<p>Maybe some of you have some experience/expertise with this.<br>
I have a D with learning differences, esp. with auditory processing & memory. She is also easily disoriented in "new" testing situations that do not look familiar relative to the coursework she's been taking & has mastered. She is particularly challenged in math. She often remembers things in "reverse" (reproduces the opposite of what's been said -- a form of dyslexia, but never had problems learning to read or other left-to-right tasks).</p>
<p>Her GPA is quite high, she's very bright, & she's so creative that she's managed to cope with certain types of classroom testing situations & still maintain high grades, etc. However, standardized testings continues to be exceptionally challenging for her.</p>
<p>Anybody out there with similar challenges? (I'd esp. be interested in hearing from artists & artistic-types who are highly visually oriented.) Have you taken test preparations? Have they helped? Did you find the ACT or SAT more challenging -- if you tried both?</p>
<p>I don't have learning disabilities or anything, but my sister does. A few things that may or may not help- if you can get it documented by a doctor you can get testing accomodations for her like extra time (if you feel that would help). Also, if it's a problem of having an unfamiliar testing environment, is there someway you can recreate the room where she will be and give her practice tests?</p>
<p>As far as deciding between the new tests, here are a few things to consider: 1) What do the colleges she will be applying to want? 2) If she takes the SAT she may have to take 3 subject SATII tests which will present the same problems (probably to a greater degree since she will have to recall specific facts she may "mix up"). I personally felt the SAT was easier. The only thing that "holds me back" on the ACT is the science section, which I find is rather hard for some reason. Science is my forte but I've gotten a 32 both times I've taken it on science. As I said, it is still a good score, but not up with the other subscores. I know a guy who goes to CalTech and he didn't do very well on Science (32 also, I believe). The ACT requires a few more specifics, the math is a little harder, and there is less vocabulary, etc needed.</p>
<p>My sister took the SAT (I don't remember whether she accepted the accomodations or not) and got around a 1240, I don't recall the exact number. My sister is much, much more creative than I and is very good in the arts, while I'm more math/science based. So there is a little bit of a rambling personal experience. I hope it helps!</p>
<p>My personal opinion is she should take the SAT and try to get whatever accomodations she needs, especially since it will no longer be labeled a "non-standard administration."</p>
<p>Patrick, thank you. I did not know that there will no longer be a flag for accommodated students. She did have a professional evaluation done recently; I have not sat down with the evaluator yet, but I'm hoping to soon, & to get that important "accommodation" letter written for this purpose.</p>
<p>After I wrote my post I did realize that any recall-challenged student would probably find the ACT even more daunting than the SAT, at least if the former is fact-based. So you're probably correct, & perhaps we have hit the best timing of all, both with the release of the "accommodated" label & the newer SAT. </p>
<p>Your sister did very well. My own is not projected to do so well, at least without accommodation, & despite her brainpower.</p>
<p>As to the SAT II science, my other D was the star in her science class last yr (although science is not her strongest subject). She did not make 700 for the bio exam, although she also was not offered physiology as a component of the bio class, & thus she skipped all the Physiology questions. I do think the SAT II sciences are challenging. (That would not be the test I would suggest for my younger D; she can take a Lit or Social Sci SAT II & that will suffice as her 3rd SAT II.)</p>
<p>Glad I could help. Yep, her best bet would be some sort of Lit or maybe even a language if she is good with those. Stay far, far away from sciences and math. I'm pretty good in them and even I am not looking forward to it. I don't exactly know what her dyslexia type condition applies to, but how about US History? If it's mainly numbers and things she messes up on, that could be good for her.</p>
<p>My sister wasn't anything special in that light. Just get her the accomodations she needs and the rest will take care of itself. :)</p>
<p>She's done well in ancient history this year, but a lot of it is also art history, including remembering visuals (which she's great at!). I think the dyslexia thing relates to auditory recall: she will actually hear something to be opposite of what was said to her (in class & at home), so that she reproduces sometimes the exact reverse. She has to work very hard at memorization, probably 4-5 times as hard as a non-dyslexic student. That does affect foreign language recall (such as vocab, as well as tense or rule confusion), & can affect some things like dates for history. I think the best thing would be to do a fair amount of book practice tests for the SAT II subject areas, to give her time to decide what general areas are easier to test in than others -- literature of course being the obvious.</p>
<p>The biggest problem will simply be attaining a minimum standardized test score or scores, so that she will even be noticed by admissions committees in the first place. So far, the college choices that have come up that others have suggested (ones which do not require test scores, or take a dim view of them) are not colleges necessarily appropriate for her -- and/or their locations are not appropriate. So a minimum acceptable score is really important, to allow more choices for her on the coasts.</p>
<p>I think the CB sells a book with a practice test or two of each of the SATIIs...or maybe it's Kaplan but I saw someone with such a book. That would be a good deal for her to get. Just out of curiosity, where is she thinking about applying?</p>
<p>Well, [cough, cough], -- touchy subject in the household, as she's going through a bit of rebellion. She's expressed an interest in film direction & screenwriting, & she has clear abilities in that dept., personality-wise, academically, & in every way. She's temporarily putting it aside, but I think she'll come back to it. Colleges differ in their various film studies curricula -- Connecticut C. & Bard being way too theoretical & cerebral. UCSB's undergrad program looks terrific, as does School of Visual Arts in NYC. Emerson's looks kind of techy & dry to me; I don't think she'd go for theirs, even though Emerson is liberal in the testing department. I don't think she'll ever have the scores for Tisch.</p>
<p>So the answer partly depends on whether she wants to commit to a film program, or be open to one. Since she's one of these multi-artistic types, a school with other good media arts programs (such as computer animation) would be another good thing to shoot for. In fact, my preference would be for a college which has both traditional film & new media. She definitely needs a school with strong writing opportunities, some opportunity to do directing, good surveys of film history, & just a practical emphasis.</p>
<p>Good deal. Sorry my reply was a little short before, I had to leave the house shortly. I honestly don't know much about film schools, but have you heard/though of the Savannah College of Art and Design? They have a film school and are (locally, at least, for whatever that is worth) thought to be a good school for arts and the like. It may not be what you're looking for, but give it a try. It isn't very hard to get into either, which would be a bonus with your daughter's disadvantage. <a href="http://www.scad.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.scad.edu/</a></p>
<p>Thanks, Patrick. I'll check out Savannah. I do have my doubts, though, as to how my abrasive daughter would adjust -- or be received -- in the more gracious culture of the South than on the "tougher" coasts, but I will look it up. </p>
<p>Having read the most recent (today's) reply by a student in the "Film" thread in the Parents' Forum, I'm more discouraged than ever on her behalf. However, this poster's warnings are good preparation for the reality of Life After Film School. My D should do at least a double major or a dual strand something -- which I've always counseled both D's to do. Bread & butter on the table is kind of important! Hopefully she will get into some practical training of some type, or an internship in a newer "media art" while she's pursuing some ultimate dream -- if that turns out to be film. (I had kind of anticipated the info supplied by that student.)</p>
<p>Yep, film is not the best major for easily getting a job after college. As far as your daughter being accepted and adjusting I don't think she'll have a problem. Everyone gets used to the South-- it's impossible to not love it after a while. Savannah is supposed to be a little more wild and crazy than the rest of the state. So it won't be a lack of night life or anything if she's worried. We are a pretty understanding people. Unless she just wants to not like it, she'll adapt in no time. I've known people from Buffalo, New Jersey, PA, NYC and they all calmed down and adapted in no time. She'll walk outside and see it's 80 on New Year's day and realize she made the right choice.</p>
<p>LOL, maybe that environment is just what she needs to soften those edges. Sometimes we don't think of such side benefits! And since she's such a little mimic (actress), she would develop a drawl overnight.</p>