<p>DD took SAT I in 8th grade and got 1370 (700/670 M/V). We all were very happy about that. Then she took ACT in 10th grade but she has been keeping the score away from us because it is "embarrassing. Our guess it was a low 30 so I have been saying 32.</p>
<p>She finally told us "it was 31" because we need it for some application. Is she being too hard on herself? </p>
<p>I mean 31 is on the low side for a senior. But DD should not have felt bad about that.</p>
<p>The median is 21, I think.</p>
<p>Give thanks.</p>
<p>But one needs at least 33 for even being considered in schools like ND as I have read here.</p>
<p>laserbrother, that was for the EA round. And ND is apparently known for having a harder EA than RD round.</p>
<p>ACT is based to a significant extent on subject matter knowledge, more so than the SATs. The fact that she got a 31 as a 10th grader is great. Many (most?) don't take it until 11th grade; she'll have a lot more of the necessary subject matter information at her fingertips then. Tell her to be proud of that accomplishment.</p>
<p>"But one needs at least 33 for even being considered in schools like ND as I have read here."</p>
<p>And your point is?</p>
<p>Then simply Don't focus on ND. There are hundreds of good solid choices across america. All the smart kids and all the successful people don't go to a handful of schools. </p>
<p>My S was worried about med school because no one on either side of the family is in medicine. Simple answer? "well, for every family it had to start somewhere, why not with you?" He's done well enough and not going to a "name" school hasn't appeared to slow him down. </p>
<p>Rather than worry about ND, think about what school is going to be lucky enough to get your future leader. perspective.</p>
<p>Why compare this score to seniors? She took the test in 10th grade! It seems to me if you thought too low was a 30 and guessed 32, it just might be possible that you are encouraging the "too hard on herself" mentality. And I don't mean that harshly;certainly i have been guilty of it. </p>
<p>But, I hope you are celebrating what a great score that was; you don't want her picking up discouraging cues from you.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>A 31 on the ACT is very much the equivalent of your daughter's SAT score. If you were happy with that, you should be happy with this.</p></li>
<li><p>As I understand it, your daughter is in 10th grade. She will probably take either or both tests again, maybe a couple of times. She will probably do some intelligent preparation, based on her recent experience with it. So her scores on both will more likely than not go up somewhat, maybe even a lot (depends on the kid). She certainly shouldn't feel excluded from Notre Dame based on her 10th grade ACT score.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Having thought about it. I think the problem actually is mine own. May have put too much pressure on DD on all these standard tests. </p>
<p>How do you all balance setting high standards and let kids be kids?</p>
<p>I don't think this is a matter of balancing high standards vs. letting kids be kids.</p>
<p>It's a matter of facing reality. Maybe your daughter would like to take a two-pronged approach. First, she might want to investigate some colleges that would be reasonable -- maybe even safe -- choices for someone with her ACT score, GPA, ECs, etc. She will probably find some very attractive schools. Second, at the same time, she might want to sign up for a review course for either the ACT or SAT, maybe next summer, knowing that if she manages to bring up her score, she would have some additional colleges to choose from.</p>
<p>I think that if a student feels that she must get into a school of a certain caliber -- say, Notre Dame or its equivalent -- the pressure is enormous. Probably unhealthy.</p>
<p>yes she is being to hard on herself.....</p>
<p>My son had an ACT composite of 29 in the 10th grade. By Feb of Jr year, it was up to 34 (35,35,36,30). Interestingly his science score went DOWN 2 points from the first to second testing. Everything else went up though. Similarly his SAT went from 1310 in 8th grade to 1550 in Jr. year. Not everyone has the same results, but I think you and she can feel great about those scores. The ACT is heavily timed so practice under timed conditions should help.</p>
<p>"Having thought about it. I think the problem actually is mine own. May have put too much pressure on DD on all these standard tests. "
please see my post on the other thread you posted. You are, IMHO, putting WAY too much pressure on your daughter. With every class she takes, an she is currently taking a lot of AP classes is she not?, HER SCORES WILL GO UP AS SHE LEARNS MORE. So PLEASE relax.She can take the ACT again at the beginnig of Her Senior year and I know her scores will be much higher than when she was a Sophomore!</p>
<p>
[quote]
I mean 31 is on the low side for a senior.
[/quote]
I think you are pushing her to be too hard on herself. With scores in that range, she's set for many wonderful colleges. In this area, you have nothing to worry about. I'm not saying she will be accepted to her favorite schools, but she did very well.</p>
<p>I agree with Marian's statement:
[quote]
I think that if a student feels that she must get into a school of a certain caliber -- say, Notre Dame or its equivalent -- the pressure is enormous. Probably unhealthy.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't think you should set higher standards than the student will reach. Particularly in regards to college admissions, when getting in to top schools is so difficult, I think setting the standard of a top-20 school encourages your daughter's stress. Don't place importance on a particular school. Visit many schools that are reaches, matches, and safeties that she will love. (Just because a school is a "safety" doesn't mean she shouldn't or can't love it.) When you're ready, post her current scores and academic creds with what kinds of schools she's looking for, and many of the parents here can give you some great ideas.</p>
<p>An SAT of 1370 as an 8th grader? Stop worrying -- you have an exceptionally bright daughter and when she takes these tests as a senior, you will be pleased. There aren't many colleges where a 1370 wouldn't be above-average for a senior, by the way.</p>
<p>Her odds will go up if she can gain 150 pounds, and kick a football.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Her odds will go up if she can gain 150 pounds, and kick a football.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>[pedantic] Actually, kickers rarely get scholarships. If she can pass, catch, or run with a football -- she's in. [/pedantic]</p>
<p>Even if you DD did not improve, a 31 places here in the 98th percentile nationally. Notre Dame reports their 25/75 percentiles as 30-33 (and this of course is for all applicants; the enrolling class is almost always lower).</p>
<p>More important, I hope that you can encourage DD to not think of herself as being defined, even academically, by a single test score, or by her GPA, or ano other single factor. Sounds like you have an enormously gifted child, who will have a selection from among many, many attractive admissions offers a couple of years down the road.</p>
<p>I don't know what kind of effective pressure a parent can put on a kid about test scores. Short of increasing tutoring and practice test sessions, you are not going get those numbers to go up by nagging, preaching, wishing. I don't see any percentage in pushing a kid about numbers that he has little control about. You just cause stress, which can be detrimental. The only time I could see jumping on a kid about test scores is if he doesn't give a fig about them and is just running through the test to get done, or if he is not doing the work from test prep, or practice workbooks. Even then, other than trying to get through such a slacker's brain that the tests are important, there isn't much you can do. </p>
<p>School work is a different story since organizational, study, time management skills can come into play where kids may need someone to stay on their backs. Lots of distractions since it is an ongoing thing, heck, it's prettymuch their lives, and there is much balancing that needs to be done to do well in school.</p>
<p>But test scores? Once that test is taken and the score received, it does no good to fret at the kid over the number. It seems to me that your daughter is motivated and competitive enough that she berats herself enough for shortcomings, and needs encouragement and solace from you, not pushing.
I have kids who need to be beaten over the head to take out the garbage, never mind the homework and studying, but I still don't make a big deal out of test scores. If they do what they are supposed to do on a daily basis, the test score is not something that they will have a lot of control over. It's the daily stuff that I jump on them about. </p>
<p>My friend told me about a family who was livid over their son's SAT. He had done well on practice session tests, was heavily tutored for the test, and the expectation was that he would do well on the actual thing. He did not. The misery the parents are putting the kid through is harmful, in my opinion. Like beating a sick dog to death instead of nursing it through when it is down.</p>
<p>"pedantic] Actually, kickers rarely get scholarships. If she can pass, catch, or run with a football -- she's in. [/pedantic]"</p>
<p>I think offensive linewomen are the most desirable.</p>