What is a reach school and what is a match for this kid? She likes Bryn Mawr.
She is a junior with a 730 CR and 560 math SAT. Her GPA is 3.9, unweighted. Her transcript is a mix of homeschool English, online math, dual enrollment history, a Japanese tutor, and a private school for honors sciences.
She’s taken SAT, PSAT and ACT and seems committed to the low math score despite always getting As in her math classes. She said she panics on the tests.
She is a mix of CyperPatriot, theater, Civil Air Patrol, Japanese language and calligraphy, and women’s rights/issues. She’s a military brat and lived overseas for 12 years in two different countries.
Are these things enough to make the math score less impactful? I’m afraid her standardized scores are going to count more because of the hodgepodge of her transcript. I feel so clueless.
what grade is she in?
If she is a jr or younger, I suggest she take numerous practice ACT and SAT tests - like every other week or so, until she becomes more comfortable with the tests.
Then retake the actual tests at the end of her Jr year.
Her current low math SAT result will have a large impact on college acceptances, so if she can bring it up it will be helpful…
Sometimes, a math score is low because the test includes material a student has not yet learned. In that case, retesting later will help. You don’t mention what year your D is, but assuming she isn’t a senior, this could still be a factor.
Many students who have strong verbal scores and weaker math scores on the SAT do much better on the ACT. They find the material easier although they need to work faster, but most I know have found that it is a more “learn-able” test. If your D wants to invest some time in ACT prep, it could pay off.
I mention all of this above because every year, there are folks who are hoping/believing that everything else on an application will somehow make up for a low subsection score, and the preponderance of outcomes suggest that is not the case. An out of line score like that WILL be an issue. Only 7% of BMC’s incoming class had SAT math scores below 600. (But it seems many more had weaker math scores on the ACT).
BMC is a great school, so I would encourage your D to give the ACT a try. Could definitely be worth the effort!
Bryn Mawr is test optional, right? I do agree with having your daughter take the ACT and seeing how she does anyway. My d did much better on the math portion of the ACT. You might want to check out Mt. Holyoke as another test optional choice. What major is she considering?
Thank you all so much for your responses. You’ve given me info to share with her that will bear more weight since it’s not just mom.
Im thinking those test optional schools aren’t test optional for home schoolers.
She likes Dickinson, too, but has a preference for larger cities.
She has taken the ACT. Low math score.
I’m having a serious case of mom guilt over Bryn Mawr because I first put it on her radar. I expected her math score to be much higher because I know what she’s capable of.
We’re visiting Agnes Scott in the spring. I think it’s more of a match.
The statistic above re BMC’s 7% of the incoming class w/scores below 600 ought to be clarified since the school is test optional. Rather, 7% of those who submitted SAT results scored less than a 600. Presumably many of those who scored less than a 600 simply chose not to submit, if they were able to avoid it.
With strong essays and recs I think BMC could see much value in this student.
In addition to Mount Holyoke and Dickinson some others she might enjoy: Wheaton(MA), Clark, and Goucher.
Have you considered a tutor that will help identify why she is not testing well and can help her with strategy? My D17’s math SAT was not in line with her grades. After a few sessions with a tutor who specialized in math SAT she raised her score over 100 points. She had already practiced a great deal but needed strategies to stay calm and not fall for the tricks.
How far afield would you want to consider? Does she only want women’s college or is co-ed okay? What is her intended major? What is your budget?
One thing to think about if you can afford it: A poor score in math standardized tests for a student who is otherwise strong might mean either that she is weak in one particular area, or that she is missing a few concepts. A good tutor, if you can find the right fit, can probably figure this out relatively quickly. In our experience with a very good SAT tutor, they started off giving our daughter a practice SAT test. This allowed them to immediately focus on the areas where they could help the most. A tutor would probably also help her with online math. Understanding the concepts and understanding how to look at problems is a major part of doing well in math (I was a math major in university).
There are many small colleges which are test optional, and a few that will not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. However, strengthening her math abilities might be good even without considering college admissions as a goal.
Not in a city, but take a look at Earlham. Amazing Japanese opportunities, and it has that Quaker vibe she may have liked at BMC. And great teaching. I think they would love her!
Will she have any STEM AP scores or subject tests? URochester is test-flexible and will accept alternatives to the SAT/ACT. They have a robust Japanese program including both language and culture, and a sizeable population of Asian international students. It’s considered an urban campus but it’s self-contained, not embedded in the city.
Hamilton is another test-flexible school with an excellent Japanese concentration within their highly-regarded Asian Studies program. They require three standardized test scores of which one must be quantitative - any of the following can meet that requirement: SAT Math; SAT Subject Tests in Math, Chemistry, or Physics; AP Computer Science, Chemistry, Economics, Calculus, Physics, or Statistics. https://www.hamilton.edu/admission/apply/requirements
Also maybe Brandeis? Test optional. Good access to Boston transit. Strong international focus and many international students. Four-year Japanese Language curriculum, plus history/culture/etc. courses and study abroad opportunities… and if the course offerings aren’t extensive enough, there are cross-registration privileges with Wellesley, BC, BU, and Tufts.
You could also consider talking to your doctor about solutions for the test anxiety. I know one high school student who was prescribed the non-addictive, temporary anti-anxiety drug propranolol for this exact circumstance, with success. It’s often prescribed for public speaking and many say it actually has a cognitive behavioral benefit because the kid does not feel panic under test-taking conditions and therefore it may decrease future panics. Good luck.
Here are some excellent matches for her based on her strong but unique profile. Most are not urban.
The students with her varied background can be very resilient kids.
And the schools below would not require a whole lot more from her test results. It’s stressful enough for these students. But matches are not safeties. It’s still 50/50 at best with some or most.
And these are really attractive campuses with smart kids. But you need to dig into majors and clubs to see if a good fit. Culturally should be good options too. But all a bit different, so give them a look. Some are a bit preppier (generalization) than others.
Coed
Wheaton in Mass. Former women only school. Very nice.
Washington and Jefferson in PA.
Muhlenberg College In PA. Coed, BMC style.
Hobart and William Smith In NY State.
Bard in NYC. (55 percent women)
Salve Regina. Newport Ri near the mansions. Former all women.
Women’s colleges
Mt Holyoke in western Mass
Simmons in Boston
There’s many more but take a look at some of these schools.