给孩子的节日礼物

我儿子15岁。今年圣诞节，我太太给他在Macy买了一件灯芯绒的黑色衬衣。我给他买了一套 DVD 《Too close for comfort: First Season》。我们没有给他买Xbox。他有一套 PS2。但是他一个人从来不玩。最近他总是到邻居或同学的家去玩 Xbox 游戏 Halo 2。但是他说过他不想要 Xbox。所以我们也不知道给他买什么“大件”。于是，我们和往年一样，给了他两百美元现金。我儿子圣诞日早晨12点多一点，就迫不及待地打开了他的礼物盒。当他看到装了钱的信封之后，就客气地说他不需要钱。他已经有一千多元的存款放在银行里。我们听了之后很感动。我们说他学习很努力。He deserved it。收下就好了。不用的话可以继续存在银行里。

我们的邻居有两个男孩。他们半年以前把他们的PS2和一些PS2游戏都卖了。然后买了一个Xbox。但是其中的哥哥仍喜欢玩几个PS2的游戏。于是把我儿子的PS2借去了。已经借去半年了。儿子常跟我讲新游戏的好玩之处。据他说，Xbox可以用来烧音乐CD。玩新的《Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas》的时候，你可以把自己CD里的音乐放进Xbox的硬盘里，然后在游戏里开车的时候，开收音机选择听自己的CD里的音乐。

和儿子讨论《Animal Farm》

今天，儿子读了《Animal Farm》，和我讨论该书的主题是什么。他和我讲了书的内容。我们讨论了书里的“七条教规”。发现野猪们其实是利用歧视，偏见来挑起一场革命。革命的理由都是要求“平等”。革命成功以后的初期形势都很好。以后就开始有人搞诬陷同志，搞专权。最后革命者比被他们打倒的君主还要残暴。我们谈了拿破仑的例子。我向他介绍了一下中国过去一百年的历史。从清朝，到袁世凯，到老蒋（在某种程度上），到毛，到现在。我们也谈了民主的体制和专权的区别。谈了美国历史，美国的许多总统，从华盛顿，杰弗生，到尼克松，小布什。他和我讲了一些他从朋友那里听到的一些关于政治的只言片语。我给他做了一些澄清。我本来想向他解释什么是广义的“政治”。但他的兴趣不是很高。因此，我也没有和他仔细地讲。只是轻描淡写地谈了一谈。

普通美国人，对政治没有兴趣。因为他们不担心失去言论自由，司法不公正，这样的问题。我儿子只对玩，对赚钱有兴趣。这种对政治的无知何尝不是一种幸福？当然，我希望他将来会关心政治和时事。

Grand Theft Auto没有分级吗？15岁的小孩玩那个会不会太早了一点，里面的内容可是许多少儿不益的。还是偶的思想太保守了？

十五还小？　
XBOX接HDTV，　玩game，　看电影，　对啦，　还有DDR.

何赛的评论：

在网上读到这篇文章。觉得写的好。一个孩子，能在托福上考满分。当然学习能力很强。在学习能力强的时候，没有忽略给自己树立好的个性，和让自己拥有好的交流能力。并能够耐心地去学习微软需要的那些东西。不管你怎么看，你不能说她所 achieved 是“容易”的。她 deserved it all。我为她感到高兴。

====== ZT ======

微软MM: 我在微软的“面试亲历”--唐骏当年就这样录人

笔试第1关：想早点出去呼吸新鲜空气

我中学时读的是市重点，高考发挥失常，考进本省的三流大学。但我没有气馁，立志在毕业后进入一流公司工作。

在校期间，我年年获校级奖学金，英语成绩也比较突出，曾获全国大学生英语竞赛三等奖，托福考出600分。

毕业前，手上已有两家外企的Offer，但我还是把目光瞄向了微软———之前我考出了在当时含金量较高的MCSE微软认证系统工程师证书。

2000年6月，在学校公告栏上看到微软亚洲技术中心将于本月某日在复旦大学举行校园招聘会的消息后，我即作了应聘的准备。因为经常参加各种高水平的竞赛和考试，并且屡屡取得佳绩，所以自信心十足，丝毫不觉得自己比重点大学学生逊色。当天下午，当我赶到复旦大学第一教学楼时，召开宣讲会的大教室里已是人山人海，我刚够挤进教室门口。

我填报了技术支持的职位———考虑自己的专业是自动控制，而自己的性格外向、热情，喜欢和人沟通、打交道。

第1关是笔试，考卷共有六七张纸，分为数学、逻辑、计算机基础知识和高科技动态4个部分，大部分是填空题，还有一些问答题，没有选择题。数学、逻辑、计算机基础知识考的是理论基础；高科技动态中有很多关于微软近期推出哪些新产品的题目，因事先我已上微软网站浏览过，心中有数，答题时也很顺利。

一个半小时考试时间，我1小时15分钟就答完交卷，交卷速度排在前3名。交卷较快的原因除答题顺利外，还因为教室里考生太多，空气有点混浊，想早点出去呼吸新鲜空气。

监考老师让我到隔壁教室等待，5分钟后他阅完试卷，让我拿着试卷、报名表和简历上楼去其他教室参加面试。他没有告诉我笔试成绩，但我想第1关应该是顺利通过了。

面试前4关：肚子早已咕咕叫了

接下去我接受由微软工程师担任面试官的4轮面试。几位微软工程师在教室里坐成一排，应聘者也是一字排开，每对面试官和应聘者之间相隔一段距离，相互之间没有干扰。

这4轮面试主要考技术问题，每轮各有侧重。第一轮侧重Windows Me和Windows Nt方面的问题，第二轮侧重Office方面的问题，第三轮侧重网络安全方面，第四轮侧重软件编程技巧。每轮一般问6到7个问题，全部都是口答，没有让我用笔写或上机操作。

这些问题对我而言都不是很难，均能很快回答。4位面试官对我的反应能力表示满意。

虽然每轮面试只有10分钟时间，但4轮面试还是拖了很长时间——应聘者源源不断地进来，面试官应接不暇，大部分时间处在等待下一轮面试的状态中。

4轮技术面试结束时，已是晚上七点多钟，肚子早已咕咕叫了。走出教室时，一股诱人的香味强烈地吸引了我：门口一张大课桌上，放着一大堆肯德基汉堡包——是面试官的晚餐。我回头看面试官，只见他们个个正襟危坐、目不斜视，正在认真地进行面试，没有人顾得上用餐。这一幕场景我至今难忘。

面试5、6关：“你见过的最大的影子是什么？”

三口两口吃完自备“干粮”后，我又精神抖擞地投入到第5、第6轮面试。把守第5、第6道面试关的是两位部门经理级的面试官。

第5轮面试官先请我作自我介绍和自我评价。我镇定自若地表示：“我渴望进入微软迎接挑战！虽然不是名牌大学出身，但我将以我的工作能力证明自己一点不比他们逊色……”我突出了自己的优势：英语出色，性格开朗外向，沟通能力强，很适合做技术支持工作。他静静地听，有时打断我的话头问几句。自我介绍完后，他问了一些类似智力测验的问题。“你见过的最大的影子是什么？”他问。我不假思索地回答：“我见到的最大的影子是黑夜。”他追问：“为什么？”我解释：“因为黑夜是地球的影子。”他想了想，颔首表示认可。

第6轮面试官不断地发问。我没有工作经历，他主要问我获奖和考试的情况。

“托福600分，成绩不错。考托福是不是准备出国留学？”他问。“考托福的目的是考察自己的英语水平，不是为了出国留学。”我回答。他又问：“你为什么热衷于参加各种竞赛和考试？”我表示：“我想通过竞赛和考试取得好成绩，证明自己的能力，确立自信心。”

这两轮面试主要考察的是应聘者的表达能力、反应能力和沟通能力。两位面试官认可了我的表现，我又过关了。

面试第7关：我们都是张德培的Fans

这一轮面试是最轻松的。面试官是一位金发碧眼的美国人，面试用英语进行。谈话内容从工作、学习到生活、志趣。他曾问我：“What do you define success？(你如何定义成功的?)”以考察我的眼界和心胸。“告诉我你最喜欢自己身上的什么优点且为什么?”我的回答是：“激情！”正好符合微软提倡的精神。他还扮作被激怒的客户，而我则模拟成工程师尽力予以安抚。聊起网球时，他提到了张德培，原来他和我一样都是张德培的Fans，对此他显得相当开心。

美式口语发音纯正，和面试官交流没有障碍，美国人微笑着频频点头，这一关又过啦。

最后一关：用3分钟向我推销这部手机

我来到另一幢大楼的4楼，走到一间房门紧闭的屋子前轻轻敲门。里面传来“请进”声，我推门而入，见唐骏（当时担任亚洲技术中心总经理）正坐在桌子后面，我走过去在他面前坐下。

唐骏开始发问。他的问题分为两类：一类是技术问题，另一类则主要考察应聘者各方面能力。我在回答中突出了自己是有工作激情的，也有很强的沟通能力。问题一个接一个，我回答得很快，自我感觉良好。

突然，唐骏拿起桌上的手机递给我，说：“你就当我是客户，用3分钟向我推销这部手机。”我略一思索，拿起手机说：“先生，您好！这是一款新推出的摩托罗拉 ×××型手机，它有很多新功能可以弥补您现在用的手机的不足……”用两分钟左右“表演”完后，我又简明扼要地说明这样推销的原因：“关键是要向客户展现出这款手机的特性，客观地说明它比客户现在使用的手机多了哪些功能……”

面试中，唐骏的表情很平静，从他脸上看不出他对我回答的反应。提问结束了，唐骏问我：“你想不想知道结果？”我说：“当然想啊！”唐骏笑着表示：“恭喜你被微软录取了。我会给你股票。你的月薪是X千元人民币。”

听到这个结果我非常惊喜，月薪之高也出乎我的意料。唐骏在报名表上签下大名，然后语气坚决地说：“我的签名具有法律效力！”

能进入最后一关的应聘者实际上已基本被录用了。唐骏主要是想通过观察应聘者的言行举止，考察其综合素质，包括应变能力、有无市场意识等。

最后一关历时20分钟，离开唐骏那儿一看时间，已是晚上10点了。从下午4点开始，连续作战6个小时，终于闯过9道雄关，顺利进入日思夜想的微软。
《知音女孩》

昨晚检验儿子背的单词。其中一个词是 abstinence。儿子举了 abstinence from 抽烟，喝酒的例子。我问他还有别的例子吗？他想了会儿，说 over eating。我不太相信，问他还知道别的例子吗？他觉得奇怪。我问他听过 "pledge of abstinence" 没有？他问“ Pledge of Allegiance ?"。

我于是和他解释，“pledge of abstinence" 的意思是在婚前不性交。因为性交有可能导致生孩子。而抚养孩子是一项重要的责任。如果没有承担这个责任的准备的话，就不要性交。他这时说，他好像听到过。我说，至少要等到男女都大学毕业了，工作了以后，如果认为 "This is the one"，才可以开始有性交。他点了点头。

这次谈话好像并不是太难嘛！

Good thread, Jose.

_________________

Don't take yourself too seriously. Relax. Have Fun.

I still DON'T use Yahoo.

和儿子讨论电影《甘地》

我们租了电影《Lorenzo's oil》和《甘地》。儿子自己看了《甘地》。《甘地》中有一段，甘地在加尔格达绝食，要加尔格达的印度教徒和穆斯林停止互斗。有一个印度教徒非常痛苦地来到甘地面前。他说他的妻子和孩子被穆斯林杀了。于是他杀了一个穆斯林小男孩。他问甘地他该如何赎罪。甘地说，“你去领养一个穆斯林孤儿，把他养大。不过你一定要让他长成一个穆斯林。这样，你就赎了你的罪了。” 我儿子对甘地的智慧佩服不已。我告诉他甘地是非常伟大，他坚信普通英国人是 decent。他还非常聪明。很会 choose battle。

看电影《The Aviator》

看完了电影，儿子觉得电影非常好。我说电影还可以。就是浮浅了。只是给我们看了 Howard Hughes 的一些 anecdotes。儿子不解。我后来找到了 San Jose Mercury News 上的一篇影评。里面讲了和我一样的观点。他读完了，理解了。影片缺少了 Howard Hughes 的 emotional core。我们看完了，仍然不了解 Hughes。

美国的孩子玩的东西太多,又很无聊,而且花在上面的时间也越来越多.少有养成静心读书的习惯.

_________________
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I always like to read your comments, Jose. You have my solute for your sense of humor, and wisdom.

Those events are more like chattings (man to man, in your case), not teaching. It is equally effective. However, it is much easier to be accepted and get the point crossed.

I am going to rent some tapes, popcorn... choose the battle!

谢谢 ccz 的鼓励！

许多家长以为孩子在学校里，从同学那里，可以学到她们需要的一切知识。这是错的。最不好的地方是和孩子疏远了。

我们中许多人在长大的时候，父母被打成右派，反革命。父母和我们的交流常常很少。弄的我们自己什么都要自己去学。诸如，怎么交友，职业道路怎么走，什么是对的，什么是错的，什么是重要的，什么是次要的，等等。都要自己去摸索。太累！我们的孩子完全不应该再这么摸索一边。太浪费时间了。

避免孩子走弯路的最好办法是和她们永远保持沟通的渠道，和做她们的最好的朋友。如果做到了这一点，他有没有 pledge abstinence，都是次要的了。

这是从孩子的 MIT 之梦的线里抄来的帖子。很有启发。

一个十年级学生的 SAT 计划 （一）：

SAT 化学 （考试日期：6/4/05。报名截止日期：4/29/05）

SAT 世界历史 （考试日期：6/4/05。报名截止日期：4/29/05）

PSAT （考试日期：10/8/05。报名截止日期：9/2/05？）

SAT （考试日期：4/1/06。报名截止日期：2/1/06？）

SAT 数学 II （考试日期：6/3/06。报名截止日期：4/20/06？）

SAT 美国历史 （考试日期：6/3/06。报名截止日期：4/20/06？）

SAT 物理 （考试日期：6/3/06。报名截止日期：4/20/06？）

SAT 生物 （考试日期：6/3/06。报名截止日期：4/20/06？）

一个人一天能参加几项考试？过来的家长能否给些指点？

这网上还有高中二年级学生的家长吗？咱们成立一个家长联络会如何？

if i remember correctly, it should be your son's plan, right? I am following your thread closely. my daughter is a freshman.

how about AP?

我儿子明年会选几门 AP 课程。如果他学了 AP 物理的话，那么他是应该考 SAT 物理呢，还是 AP 物理 ? 我也不清楚。各位先进能不能赐教一下？

为了照顾 ccz 的女儿，咱把高中生家长联络会扩大一下。所有高中生家长都可以参加。

我希望能给孩子们选一些文章，纪录片，电影，等等，让他们读或看。然后让他们写评论，感想。他们可以互相批改他们的文章，或者我们可以来二次批改。我们，或者他们，可以再选一些别人写的评论，感想。让他们读一读。通过这些活动，我希望他们能了解社会，也提高写作能力。

这就是我计划的家长联络会的主要目标之一。提高孩子们对社会的了解，提高他们的写作能力。

高二是十一年级（在05／06学年）吗？
没有SATII的外语科目？
另外，SATII不必须包括所有的数理化。数学II加一门Science科目即可。
SAT写作比较重要。
一天考四门，应该是可以的。当然强度有点大。孩子能承受就行。

赞同你的教育方法，和孩子要有平等的交流渠道。给孩子看些好的传记也很好，帮助他们早些立志。

我主张“严而不严”。严指严格，不严指不严厉。

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大肚能容，容天下难容之事；
开口便笑，笑世间可笑之人。
----------潭柘寺楹联

谢谢笑佛给的信息！
高中二年级（sophomore）是十年级。
今年三月，开始新的SAT。原来的 SAT II 写作，现在已经包括在新的 SAT 里了。

My son is junior now.
PSAT is the first one, and you only have one chance.
SAT comes later than PSAT and it has many dates that you can choose from.
My son tried on an old SAT last month, got 1500, and is ready to take SAT Math II in the next few weeks. He needs to retake the new SAT later.
AP physics and SAT physics are different things. They are not related, and one can not substitue for the other.
We are in the midwest, so he also have to prepare for ACT.

AP是五月份的weekday考，和SAT没冲突。每次SAT考试，只能考 either SAT I or no more than three SAT II subjects。同一天考４项是不可能的。刚学完AP就去考同课目的SAT II 最好（五月或六月的SAT），几乎不用专门为SAT II 复习。有些学校的某些专业会要求两门科学的SAT II 。还有些学校说只有高中最后两年的SAT II才算数。但是可以argue。我孩子就在９年级时考了一门SAT II 。

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>> 我主张“严而不严”。严指严格，不严指不严厉。

笑佛讲的好。我觉得"严格“是我们要给孩子高标准。要挑战他们。“不严厉“是我们要多鼓励，要会 forgive，不要发脾气，不要责备。

Then, he may not need to take SAT II. If he were not to apply any midwest schools, would he still have to take ACT?

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据说中部南部西部的很多学校都或要求ACT或参考ACT，所以这里的老师都要求学生们
SAT， ACT 一起考。
我们的学校大致是这样排列的
超一级的耶鲁，斯丹佛
一级的西北，芝加哥大
准一级的华大圣路易斯，来斯，加大伯克来
州立的中西部大学一两所保底。
最后根据情形上下适当调整。计划报6-7所。
选不选提前录取未定，专业方向未定，大致本科学商，进而学法律。
欢迎桥兄等过来人指点。

请大家接着聊。　看了你们的讨论，　我刚才看了sat的网站，　以前没有关注。　有启发。　http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/home

我的孩子自小学起就非常独立，　吃饭上学基本自理。　说是去试卷SAT, 　评判得满分。　一般大事我不与孩子妥协，　但其他好商量，　该听孩子的意见还需要听。　下一代一般总比上一代更上一层楼。

正是此意。

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大肚能容，容天下难容之事；
开口便笑，笑世间可笑之人。
----------潭柘寺楹联

女儿十年级。与常见的老中孩子不同的是，严重偏文。数学，化学什么的，得用功才能得Ａ。９年级数学生物都得了Ｂ（ＨＯＮＯＵＲＳ　ＣＬＡＳＳ）。象英语历史哲学什么的，轻轻松松就是Ａ。我倒也不反对她学文。但她又野心勃勃要进好学校。不知各位有何建议？　尤其是　１）文科有些什么可选的专业？２）她有无可能进名校，　需要怎样的ＰＯＲＴＦＯＬＩＯ　才有希望？女儿每天除了练一个半小时琴，又被老爸逼着半小时中文，加上作业，剩下的时间光偷偷摸摸读小说，跟朋友玩（她搞了一个非官方的俱乐部）在网上写小说去了。

ＢＴＷ，　１０年级家长会的主意太棒了。我前阵子还发愁不知什么时候该做什么，怕稀里糊涂错过了哪个ＤＥＡＤＬＩＮＥ 就麻烦了。我也挺胡的。
有时想想　当年一考定终生　似乎也挺痛快的。是不是没出息？ 请教

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严而不严！说得真好。可惜我家那个当爹的，整天炮声隆隆。听得我都火大。孩子更是反感。

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I can’t seem to type in Chinese character. Just want to ask one question: do you have to take ACT if you apply to any schools in the Midwest (e.g. U. of Michigan?) How different is ACT from SAT? Do you have to prepare separately for ACT?

thank you!

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panyca:

It is very good that your daughter is interested in writing. I wish my daughter is more interested in writing.

I have a neighbor, when he first came to the States, he was already 6th grade. But he was very good on writing. He ended up in Harvard, and studied English Literatures, and computer science double major. At that time, I guessed he would like to be a patent lawyer.

He worked for MSFT for a year (I think it was late 1990's). Then he formed his own entrepreneur dot com for about year. Then he went back to Harvard Law! The last time I heard was, he became a judge. I don’t understand what a judge required. Only 8 persons every year are admitted to that program. I think he is in his late 20’s.

In the holiday season, I also saw a family with outstanding 3 girls, Harvard, Princeton, Yale graduates! They are all in science majors, but they are interested in acting meanwhile. Especially the oldest Harvard graduate, she is the brain of the three and interested in directing.

You see, if your daughter is interested in writing that opens the door for everything! So don’t worried about what major, don’t be too practical at this stage. She can be a speechwriter for the President, you never know. Just like the boy I mentioned, I think it will be a great success if he became a patent lawyer; I was off, way off. His own bar is much higher than what I expected!

What you can do is to keep influence her. Best wishes.

"严而不严" 是有条件的，想做到不是那么容易。夫妻在教育孩子的态度要一致，尤其不能当着孩子的面争吵，否则孩子将无所适从。
假如有不同看法，应该避开孩子讨论，求大同，存小异，一旦统一了意见，双方都要遵守，决不能说一套做一套。
你“家那个当爹的，整天炮声隆隆。”为什么会这样？我想这并不是他的本意，假如能用协商和建议的方式解决问题，我想他不会发火。
你应该检讨你自己，是否支持先生对孩子的管教，特别是当他的管教是对的时候，假如你能够当着孩子和先生的面明确支持正确的管教，他不会“炮声隆隆”。“听得我都火大”，说明什么问题，起码你不同意你先生的做法，甚至在孩子面前表露出你是反对的，这将导致恶性循环。
一定要用理智来思考上述问题，不要只凭感情用事，发展下去，不仅对孩子不好，也会伤害夫妻感情。
如有不妥，请指教。

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我只想说明我的观点，你不用接受我的观点。

我还没有看见过只接受ACT或 SAT plus ACT的学校。难道是对东部学生网开一面？有些是东西部各搞一套。记得以前申请来美，某些中西部学校也有要Michigan Test 而不是托福。

如果老师推荐信不是问题的话，可考虑再加几所，广种薄收。因为超一级学校的录取标准是非常subjective 的，除非绝对无懈可击，不然无论是录取或者不录取，你都不一定知道为什么。有一个例子是克林顿的财长鲁本当年被哈佛录取而被普林斯顿所拒，毕业后仍耿耿于怀，写信去普林斯顿抱怨，结果碰了一个软钉子。普林斯顿在给他的回信中说：“我们每年故意拒绝一些优秀申请者，这样使得哈佛也能获得一些好学生。”申请时填表工作量不算大，但是写作文不是小事，每个学校都有可能要写几篇，各校之间还不一定能通用，这工作量要考虑。芝加哥大是好学校，但周围的安全环境不敢恭维。来斯小了些，专业不够多。万一（其实很普遍）孩子进校后改变了专业方面的主意，选择比较多的学校好些。

成立十年级家长会是不错，但是大家有没有仔细看有何塞转发的006的贴子（他才是过来人，公子被斯丹佛和加州理工同时录取，在西部的话，还有比这更好的结果吗？）。很多事情要从9年级甚至更早就要作准备。这似乎有些unnatural，但the rule of game就是如此。所以应该成立高中家长会，到了十年级以后再去关心的话说不定会太晚。

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严重同意！

The kids are very smart, they see the difference between the parents.

In case you don't agree your spouse's opinion, please discuss behind the door afterwards.

Another thing, let one of you (father most of time) to lead the discussion. But father has to demonstrate the leadership, not another kid!

Brother Qiao, Very useful information, Thanks.

It seems that the Kids in U.S. are less ambitious and less mature than the kids in China.

My daughter is 14, a freshman. 2 years ago, she took SAT Test. The score was 1200 (700 on maths). I want her to participate in more school activities and volunteer work this year. She plans to take Biology AP and SAT2, and World History AP and SAT2 next year. I asked her many times what's major she wanted to study in college. She repeatly answered that I did not know.

I am glad to help.

You may want to emphasize more on her English which is often the weaker spot of Chinese (too much in Chinese school? ). It's not unusual that kids did not know what major they want to pursue as a 9th grade. Many changed their major during college. This was why I said in an earlier post that a small school may not be good since the choices are limited. Actually, undecided in the most popular choice on college appications partially because of that. By the way, I would disagree with you that the Kids in U.S. are less ambitious and less mature than the kids in China. Kids in China are given very limited choices and opprotunities.

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是不是SAT II 考得太多, 浪费精力?

How many SAT II tests to take? 　似乎取决于各个学校。

About the SAT II: Subject Tests
Many colleges require or recommend one or more
SAT II: Subject Tests for admission or placement.
Subject Tests, one-hour, mostly multiple-choice
tests, measure how much students know about a particular
academic subject and how well they can apply
that knowledge.
Subject Tests fall into five subject areas: English,
history, mathematics, sciences, and languages. They
help colleges compare the academic achievement of
students from different schools where course preparation
and academic backgrounds may vary widely.
Subject Test results can be added to your portfolio
to support your competency in academic areas, even
if the tests are not required by colleges to which
you’re applying.
This book describes each Subject Test’s
_ purpose
_ format
_ recommended preparation
_ test directions
_ scores reported
_ sample questions and answers



How Colleges Use Subject Test
Scores
Colleges use Subject Test scores, in combination with
other information (your high school record, scores
from other tests, teacher recommendations, etc.), as a
dependable measure of your academic background
and achievement and as a good predictor of your
future performance.
The scores help colleges
_ determine how well prepared you are for different
college programs
_ place you in freshman and higher-level courses
_ advise you on course selection



Which Subject Tests should
you take?
You can find out if the colleges you are interested in
require or recommend Subject Tests by:
_ Contacting colleges directly.
_ Reviewing college catalogues.
_ Checking the College Board’s College Handbook.
_ Using the online college search at
www.collegeboard.com.



When should you take Subject
Tests?
_ Read the test descriptions in this book. See how
much preparation is recommended.
_ Ask your teacher or counselor for advice.
_ Take tests such as United States History, Biology
E/M, Chemistry, or Physics as soon as possible after
you complete the course, while the material is still
fresh in your mind.
_ You’ll do better on other tests like languages after at
least two years of study.


From http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/sat/satguide/SAT2_Intro.pdf

何赛引言：Lynbrook 是 Cupertino 市的一所非常好的，亚裔非常多的高中。这真是一场令人异常悲痛的车祸。
如何教育孩子安全驾车？安全地坐朋友的车

======= ZT =======

Posted on Mon, Jan. 17, 2005

Lynbrook student killed in crash
OTHER TEEN PASSENGER IN CRITICAL CONDITION
By Aaron C. Davis
San Jose Mercury News

A Lynbrook High School honors student was killed and another was critically injured after the car they were traveling in Saturday night crashed down an embankment into trees off Interstate 280 during a trip home from San Francisco.

Tammy Chen, 17, of Saratoga was pronounced dead at 11:45 p.m. Saturday at Stanford University Hospital about five hours after officers found a wrecked BMW off the freeway near Farm Hill Boulevard near Redwood City.

Senior Sherry Hsieh, who also was in the car, was listed in critical condition late Sunday at Stanford University Hospital.

While the cause of the accident remained under investigation, news of Chen's death spread through Lynbrook's senior class Sunday by cell phone and e-mail, shocking a student body still grieving from the sudden death of another student, Kevin Lam, in December.

Friends of Chen and Hsieh, including some who had gathered at Stanford University Hospital late Saturday and early Sunday, described Chen as warm, smart and individualistic and Hsieh as a bubbly, popular student.

Chen's family declined to comment, friends said.

Lynbrook principal Mike White, who was notified of the accident Sunday afternoon, said school administrators were preparing to have crisis counselors in classrooms when the 1,800-member student body returns to the San Jose campus Tuesday.

``We just lost one of our students,'' White said. ``This will hit the campus very hard.''

White said he had been told the students were returning from San Francisco after displaying their portfolios to prospective art schools.

According to the school's Web site, Chen, a senior, was the head of the art department for the student newspaper, the Epic. Friends called her ``hamster, tamster, ham, tam and hammy,'' according to a brief biography on the paper's Web site. Hsieh is the social manager for the Lynbrook Speech and Debate Program.

According to a police report, Chen and Hsieh were passengers in a BMW 530i traveling southbound on Interstate 280 just north of Farm Hill Boulevard at about 65 mph when, ``for reasons yet to be determined,'' the car drifted across two lanes and down an embankment.

The 1995 BMW struck two trees, causing major damage to the front and both sides of the car. The California Highway Patrol identified 18-year-old Andy C. Sze of Cupertino as the driver. According to the report, Chen was the front-seat passenger in the car. Hsieh was sitting behind her in the right, rear passenger seat.

Sze and another passenger were treated for minor injuries and released. The police report said the CHP is investigating whether Sze fell asleep at the wheel. The report said there was no indication of alcohol or drug use.

The CHP is requesting that anyone who may have seen the accident contact them at (650) 369-6261.

Lynbrook student Lam, who was a member of the wrestling team, died in December, according to the school's Web site. White said the student died of an apparent heart condition, but a final medical report is not complete.

衷心感谢桥二！

我知道这里加州大学不会因为学生有 AP 的成绩，而自动地给大学学分。如果新学生在进入加州大学后参加 AP 课程的特别考试，并且通过了，加州大学才给学分。有许多学生出于各种理由，对自己有 AP 成绩的科目，宁愿再学一次，也不去参加特别考试。据说，中学里开的 AP 课程，和大学里的同样课程比起来，要求差不少。

如果我是 Admission officer，我想我不会太看重 AP 成绩。有 SAT II 科目成绩就够了。I could be wrong, of course.

我觉得家长们因该把家里最好的车给读高中的孩子开。最好是两年以内新的 Volvo 。坐别的孩子的车的时候，也是一样。不是两年以内新的车不坐。这样子，开车的孩子会小心很多。坐车的孩子们也会比较规矩一些。

是VOLVO 或新车更好但并不重要. 前不久邻镇的一个SENIOR学生把车直撞大树命归西天. 原因是车上的同伴们太'热闹'引起分心. 上星期日, 带孩子练车, 也见到一辆VOLVO横插在HIGHWAY 上, 四个孩子围住一个躺在地上的. 好象他们自己撞到HIGHWAY边的障碍物了. 我给孩字的忠告是千万不要让DRIVER分心.

That is my worst nightmare. Very sad. Kids can make any mistakes, but not this one. We could not afford. That reminds us, we should drive ourselves responsibly.

josezhang 写道:
〉衷心感谢桥二！

不用谢。

〉据说，中学里开的 AP 课程，和大学里的同样课程比起来，要求差不少。

此话不假，说是大学课，大概是相当于名列几百的那种大学吧，比如说NYIT之类的。

〉如果我是 Admission officer，我想我不会太看重 AP 成绩。有 SAT II 科目成绩就够了。I could be wrong, of course.

但是，AP 课程在中学里还是算难的。比如说学校里开了10门AP，而你只修了3门，Admission officer会觉得你没有challenge自己。

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I learn a lot from your posts. Very helpful suggestion and information.

Yrs ago, I opened a mutual fund account for my daughter and asked her to deposite her money into the account. I would match her money. In the end of 2004, there was $8,500 in her account and return rate was 22% in 2004. I told her you made $1,500 this year from your investment. "Really" she was excited. I said if average annunal return is 10% and you do not touch your money in the mutual fund, you will be a millionaire in 50 years. She wanted to add more money into her account. I hope that she learns the values of the saving and the investing.

Is the money under her name? If it is, it will be all used for the EFC (expected family contribution) to her college tuition. If it's under your name, only about 12% will be counted towards EFC every year. You may want to reconsider the ownership of the account now. However, if you are making 190K or 240K like some CNDers, don't worry about it because you will not get any need-based financial aids anyways.

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New local regulations after too many accidents involving young and inexperienced drivers:
For the first six months after passing driving test, a teenager can drive only when an adult is present. In the first year, a teenage can’t drive with two or more teen riders.

不好意思，再跑个题。
我有去查，GTA的游戏分级是18岁以上的人才可以玩，卖给15岁的孩子的商家是违法的。这里的家长们了解GTA的故事是怎么样的吗？如果是不了解的话还这么relax我挺了解，但如果知道难道让太年轻的孩子玩不会不太合适。

读到了这一项：

(看来，　在十一年级就该选中大方向及申请的学校。)

Summer Before Senior Year
- Visit colleges that interest you. Call ahead for the campus tour schedule. Schedule an on-campus interview with an admissions representative.
- Finalize your list of colleges. Be sure your list includes "safe" schools as well as "reach" and "realistic" schools. Request college applications and informational packets. Organize materials into separate files by college.
- Keep a college calendar of all admission deadlines.


The Application
http://www.collegeboard.com/apply/the_application/0,,5-25-0-0,00.html

Narrow the List
How Many College Applications?
Tips for Finding Your College Match
Say "Yes" to Student Search Service?
What Selectivity Means for You

Get Organized
College Application Calendar New

Save the Date for College
College Application Checklist
Create a College List New

Track Schools & Requirements

Application Elements
College Application Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
The College Interview
Interview Checklist
Practice Interviews

I don't know what GTA is. The rules should be set so that the parents have the final words to say of whether to keep or destroy the disc. Thus, the chance of encountering similar incidents would be very small. I am not saying it would never happen again, though.

The mutual fund account is the uniform gifts to minors account.

I guess most parents don't know exactly what GTA is about, just knowing it's quite popular.

My boyfriends used to play it, in this game you have to be a successful gangster in the city, completeing various missions. The idea of the game is there is no law. For example, the character has no car himself, so he can rob the car on the road whenever he want and kill the driver if he feels like. He can also grab prostitute on the way and have sex with them in the car, actually some of his mission is to do that. His other missions include killling as much ordinary citizens on the street as possible within 30 seconds.

I know most boy's games are voilent, but GTA is one of the most extreme one, because it's not about rescuing the world or killing monsters, the story takes place in a real city, and the character has to conduct crimes happened in the real world, and the kids playing this game will worship these kinds of behaviours. That's why it's extremely inappropiate for children playing this game, and legally, only adults over 18 can play this.

I don't know Jose much but I know he is a conservative by all means. So I was quite shocked that he didn't mind his son playing GTA, cause even I consider myself as a liberal and I've watched my boyfriend playing this games for ages, I still find some of the ideas in the game disturbing. Even my boyfriend, who is a big fan of GTA, think it shouldn't be played by any child. The only answer I can think of is all parents on this line know nothing about games at all, and believe GTA is a good one for their kids to play. BUT jose certainly discussed games with his son and what GTA is about is such a common sense, how can he know nothing about it? I just don't get it.