<p>SAT prep in our house really is just about 10 minutes a day doing a few problems and reviewing the answers. We already know his problem section is the W one and S is spending most of his time on that section (even though many schools discount it). Perhaps you can do the collegeboard problem of the day together? If she has already taken the test once I would just concentrate on her “problem” areas.</p>
<p>What about taking a class (either group or private tutoring)? The reality is, these seem to “work”.</p>
<p>Collegemaw- your d could surprise you! Here’s hoping you are one and done!</p>
<p>Does anyone else have a teen who looks at you like
pleeease don’t make me go study for that…(;o{)
even though they now they need to
however they are just soooo tired from school work they can hardly stand up…</p>
<p>fogfog-sounds like my house!</p>
<p>At home, it is the eye roll and then the disappearing act. It’s funny how she quickly has to do something upstairs in her room when I bring up SAT prep.</p>
<p>Sigh. I keep reminding myself, there’s only so much I can do. The rest is really up to her. She did fairly well on the first attempt, knows that she could do better (especially the math). She has been working at general prep, although I don’t think she has specifically looked to identify her problem areas and improve them.</p>
<p>It is extremely frustrating because they don’t seem to realize that what they do now has an impact on their lives. I just want her to have the option to attend any college she eventually ends up wanting to attend instead of finding out (too late) that if she had just been more serious about it during her junior year, she could have made it to her dream school.</p>
<p>I think it helps to motivate them if they mess up on the first attempt. Worked for my son. He was quite willing to do the prep class after that and, as I’ve said before, it’s easier to carve out the time for studying if it’s in the schedule.</p>
<p>fogfog it sounds exactly like my S. And he can argue how stupid the test is and how it doesnt show anything. The only thing that motivates him is the knowledge that, if he does well on his first attempt, he will be done. But then again, he is so busy with the school work and EC, there is just not enough time for everything.</p>
<p>He is a good student and does well on tests. His first SAT will be in March, and though he didnt have any prep, his PSAT score was very encouraging. He also took SATs in 7th and 8th grades and did well back then. So I am thinking, I will make him take one practice test before March 13th and look at 4-5 past essay topics and think about real life examples and quotes. And hope it will be enough.</p>
<p>You know I read this board and talk to other parents in real life and all our kids are so busy. There is nothing like the down time I had when I was a kid. Sure S finds time to play video games, but it isn’t a daily thing and neither is tv. Other than reading for pleasure on a daily basis my kid is busy, busy busy. I don’t know if it is good or bad. 10yo D is the same way. Very involved in several activities which will be supplimented with other EC as she gets older. Homework is a killer. My kids don’t do anything to get into a good college, they do them because they like them. We had to “encourage” S to run for office for one of the clubs he belongs to, he really wan’t interested, but we figured it would look good to have another leadership role, he doesn’t have many. It will be interesting to see where everyting falls out in a year.</p>
<p>randrmom: For CMU visit, there is a Holiday Inn within walking distance of campus in Oakland. If that doesn’t work, there are a lot of chain hotels in that immediate area (due to Pitt, Duquesne, Chatham, etc. being right by CMU). It is a great school, and a very easy city to live in!</p>
<p>Yowsa! After reading just a few posts on this thread, I am officially scared. My junior daughter is soooo behind in this college process…we better get cracking. </p>
<p>I suppose signing up for the required tests is a first good step. Question about the SATIIs…if she has demonstrated strength in a certain subject in her ECs, is it better for her to take a different subject test? For the sake of argument: She could get perfect on English (but the application will show that she is great in English), but not do horribly in math. Is the goal to get the best possible score, no matter the subject, or should she try to show competency in other areas? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>This is what BC has on their web site. " For the SAT Subject Tests, students are encouraged to choose two exams in subjects they have enjoyed and highlight their particular academic strengths. " </p>
<p>I think many engineering schools are going to want to see at least the Math 2 test (if she is intersted in engineering). If your D takes the ACT with writing though she doesn’t have to take the SAT 2 tests.</p>
<p>Post #1089 — SAT prep for good student/good test taker.</p>
<p>We have one who did the same…just 1 full practice test before the real one (along with a 220+ PSAT score.) </p>
<p>That child was “1 and done” (still had to take a couple of SAT II’s.) Scores were all above 700…and child was admitted to one of the HYPMS schools. Which means that scores and grades were good enough for application to be further reviewed for the other factors that determine admissions.</p>
<p>S’s visit to Bryant University and UConn. He really liked Bryant and felt good about its small size and business focus. UConn didn’t have enough of a community feel for him, plus the class size seemed overwhelming. S would love a big D1 campus with big sports programs (not to play but to cheer) and we have visited Penn State, BC, Notre Dame, amoung others for that reason. It will be interesting to see what he thinks of CMU. </p>
<p>We got this from my H’s coworkers S.</p>
<br>
<br>
<pre><code>I think it is really easy to meet people here, especially freshmen year (choose
</code></pre>
<p>to live in Hall 15) where I met the majority of my friends. Currently, I live
with the baseball team and my best friend lives with the football team, both of
us are non athletes. This kind of gives you a perspective of how the campus
socially operates.</p>
<p>I would not go to Bryant if you were interested in anything but business, as you
know Bryant is a predominately business university. Additionally, the campus is
kind of small so if your son is interested in a bigger school then Bryant would
definately not be the place for him.<</p>
<p>S is still pushing business and we are pushing him to major in engineering and then get an MBA. It is ultimately his decision, but we are hoping he sees the “light.”</p>
<p>Mamom, thanks very much for that review! Very enlightening! I’ll give you our take in a couple of weeks!</p>
<p>Thanks FLMathMom for the info…</p>
<p>You did alot of research!</p>
<p>I was on here many years ago. Oldest daughter graduated last May from Grinnell & second is a senior at Knox. Older kid ended up 5/5 for post grad opportunites AND TURNED DOWN A FULBRIGHT, and younger D is no slouch either. Their brother is in this class…attends a selective enrollment public hs in Chicago. He’s a really bright kid, a great sense of humor, good friend…and sort of a slug. Basically has NO ECs and poor grades and a million excuses. Has been studying for the ACT and will take in April - he’s expecting to do well on the test. The test prep place counseled him to focus on ACT vs. SAT. We went on first serious college visits last week, to University of Pacific and Santa Clara…the SCU was I think a wake up call - he LOVED the campus and had the realization that he might not be able to get in. His first choice is Univ of SF but we have not yet done a formal visit. My challenge is this - he prefers to go to a school in California, with OR and WA being distant second geographic choices, and he refuses to look at schools outside that geographic area. He is thinking that he wants to major in French & Int’l business - loves France. So my question is does anyone have experience with sending kids on a language immersion summer program, and if so, was that experience accepted as an EC? One other question - how does having a high EFC contribute to the admit/reject decision these days? Seem to recall a couple of years ago that the higher the EFC (and conversely, the less need for FA) had an impact on a kid’s chances. Thanks</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>If the school is need-aware, then yes, EFC and ability to pay can make a difference in admissions decisions. Given the state of the economy, more schools are feeling the financial crunch and considering need more than in the past.</p>
<p>Juana - I know you did not ask this question, but I am going to put myself out there and ask you a question that you can choose to answer or not. I hope you won’t take offense b/c my question is only meant to help. Do you think your S will be ready for college in 15 months or should he pursue another avenue prior to making that time and financial investment?</p>