Unless CTkid wants a deluge of college marketing materials, tell him not to check the box!!! :))
@CTMom21, that could be a really valuable exercise. I have known a lot of kids who have gotten really invested in prepping for the SAT and ultimately “had” to switch to the ACT. Kids who are advanced enough in math may be able to knock off their standardized tests summer before junior year, and this can really lighten the load. Also helpful for athletic recruits.
This, from a parent who didn’t suggest that to her kid at that point…
@gardenstategal I think so too, and I hope he is one of those kids who does better on the ACT — lol.
It’s kind of funny to see the differences. Between the PSAT and Pre-ACT, my own kiddo got almost exactly the sames overall scores, with the better subsection scores flipped on the tests. Kind of like the ISEE and SSAT–very similar scores but different distribution. So no help there for us. Our kid’s thought is to take the test(s?) this summer with the hopes of getting it out of the way, but we’ll have to see how much motivation is available in the summer. I know my kiddo feels entitled to a break when the summer rolls around.
At the revisit day we were told by the head of the college office that the kids are generally split about evenly among those who do better on the SAT, better on the ACT, or no big difference. I know nothing about the ACT and how it differs so I’ll be curious to see. DS didn’t take the ISEE but took the HSPT for a Catholic achool application and did much better than on the SSAT, but the distribution was similar. He’s always stronger in verbal/reading than math, so the math score is always going to drag him down.
IF your kid is ready for it, it is a great relief to have testing done the summer before Junior year!
lol this thread kinda died… how are my fellow 2021s doing lol
It is curious that this one is so quiet, when some others are very active.
Just waiting to get out child back. Good luck on finals!
Yes, good luck to all the kids with their exams. I know DS is ready to be home — I think he was pretty worn down the entire spring term. Four more days.
I’m getting to hang out with DS this weekend…he finished his finals, but has three weeks of research term. DD and I leave to tour schools while he’s busy with his project.
Love having CaliKid home!!
What is striking me this year is seeing the end of year school FB and Instagram posts about appointments for next year, like prefects and school president, and seeing some of DS’s friends in these senior roles, which means DS is a rising junior, which is shocking! And yes, great to have him home — laundry, appetite, and all!
CaliKid was wearing a PA pullover at dinner last night. The man busing our table asked if it was PA in Mass, and we said yes. He then said that his son attended PEA. After I joked that I was obligated to hate him, he told us his son just finished his sophomore year at Columbia. He was beaming pride, and I am so happy for him.
Anyone else having the V form preparation anxiety? We got emails and letters from the CC office about test prep, plus at DSs school AP classes begin being offered V form… He did ok on his PSAT and ACTs taken last year,but he in no way prepared and his scores will have to be better…we are no where near a decent 4 year college (the closest 4 year is about 3 hour drive from us…). Idk…I’m starting to get overwhelmed for him, especially since he’s acting like going to college is a trip to the grocery store…
@buuzn03 No need to get anxious. There are so many GREAT colleges out there, including hundreds (if not thousands) that are test optional. (You can go to www.fairtest.org for the complete list).
Your kid’s boarding school experience is preparing him to excel anywhere he goes. He already knows how to advocate for himself and how to establish good relationships with instructors. He knows how to manage his time so he can get involved in the kind of activities that make for a richer college experience. He is going to thrive in college and beyond. I’ve spent most of my career in Silicon Valley and have worked for several incredibly successful CEOs and senior execs who attended colleges that are rarely at the top of anyone’s list, including Santa Clara University, Eckerd in Florida, Reed in Oregon, University of the Pacific, and University of Alabama. What you do with your education matters more than where you got it. No need to stress about admissions!
If you haven’t read the Frank Bruni book, Where you Go is Not Who You’ll Be, now is a good time to do so. It really should be mandatory reading! You’ll feel so much better after reading it.
PS. You’ll have to remind me of everything I just wrote when my own kid approaches senior year, btw…
Yeah, there’s a lot going on. DS’s club coach gave us good advice back in the winter to not get sucked into other people’s stress or get freaked out by other kids who may just be on a different path. DS is stronger in the “soft skills” than the grades and scores, but I try to remember that he WILL go to college and is very well prepared — of that I have no doubt. When I hear about non-BS parents helping their kids write papers or with homework, it reminds me that even if my kid isn’t a superstar student, whatever he’s done it’s been completely on his own. They definitely have that going for them and a lot of maturity.
@CTMom21 I’ve made the mistake of looking at threads on the “other side”. I can’t believe how many things these kids who live at home are pushed to do for their “resume” just for college applications. I think it scared me straight…he’s going to do well in a college that fits him. As long as he puts in the effort. Since he’s been home…he seems to be taking things seriously without getting sucked into the vortex of overboard. I’m just still a bit worried about making times for visits, but I tell myself all in good time…let’s see how long this calm lasts!
@buuzn03 It sounds like you’ve raised a son who will bloom where planted. There are probably lots of different kinds of environments and colleges where he would find a way to bloom, thrive, and excel!
Don’t pressure yourself to visit every single option to find the absolutely perfect one! The “perfect” (or “perfect for you”) college doesn’t exist and colleges understand that not everyone – especially those who will need FA --has the travel budget to visit every single option in person.
Has anyone been doing college visits? We have done a grand total of ONE so far this summer (plus a casual visit/tour that DS’s summer sports program put together before they played a scrimmage st the school). We have more planned for August but they’re going to be tough to plan during the school year, especially given that DS is not at all interested in big cities, and the schools on his list are very spread out. The first visit was fun and we all loved the school. Anyone else?