<p>My DD is a junior and we are actively visiting colleges. We are from NE Ohio, and so far have visited Mount Union and are planning to travel to University of Richmond this weekend. Also this summer, we are planning College of Wooster and hopefully others. My daughter is at the top of her class (straight A's) with 4.1. She only is taking AP Chemistry this year (Almost all AP classes scheduled same period..go figure) so senior year will be taking AP Eng, AP Computer Science, AP Calculus. She has maybe 200 graduates in class and the school does not offer as many AP courses as I have seen posted in other areas. She has a composite score of 30 on ACT (35 Eng, 33 Read, 27 Science, 26 Math). She wants to be an English major. She does not want to take SAT as she thinks she would not do as well with that so plans to retake ACT in September in hopes of getting higher score. </p>
<p>Should she take the SAT. Is it necessary if she knows will not score as well? </p>
<p>The main question is of course money. How do you think she would rate as far as scholarships and/or acceptance with these schools?</p>
<p>You might get her the “10 Real SATs” study guide and have her take a practice test or two and see how she does. She may surprise herself. How can she know she won’t score well?
She sounds like a very bright well rounded student. It would be a shame if her unfounded fear of a test shut her out of some good (and lucrative) opportunities.
I’d encourage my own kid to take it. She is prepared if she has taken AP chem and is planning to take Calc next year. At this point, it’s just a matter of getting comfortable with the test and the timing. Good luck to you both.</p>
<p>I second the idea of taking a couple of the “10 Real SATs” tests just to see how she does. Peering into my crystal ball though, I see her retaking the ACT to raise the math and science scores. (I’d recommend some intensive prep for that … a 26 math is w-a-y too low for a student of your D’s ability.)</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. She has low esteem on SAT due to her PSAT scores in year’s past being lower than you would expect. I will definitely keep encouraging her. Is it true if take SAT the schools get that info without you asking them to? Also I have heard if take SAT only take once because if take too many times, the colleges do not like to see that.</p>
<p>A lot of maturing occurs during the junior year. D did significantly better on the SAT in June of her junior year than she did on the PSAT during October of her junior year. Don’t let a poor PSAT scare her off–agree that a couple of runs through 10 Real SATs could give her a ball park figure and then she could decide.</p>
<p>My younger son’s SAT scores were quite a bit higher than his PSAT scores, but of course my older son has the opposite experience. I don’t think your daughter needs to take the SAT, but do agree that she might want higher math and science scores depending on what schools she’s aiming for. For the ones you’ve mentioned, I believe she’s fine.</p>
<p>I think it’s a good idea to try the SAT because it scores differently than the ACT - some do better in one over the other. Not sending the scores out is a good idea if she is concerned about that.</p>
<p>I would also recommend you look at Ohio Northern U. With her grades and ACT she could get a nice scholarship. U Dayton is also a good school that might offer some good aid.</p>
<p>My advice is for her to get a book and practice math, which is the easiest one to improve. As far as science goes, it is just reading, she must have not paid much attention. If she improve math, she will get a higher ACT score. My D practiced only math and got similar scores first time around, except her total was 33 becuase of math and science, with reading much lower and the same 35 for English that she never practiced for at all. D did not like SAT at all, but your D being a good reader might get a higher score on it. Worth to try!! The best wishes!</p>
<p>Search these threads for the “Xiggi method” of SAT prep.
Lots of helpful points on effective use of time while studying for and taking the test.</p>
<p>When you say the main question is money, does that mean that it will be hard to pay for another test? If this is the case then i would stick with the 30. However, if one (or 2) more tests isn’t going to be a financial burden, i would suggest taking the SAT and maybe the ACT a second time. There is no downside other than giving up a saturday morning and the money, since ACT has score choice and you wouldn’t need to submit the SAT since she took the ACT as well. Prepping is very important since they repeat the same sorts of problems over and over in the different testing days. I had the opposite, and did very well in science and math, but poorly in english and reading. On the SAT i was able to bring my reading score up by over 100 points by sitting down with the Princeton review 11 practice tests and just going through all the reading problems and answers.
the 30 on the ACT is very good. but the 35 and 33 is amazing. I’m not exactly sure about scholarships, but if your D can pull the math and science up to a 29 or 30, i would say she would probably get some.
At this point there is also a lot less pressure because she already did well, so taking them again can only help. </p>
<p>also, keep in mind that the SAT doesn’t have science. So assuming she does similarly on the ACT and SAT, she will do amazingly on 2/3 sections instead of 2/4 sections.</p>
<p>My D is finishing her freshman year, so only certain memories of the process stand out. What comes to mind is, is she asking you to tell her what to do? If so, it’s all good. If not, tread lightly…</p>
<p>PS13 I’m an Ohio parent too and just recently visited Mount Union with my Jr Son!</p>
<p>He is also at/near the top of his class with his current ACT being 26. He will retake in June but he insisted that he wanted to try the SAT once and will be taking it this Saturday. He has been doing some practicing and seems to be feeling a little more successful than ACT - of course, we’ll see when he gets to the real test. </p>
<p>Test taking is not his thing cause he works SLOWLY (at least slowly for standardized testing) - he just wants to be too thorough! I think it was important for his confidence to TRY the SAT…yes, it’s our $40ish dollars but his self-confidence and motivation told me to let him try. We shall see!</p>
<p>I will also encourage you to look at Ohio Northern. My D goes there and we have been totally, wonderfully happy with the school. With a 30 she will have the opportunity to go to the highest level scholarship day and can even consider the honors program which has embraced my student. It is expensive but offers many very, very good merit opportunities.</p>
<p>All that being said, let her try ACT again if she wants. Let her make the call on the SAT.</p>