<p>My son has been taking the ACT through NUMATS since 6th grade. He has steadily improved his scores each year and just got his 9th grade score back. Composite 33, English 34, Math 30, Reading 32, Science 34.</p>
<p>We are thinking about sending his scores to a few schools he is very interested in just to see what would happen. Would anything happen? Could it put him on their radar? Or bad idea because he is too young?</p>
<p>TIA</p>
<p>Those are excellent scores - especially for a 9th grader. But can I ask what you hope to accomplish by sending these scores now? And if his scores steadily improve each year, why not wait and see if they go higher in the future?</p>
<p>That is what I was wondering. I think that since he has improved steadily each year it should continue to go up the next couple of years. So if I send it now, then that is the one they would use when he would apply? He is my oldest, so this is all very new to me. I called the ACT people today just to see if this one would “count” since he is a 9th grader. They said yes and he said it would not hurt to send the scores out now to “see who would bite”. But I don’t want to do something that would hurt his chances later. He has aspirations for the Air Force Academy or a ROTC scholarship at a top 10 engineering school.</p>
<p>Yes, those are great scores. It seems like 9th grade is early to send scores, but perhaps it could be helpful for ROTC applicants.</p>
<p>You may want to also try these areas for relevant threads and experts
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/</a> (search on ROTC)
[Air</a> Force Academy - Colorado Springs - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/air-force-academy-colorado-springs/]Air”>Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>I think it’s a waste of time to send them now. While they’re really good, I very much doubt if they’re going to cause colleges to do much other than maybe send you some brochures. You’ll be getting plenty of those in two years–no reason to get sick of them early.</p>
<p>When my son took the ACT there was some checkbox to do with sharing those scores with colleges that resulted in an avalanche of mail from colleges. So check that box if that’s what you want.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure that when you send scores to colleges you can choose which date’s scores to send, and this is different from how the SAT works. I just found this out and have confirmed it with one source but won’t swear to it. </p>
<p>In any case, if he isn’t looking to graduate and go to college next year, I wouldn’t bother.</p>
<p>I can’t see any point in sending them now. His junior year scores are likely to be higher, so why send lower scores now?</p>
<p>Your son is probably too smart for a military academy. ROTC at a top school would be a great option though. :)</p>
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I think most colleges use whatever is the highest of the scores submitted when the test is taken multiple times. You can double check this with whatever colleges you’re interested in. However, unless he wants to attend college now rather than HS, chances are good his scores will only increase if he takes them in a couple of years so maybe it makes more sense to send them at that time. I don’t know how some colleges might respond if they see very high scores from a 9th grader. They might not really care at all unless and until your S applies.</p>
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That’s a weird comment. Are you implying that the military academies are only for not so smart people? You must not know much about the military academies.</p>
<p>The best use for his scores would be to encourage his high school to let him accelerate in English and science. When my son had similar scores as a middle schooler, I convinced his high school to let him skip freshman English. He’s taking AP English language and physics as a 10th grader. He also took biology in 8th grade and AP environmental science and honors chemistry in 9th. I would just do what you can to keep him from getting bored and lazy in high school so that he will be prepared to attend the kind of college he desires. NASA has some interesting summer science programs. Some of the service academies offer summer programs as well. Good luck keeping him occupied!</p>
<p>Unless he has the other entrance requirements completed & would like to enter next year, they shouldn’t be sent now.</p>
<p>That’s a weird comment</p>
<p>I agree. But some are in early stages of learning about the breadth of educational options. If they live in a small world they may not know much about some of those opportunities.</p>
<p>How is is his GPA? Commensurate? Most of the schools we have visited say they want the standardized tests, but their first and foremost questions are “How rigorous is his curriculum?” and “What is his GPA?”</p>
<p>Others on this website have indicated rank is more important as well, but the admission people I’ve asked have given wishy washy answers with regards to class rank. I tend to think class rank is less important than standardized tests.</p>
<p>My unqualified advice is to keep the scores to yourself until he’s ready to take the test for real in his Junior year. He’ll probably get perfect scores by then and you’ll be kicking yourselves for ever exposing “those old lousy scores.” ;-)</p>
<p>How upset would you be if some school screwed up and accidently kept his old 9th grade score of 33 when he actually got a 36 in his Junior year?!</p>
<p>The only reason to send them is if you want your son to take his GED, graduate early and attend college ahead of schedule.</p>
<p>There is no harm in sending these to a few schools if you want to but it will cost money and if you are looking at Ivy League schools, I don’t see it helping at all. </p>
<p>If you are looking at schools the next tier of schools, and looking at private schools, if there is a college that really appeals to you, sending a nice 9th grade score like that might put you on their radar, the same way visiting them in 9th grade would put you on their radar. If it is a school that values a student expressing interest in the school, you’d have a plus check mark in that column all ready - and your sound would start receiving notices of special events at that school. That might be nice.</p>
<p>“Your son is probably too smart for a military academy. ROTC at a top school would be a great option though”</p>
<p>Um, this is definitely so far from true it’s laughable. The USAFA is right up there comparable to the Ivies. Incredibly difficult to get into, and known for their engineering program in-particular. Talk about “weeder” courses the first year! Now, ROTC, I know lots of students who could get into…not so with the USAFA. If your son has the intellect and athleticism to get into the academy, they will be thrilled to see his junior year scores. No need to send anything now. But, it isn’t too soon to start researching the process for getting an appointment to the academy. It starts earlier than typical college application stuff, and medical stuff is very important to have all organized, etc.</p>
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<p>impressive ignorance.</p>
<p>^ You should see some of his/her other “work”.</p>
<p>your son sounds like a bright and talented boy that has been immersed in all things academic. just take some time to step back and make sure he’s still enjoying the accelerated pace and intensity. childhood is a journey and one you can’t do over.</p>
<p>as far as sending the scores, im not sure that many colleges have a process to intake and deal with random ACT Score Reports from students (frosh) nowhere near the upcoming application cycle.</p>
<p>He’s got a great score. For me, the issue would be whether schools will take a 9th grade score. If they will, he can be done with testing and not waste anymore Saturdays and money on that aspect of the application going foward. I’d call a couple of schools and ask. If they are going to want a score that’s closer to the time he’s applying, then I woudn’t waste the money sending them.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t send the scores now. It serves no purpose.</p>
<p>I do suggest looking into Civil Air Patrol or JrROTC. Both help kids learn what military life may entail, including PT. I prefer CAP because I think it offers more summer opportunities.</p>
<p>With his aspirations, spend time getting familiar with the military requirements. Physical requirements, age requirements, etc.</p>