Parents, I really need some help..

Parents Forum
1

<p>hello respected parents,</p>

<p>I know it is kind of late to ask you for this favor but better late than never...for the first two years of my high school I had been on the top of the world excelling (as far as I understand) in school, sports etc. Then came the junior year when I totally failed the SAT, which ultimately crashed both my self-esteem and my dreams to go to a top college. I scored a 1930 (1250 CR+M) which took down along with it all my hard work throughout high school. At first I blamed it on my just 3 years of migration; however, then I saw scores of other immigrants and they were pretty good. </p>

<p>Still not out of the shock, I decided to apply to UVa, William and Mary, Vanderbilt, NYU, Cornell, WashU and Rice (along with Virginia Tech and VCU, but I'm not too worried about them) hoping that my SAT scores would not be considered. However, recently a kind parent opened my eyes and told me that I would have very minimal, if not non-existent, chances at some of these colleges. I was heart broken to hear that. Upon a conversation with him/her, I looked up the stats of people getting accepted to these schools and indeed most of the accepted students had good SATs. </p>

<p>Am I one of the only persons you know who is one of the top students in the school but literally failed at SATs (people around my 5th rank in the school scored about 2150s on their tests). What do you think my chances are at these schools? I know people get really really annoyed when asked to chance, but at this point a clarification from the experienced would greatly help me. What should I expect? </p>

<p>I really want to go to UVa or WashU. However, the parent I talked to said that my chances at WashU were pretty much non-existent. So I have lost hopes there. What are your opinions?</p>

<p>I was sent free applications to several colleges. I applied to Tulane and Fordham and I recently received my acceptance letters from both. But I expected those (I am certainly not boasting, but at a point I guess you know that you have a chance at some of the low ranked, but good nonetheless, colleges)</p>

<p>Below I have attached a briefing of my resume. I really appreciate your input. </p>

<hr>

<p>Location:Virginia
School: Small extremely reputed Magnet School
Class Size: 100
Class Rank: 5/100
Race: Indian (the Southern Asian one)</p>

<p>Cumulative Weighted GPA: 4.84
Cumulative unweighted GPA: 4.1
PSAT Score: 190
SAT Score: 1930 (1250 CR+M)
SAT II: Math I: 720, Chem: 710, US History: 730
Honor Roll: 9, 10, 11
Classes: 8 AP (3 junior year, 5 this year)
16 Honors
AP Scores:
AP Calculus BC - 5
AP Calculus AB (subscore) - 5
AP Chemistry - 4
AP US History - 4</p>

<p>Here is my resume that was composed for the Guidance Department:</p>

<p>Awards/ Honors
National Honors Society
Mu Alpha Theta
National Beta Club
AP Scholar with distinction
Perfect Attendance: 10, 11, 12 (I know not a biggie..shouldn't even have it on here)
Outstanding Marketing Award
Outstanding Chemistry Award
Academic Leadership Award
Research Club: Co-Founder, President
Tennis Team: Captain, 12th</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
Tennis: 9, 10, 11, 12 Lettered
Varsity: 9, 10, 11, 12
Tennis position: Top 6 since 10th grade
National Honors Society Tutor: 11, 12
Mu Alpha Theta Tutor: 11, 12
Volunteered with:
Hospital: 200+ (by end of October)
Mu Alpha Theta: 15 )
Beta Club: 40 (by end of December)
National Honors Society: 20 )
Some local
Service Hours: 300</p>

<p>Leadership Experience:
Mentor for a group of freshmen (11, 12)
Tennis team Co-captain
Investment Club Co-Founder</p>

<p>Research:
Phylogeny research - 9th
Bioinformatics - 10th (at Virginia Commonwealth University)
Molecular Genetics - 11th (at Virginia Commonwealth University)
Molecular Genetics - 12th (at Virginia Commonwealth University)</p>

<p>Employment
Research Assistant - 12th
iPod App development for: AP Calculus, AP Chemistry and AP US History - 12th</p>

<p>Senior year :
AP English Language
AP US Government
AP Statistics
AP Biology
AP Psychology
Research 101 (not a college class, just named that way)
Spanish 5</p>

2

<p>1) The single most important factor in college admissions is (and always has been) the HS transcript. Your classes and your grades are the most important thing. Stop worrying so much about SAT scores.</p>

<p>2) Lots of people with very good grades have lousy (and 1930 is by no means lousy) SAT scores. If you were a US student, not an immigrant, I would suggest that you be tested for Dyslexia. Good grades and bad exam scores are almost a dyslexia diagnosis. Since you are an immigrant, if not all of your schooling has been in English, you need to take the TOEFL. That score will help the ad coms figure out how much of your SAT score is do to limited command of English rather than to lack of knowledge.</p>

<p>3) Lots of kids do better on the ACT than on the SAT. Take the ACT and see what happens.</p>

<p>4) Every single admin officer at every single college/university that you apply to knows this information. Make your list and apply. See what happens. If you think you aren’t getting in anywhere with 1930 (and you’re wrong about that, but anyway), take a long hard look at the list of exam optional institutions at [The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org%5DThe”>http://www.fairtest.org) In Virginia, George Mason U is one of them.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>

3

<p>Don’t get down on yourself because of one test score. You’ve done great in high school! Congratulations!</p>

<p>See if you can quickly apply to some test optional school. Bowdoin? Look over the list with your guidance counselor. </p>

<p>Also get a third rec from research or your university course if possible.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

4

<p>Easy in at UVirginia, Tech, VCU, NYU. Maybe at W&M. Toss-up for the rest. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>Your AP scores, ECs, and awards say you are more than just an SAT score. Apply to a variety of places and hope for the best!</p>

<p>Is merit aid of any consideration in this equation? Your parents may be pleased if you can score big $$ at a “lesser” school where you will stand out and still have wonderful opportunities as a top student.</p>

6

<p>You certainly did not “fail” the SAT’s: your scores are not bad at all. And it appears that these scores are from you one and only SAT I session. Discontent with the first try is not at all uncommon.</p>

<p>Most students’ scores go up quite a bit the second (or even third) time. You might be able to take the January SAT’s, still. Most colleges will accept scores from that testing session, for fall 2011 entrance. But if this is not possible, just let it go: things will work out fine.</p>

<p>Your transcript and extracurriculars are stellar, as are your SAT II’s and AP’s.</p>

<p>I hope you have not spent a year worrying about this, and I hope the SAT situation has not affected your motivation. Basing your life and aspirations, let alone your self-esteem, on one day’s score would be sort of tragic, honestly.</p>

<p>Some of the colleges that you seem to disdain are great schools. You are already accepted to Tulane and Fordham, both wonderful universities. Congratulations.</p>

<p>Please don’t go by one “kind” parent who tells you that you have no chance at going to selective schools, either. All students, regardless of SAT’s or grades or any other factor, need to be prepared for some rejections, as well as some acceptances, but the important thing is to apply, keeping that perspective.</p>

<p>Please don’t be “heartbroken” over all of this. Things are fine, don’t worry, apply to wherever you want to go and see what happens. You are in a better position than most students anywhere, so be proud of yourself and hopeful for the future if you can. If you can’t , then perhaps seek counseling to help you get there.</p>

7

<p>You are alot more than your SAT scores and this will be evident when these colleges read your application. Your scores may be a little low for Cornell but that does not make it an impossibility. Cornell will look at all you have accomplished and consider those factors.
You have a good assortment of schools on your list so be prepared for an exciting decision period. You will be happy whereever you attend school and it will be up to you to make the most out of your college experience. I suspect you are one of those kids that will do just that. Good luck and keep it positive. </p>

<p>Just so you know MIT and Cornell were a long shot for my kids and they were admitted and this May all three will have completed their undergrad. You just don’t know how the whole process will turn out.</p>

8

<p>Oh stop the drama – you didn’t “fail.” Why not just take it again if you want to get a better score? Or take the ACT?</p>

9

<p>You’re really not in that bad a situation. You have two well-chosen safety schools, and you might have a shot at a few of the others. Some colleges value your high school record over your SAT scores. And it doesn’t hurt that you have very respectable SAT Subject Test and AP scores.</p>

10

<p>You make no mention of what you want to major in or do after graduation. Why do you want UVa or WashU? If you loved the school when you visited, great! If you want the ‘name’ on your resume - keep looking. </p>

<p>I’ll echo the other poster, take the ACT - it might be better suited for you. (BTW, 1930 is a good SAT score. How did you do on the PSAT?)</p>

11

<p>Your SAT’s are perfectly respectable and most students in the US would be happy to have them. It’s like the pretty girl complaining about one zit. Check out Wake Forest which is test optional.</p>

12

<p>clocksaysits9 -</p>

<p>Sorry for answering the question that I thought you were asking, rather than the question you actually were asking! My only, and all too feeble excuse, is that I hadn’t finished my coffee yet this morning.</p>

<p>You are a good student, with a very nice profile. You have options. Please don’t panic about these things. Wait until all of your acceptances/rejections are in, and then see what your own results are. </p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>

13

<p>Hello Parents,</p>

<p>Yes, I think I should have taken the ACT had I know about it earlier. I thought it was just another test like the SAT and after not doing up to my expectations on that one, I just gave up all the hopes. However, I did check with all the schools I am applying to, but unfortunately they asked me not to “take the risk” (from W&M) because they were not sure if they would get my scores in time. </p>

<p>Also, I want to major in either biology or biochemistry since I want to study Medicine in the future. I figured UVa was a great in-state school regardless. And for WashU, I really really love the campus and the people around. I visited the college twice (my uncle lives 30 mins from WashU and since I go to his place a lot, I visited the school quite often) and I totally fell in “love” with it. So yes, not at all for the name and reputation. </p>

<p>Also, thanks a lot for you input. One thing is certain, a sort of encouragement after months of hammering myself feel so good!</p>

14

<p>happymomof1…its alright…my mom needs her coffee just as badly so i definitely understand</p>

15

<p>I know this is a little off topic, but are you considered an international student or an instate student for VA? And do you have a good idea as to what your parents can afford to spend on college? These answers might help you narrow your decision making process.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>

16

<p>UVA Admissions seems to be much more interested in GPA and class rank than in test scores, though they do consider test scores. Your high grades/rank make you a plausible candidate there, especially instate, even though you’re not a shoo-in.</p>

<p>I agree that you should apply to Wake Forest. It’s test optional and gives merit scholarships to high achievers.</p>

<p>I think admission to Virginia Tech would be pretty unproblematic.</p>

17

<p>I agree with others. For the schools you are interested in, you are strongly overstating the importance of test scores. And your scores are not that bad. Chill out.</p>

18

<p>You took the SAT as a junior, which means you’ve passed up a number of opportunities to take it again. Why? You did very well on the SAT II exams, so I don’t think you have a problem with taking standardized tests. </p>

<p>I find it hard to believe that your guidance department didn’t have any meetings with the students and/or parents about preparing for the SAT and ACT and the importance of taking both of them. My son’s school did, and he graduated from the crappiest school in the county. Their average SAT score (CR+M+W) was 1424.</p>

19

<p>I am unclear why, if you were not happy with your first set of scores, you didn’t take the SAT again and prep for it. One thing I try to impress on my kids is that nothing is final, and there are always ways to optimize situations. So, your SAT wasn’t what you wanted – you had several chances to take it again and shoot for a better school.</p>

20

<p>I do agree with you pizzagirl. I did miss out on so many opportunities. My cousin on the other hand captured a 2290 on his first SAT in his sophomore year and he is not taking it again. The one thing I honestly regret the most is not retaking the SAT. Plus I did not have anyone to guide me through this process. My parents hardly know anything about the american system. Most of my friends and family members received amazing scores in their first trials. So I guess I simply gave up on it after a while and this is what is going to hurt me the most throughout this process.
Anyway, I thank you all to give me your views. I really hope my SATs are overlooked by the two colleges that I’m really interested in.</p>