Monday, May 09, 2011

Next Year for Felix


Giles was easy--he found the three best photography schools, then chose the one he liked the most. Felix's college search was different.

"Give us some criteria," we said in the fall. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm looking for a great biology department. But it can't be pre-med biology. It has to focus on evolutionary biology and ecology. And I need a strong foreign language department, with access to study abroad, for my double major in Spanish. They have to accept all my AP credit. And they need to pay for everything."

"Excellent," the Composer said drily. "We should be able to check out both of those schools."

So, they found just the one. Felix is going to a flagship state university, with everything paid for. He will be able to complete his degree in three years, double majoring in biology and Spanish, and he has access to grants for the travel he wants to do. Most, most excellent indeed!

(photo credit to friend W)

40 comments:

Sarah said...

Congratulations to your boy! He's clearly worked and planned hard for it.

Lisa said...

And this with the kid who didn't read till he was eight! What an education *I've* gotten from reading this blog! Enjoy him at home while you can this summer.

Lisateresa

Amy said...

what's evolutionary biology? just curious.

Anna said...

Amy, you can click on the word and it's linked to the wikipedia article. Basically it's the study of different species within a larger group. Like ornithology, zoology, etc.

Eileen said...

How exciting and wonderful for him!

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

How fantastic! I love hearing what paths your kids are heading down ... you've really encouraged me, as I've read your blog, to help my kids find their niche.

seashoreknits said...

I love it when a determined young person achieves what they set out to accomplish. Congratulations to Felix! And we look forward to hearing about all the wonders ahead for him.

moll said...

Congrats! I was also a Spanish double major, and got the BEST travel experiences in college - I'd recommend foreign language study to anyone. Clever boy. Good choice, Felix!

Anonymous said...

That's a picture of a man, not a boy. I'm proud to know him.

Esther said...

May he mount up with wings as an eagle.

Marlaine said...

Heartfelt Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Anna,
How did you go about finding a college that would accept all of your sons AP classes and what leg work did you do to find out if they would pay for everything?
I have two years to figure things out!

Thank you,
Maria Ricci
fra_maria@sbcglobal.net

Polly said...

Well done, Felix! That's getting what you want!

And congratulations to you and the Composer too. This has to feel good!

Stephanie said...

Nice job, Felix!! I thought college was more fun than a kid in a mud puddle. Hope it is for him, too.

Rose said...

Love the Composer's comment!

Congrats Felix, I am delighted for you. When you get to Australia please drop in.

Lucille said...

Sharp focus. Something to do with all that looking through binoculars is my theory. Congratulations.

Julie said...

What a focused young man. I know you are proud.

Quiltin Jenny said...

Congratulations! Way to keep your eye on the goal and go for it.

PS...love love love that Composer!

Anna said...

Maria, we relied heavily on Felix's school counselor to assist with legwork--after all, that is her job and she does it for scores of kids every year. For every school he was interested in, we just approached or researched with our questions. Most of it is available online, and admissions departments are usually very responsive.

Tracy said...

Oh my word, is that young man really Felix? Surely he was just a slip of boy two minutes ago.

Congratulations on finding a school that suited his criteria. I love hearing that he has very clear ideals and goals...knows what he wants. What an inspiration to other young men and women of his age.

Christina said...

Ooh, so exciting! My husband's PhD is in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology. He hires outstanding students to work with him during the summers. He would hire Felix!

Erin said...

God is good. He certainly wouldn't have given you such talented children (or given you the talent to teach them) and then left their further education to chance. He had that school all picked out--just like Felix. Congratulations! I hope Felix starts his own birding blog someday.

Friend W said...

Deciding on where to go to college these days is ever so tricky. It's also difficult to know where to advise students to apply/attend. Do you tell them to go to the biggest and most respected schools and yet come out with massive debt? Or do you tell them to go to state schools for free?

I think that his choice of schooling is perfect for his interests, financial situation, and close family ties. I definitely will encourage students in the future to go his route over the "big name universities".

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I love it when Christian young people choose to study science.

My son (also homeschooled) is studying to be a computer scientist but gave serious thought to ecology studies... before he remembered he hated Biology. :)

Our choice was easy for both our children as we live in the shadow of a major university. They could both live at home for at least a couple of years.

Unknown said...

He's so handsome and grown up. And knows what he wants. Good work, Lord and Ma and Pa...and Felix.

Knitters Notebook said...

He has worked very hard.... why not get the college that he would like? I don't believe he was asking for too much..~smile~ Good for you Felix!!!!

Renee

Anonymous said...

Wow! Beautiful and congrats to Felix!!

Krystle

Kate said...

Wow! That is so fabulous!

~Kate

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to Felix!

The Vosslers said...

Wonderful! We're in the mega thick of it over here right now ... especially with dyslexia and with an older child whose brain has gone missing. Do you do your own residential schooling? May I send someone over? lol

Anonymous said...

Despite a computer search under "How to go to college for free" I'm still amazed that this can happen! Wow and wow again. Love hearing about ways to beat the system.
C in Iowa

Amanda said...

Congrats Felix! Wonderful news!

Steph. :) said...

Does that mean he will be able to live at home? If it is IU, I went there for grad school and had a wonderful experience. :) Congrats. We are starting to look for our eldest son and college has become hugely expensive in recent years!

Anna said...

No, he won't be home. I wish! He will be within driving distance for determined family, though!

Farrah said...

Congratulations to Felix, Composer, and yourself! What occupation does he want to pursue upon graduation? I'm giving you a Cyber-hug of delight.

Heather said...

How wonderful. Congrats. I have been reading your blog for a while and I LOVE it. Do you mind if I ask what curriculum you use to homeschool? I am searching.

Anna said...

I use online programs--k12 for my kids from 3rd grade on, then a transition to apexonline for high school (it's pretty tough). Before grade 3, just lightweight reading, writing, and plenty of math together.

Heather said...

Thank you. I see such smart homeschooled children and since I am beginning my journey I like to see what they used so I don't pick the wrong thing..lol.

e said...

I take it you guys are evangelical Christian but don't read Genesis literally? How else can one study evolutionary biology?

On a side note, you have very well dressed children.

e said...

subscribing

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