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)
Congratulations to your boy! He's clearly worked and planned hard for it.
ReplyDeleteAnd 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.
ReplyDeleteLisateresa
what's evolutionary biology? just curious.
ReplyDeleteAmy, 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.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting and wonderful for him!
ReplyDeleteHow 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! 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!
ReplyDeleteThat's a picture of a man, not a boy. I'm proud to know him.
ReplyDeleteMay he mount up with wings as an eagle.
ReplyDeleteHeartfelt Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteHow 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
Well done, Felix! That's getting what you want!
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations to you and the Composer too. This has to feel good!
Nice job, Felix!! I thought college was more fun than a kid in a mud puddle. Hope it is for him, too.
ReplyDeleteLove the Composer's comment!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Felix, I am delighted for you. When you get to Australia please drop in.
Sharp focus. Something to do with all that looking through binoculars is my theory. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteWhat a focused young man. I know you are proud.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Way to keep your eye on the goal and go for it.
ReplyDeletePS...love love love that Composer!
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.
ReplyDeleteOh my word, is that young man really Felix? Surely he was just a slip of boy two minutes ago.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations 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.
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!
ReplyDeleteGod 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.
ReplyDeleteDeciding 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?
ReplyDeleteI 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".
I love it when Christian young people choose to study science.
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
He's so handsome and grown up. And knows what he wants. Good work, Lord and Ma and Pa...and Felix.
ReplyDeleteHe 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!!!!
ReplyDeleteRenee
Wow! Beautiful and congrats to Felix!!
ReplyDeleteKrystle
Wow! That is so fabulous!
ReplyDelete~Kate
Congratulations to Felix!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! 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
ReplyDeleteDespite 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.
ReplyDeleteC in Iowa
Congrats Felix! Wonderful news!
ReplyDeleteDoes 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!
ReplyDeleteNo, he won't be home. I wish! He will be within driving distance for determined family, though!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Felix, Composer, and yourself! What occupation does he want to pursue upon graduation? I'm giving you a Cyber-hug of delight.
ReplyDeleteHow 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
ReplyDeleteI take it you guys are evangelical Christian but don't read Genesis literally? How else can one study evolutionary biology?
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, you have very well dressed children.
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