<p>I’m not trying to be disrepsctful,because you seem to be a very caring, involved parent.It seems to me your daughter is an immature,prima donna. I would not allow my children to disrepect me or my wife. The eye rolling and condecending attitude would never be tolerated.</p>
<p>When we got college info books and the like, we did not keep them in the living room. They went to the room of the kiddo. </p>
<p>Your daughter’s grades are average or slightly above. Her current SAT score is the same. I’m not sure why you view this as a problem. And I DO think her SAT score will improve just because she is older and has more background for the test. She is taking the SAT in March and can take it again in the fall of her senior year.
I think you are far too worried</p>
<p>The only reason I haven’t suggested the ACT is because I’ve been told that the math is even harder on that test and since that seems to be her weakest subject, I didn’t think it would help. Maybe it should be another option.</p>
<p>I don’t think that’s correct. My kids and others have said that the math on the ACT is less “tricky”, which would be better for a weaker math student.</p>
<p>What some might do is actually compare the sample math questions on the SAT vs ACT- or look for some confirming info about that difference. Or even post that question. </p>
<p>Our own experience is with the Sat M- and not a pretty tale. I agree with posters who are telling you: SAT as a finishing soph is quite different than SAT after another year of school. I think our GC said it’s aimed at late junior year level of academic experience.</p>
<p>Please do check out the 3.0-3.3 and 3.3-3.6 parent threads. I think your fears will be alleviated, and you’ll find a great supportive network of parents. My D’s scores were almost identical to your D’s and she got into every college she applied to, all with some sort of merit award. She will be attending RIT. </p>
<p>My D was overwhelmed with all the choices Junior year. I asked her if she’d like me to make a spreadsheet of schools I thought she’d like, and she said yes (with a huge sigh of relief). I did the research for schools that fit her personality and had her career interests. I made a spreadsheet of 20 or so schools, requested print materials from those, and she quickly narrowed it down to 10. After a few visits it was down to 5. We included some test optional schools as well.</p>
<p>And, she had her best semester ever at the beginning of her Senior year!</p>
<p>Re: Those darn standardized tests</p>
<p>As others have said, the ACT is just a better test for some kids, and she won’t know if that’s true for her unless she tries it. I suggest she take the ACT next, and then see which test (SAT or ACT) she wants to focus on for her third go round. </p>
<p>All colleges accept either test now, equally. And with superscoring options at most schools (as well as the self-reported score section on the Common App) she can report her best scores for each section across all sittings, so it can REALLY help if you have two sets of scores to report for the same test. Might as well find out which test suits her best now, in spring of junior year. </p>
<p>My kids (very different learners and test-takers) both did better on the ACT (for one, the equivalent of 300 SAT points better…) and thought the questions were way more straightforward. </p>
<p>The ACT does not penalize the test-taker for guessing wrong: The SAT actually deducts a fraction of a point (.25, I think?) for wrong answers. The ACT just awards you zero points for a wrong answer, same as if you didn’t answer the question at all. Therefore, you might as well guess! This fact definitely made Kid #2 more confident going in, as he was paralyzed for his first SATs about the issue of guessing wrong, and making his score WORSE. No such fear with the ACTs. Some people are fearful of the ACT science portion, but most kids regard it as just another reading comprehension section, with a few graphs thrown in.</p>
<p>Those SAT scores aren’t bad, but you should also know that 280 schools are test optional, and another source says 450. These include some of the top schools. Here is a list:
[SAT/ACT</a> Optional 4-Year Universities | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]SAT/ACT”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>
<p>I’m sure there’s fear involved for your daughter, as there is for most kids/people whose lives are about to drastically change. Especially if she lacks social confidence (I think most teens do, even the “popular” ones). Even the eye roll and “how am I supposed to…” comment re looking up tour info probably reflects fear of looking/being inept and stupid. We had a roughly similar situation and my daughter took a gap year. We were able to put some money into it, so she did a 6-month volunteer stint in Africa and developed a lasting interest in teaching English as a second language. I know not everyone can do this, but it was wonderful for her. Has your daughter considered the SUNY’s? Not far from home, relatively cheap even for out-of-staters, plenty of schools where she would get in. She sounds like a very bright kid. Most of us are in the 99%…Good luck to her.</p>
<p>I have been lurking on the 3.0-3.3 and 3.3-3.6 and I have to admit, it’s been bringing me down off the cliff, so to speak. 
Very reassuring that college happens for those who don’t have 4.6 GPAs and 2400 SAT scores. Thanks to everyone who has recommend it. Not sure that I’ll post because I really don’t anything to add. So better to keep reading. </p>
<p>And thank you compmom for the link. I am looking over it now. </p>
<p>Rebel, I honestly don’t think of my daughter as a prima donna. Anything but, actually. First of all, let’s just say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree (over-exaggerated responses, sarcasm spoken fluently at home… you get the idea). I also think her reaction was due to my saying I would not bring up the subject of college again, only to walk in her room the next day and do just that by mentioning the college tour. And if she’s feeling unsure of herself, I have no one to blame but myself because I have babied her far too long. It will be a process but we’ll get there together. </p>
<p>I think tonight I will mention the ACT. If she takes that and does well her confidence will go up and she’ll be more likely to want to delve into the college process. </p>
<p>I’m glad I started this thread and am grateful for all your help and suggestions.</p>
<p>Hi MFQ, The most important thing you can do is not be hard on yourself. It’s apparent that you care deeply for your child. Sometimes kids need some tough love.The hard dance is how to temper it with pratical solutions that they don’t rebell against. Good luck.</p>
<p>Let her fall on her face!and work at a mall cleaning the restrooms and food court for a year. While you and your man go on a much deserved vacation. She’ll straighten up and she will still be young.</p>
<p>d23, Thats what my Dad would say. @ 18 he went to war, top turrett gunner b-17 shot down on 20th mission.2 years P.O.W. ,came home and raised 8 kids.buried in Arlington Natl. Cemetary. There was alot of tough love from a very tough man in our house.</p>
<p>Thanks Rebel and D23, I have to say, I was ROTFLMAO when I read your post. I’m not sure it was meant be funny but it just cracked me up. And I completely understand what you mean. Thank you.</p>