<p>I agree with the poster who said to use it to convince the HS to let him accelerate. It’s also VERY handy if he decides he wants to do dual-enrollment in college classes. </p>
<p>I don’t see any harm or value in sending it to colleges. However, my son always sent his free score report from the SATs when he was younger and required to take standardized tests as a homeschooler. One of his “Why This School” essays had “___________ has been my favorite school ever since I sent my score report in 9th grade” or whatever.</p>
<p>I don’t see any advantage to sending his scores to any college. They are meaningless without corresponding grades. Didn’t Harvard or Stanford boast about their number of rejects with perfect standardized scores?</p>
<p>Military academy and ROTC applications/acceptances are based on far more than standardized test scores. Sending test scores in now would be useless as far as the military aspect goes. Acceptance to a college/university and receiving an AFROTC scholarship are completely separate. One does not carry any leverage toward the other.<br>
Air Force Academy processes one class year at a time. There is a lengthy process to apply for an Academy that begins in the junior year. That’s when relevant test scores are to be sent along with the rest of the applications pkg(same for ROTC). </p>
<p>If he is really interested in the military route, encourage him to also be involved in extra-curricular activities. Someone mentioned Civil Air Patrol. Make sure there is at least some sort of h.s. sports activity. He doesn’t have to be a star but needs to have some participation. Physical fitness is important. Besides sports, My S worked a p/t customer service job year 'round soph-senior years of h.s. while maintaining a high gpa. S said during his NROTC interview, the interviewer was more interested in talking about S’s job responsibilities than his stellar academic achievements. They are looking for the total pkg. </p>
<p>Also, please support your S if he continues to show strong interest in the military. My S knew by freshman year that being a military officer was his goal. Most people thought he would “outgrow” it or even insinuated that it would be a waste because he was so “smart”. We got lots of raised eyebrows fr. family and friends.<br>
DH and I never tried to dissuade him and S never backed away from his dream. That was ten years ago. Today he is a Special Operations Officer in the U.S. Navy,loves his job and has never regretted the path he started down as a h.s. freshman.</p>
<p>My oldest took the ACTs in 6th, 7th and 8th grade also, but he didn’t send anything until after junior year. Most colleges want to see standardized test scores and high school class grades and the rigor of the classes…none of which is generally evident in 9th grade. Even if kids, especially boys, test well on standardized tests their performance in high schools classes can vary depending on personality. You won’t really even know what colleges your son is competitive for until mid-junior year most likely.</p>
<p>For the SAT the 9th grade scores are permanent. If that is the case for ACT, he should take it again in junior year and he can send the scores at that time. 9th grade and 11th grade scores should be there. No need to send now. Let him shoot for 36 composite junior year.</p>
<p>OP, are you serious?! If your child is considering liberal arts colleges [especially], I can’t imagine you’re doing him any favors by sending scores this early. It’s a big, red flag that you’re just a another high-maintenance parent. It’s over the top. You need to take a deep breath and relax.</p>
<p>Just wanted to add something others have not mentioned yet. The schools on your son’s list today as a 9th grader most likely will not be the same schools that he ends up applying to come senior year. Most juniors are confused on what they want in a college - how could a ninth grader know? So, don’t bother. Lots of kids end up sending test scores to schools that they never end up applying to. Kids even start common applications for schools and then change their mind and don’t end up applying there.</p>
<p>Don’t bother. Colleges have enough to do with this year’s applicants…they’re not going to create a file for your S and “keep an eye on him.” At the trajectory he’s on, he’ll probably get a 36 when he’s a junior.</p>
<p>I want to echo that - nobody will look at a single score until you pay an application fee and file an actual application (yes, a clerk may create a file and put it away somewhere but that is about it)</p>
<p>What EC’s does he have now? It might be worth it to make sure that he has a good variety of EC’s. Since he is in 9th grade, he should sign up for 3 or so varied activities to go along with his academic record. He will need something to make him stand out.</p>
<p>I sure wish I knew how to quote here! Can someone teach me how??</p>
<p>FWIW I agree with qialah who posted above. My son also scored a 33 on the ACT in the 9th grade, and he earned a 2240 on the SAT this year as a sophomore. As far as I am concerned, he is finished with standardized testing unless <em>HE</em> decides he wants to test again or a college <em>HE</em> wants to attend requires a more recent score. I don’t understand the idea of “let him shoot for a 36,” or “wait until he brings it up a couple more points” before sending the score. But, that’s just me. I wouldn’t put that kind of pressure on my kid. It’s not like a 33 is a <em>bad</em> score. </p>
<p>I would not, however, send test scores now. There really seems to be no point. My ds plans to use his time to enjoy his ECs and keep his grades up.</p>
<p>We did a college visit a couple of weeks ago, and, honestly, the admissions folks (this was only general tours/admissions sessions - they knew nothing about him individually or his test scores) looked at us like it was sooooo far away before he would be applying. He was the only sophomore doing the tour/sessions. I disagree because we want to see as many schools as we can. But I don’t think a college is going to “care” about your son at this point.</p>
<p>^ I’m not saying put pressure on him to get a 36. OP considered not having him test again. My suggestion was to allow him to take the test as a junior. Who knows, he could get a 36 or close if he is permitted to take again junior year. It does not make sense to take the test in 9th and 10th only, imo. If you and OP are not looking at very selective schools, then by all means, do not take again junior year. Those are good scores, but why not take junior year to see what they can get after benefit of x years schooling? It’s not just admissions, but scholarships they may be in competition for.</p>
<p>I have a nephew who is getting free tuition, room, board plus a $7,000 per year stipend at his college. I don’t think that would have happened it he had not taken his tests junior year, the optimum time.</p>
<p>to put something in quotes, add this information just before the text you want to quote: bracketquotebracket and put this just after the text: bracketslashquotebracket</p>
<p>That’s bracket and slash symbols, and the WORD quote! I think if I actually type it properly, it will try to execute the order instead of demonstrating properly but I’ll try: [ quote ] text [ / quote ]</p>
<p>Just take out the spaces I left in.</p>
<p>And I’ll echo the poster above–33 is fantastic for a 9th grader, but there are some scholarships that kick in at 34 and above.</p>
That’s a bit of an overstatement–but I think the first score they really take a look at is the junior year PSAT score–if you do well on that, it will open the floodgates of college mail. You might get mail based on prior scores, but I very much doubt if it translates into particularized interest in you–rather, it just gets you onto a mailing list.</p>
<p>OP - Do have your son do a PSAT exam fall of sophomore year if possible. Then he’ll know what to expect for junior year PSAT, the one that count for National Merit scholarships.</p>