<p>Givings:</p>
<p>I more than appreciate your kind words and great advice. Others have also posted some great advice and realistic impressions which is all one can ask. I sit for the SAT for the first time in May, so I am basing my scores on a combination of PSAT and other practice tests that I have taken. As I have said repeatedly, 1200 is a realistic estimate on two components, not including the Writing.</p>
<p>One (hopefully) final note. It seems that most everyone, but not all, wants to put everything within the context of the Ivy Leagues (or similar schools), despite my clear insistence that this is not my chosen, desired, or deserved path. Amazing how some want to refer to 85th percentile as “disastrous”, “stupid”, “weak”, “slackard”, etc. I’m recently 17, haven’t hit my peak yet , probably wasn’t grade obsessed enough as a 14 year old, don’t grade grub enough with my teachers, and will likely have to take the road not taken, which doesn’t include ivy covered buildings. I feel more comfortable with less pretentious, less grade competitive, less trendy and fashion conscious kids that are more likely to be found in mid-size to larger public schools. They are better fits and more affordable than small
LAC’s. For many here, that makes me the anti-christ and to others that makes me a failure. My main objective was to get a realistic assessment of my chances as an OOS student and to get a better understanding of the trend lines in light of some drastic economic changes. Many of you were extremely thoughtful in your responses and gave me great insights. Even Tboonepickens helped in a different sort of way and allowed me to laugh at myself. Thank you all.</p>