I thought I have this process all figured out until

Parents Forum
41

<p>We don't even want to encourage breaking the law with you young'uns, Xiggi. But if you're of age, a drink to you too for all of the great posts you have given CC.</p>

42

<p>DadII -</p>

<p>The ACT is not "easier" than the SAT, it is just different. The exams are written by two different companies and reflect different philosophies of how and what to test. There are lots of kids out there who do well on the SAT and badly on the ACT (and vice versa). The test prep course he took may have really helped him too. Sometimes learning exam-taking strategies can make a huge difference. This doesn't happen all the time, but it does happen.</p>

43

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<p>OK...DadII...statistically, 99% of students taking the ACT scored lower than your child. 1% scored higher. I can't for the life of me figure out how that would be "common".</p>

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<p>DadII...as I recall, your daughter got a fabulous scholarship to a highly regarded school on the West Coast. Your costs are really minimal for her first class education. Seems to me you "went with the money" last time too.</p>

<p>Now...let your SON research some colleges that interest him.</p>

44

<p>
[quote]
OK...DadII...statistically, 99% of students taking the ACT scored lower than your child. 1% scored higher. I can't for the life of me figure out how that would be "common".

[/quote]
</p>

<p>LOL...yes, I think DadII needs to brush up on HIS math skills....j/k.</p>

45

<p>Well, in defense of Dad II, it's not entirely crazy to imply that ACT scores of 32 and 33 (which are the 99% ile scores) are common <em>at the schools, honors and/or merit programs where his son will likely be competitive.</em> I think that is what Dad II really meant to say, wasn't it Dad II ;)? </p>

<p>The scores translate to either a 1420 or a 1460 math and verbal SAT - they are great scores but many students applying to top schools will have similar scores or even higher, so the question is not necessarily SO over the top. The percentile as compared to the country is a pretty meaningless number for Dad II's purposes, anyway. Much more relevant is the 25-75% ile range for the specific schools and/or programs his son is interested in.</p>

46

<p>Thank you x2, roshke. </p>

<p>thumper1 (#43), yes, DD did get a great FA package to a great school. However, we did not aim that way when we started that process. It is precisely because of that, we are focusing on $$ this time. Hey, getting into a school you can't afford does no one any good.</p>

<p>Also, $10K/y may be minimal to you but it is a lot for us to pay. Even if DS gets a similar FA package, we are still talking about a total of $60 ~ 70K to get two of them througt college. That is a lot of money to us.</p>

47

<p>Then set your sights lower to the many colleges that would fall all over themselves to attract a student with such high scores and give scholarship money to a strong student like your son. Of course, it wouldn't have the same cachet on the bumper sticker and it wouldn't impress the relatives, but I guess that's the tradeoff.</p>

48

<p>S1 got a similarly high SAT score. His score report indicated that the odds of scoring >100 points lower on a subsequent retake was non-trivial. Not that we would have let him re-take!<br>
Congrats to your S, Dad II. Unless there's a signifcant weakness in a subtest or he needs a 34+ for merit, I'd be happy and be DONE.</p>

49

<p>Dad II, I believe you said that your S will be retaking the ACT no matter what, because he needs the ACT with writing, and he didn't take that test the first time. So, if that's the case, let him take a practice or two, if he feels that will help, wish him good luck, and try not to think about it too much. Congrats on his terrific first score, and good luck to him, and to you.</p>

50

<p>Dad II- That is great that he's not only in the 99%th percentile but ALSO is managing to do well in extracurriculars. If I could have an entire class of college kids just like him I would be in heaven.</p>