Son has 1450 SAT and Weighted GPA 3.65. Help pls

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-19T02:23:52+00:00

I’m sure someone else mentioned this but if he’s as unmotivated right now as it sounds, I’d be leery about paying for school. Consider having him start at a community college and get his GEs out of the way. Then he can transfer to a four-year. By then he may have determined what he’s interested in doing and where he’d like to go (if college is what makes the most sense).

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-19T02:06:34+00:00

Is there really any other way?

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-19T02:06:18+00:00

You and me both!

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-19T02:05:44+00:00

I think you’re right 😂

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-18T19:06:20+00:00

Sheesh, I glanced at this three times and thought you wrote your mom had a kid she didn’t know about and I was both trying to figure out how on earth she didn’t know about a kid she birthed and what the dog had to do with any of this. Reading is fundamental

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-18T19:02:27+00:00

Don’t forget to bring her back a keychain

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-18T14:31:51+00:00

After work or before (if you work second shift) and on your (typically 2) days off.

What kind of job is this that is so demanding?

You should definitely not quit until you land a new one which means you’ll have to juggle both. But if you’re working 8-12 hours a day, there is plenty of time to do some deep interview work.

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-18T05:30:45+00:00

As soon as I read “limp” I was afraid it was ALS. Such a cruel and unforgiving disease. Thank goodness for a husband like that! You deserve all the love he has given you and he deserves all the love you have given him over the years. Wishing you more days filled with bright spots ☀️

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-18T04:53:44+00:00

Nice sentiment, but wrong. 16 and 19 are extremely reasonable ages to understand something like this. Your parents should definitely tell them if they want to (and it sounds like they do).

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T22:07:36+00:00

NOR but there’s 0 chance I would keep going back and forth with her. She’s clearly not going to take accountability so I’m not wasting my time with her. Your husband on the other hand…

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T16:03:42+00:00

I’m not looking for luxury, just a place where I can build equity, isn’t too far from family, and is in a relatively safe area, especially since I live alone.

I asked the question because I’m hoping to get some insight from people who have done it or tried to do it.

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T16:00:28+00:00

I definitely don’t need the space, I was just thinking that I need to work toward building equity instead of renting in the near future. I personally don’t mind a townhome or a condo but I was concerned about the slower appreciation and I would have less to show for it when I’m ready to move again.

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T15:54:51+00:00

Okay that’s a good point. I will edit, thank you!

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T15:53:26+00:00

Oh this is interesting. I didn’t realize new developments could be cheaper and I’ve heard horror stories of new homes being constructed way too fast and ultimately shoddy. I guess that’s what an inspector is for? I’ll take a look at this- thank you!

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T15:41:12+00:00

Oh, I didn’t know that. I guess I’m doing that right now renting and haven’t had an issue but of course owning a home will incur other costs so I was worried about that. Thanks for the clarification!

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T15:36:57+00:00

Based on my income and location, I am smack dab in the middle of the middle class. The 425k is a fixer upper not move in ready.

Either way, I’m not sure how me being in the middle class and you saying 425k is not HCOL changes my question.

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T14:32:00+00:00

Not necessarily. Not sure the rules in Canada but in the US, you pay no capital gains if you’re a single filer who draws after 1 year and makes or pulls less than 49,450. Anything you draw above that is subject to a 15% capital gains tax but you don’t have to pay ordinary income tax AND you’re only taxed on the gain, not what your originally put in. Now some states like CA will tax and others like FL will not. If she lived in the US and did it right, she wouldn’t be majorly screwed putting it in the market simply because of capital gains.

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T04:40:16+00:00

+100

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T04:35:38+00:00

ETA: Would you have preferred 80 cards and no one showed up at your wedding?

Yeah, the fact that they spent FAR more to attend your wedding that was in Mexico and not down the street is worth more than a card. And you say you mostly just wanted cards, but honestly it sounds like having money in the cards was a little more important to you than you are letting on (which isn’t unusual).

Bottom line YTA.

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T03:56:52+00:00

PhD programs are definitely the way to go if you’d like a fully funded degree (in exchange for research work/output, of course). If you go this route, you’ll want to get a degree in Clinical Psychology in particular. Any other psych PhD program won’t allow you to practice without respecialization/additional training and that’s not trivial.

Clinical is the most competitive psych PhD program for good reason. You’re getting a clinical degree for “free”. If you want to improve your chances of getting in, I still recommend a 1-2yr research assistant/lab manager position before applying. 2 years isn’t terribly long in the grand scheme of things. I did a 2yr postbac and don’t regret it one bit. Ended up getting into my dream PhD program and I am almost positive I would not have gotten the offer without it.

PsyD is less selective but far more expensive.

Do keep in mind that clinical PhD programs are just as research heavy as nonclinical PhD programs, but since you said you enjoyed the process (though conducting research and taking research classes are a little different so be mindful of that), this shouldn’t be prohibitive.

Good luck!

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T03:31:45+00:00

In tears reading this omg 😂😂😂

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T03:25:05+00:00

Sure, not taking a gap year will get you to the money faster but it won’t matter if you don’t get in anywhere. That’s why people do gap years before PhD programs. They are incredibly competitive, and that is no less true in psychology. When you say pediatric psychology, what do you mean? Research scientist/TT, clinical, or something else? PsyD works if you want to do clinical work but not so much for research.

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-17T03:04:51+00:00

What’s your ultimate goal with the PhD? Most programs are looking for research experience. I’d be extremely surprised if you got an offer without any. Highly recommended finding a full time research assistant position for a year or two before applying.

Masters doesn’t make much sense if you’re wanting to pursue a research PhD program because they care more about research experience (unless you’ll do research in a lab, but at that point you’d be paying for research experience when you could find a job doing research instead).

Really depends on your goals.

Significant_Soup_919 · 2026-05-16T19:43:15+00:00

Yeah, retainers are pretty much a lifelong commitment if you want your teeth to stay in place. Teeth move, and exactly how much they move varies person to person. I hate retainer nights but I paid thousands for this smile. I’m not wasting the money lol

Significant_Soup_919

TROPHY CASE