College Hopeful Seeking Advice/Suggestions :)

Pre-College Issues Home Schooling and College
1

<p>Hello again, this is my fourth or fifth post here and, alas, I'm back for more advice.</p>

<p>Okay, to start with, I've been homeschooled my entire life and I'm now a rising senior. I am a minority and come from an extremely low income family i.e. <12,000.</p>

<p>I've taken the SAT twice with average - below average results(May 2007: CR 670 M 430 W 540. June 2007: CR 660 M 400 W 560. ), I'm going to take the SAT one more time -hopefully- this October and, three SAT Subject Tests in November. I have been studying intensively and taking lots of practice tests, so I hope to bring my Math, CR, and Writing score up substantially for the Oct. test.</p>

<p>Should I take the ACT? Considering the fact that I've never even taken an ACT practice test, I'm thinking that taking it might be a waste of my time and money. Perhaps, my time would be better spent on improving my SAT score.</p>

<p>I haven't taken any AP's or community colleges courses, but I've been taking MIT OCW courses and I plan on taking AP's next May.</p>

<p>This past March I applied for the Questbridge College Prep Scholarship,though I did not receive the scholarship, Questbridge recommended me to the Amherst Telementoring Program and various all expense-paid college visit programs. I applied to the Telementoring Program and was accepted, I now have a mentor to guide me through the college admissions process (!!YAY!!). Also, I was invited to apply to the Swarthmore Discovery Weekend and Windows On Williams college preview programs, and I plan to apply.</p>

<p>My first choice college is UChicago, and my intention is to apply EA. This school fits my personality sooo well, I can't even put into words how much I love Uchicago. My second choice is most likely either Swarthmore or Johns Hopkins.
I know that these schools are reaches but....I have plenty of in-state safeties and community college is even an option. Again, I adore the University of Chicago. </p>

<p>Advice??????? Suggestions???????</p>

<p>Thank You :)</p>

2

<p>Some forms of SAT preparation carry over to the ACT. The ACT gives a different test date from the SAT test dates, and that might be reason to spend a little time with the best ACT preparation book </p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Real-Guide-guide-include-tests/dp/0768919754/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/Real-Guide-guide-include-tests/dp/0768919754/&lt;/a> </p>

<p>and see if that test fits your personal style. </p>

<p>It's great that you have a mentor now. Definitely get reality checks on ideas for college preparation with that person.</p>

3

<p>I would definitely consider taking the ACT! </p>

<p>The fact that you're not penalized for wrong answers (as you are on the SAT) should help. And, if you take the ACT exam with Writing, then math is only 1/5 of your score, instead of 1/3, which should help you also.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>

4

<p>Thank you, I'll definitely check into taking the ACT.</p>

<p>Feel free to post, I'm open to any suggestions.</p>

5

<p>Hi Sofia - contact the UoC admissions office and talk to an admissions officer there. Explain your situation and get their opinion on whether you should take the ACT. We have found that the folks in the admissions offices are really helpful and will take the time to talk to you. My daughter homeschooled and had SAT scores that were a little below the average for UMich. She spoke with an admissions person there and she advised taking the ACT which my daughter did. She got accepted to UMich but chose to attend Peabody at Johns Hopkins. Good Luck to you!!</p>

6

<p>Thank you :)</p>