<p>Creekland’s original list is seen around here (SE PA) a lot. S’s friends are all bright, 3.5 GPA, 4-5 APs, 1800 SATs. They got merit at Drexel, UScranton, LaSalle, Susquehanna. Most chose to attend Penn State main campus, with no merit, though. With 1900 SATs, try Allegheny, Muhlenberg and UDel. </p>
<p>S got $15,000-$20,000 in merit from Wooster, Goucher, Juniata, Denison, Oberlin. SAT 1970. ACT superscore 29.</p>
<p>My son, with a 1930 SAT/29 ACT got 18,000 per year at Clark and 15,000 per year at Ithaca (Merit).</p>
<p>Funny, Olymom! And thanks for all you guys for posting!</p>
<p>My daughter had 30ACT and 1980 SAT–with a 4.3ish weighted. She only had one B in one semester, although I wouldn’t call her high school overly competitive. I thought her essays were well-written and engaging and showed who she is.</p>
<p>She got into Oberlin with money, and waitlisted from Hamilton and Carleton. Admitted to Dickinson, Denison, Juniata, and Wooster also with money. Denied from Bowdoin, which was a reach and a crapshoot school anyway. So it all turned out just fine.</p>
<p>And, yes, I should have specified–under 2000 and not a URM. FWIW, I am pro-diversity and don’t have a problem with my daughter giving up a space to further that.</p>
<p>DD and DS are college grads from fine private universities. Neither of them were SAT whiz kids. Both went to very good colleges…and graduated. No hooks…no URM status…nothing but good academics, decent enough SAT scores, great essays, and great recommendations. OH…and they are both TERRIFIC kids.</p>
<p>I aided my niece thru this process and now in the trenches with my son - they are night and day. </p>
<p>Niece did a self-study AP and scored a 2. SATs were dismissal for this site, but high for her high school (1660). Her GPA was near perfect, but she did not get Val. Her essays were very self-aware and provided a true view of who she is. Her recs fantastic. She always sought out opportunities and made the most of them. She is terrible in interviews - speaking skills show no confidence. She did very well in the college admission process and is a very happy freshman at American U. She had regional tier 2 school offer full ride; some good, but not tippy top, LACs offered good merit ($10-$20k/year). Her first semester college grades were great! </p>
<p>My 11th grade son does well on ACT/SAT and the AP test taken in 10th grade. His GPA is sub-par. I worry about his college acceptances and making it thru year one of college far more than I ever worried about niece. <2000 SAT tempered with solid grades and work ethic would be preferable.</p>
<p>There are plenty of schools in our area who are glad to have a B student with average SATs and offer merit.</p>
<p>My niece (SAT 1900 taken multiple times, 3.7 GPA, ACT 27) was accepted with merit aid to Drew & Washington College (a few other public school in the PA College system as well). Accepted to Drexel with no aid and wait-listed to Muhlenburg. She will be a ShoreWoman(Washington College) Class of '16.</p>
<p>Thanks to all the suggestions - Creekland thanks again for more of that list! </p>
<p>It hurts me (not that you all could know this) when I read “Don’t worry, my son/daughter got a 1900 and still got in a lot of places.” I swear, if we ever get to 1800 I will dance naked in the streets. (ok, maybe not ~naked~ 
)</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>What states/region are you looking in?
What type of school?
What Major?
Budget?</p>
<p>Laurendog, try the ACT!</p>
<p>laurendog and I are colleagues from the HS class of '13 thread and given today’s SATs I have been hunting for just such a thread as this one. My D is also full IB, only honors, almost all As but one B in Honors algebra II. She is at a very competitive HS so she is surrounded by very bright kids and there are probably 10 NM semifinalists in her class. Usually there are at least 5 kids with close to perfect scores. So, if she applies to the same tippy top schools including our instates (UVA and WandM) she will come up short in terms of scores …how else are they going to distinguish between them? They are all so bright and hardworking.</p>
<p>I think she will probably break 1900 on her second SAT, she is close with her first. The issue for me is that she is fixating on a top tier well known school. You and I know that a name brand school doesn’t guarantee a great education but she has worked all 3 years with her goal on UVA or UNC or an equivalent and she knows the scores are likely to kill her chances. It is particularly hard since her brother fit the other CC stereotype…mediocre grades and stellar scores. Even more irritating for her is that he chose to study art where his test scores were unimportant, his portfolio was his entry ticket! He had effortless 2250 and she just wants to break 2000! On the other hand, as someone noted above, I was fearful for his success in college and have absolutely no doubt that my D will be an unqualified success at any school she chooses. </p>
<p>Please keep the suggestions on schools coming. I will get her to look some of them up in her big book and see if she can get excited about one or two of them!</p>
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<p>I’ll second the suggestion of trying the ACT. Many kids I know do better on that test, including my own, so it’s worth a try.</p>
<p>How does her score compare to her peers at school? At our school, it’s the school that under-prepares the students IMO, not the kids who aren’t capable, but that’s a long story (and why I chose to homeschool my own for high school - except my youngest - who insists on being at ps and will, likely, get a lower score than he’s capable of even with my trying to supplement).</p>
<p>In reality, scores don’t correlate all that well except for some STEM majors, but also in reality, lots of merit aid is tied to the scores. Therefore, it’s worth seeing if they can be improved.</p>
<p>At application time, adjust applications and college aspirations to include safeties, matches, and reaches (if desired on these) and see what happens. There are also score optional schools that can be considered. We do have students whose only option is community college (don’t get accepted elsewhere as well as can’t afford elsewhere), but most can go to a 4 year (without oodles of debt) if they pick carefully based upon their stats and finances. Many jobs just require “a” degree, so where it comes from isn’t as big of an issue. Doing well once there is a big factor.</p>
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<p>1900 beats almost all of the students at our school. It’s very rare that we get one scoring higher than that. Are you looking for merit aid or would you like me to include acceptances and not just merit aid? Obviously, I’m not at school at the moment, but I’ll be back tomorrow. (After that we’re heading out for Accepted Students Day for my senior, then it’s spring break.)</p>
<p>I will third the suggestion of trying the ACT. For my son, it was night and day compared to his SAT scores. He ended up getting into 5 out of 6 colleges and waitlisted at a top school.</p>
<p>Threes dad - excuse me for just a moment - ahem -GO SHO’men!!! Woo hoo!!! Give Gus the goose a big hug from an '89 alum!!! And in all seriousness if she needs any info, inside scoop or rec’s for sorority, I am a former alpha chi and more than willing. I also am still dear friends w many of my classmates! Love that place!</p>
<p>Creekland…as a parent I would love to see Merit and also think that it is nice to go where you feel wanted. Thank you for all your suggestions and interest!
I think I would love suggestions for schools where 1700 SAT students are fine if they bring good grades to the table. I am thinking of southern schools because I know them a little better–Rhodes, Sewanee, Wofford. However, I am not sure if I am underestimating their selectivity. The big problem with these is that they are small and D is adamant that she wants a school with at least 3,000 undergrads. I will pull the “mommy’s choice” and make her apply to one school of my choice and, if she gets in, she has to visit. But…I only get one of these…what would you suggest?
Since D is unsure about her major, I would like her to save her 529 funds for graduate school. In state is ideal if she wants to go to law school or something after undergrad. The problem is that our instate top schools are insanely competitive…insanely. UVA took 15 from our school last year and the MEDIAN on math/cr was 1470?! </p>
<p>Laurendog…I feel your pain about the scores when you see how hard your kid works, you know they are smart, and 4 hours in a morning limits their choices so severely! I do think that there are a number of schools that put a premium on the grades over the scores…but our kids need those higher scores to have some degree of security.<br>
The worst for me is hearing my D say she is dumb because she has friends getting 2300 on one sitting…kids that she has been with in all the same classes with since age 7 and now they will have radically different choices because of one stupid test on one stupid morning! On the other hand…I think, perhaps she will go to a less competitive school and really get the chance to shine while if she does get into UVA it is just another rat race. Maybe the disappointing scores will work out to be a blessing!</p>
<p>As a note above…my D also started in the 1600s on the SATs and the prep did help a lot. She took an ACT and got a 28! on the math so now we are trying to decide whether to put eggs into the ACT practice and do some prep on that side…Frankly, investing 500-700 for two prep classes sounds insane at first, but if you end up with some merit aid…definitely it pays off.</p>
<p>I’m not as up on the southern schools as we live in PA and most students from here go within a few hours from home. I’m sure others can offer suggestions.</p>
<p>Frankly, I wouldn’t pay for a prep course. My guys prep at home using books. Others I know use some online (less expensive) options. I’ve just taken in 3 of my youngest’s friends to help prep (with youngest) for free. We’ll use books. I know if they stick with it that they’ll do far better than without. At least, my older two did. Some can do fine without prep, but most do best with it. Personally, I think showing one is willing to work at it shows far better college potential than those who can “just do it.” It’s the “willingness to work” to “get something” that tends to translate well into college success. Even those with starting high scores who insist on trying for higher show the “plus.” Those who are satisfied with what they have and aren’t willing to put more effort into it tend to carry over the same attitude with college courses. Of course it’s a generalization and not applicable to everyone, but it’s what I’ve seen in my experience.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, some people are just more talented with testing and some have their best niches outside math/English (my youngest is one of these). A great college experience can still happen - just adjust their applications to fit them. College is not just for the high stat kids and success doesn’t just happen to those in top 50 colleges. Success is more likely to come to those who are willing to work to achieve their goals and who are willing to do that wherever they get the opportunity.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you. Shout out to my ‘thread mate’ from Class of 2013 Fineartsmajormom! </p>
<p>In answers to some of the questions - 1. Step-D is taking the ACT on April 14th. You may see my frown turn upside down if she does reasonably well on that. 
2. Step-D is in an unusual situation in that she (right now) dreams of being an Athletic Trainer ~ Maybe transitioning to Sports Medicine something… This means that she has her choice of colleges that are certified by CAATE. This is a national certifying body that accredits AT programs. Unless she changes her mind about her major, we are limited to looking at CAATE certified schools. [url=<a href=“http://www.caate.net/imis15/CAATE/Accredited_Programs/Core/directory.aspx?hkey=b91f27b1-2a93-4ed1-b1e6-55cc82ac0fc3]Directory[/url”>http://www.caate.net/imis15/CAATE/Accredited_Programs/Core/directory.aspx?hkey=b91f27b1-2a93-4ed1-b1e6-55cc82ac0fc3]Directory[/url</a>]</p>
<p>If she happens to change her mind about her major, I will be looking at Creekland’s list more closely. Right now, I have to go with the AT program schools. She wants to be out of the South, as that’s where she goes to HS right now and she’d like to try something new. </p>
<p>We don’t have a budget, we’ll make it work wherever she gets in. </p>
<p>Another frustrating part is that We are not ‘aiming’ all that high. No ivies and we are realistic that she’s not a good candidate for UNC or UVA (she didn’t like UVA when we visited anyhow. ) </p>
<p>Fineartsmom- You hit the nail on the head with how I’m feeling about Step-D’s score and her peer group. It is so frustrating to know that some of her friends who have the same grades in school, same level of achievements, are going to get in anywhere due to their great test-taking abilities, and my Step-D might have to give up her dreams (that are not really ‘dreamy/reachy’ if you know what I mean) because of stupid standardized testing!!! Makes me want to SCREAM!! </p>
<p>Creekland- Oh, we are definitely going to pay for more prep. We paid Step-D’s school for a math SAT prep and she did go up 40 points. (Even though her overall totals were disappointing.) Since I do have the money to do so, I am not going to leave any stone un-turned. I’ve looked and some of these preps and they can cost up to $2000! However, if that money is going to make a difference in the scores, and ultimately allow Step-D to have a fighting chance at the schools she really is interested in, then I feel like I have no choice.</p>
<p>There are OODLES of colleges on that list that she’ll be able to get into. I expected to see a rather tight list, but that list has everything from conservative Christian schools (Cedarville, Harding) to big state Us.</p>
<p>Alfred is one we’ve had students go to as well as Hofstra. I could probably list 12 - 20 or more just in our area’ish.’</p>
<p>Neumann is a great school for admitting those with low scores, but I think it’s Catholic, so check it out if that’s an issue.</p>
<p>I think you’ll have plenty of choices and probably won’t even need higher scores if merit aid isn’t an issue. At some of these schools you’re probably likely to get some merit aid for scores of 1500+. There’s a niche for everyone.</p>
<p>It’s up to everyone to choose whether to pay for prep or not. My older two got top 3% and top 1% without paying for it (but with prepping at home). If you feel your student(s) would do better with a class and have the means to pay for it, there’s certainly no crime in it! Since my youngest is just a sophomore, time will tell for him.</p>
<p>Last year my 1970 SAT/30 ACT son with with a 3.8ish GPA, no AP classes (just honors) and one Comm. College course (Physics) got into, with money (ranging from 18K up to $30K in merit and 41K in need based grant which had no relationship to our EFC) from every single school except our State U. </p>
<p>Hartwick
Ithaca
U of New Hampshire
Juniata
Allegheny
SUNY Binghamton
Hobart William Smith
St. Lawrence
Bates (he submitted his ACT) and is attending. </p>
<p>The higher ranked the school the more money he got. </p>
<p>His rank ended up being 28th out of 63 (small private catholic prep boys school)</p>
<p>He had very good EC’s which most of them he did all four year: Trombone in Symphonic and Jazz Band, XC and track, Masterminds, Color Guard, JROTC, and he worked part time at Marshalls.) He had no awards except NHS, was not president or high ranked officer in any club and he also had no volunteer anything except serving at a soup kitchen once or twice a year (and which he obviously did not even mention on his app.) </p>
<p>Laurendog, if you are going to spend money on test prep, I recommend spending it for a private tutor. Imo, the test prep courses are a rip off.</p>
<p>laurendog,</p>
<p>If you are interested in coming up north, look at Iowa State University. They have a large and ourtstanding Kinesiology program that hosts their AT major. Their Kinesiology Phd program is a top 20 program. Admissions at Iowa State are completely statistics based using what they call the Regent Admission Index.</p>
<p>Total COA is very reasonable for OOS students, somewhere around $31,000. They also give merit aid to OOS students.</p>
<p>D would have access to D1 athletic training clinical rotations. ISU has quite a bit of school spirit and alums are very loyal to it.</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.admissions.iastate.edu/award_calc/freshman.php[/url]”>https://www.admissions.iastate.edu/award_calc/freshman.php</a></p>
<p>[Athletic</a> Training Education Program Information - Iowa State University Athletic Training](<a href=“http://www.cycloneathletictraining.com/index.cfm?nodeID=7990&audienceID=1]Athletic”>http://www.cycloneathletictraining.com/index.cfm?nodeID=7990&audienceID=1)</p>
<p>[Admission</a> to Iowa’s Regent Universities: Regent Admission Index](<a href=“http://www.regents.iowa.gov/RAI/index.html]Admission”>Regent Admission Index | Board of Regents State of Iowa)</p>