<p>@irlandaise College of William and Mary, UVA, VCU</p>
<p>Go on amazon and get “Cracking the SAT, 2013 Edition (College Test Preparation)” or “The Princeton Review Manual for the SAT: Version 5.0 (2013)”. </p>
<p>For Math1 and Math 2- Cracking the SAT Math 1 & 2 Subject Tests, 2013-2014 Edition </p>
<p>In my d’s experience, the Princeton review books worked the best for her and they were reasonably priced.</p>
<p>The test optional schools will take a hard look at her actual record, activities and words and seriously read between the lines, to make up for not seeing the scores. In its own way, it places more emphasis on everything else, because they still need to find the right kids for their environment. The Bates study, going back 20+ years, shows virtually no difference in college performance between score providers and not, but a lot of that is that they are extra cautious in the vetting. Some colleges, obviously, are less demanding, in the first place. </p>
<p>I see we are back to how to prep. I do wonder what’s been done in the past two weeks. It’s hard to know what to say here because all this chat is based on dreams. We don’t want to dismay or discourage you, but I don’t see that you quite “get” what some of us are saying. It would benefit YOU, if you could see the difference between dreams/questions…and action.</p>
<p>You have to grasp what we mean when we say “fierce competition.” For “political science and international affairs,” the schools on your original list of “most challenging to get into,” will see the B in AP world (related to your possible major.) And the other Bs. (Sure, they will also see the A in APUSH, but what were the AP scores?) You have to understand that the competition will include kids who got A’s and 4’s and 5’s. That doesn’t make those kids inherently more special than you. But with that immense competition, the schools can cherry pick. There is no vote for “but she really, really wants to go here.” </p>
<p>Why not tell us other schools on your list? At this point, we can do more good for you in sorting through those. Again, sorry this is harsh. But a lot of admissions is about what you “show, not tell.” And there are so many other exciting college opps out there.</p>
<p>Okay, I was hoping that there would be some automatic in-state scholarships at one of your flagships, but I haven’t found any. I would recommend - as has been said before - for you to take the ACT. Unfortunately, some people are just naturally good test takers, and the ACT vs SAT wouldn’t make a difference. However, for those that struggle, I’ve seen that taking one versus the other does make a difference. Besides, the ACT tests achievement which may be easier if you do well on AP tests.</p>
<p>Not joking, but have you considered ROTC? Many colleges have ROTC programs that will cover your tuition/room/board/etc. I’ve heard nothing but good things from those that have done it, and it really helps with developing maturity.</p>
<p>William and Mary has an ROTC scholarship that “pay full tuition and fees at William & Mary or CNU, plus $900 annually for books and a $3,000-$5,000 annual living allowance”</p>
<p>UVA and VCU have scholarships for ROTC too, but less specific. Those are just your flagships, though, there are others that would probably offer you even more.</p>
<p>Ahh okay thanks! I am not really into ROTC but it does sound like a great opportunity. @irlandaise</p>
<p>@woogzmama- your point about test optional schools is a good one but do any of them meet full need?
I’d like to see the OP in the best affordable option for her. </p>
<p>Do you live near any colleges? Don’t post your exact location- it is just to think about- are there any colleges that you can get into nearby- where you can save room and board costs, even for two years if you wish to transfer somewhere else or if you get any kind of merit aid ( which is better for entering freshmen) that extends for four years- stay there but move in to an apartment maybe later. </p>
<p>Maybe if you list some of the possible alternatives to QB, people can help you with what they know about them. </p>
<p>Christopher Newport, George Mason, Hampton, Old Dominion are test optional but don’t guarantee to meet need. On the other hand, by actually looking at the CNU web site (hint,) I see this
<a href=“http://www.schev.edu/students/factsheetVGAP.asp”>http://www.schev.edu/students/factsheetVGAP.asp</a></p>
<p>And OP is in a college partnership program- someone there should be providing guidance.
She could also go to Nova (N Va CC) and fit into the guaranteed transfer program- I’m getting frustrated but here’s the link for Nova. There are others for the first two years. <a href=“https://www.nvcc.edu/depts/academic/transfer/GAA/UniversityofVirginia-ArtsScience-PU-GAA-2013-12.pdf”>500 - Error - Northern Virginia Community College;
<p>But OP has to pick up this ball. </p>
<p>OP appears to be active in her church, also, and might be able to get a good scholarship at a faith-based college or historically-black college. Test-optional colleges are all over the map. That’s why I sincerely believe that the OP would be better off researching scholarships and admissions criteria at schools that are within reach today, than she would be prepping for chimerical score increases. Some faith-based institutions have long legacies of meeting need for select students, given religious opposition to debt. Instead of relying on recycled advice from strangers on the Web, OP should probably ask her pastor and teachers for wise counsel. I think she sounds like a student who will benefit more from a small, nurturing college than a large university. Why not begin with Guilford College in NC? They are a small, Quaker school (part of the “Colleges That Change Lives” consortium) with test-optional, holistic admissions. I can’t promise tesfaye that she’ll get in, but it’s much more plausible - she’d need two additional essays: at least one of which needs to be graded. They have an 80% acceptance rate. </p>
<p>Picking up the ball is part of the process. A student doesn’t just have to get accepted to college, he/she has to pay for it and graduate. Applying is the first step to this, and it will either work out or it will not. </p>
<p>If it appears to the OP that some of us are harsh, this isn’t the case. There is a lot of good advice here given in a spirit of genuinely trying to help, even if it is hard to hear. This thread stands as a very good resource, IMHO, for anyone who wishes to consider it. </p>
<p>Correcting link- here’s the GT opps for Nova: <a href=“500 - Error - Northern Virginia Community College”>500 - Error - Northern Virginia Community College;
<p>Thank you!!</p>
<p>IF OP has taken so many APs and done as well as she claims to have, then why is the weighted GPA so low? Also OP, what were your most recent SAT scores? It’s hard to gauge how high you can raise them if we don’t know what they are.</p>
<p>There are a few test optional colleges that meet full need. For example, Bowdoin, which is #4 in liberal arts college rankings. I didn’t apply test optional but I know a few people who did and were accepted. However, they tended to have really high GPAs and superb ECs.</p>
<p>OP, is it typical for seniors at your school to be taking pre-calculus as a senior? I and many others at my school took it as sophomores, but it’s taken as a junior at the latest here. That may be looked at negatively when considering rigor.</p>
<p>It is very typical for students to take Pre-Calc as a senior at my hs @irlandaise</p>
<p>Good to hear it’s the norm, as it won’t reflect badly on you. Unfortunate though, because I think taking calculus in high school is really beneficial. </p>
<hr>
<p>I wish I thought about that earlier. At the end of my junior year I tried asking my counselor if I could take Pre-Calc online or at a local community college and I could not do that. I really wanted to take Calc! @irlandaise I had the opportunity to take Alg 1 in 8th grade but I turned it down because I felt like I would not do well in that class at the time. </p>
<p>That’s understandable, as a good foundation in both Alg I and Geometry is necessary to do well in upper maths (Alg II, Pre-Cal, Calc). My school’s curriculum makes those that don’t take Alg I in eighth grade to double up Alg I and Geometry as a freshman, ensuring everyone makes it to pre-cal by junior year at the latest. It has both its ups and downs.</p>
<p>I do think it’s better for you to be taking pre-cal as a senior instead of doing it over the summer, if those were your two options. Calculus requires a very good foundation of pre-cal, and I fear you would’ve suffered in calculus without one. That, and it would have added to the many things you intend to accomplish over this summer.</p>
<p>I don’t know first-hand the level of mathematics on SAT, as I haven’t taken it yet, but pre-cal/calc math knowledge is not necessary (though quite helpful!) on the ACT.</p>