<p>Agent99–scores are released 19 days after the test date and then the full score report is available seven days later. </p>
<p>Commenting on Ordinarylives’ timeline…I feel like the whole schedule has been moved up so much that the students are barely halfway through HS before the college application process consumes them (or their neurotic mother, in my case!)</p>
<p>She took a semester long prep class. Score on her last test in there was 3 points higher than on the real thing.</p>
<p>New Haven - to get merit, sometimes the answer is to drop a level in schools. My d also needs serious help with math. She’s been getting tutored in act prep. She took the ACT for the first time a few weeks ago and she went up several points from the initial pre-test. And it would appear for the ACT the more you take it, the more your scores go up. And math is apparently the easiest score to raise - critical reading/english is a lifetime of prep, you can’t necessarily cram those skills in a few months, however you can memorize mathematical formulas and rules. </p>
<p>But don’t forget, not every school weighs these tests so heavily. Rigor and gpa mean a lot more.</p>
<p>It seems like they take 18-20 days for score turnaround. She tested on 12/1 and the results were available on the 12/19 or 12/20. So I am assuming that this same turnaround time applies to each test date? Maybe I am wrong. I don’t think that I could wait any longer. But now that I think of it, I have no choice in the matter do I? </p>
<p>She will sit for the April 13th ACT, is already signed up. I read somewhere here on CC recently that the same folks that do the ACT also do the Iowa test. She did great on the Iowa tests back in catholic school… so lets see how this all plays out.</p>
<p>@ eye… yes, we have been looking closely @ safeties! Very closely… but how does one really know how good they are? I know that I have had a tough time figuring out the quality of schools. I am so new to this whole process. Her inbox has been filled with emails from colleges, and snail mail too. Enough to kill a small forest. How does one figure out the good from the bad?</p>
<p>Her CR/W are not that bad to be honest. Just that math. The bane of her existence. And yes, the rigor is there. Thats why I wanted her to take that class at Yale so desperately. Just in case those scores didn’t come up. She would have had that Yale course on her transcript… jumping out at them, as they decide her fate next fall. Teenagers… sigh…</p>
<p>NewHavenCTMom, there are many schools between the tippy top and your local CC. I think she will be able to find a school that wants her, that you can afford. You certainly get an A for effort!</p>
<p>@Seattle-</p>
<p>Thanks for that pat on the back. So odd, how you folks are the only people who truly understand what this whole thing means/how it works… all of its intricacies/idiosyncracies and the like. </p>
<p>Too bad we couldn’t all get together on one of those big comfy couches… in front of a roaring fire place with copious amounts of wine, tapas, fattening deserts and stories of how our 14ers are driving our gray hairs out of our scalps. LOL </p>
<p>Or is it just me that needs that? :)</p>
<p>Boy, do I need that! :)</p>
<p>On the '11/15 thread we often had virtual treats. So allow me to offer you a seat beside me. The fire is roaring, and we’re sipping Irish coffees tonight. Help yourself to some fresh fruit if you’re hungry… I’d offer something more filling, but I’m counting points for Weight Watchers.</p>
<p>There’s room for everyone!</p>
<p>Fresh fruit is always nice! And I will bring those super fuzzy soft socks… if I should happen to doze off, please, no pictures with my mouth hanging open ok? LOL</p>
<p>and if the kids pop in with interruptions for $$, rides or car keys… tell them to GO AWAY! LOL</p>
<p>I’ve just opened up a bottle of wine. Can I pour any of you a glass? Love the idea of a virtual retreat although I would much prefer it face-to-face! If there was more time during the spring break college tours, I would say, let’s all slow down and have a meal together.</p>
<p>One thing I have learned from this cyber-community is that there are so many loving, involved parents out there. How lucky they all are to have parents who care, who want to see them find their way to happiness, health and academic success. I don’t think there is one right fit–there are many. Our kids have been raised to know that they have a cheerleader behind them who will always be there, no matter where they end up going to school. While it may feel like so much is riding on this next decision, they will have other important decisions to make on their journey. The right mate, the right job…but I have have a really good feeling that these kids will make the most of the opportunties that present themselves. And it can happen at coast to coast and every where in between–big state U’s and small liberal arts colleges. Aren’t we the lucky ones that we get to watch all of it unfold!</p>
<p>If it helps to hear this - my son had a whopping 250 point difference between his cr and math score. He’s obviously dyslexic - he didn’t even take foreign language in high school because of his ld. So we had him go down the his natural path of math/science. However, two of his recommendations came from english teachers because he worked hard and had great contributions in class. </p>
<p>We tried for as many holistics admissions as possible. The interview sealed it for him. He’s in a great college, challenged, happy, doing well. In fact we talked this afternoon and he was flying high after nailing a test this week in his honors cal class. </p>
<p>I know it feels like every kid on here is some kind of super genius, curing cancer, straight A’s, perfect scores. My son was not that. He’s quirky, independent, lopsided and he’s just fine. </p>
<p>He did what genuinely interested him, no padding the resume. We had to take the approach of take him or leave him. </p>
<p>These SAT/ACT’s do not define their future. However, you also want them where they’ll be successful and happy.</p>
<p>Every kid here will be admitted to at least a few of their schools. They’ll even have choices. You’re here now so take the time to investigate the schools and their criteria. Find your reaches, matches and safeties. Make sure you can afford it. And enjoy this last year and a half as much as possible.</p>
<p>Great advice, Eyemamom! My advice is to research public university honors colleges. Some are quite extraordinary and may provide great scholarships, encouragement and preparation for grad school. It’s great when a good financial safety turns out to offer great opportunities overall.</p>
<p>Such wise words tonight in front of Seattle’s virtual fire! Thank you, go2mom, eyemamom & apollo 6! Just what we needed, a bottle of wine, some fruit and conversation to help us all relax!! 
Would you like some fresh baked cookies (special no-calorie cookies just for Seattle!)</p>
<p>It is hard to know right now what schools will be on the list 6 months from now. And without knowing that, it’s hard to know if SAT II’s will even be needed. DS will take ACT in April and I believe SAT II’s at the May sitting … and maybe the June sitting. I’m thinking Math 2 and Biology are sounding like good ones for him. His English & History classes just aren’t inspiring him this year! (Can’t wait to try the ACT glitch when it’s time to check scores!)</p>
<p>I am so ready for spring break! This next week of work is going to be killer…lots of deadlines for 2/28! Can’t wait for the beach and a few colleges thrown in. Anyone have any suggestions for fun things to do in Nashville? I’ll go post on the Vandy board, but DS will want to see some music stuff.</p>
<p>S14 comes home tonight after a week on vacation with his friend’s family. I miss him! It’s a taste of leaving for college. :(</p>
<p>NewHavenCTmom: My oldest son went the “financial safety” school route and has done incredibly well. He was a National Merit kid when the economy crashed. We told him he had to apply to at least one financial safety just in case the Ivies or Duke did not come through with admission and money. So he looked over all of the schools that offered full tuition (and more, in some cases) and chose the U. of Alabama. Never did he think he would go there. He was making us happy. Well, three waitlists from two Ivies and Duke and a nice financial offer from Wash U but still, there was a lot to borrow, and he chose Alabama. </p>
<p>In other words, look for what the safety school offers. My son got tons of credits for his 13 APs. Got into three honors programs (one of which has an average ACT of 34). Has won all kinds of additional scholarship monies. Done two internships. Traveled all over the world (mainly on the school’s or another program’s dime, too). Has been published once and could be published two more times. </p>
<p>His example has been the one his kid brother has been following. We have instructed him to use his test scores, GPA and rigor of schedule (before he graduates, he could have 11 APs) to garner some merit money. The schools that interest him are excellent, and each has a program or two that make applying there a good choice. </p>
<p>BTW, schools love his math score. Now, if he can bump up the reading …</p>
<p>We’re in the hoping to bump the reading and writing score too! I’m sitting in a very quiet house while DD is taking her last practice SAT before the real one on March 9th. Hopefully there won’t be silly math mistakes and the other two sections will go up some. Her tutor had been working with her on strategies but she’s been so busy she hasn’t been able to do as much studying as she should. We’ll see after the April ACT test which she should concentrate on and when to do the next tests.</p>
<p>We saw two schools over vacation - University of Vermont and St. Michael’s, which is just outside of Burlington. Loved Burlington! What a great city! And she liked both schools. Very similar in style and offerings but big difference in size. Both have great access to outdoor activities, skiing, community service, “experiential learning” and a performing arts center in the city. With the merit aid I expect she could get plus the bonus aid for attending a Catholic HS, St. Mike’s is a better deal than UVM for out of state and within reach of our state schools. Plus it’s test optional! At their info session, the most useful thing I heard was when to send scores and when not. And if in question, to call them and ask. I’m hoping her scores will at least be at that level for CR and writing and well above it for math. Plus she’s taking the most demanding schedule her school offers and your academic record is their top admissions criteria.</p>
<p>Another benefit - St. Mike’s school color is purple and UVM has the same colors as her school’s rival. Guess that’s an important thing to consider when choosing a school!!</p>
<p>We just need to get thru the wisdom teeth removal on Thursday and hope she’s back to full strength by March 9th. Luckily she has the 8th off so she can brush up a bit and then relax before the test.</p>
<p>Wow, I missed the support group session last night! I could have used that fire, fuzzy socks and a warm drink. Sooo much frustration over time allocation getting ready for the March SAT and scheduling classes for next year. I thought we were in agreement, but evidentially not…</p>
<p>Well, I’ll offer coffee, tea, fruit, and bluedad is making omelets this morning and the line is short so he’ll fix you up! :)</p>
<p>We’re just finishing up the last of the fin-aid paperwork for S2…ugghh! Most have an ‘electronic signature’. This form does not and needs to be faxed, okay…but you can’t print. So, a call to fin-aid tomorrow. :mad: Another needed an electronic signature from S2, which DH refused to click through without talking to him. I’m sure he appreciated the 8am Sunday wake up call. Last year returning students pprwk wasn’t due until April 1 so we did everything over spring break when S2 was home. With the March 1 deadline it’s been a bit of a rush and all coordinated over Skype/phone.</p>
<p>blueiguana – that coffee smells great! Do you have any half’n’half? Oh – found it :)</p>
<p>Haven’t even cracked open the ole FAFSA, in part because I am convinced we will never get any financial aid from Emory. But maybe this will be my lucky year…</p>
<p>Drank a little too much virtual wine last night so i’m feeling a bit sluggish this morning…:)</p>
<p>Now that DD has one ACT and one SAT under her belt, I was wondering if any other parents saw similar discrepancies test-to-test. On the SAT, DD rocked math and CR but her writing score had room for improvement. On the ACT, she excelled on Reading, Writing and Science but lower on Math. Composite scores for both correlated perfectly – anyone seen this chart before? [The</a> ACT® | Estimated Relationship between ACT Composite Score and SAT CR+M+W Score | ACT](<a href=“http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html]The”>http://www.act.org/aap/concordance/estimate.html)</p>
<p>Would it make sense to provide both ACT and SAT scores to colleges so that they could see perhaps she just had a “bad day” in the respective category? She’s planning on retaking the tests with additional prep on the areas she scored lower on. Just curious about everyone’s thoughts.</p>