<p>Welcome your suggestions and advice for a kid whose applying with good grades, many ECs, lots of volunteering but very low SAT scores even after tutoring and retakes. Kid is not looking at competitive schools anyway, in fact none of these schools have message boards here at CC. Thanks for anything you can tell me.</p>
<p>**First kid within extended blended family to not be courted for scholarly and/or athletic talent so while college apps have been part of the last few years, this is a first for me.</p>
<p>How good are those grades and ECs? How bad, exactly are the SAT/ACT scores? Has this student been evaluated for learning disabilities along the dyslexia line? How much can the family pay?</p>
<p>See the list of test optional colleges and universities at [The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org%5DThe”>http://www.fairtest.org) Also, have a nice long chat with the guidance counselor. Surely that person has dealt with students with similar profiles in the past, and can let you know where those kids got in.</p>
<p>If the kid has a list, and the Net Price Calculators indicate that the institutions are affordable, well have the kid apply. Just make certain (as you would for any student) that there is at least one dead-on safety on the list that the family can afford, will guarantee the student admission based on the kid’s grades and scores, and that the kid will be happy to attend if all else goes wrong.</p>
<p>happymom–3.7 average (lower track classes), SAT superscore all 3 sections less than 1100 (I know) and that with extra time to test. Kid does have an LD, documentation etc. but works hard. No behavior issues and well liked. Am fortunate enough to have tuition support, largely thanks to schollys for the older ones (some of whom not so well liked by teachers) keeping my account alive. I will check that link, thanks!</p>
<p>To the Dads of 4 Kids & Erin, I appreciate your ACT suggestions though this child’s writing when timed is simply not good though I am looking into writing tutors as I do think this is a good idea. Thank you </p>
<p>Again, thanks for your replies–any suggestions and personal experiences posted are very helpful and much appreciated!</p>
<p>My friend’s daughter had a situation similar to your daughter’s…she is at Wittenberg in Ohio and doing very well. Her GC wrote a very good letter accompanying her application.</p>
<p>I’m assuming this is obvious but have you looked at test optional schools? Some which aren’t totally test- optional waive test requirements at a certain GPA too. I think George Mason in the DC suburbs of Virginia is one of those. The 3.7, whether in honors or not, belies the fact that your child struggles in school. Clearly he (or she) can do the class work, do have faith and don’t stress too much. Smaller schools could be good options as there is a close relationship between students and advisors. I second Wittenburg too- my brother was admitted there though went to Mason.</p>