Thank you guys for your replies! They have helped me solidify my plans for the next few years. I do not expect myself to be admitted on the first try. But, I know that my chances of being accepted (maybe not on the first try) are fairly good, and mathematically speaking the more I apply the greater chance I have of being accepted. Plus, studying for these entrance exams will help me recover my pace.
Good luck to you! I was impressed by the improvements made by methodical study (on another thread, I have seen great gains with PrepScholar, among other techniques). Switching to the ACT may give you another way to boost your score.
I realize that I made two assumptions: that your parents will be moving to California, and that location of current posting determines residence for in-state for military personnel. I actually do not know if either of those is true, but if they are both true, I stick by my advice. Otherwise, you may find a lower-cost solution. For example, University of Maine in Farmington is still accepting applications and would be an alternative to UAF, if you want to go “Outside.”
I am confused. His SATs are too low for Caltech and Stanford and he can’t take them again. Does he have to report them for a transfer?
This is magical thinking, not based in fact. You really need a new plan (or a strong backup plan that you think you can execute and live with). Don’t waste years of your life thinking that only these two schools will do, and you likely won’t ever get admitted. There are a lot of schools that would be fine. You need some flexibility in your plan.
@ItsJustSchool He has completed high school and enrolled at a college. How can he take the ACT?
@gearmom, he has not matriculated at UA Fairbanks. He enrolled, but withdrew prior to attending any classes. He may need to be sure he cleanly did a medical withdrawal.
He needs to get his test scores up, and it would be wise to target Stanford/Caltech for grad school. He has applied and has a very unique situation- 12 classes his senior year including 6 APs is a very heavy load. Many senior feel that 6 AP courses is a heavy load without the other six classes. Especially since he skipped 7th grade. Plus he was in sports. Clearly, he can handle a large volume of work.
There is no need to judge him; just to give advice and guidance from where he now stands. He says he is “studying for the entrance exams” so it looks like he is tacitly doing the right thing, and planning to re-take the SATs. I suggest he also consider the ACT.
@ItsJustSchool I didn’t think you could keep taking the tests after you graduate from high school and have the results accepted by colleges. And for some reason he is a college transfer because he was admitted to college. Needs to be sure about retaking the test. A few tactical errors have been accelerating his courseload which did not give him time to prepare for the SAT and might have cost him the valedictorian position. Both of these did not help if he wanted Caltech and Stanford. It also doesn’t make sense to be admitted to another university. There is a great disparity between his GPA and SATs which is concerning. He needs a clear and sensible plan. Maybe grad school at the dream colleges and something reasonable for UG.
@gearmom, I agree that he should consider “dream schools” for grad school. I think his best bet is community college for a year, transferring to college for his final credits.
I do think he can take the standardized tests until he matriculates at a university (and maybe after? idk). If his GPA has such disparity with his test scores, proper test preparation may remedy that. He has made his path rougher with his choices, but it is clearly salvagable either at the undergraduate or the graduate level. CCS would be an ideal home to sort all that out.
@ItsJustSchool I edited my post to clarify, but whatever school he is thinking of transferring to, he needs to make sure that they will accept his SAT scores for tests taken after high school graduation (and college admittance) so he does not waste his time and he can formulate a reasonable plan.