<p>Some good recommendations for your D on this discussion, and NJ’s schools should be considered. Has she only taken the SAT once? She does have time - she should take the ACT, but also should retake the SAT. That way if her SAT score improves, it gives her the option to submit her highest score from either test. In NJ she can also take the paid or free on-line and in person practice tests from the 2 big prep courses available in NJ. We found the in-person free tests to be very helpful in learning pace and dealing with pressure, and they are conducted frequently throughout the state. She should put some increased effort into prep to get her scores up.</p>
Need Suggestions, 3.95 unweighted GPA, rigorous classes, mediocre SATs, need significant merit based
<p>I think your step daughter also needs to consider being a big fish in a small pond. That’s working out very well for my daughter. She was also a good student with not so great test scores. She got them up a little, but she would have been a very average candidate at the big state flagships. Instead, a very small school came on our radar because it had a chapter of the sorority I belong to at it (one of only 3 in the state). Huh, interesting. We’d never heard of this school before. Then two guys from her high school got athletic scholarships there. Another huh, that’s interesting that we’re hearing about that school again. Then I read on a sports blog that they were starting a woman’s team. She went online, filled out an ‘interest’ survey, the coach immediately (and I mean within an hour) contacted her, and the rest is history. It is the absolute perfect school for her even though no one on CC cares about it. It is affordable to me (cheaper than the flagships because of the merit and athletic scholarships that she wouldn’t have received at a public school). It is the right size for her. Academically, it is challenging enough without overwhelming her. She’s only 17, so I like that it is smaller and someone is watching out for her. The team is new, so small and she can shine a little. When she toured, it was like a sunbeam was shining right on her, and she asked if she could commit right there. (No, honey, we have to see if we can afford it and you have two other schools scheduled). She knew it was the right fit for her.</p>
<p>Although I’m from the north east, my kids aren’t and therefore don’t care about the name of a school and neither do their friends. Not many, even from Florida, know much about this school but we’re not trying to impress anyone. My family was disappointed that she didn’t pick a bigger name school but we don’t care. The family isn’t going to college, my daughter is.</p>
<p>I think if the step daughter can find a gem and make it her own, she’ll be happy. Both my kids found all the good things about their schools and kept finding more things to love about them between acceptance and starting (study abroad, cute boys from Sweden, sororities, ice hockey). Both had automatic merit for their grades and scores. Both had rolling admissions so no stress on waiting to get accepted. Both got more money from talents (one athletic, one drama) and while not a lot of money, the awards made them feel wanted.</p>
<p>Thanks all… A lot to think about… Her mother is completely uninvolved. It’s been rough for my kids and his… Both of our ex spouses are very unsupportive and uninvolved. Honestly that they are such good students and adjusting so well generally is impressive. I know we will get her through this. A dad pick is a great idea. It may just save her from herself. </p>
<p>So, I gather all of these kiddos reside with you. I’m only asking because if the mom is in another state, this student might have instate status in that state as well as the one in which you reside. And that could open up options that don’t currently exist.</p>
<p>^^
Right. I asked a similar question. Mom’s home state may provide instate rates. You’d have to tread carefully there to find out and get assurances if you are told it is possible. However, if the mom won’t cooperate then it may be a non-starter.</p>
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<p>Exactly…and I would suggest that there be at least 2 “dad picks”. </p>
<p>One thing that I think is VERY important when money is an issue is that the student apply to at least 2-3 schools that are financial safeties that she would attend. (Dad’s pick can be 2 of those). </p>
<p>The reason is this: If in the end, the student’s “better” choices don’t work out financially or admissions-wise, then she will still have 2-3 financial safety schools to choose from. No one likes to feel railroaded into the only affordable school. It is bad for morale…especially for a stubborn child. Everyone likes to have choice. :)</p>
<p>Get a hold of the big red ACT book and use those few weeks to run through some practice tests. To get an accurate assessment, make sure they are strictly timed as the ACT builds a significant amount of time pressure into its tests. You will find out very quickly how your SD stands with the ACT vis-a-vis the SAT. It could be that your SD is better suited to this test. Most students score in similar percentiles on the two tests, but far from all of them do so .</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>@toomanyteens </p>
<p>are there younger children in the family that also need to go to college? Your screen-name suggests that there are.</p>
<p>I know that the big concern is finances (along with SAT scores). Are you aware that schools have interest-free payment plans?</p>
<p>I know that you said that you could scrape together $10k per year, but could you do more if there was a monthly payment plan? </p>
<p>In the meantime, check out that list of schools that have low COAs. The link is a few posts above.</p>
<p>Look at Truman State. The people who go there love it.</p>
<p>The COA is lowish…and here is there scholarship chart…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.truman.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CombinedAbilityChart-13.png”>http://www.truman.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CombinedAbilityChart-13.png</a></p>
<p>There is also this scholarship chart
<a href=“http://www.truman.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/NonResidentMSEP2013-14.png”>http://www.truman.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/NonResidentMSEP2013-14.png</a></p>
<p>Not sure if the first one is also for non-residents…but the second one is.</p>
<p>If your SD could raise her scores a bit, then this might be affordable.</p>
<p>They have Accounting and it is a well-ranked public LAC.</p>
<p>Thanks alll</p>