physics (more on this class and my "worst parenting moment" in a later post), AP English, Honors Calculus, Economics, AP Italian, in addition to being a teaching assistant and working for the school doing computer repair and support. The pressure has been high to score a home run on each class. Not exactly the way one wants to spend the beginning of senior year, nevertheless that was the situation.

And, with one day to go, signs are looking good for a strong showing. At the risk of jinxing the poor kid, here's my prediction: Physics--A; English: between A and B; Calculus: A; Economics: A; Italian: A. I don't think he gets graded in the teaching and work study.

So, report cards come out right before Thanksgiving, and grades get sent along to the schools. I'm pretty sure it's the last piece of info they receive before making their decision.

No matter what happens now, A has done his bit. There's nothing more he can do other than sit back, take a breath, cross his fingers and hope he's a winner in the lottery that is college admissions these days.