Athletic/SAT conflicts

Parents Forum
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If it isn't working at your school - take a step and make a change. It is good to be involved.

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I am involved, vocal at town BOE meetings, and D is at a private h.s. Change takes time. By the time parents realize these issues exist, their kids often can't benefit from the progress that has been made. Again, consider yourself fortunate that things worked in your kids' favor.</p>

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<p>Try to take all SAT and ACT tests before the start of the senior year. This was a work-around for both my daughter and granddaughter.</p>

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<p>I agree with this one, and not only for musicians and athletes. It takes a lot of pressure off the senior fall, which is a very busy time even without testing.</p>

<p>Our band directors have always excused kids who take the SATs in the fall. I think that it is important not to let the EC tail wag the academic dog--parents AND coaches/band directors need to keep their perspective.</p>

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I think that it is important not to let the EC tail wag the academic dog

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<p>SAT doesn't fall under 'academic' to me. If it's THAT important, it should be conducted during the school day.</p>

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<p>The College Board could offer the SAT 30 times a year and people would still complain about scheduling issues. While it's unfortunate that a team might suffer from the absence of a player, the issue is of proper scheduling and one that starts well before the senior year.</p>

<p>Anyone who plans to rely on early admissions should be advised NOT to delay anything until the senior year.</p>

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SAT doesn't fall under 'academic' to me.

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<p>So what? It does for many people, whether you like it or not.</p>

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<p>
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So what? It does for many people, whether you like it or not.

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<p>Since when does a poster's opinion have to be in line with others?</p>

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<p>Well, it's certainly not viewed as an EC by kids!</p>

<p>GCs spend a lot of their time going into classes to talk to kids about college, what classes the kids should take to get into college, what tests the kids should take to get into college. They spend a lot of time writing recommendations and filling out paperwork to help kids to get into college. The school sees it as part of their academic mission to help kids get into college.</p>

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<p>Some of you may be surprised by this but many kids take the SAT's several times. Not everyone will score a 1450+ the first time through in the winter of the junior year (one of mine).
Some will take the SAT's repeatedly - (one of mine) twice in the junior year, twice in the senior year. Plus she took the ACT's twice.
This year my youngest did fine for admissions but took them again in Dec of her senior year to increase her merit scholarship chances - it worked.
For kids involved in one season of sports etc - scheduling isn't so hard but for a two or three sports athlete it can get tricky.
In the end it's all about prioities. I think sometimes (not anyone reading this though) will us the excuse - "I couldn't take the SAT's again because of sports - therefore I couldn't get accepted or get that scholarship" etc.....
I take that all with a grain of salt.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the good advice here - it looks as if D will wait until December, and have the flexibility of using that date to either try SATI or re-take the Math2 SATII (she was disappointed in her first score), the latter only if she decides to apply to a school that requires SATII's (there are only two on her current list that require them). I already paid to move the June date to October (June date conflicted with NY track states) and would have to pay again, so like justamom said, such are the trials of a three sport athlete...</p>

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<p>Hop_scout, for many students the SAT is hardly optional. The ACT is a different test than the SAT, and may not play to that student's strengths. To suggest that they are equal alternatives is kind of like suggesting that a kid with a football schedule conflict go out for soccer instead. Some kids can excel at either sport, while others will do far better in one or the other.</p>

<p>A tiny percentage of high school students will find that their college prospects hinge on their athletic performance. The vast majority will find their college choices are determined by GPA and standardized tests.</p>

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<p>The SAT testing dates are released well in advance. You need to plan and realize how important this test is for many prospective college students. I LOVE sports and coached High School Varsity athletes for a dozen years. I cannot imagine having penalized an athlete for missing a game to take the SAT's. My own kids are more inclined towards the performing arts and when there is a Saturday rehearsal before a major show, the director excuses the kids taking the SAT's until 1 p.m.</p>

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<p>Roger, nicely put.</p>

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<p>Just seconding/thirding whomever it was who said that it may be a good idea to take the SAT in one of the away sites if your kid decides it is neccessary to take it again at all. We did that with the ACT and it worked out fine. </p>

<p>Also agree that the coaches should keep SAT schedules in mind when creating sports schedules. Maybe talk it over with the AD at your school. You child isn't the only one affected right? Agree w/ owl that all parents should make a stink about it.</p>

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<p>Unfortunately, my comment does not help Rachacha but plan, plan, plan. Because D has a crazy schedule year round, 5 days/week and 50% weekends sept - June, I began laying things out October junior year (with first sat II already taken sophomore year). I saw the conflicts that were coming and she began prepping for the March SAT during the first week of November. For those that say Jan and Feb are too busy due to sports, you just have to start earlier in the year. She did March SAT, April ACT was out, May SAT was out, June SAT she did SAT II chem and did June ACT. So for those with rising Junior, study what the upcoming year is going to entail and plan it out. All D has for senior year is any optional retakes (SAT or ACT) and optional taking of the SAT II MAth IIC. It is still going to be another busy year, but some of the pressure is off.</p>

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<p>I agree - it is all about the planning....we ran into a glitch with SAT II - missed the spring one and then were stuck taking it for fall regardless of whether it was convenient. The biggest mistake we made is not FORCING the issue of taking it in Junior year.</p>

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<p>I played varsity soccer and was a captain, and had a similar problem. I took one test at the end of my junior year, and then my second test in december of my senior year. No schools had any problem with sending scores in december ( I did better on the december test), so if I had already submitted applications I just sent them an update letting them know that new scores were coming in.</p>

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<p>We have a situation this year with the October SAT. The football team plays an away game the night before. Usually not too big of a deal, right? Well, this year, the game is six hours away. The opposing team does not offer the SAT at its school. Some of the parents at our school are not too happy. I instructed them to check the SAT and ACT sites and see if they can plan for different dates. It is all about planning.</p>

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<p>Momreads - If you are willing to take the test that next day, search for schools near the football game school. D's HS NEVER offers the SATs or ACTs so every test she takes is 15 - 30 minutes from home. Just because the opposing team's school does not offer the test does not mean that it is out of the picture for you IF you are willing to take it that next day and possibly drive that 15-30 minutes the next AM.</p>

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<p>It's not just coaches and athletics that can be inflexible. ARML (well-known national math competition) has its annual tournament the first weekend in June -- an SAT date. The math teachers at S1's school warn their ARML students to take their tests early. June is a big testing date at our school, as many students will take SAT-IIs based on the courses they have just completed.</p>

<p>S1 took an SAT-II two time zones away while at an USA[XXX]O national finals event. He wasn't the only one. One of the coaches drove the kids in to the local HS.</p>

<p>S2's HS scheduled homecoming (an afternoon game) on the November SAT date last year. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Personally, I don't buy into "But the game's not til later in the day." The game is a distraction for the person who needs to put his/her full focus on the test at hand. I also won't let S2 take an SAT the morning after a football game. He's too tired and beat up.</p>

<p>Our solution for S2 will be to get everything done by the end of junior year, preferably after football season. The senior year October exam will be an option only if he has a score he is massively unhappy with and that may be make-or-break for playing sports at a particular school.</p>