<p>I am a single mother who will be sending my D to college in fall 2012. Although she is a good student with a GPA of 3.7 (at a college prep high school), she has taken the ACT and has only achieved a 25. This is not high enough to qualify her for any merit scholarships or to allow her to apply for any honors college programs at nearby state universities. She is a creative person who excels in English and writing but is just average in Math and Science. She has a very impressive dedication to her extracurricular activity as a docent at local museums. She gets so excited when she looks at colleges such as William and Mary, NYU, and UC Berkley, however, I believe these are too far out of reach (financially and academically). I am not wealthy and although I would like nothing more than for her to go to the college of her dreams, I also have to make certain that the tuition is within my means. That being said, I want her to go to the best college possible that will also be a good value for the money. I am paying for private ACT tutoring and hope it helps her chances of obtaining even a small merit scholarship, however, this only seems possible at our state flagship school, University of Alabama. What are the chances that her ACT score could be increased to at least a 28, enabling her to get a partial scholarship and enrollment into the honors college at UA? Any other suggestions?</p>
<p>You might want to post over in the finaid and scholarships board. Some of the moms on that board know so much about this subject it is amazing. Good luck, and don’t feel guilty. You are doing your best and nobody can ask more of you.</p>
<p>My son went from a 28 to a 32 after working with a tutor so a 25 to 28 or 29 is definitely doable. </p>
<p>Good luck to your D!</p>
<p>The University of Alabama has an excellent English Department and a strong MFA program, so I assume they have a lively program for undergraduate creative writing as well. I don’t think you should feel guilty about this option in the least! Your D would have fine opportunities there.</p>
<p>Depending on your circumstances, your D may qualify for need-based financial aid, which is often more generous at the private schools. If this is the case, it might actually be cheaper for her to go to a “fancy” school than to a state school; the publics tend to have lower tuition for everybody, but also to discount it less than the better-heeled private institutions. Some such schools are also test-optional, so your daughter might be able to apply on the basis of her grades without her test scores being considered.</p>
<p>azelea… dont feel guilty about UA…just look at the past 2 years of acceptances…kids from oos are recognizing the value!!!</p>
<p>with act…a tip is not to get hung up on the science questions themselves, rather, concentrate on the graphs and charts, that is where the answer is, even if not sure of the question.</p>
<p>also a plug for my son’s school (i’m in alabama too) UAB
she would already qualify for some merit:</p>
<p>[Alabama</a> Residents](<a href=“http://main.uab.edu/Sites/apply/financial_aid/scholarships/69024/]Alabama”>http://main.uab.edu/Sites/apply/financial_aid/scholarships/69024/)</p>
<p>they have some great honors programs:[Honors</a> Academy](<a href=“http://main.uab.edu/Sites/apply/academics/special/]Honors”>http://main.uab.edu/Sites/apply/academics/special/)</p>
<p>tuition: 12-15k instate (includes room) vs 22K at UA
[College</a> Costs](<a href=“http://main.uab.edu/Sites/apply/financial_aid/costs/]College”>http://main.uab.edu/Sites/apply/financial_aid/costs/)</p>
<p>tier 1 school</p>
<p>FWIW…I’m a firm believer that…with practice and the right attitutude…ACT scores can be improved…</p>
<p>Also, please keep in mind that state schools seem to lack luster for instate kiddos. However, UA is high on the list for many OOS applicants.</p>
<p>College search and selection is a journey…keep an open mind and definitely head to the financial aid section of CC. The regulars over there rock!</p>
<p>Don’t feel guilty! Work together…</p>
<p>Never feel guilty about telling your D what the financial limits are. You know what you can afford, she does not. Bama is an excellent school and there is no need to apologize for it. Mom2CollegeKids should be by here any moment to sing its praises (and she grew up in CA).</p>
<p>What are the chances that her ACT score could be increased to at least a 28</p>
<p>her odds are very good
i would even say likely</p>
<p>Read through this thread for our own xiggi’s advice on exam prep: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html</a> I used to work for an exam prep company, and this is basically what people paid us big bucks to do with them. You really can do it at home for the price of a couple of exam prep books. Better yet, check them out of the library for free. In my day, Princeton Review had the best advice on exam strategies, and Barrons had the best vocab. lists, but that may have changed.</p>
<p>Back when Happykid was in 9th grade I ran a FAFSA EFC calculator and was shocked by what our EFC turned out to be. It took me a long time (like all of 9th and 10th grade) to wrap my mind around that, and accept the limits it posed on Happykid’s educational options. However, once she knew our financial limits, she was able to find an affordable option for herself. If you can get your own head straight about how much you are truly able and willing to pay for college, then you will be able to present that number to your child, and you will be able to hold the line if that should become necessary. There is nothing wrong with attending a home-state public U.</p>
<p>UAlabama-Tuscaloosa has become increasing attractive to well-qualified and highly academically motivated students from other states. And keep in mind, because UA participates in the National Student Exchange, your daughter could experience life on another campus during her junior year for no additional cost [tuition].</p>
<p>Public schools like Berkeley are going to expect you to pay all costs. They don’t help out of state students with their financial need.</p>
<p>At this point, encourage your D to keep an open mind about VARIOUS schools. She may get a higher score, but she may not get a high enough score to be really competitive for top schools …like Williams. An ACT 28 is not going to be strong enough for top schools. </p>
<p>Also, at this point, be FIRM about how much YOU can contribute each year for college. Also…TOP schools will want the financial info of your child’s bio dad if he’s alive. Financial aid would be based on both household’s income/assets. </p>
<p>Have her practice for both the ACT and the SAT. She may do better on the SAT.</p>
<p>I have 2 boys at Bama. The honors college there is excellent. So is the English program. If your D can get her scores up, she can get into honors. If she can’t, then she can transfer into honors after the first semester if she has a good GPA.</p>
<p>No guilt is due here. You are being a wise parent in making sure that your daughter’s education is within your means. It’s OK to apply broadly, as long as she understands that matricualation is dependent on both acceptance and the FA package.</p>
<p>If this is her first run at the ACT, she should do some more prep and retake. I also suggest that she take the SAT. Some students do better on one test than the other</p>
<p>Don’t apologize for state schools! The majority of students end up at state schools and they do quite well. Going to a private LAC without much financial aid will only guarantee you will graduate with a lot of debt. </p>
<p>Has she considered the SAT? A child with strong English & writing skills might do better. How did she do on the PSAT?</p>
<p>Yes, make sure she tries both tests. My youngest scores on the ACT as if she is mentally challenged :rolleyes: (hyperbole), but still. She scores on the SATs as if she is a genius, which she isn’t…I can promise. My oldest got perfect scores on the SATs, and had ACT scores which would not have indicated she was above the 90th percentile. </p>
<p>So, the differences in the tests can be really significant. I don’t know the difference in what it is they are testing for? But, whatever ACT is testing for? My kids weren’t getting…YMMV</p>
<p>It’s OK to apply broadly, as long as she understands that matriculation is dependent on both acceptance and the FA package.</p>
<p>this is very important. Put in writing with your D how much you will spend and that any other costs must come from financial aid or merit scholarships (AND NOT FROM large loans). </p>
<p>Be very clear that you will not: 1) co-sign loans 2) borrow any money (or borrow over XX dollars). </p>
<p>Be clear that she must apply to a few financial safety schools (schools you know for sure will be affordable) in addition to any of those other schools. Some parents insist on a few “parent picks”…a couple of schools that their kids must apply to. </p>
<p>As long as the “ground rules” are clear and written down and agreed upon, things will go more smoothly.</p>
<p>Your D will be limited to borrowing the following amounts for student loans…</p>
<p>5500 frosh
6500 soph
7500 jr
7500 sr</p>
<p>Also, NYU is the poster child for horrible aid…it is not unusual for NYU to put a $30k Parent Plus loan in the FA package…expecting parents to borrow to borrow large amounts each year is just crazy. </p>
<p>Do you know how much you can afford to pay each year?</p>
<p>My D said that she felt rushed by the ACT as compared to the SAT. Even a little practice in reading a little more quickly could help. Also the ACT science section (which is more of a graph interpretation section) takes a little getting used to. Prep in that section would help.</p>
<p>I was a single parent (a widow) when older D first applied to college.</p>
<p>I fully expected her to end up at a SUNY for financial reasons. But Colgate’s package left me with a balance below SUNY Oswego or SUNY Oneonta’s.</p>
<p>So yes, make sure the state school is on her list, but make sure a school or two that guarantees to meet 100% of need is on the list as well. Fill out all of the FA forms and you might be surprised.</p>
<p>The score improvement you seek is very doable for a capable student - even without expensive test prep. Daughter’s score went from 25 to 29 in junior year with DIY testing books from Barnes and Noble and a busy life going on at the same time.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the helpful information and encouragement. This is my only child and although I attended college, I had to work full time while attending college full time in order to pay for my tuition and was not a traditional student at all. Therefore, this is all new to me and I feel so overwhelmed with all of the choices and financial limitations. My D didn’t do that well on the SAT so I don’t know if she should even bother taking it again or just concentrate all her energy into improving her ACT score. I do not have any debt and definitely do not want her to be heavily in debt either coming out of college. Therefore, we will have to be very frugal with our college budget. I am happy to hear that UA is highly recommended and that the English dept and Honors College there offers a quality education. The next ACT is this Saturday so I’m crossing my fingers that her score will improve.</p>
<p>*I was a single parent (a widow) when older D first applied to college.</p>
<p>I fully expected her to end up at a SUNY for financial reasons. But Colgate’s package left me with a balance below SUNY Oswego or SUNY Oneonta’s.</p>
<p>So yes, make sure the state school is on her list, but make sure a school or two that guarantees to meet 100% of need is on the list as well. Fill out all of the FA forms and you might be surprised. *</p>
<p>What were your D’s stats?</p>
<p>*I am paying for private ACT tutoring and hope it helps her chances of obtaining even a small merit scholarship, however, this only seems possible at our state flagship school, University of Alabama. What are the chances that her ACT score could be increased to at least a 28, enabling her to get a partial scholarship and enrollment into the honors college at UA? Any other suggestions? *</p>
<p>It is doable to get an ACT 28 (or SAT equivalent) with practice to get a scholarship to Bama (and to get into the honors college). That scholarship would cut tuition in half, leaving you with about $12k left (rest of tuition, room, board, books, etc). It would be more if she wanted honors housing. </p>
<p>With a good tutor and good luck, she could raise it higher. My son helped a friend go from an ACT 26 to a 31…so getting free tuition at Bama. Such an increase would also help your D with admissions to the top schools that give great aid.</p>
<p>Do you know what your EFC might be? Do you know if her non-custodial parents’ income will raise family contribution at those schools? Will her NCP contribute? If not, then those schools may be “off the table” anyway.</p>