<p>go2mom–has she completed Trig/Pre-calc? ACT Math includes some Trig whereas SAT math includes through the end of Alg 2, or so I have read. My son has only taken the SAT, but when deciding which test to prep for last summer, the fact that he would be taking pre-calc this year influenced my decision. Unless a student is a natural test-taker, I would think it would be easier to simply focus on one exam or the other. Does your D have a preference as to where she would like to focus her studying energies? Will she be applying to colleges that require SAT IIs and if so, will any of those schools allow her to use the ACT in lieu of subject tests?</p>
<p>Was her SAT W score dragged down by a low essay score or high # incorrect MC? The writing seems the easiest to prep for as the # of concepts covered is limited, but a low essay score can still negatively impact an almost perfect MC score. (BTW–my son hadn’t really prepped for the W section prior to sitting for his first SAT. A couple of hours of tutoring between the 1st & 2nd sitting resulted in a 100 pt increase in W score. While I know that many schools say they do not consider the W score, I still didn’t want him to submit a W score that was so much lower than the CR & M scores.)</p>
<p>So, instead of answering your question, I have simply posed many new ones!</p>
<p>CT1417–She’s a strong math student. Getting an A in calculus this year. So I’m guessing it was just some sloppiness. She also did not do any real prep for the ACT–unlike the SAT where she took the month of August to do practice tests and then took a prep class. She’s starting a prep class today for the ACT, so I’m hoping that she’ll be more familiar with the math material.</p>
<p>As for the SAT, she got an 8 on the essay but her total score was below 700 whereas both math and CR were over 750. On the flip side, she got a 10 on her ACT essay with a 33 composite. </p>
<p>So she’s a good test taker. It’s just those odd scores that don’t really jive with the rest of her scores. Make sense?</p>
<p>I’m guessing she will be applying to schools that want the subject tests. We’re planning on her taking them in the late spring–math and chemistry. Haven’t decided on a third.</p>
<p>Good morning all! Sorry to have missed last night’s party, but we do have some fresh muffins and hopefully Maxwell will be whipping up some eggs at some point. So grateful to have you all here to chat with as so many of my IRL friends either haven’t started the process or their kids will be auto admits to our very popular instate directional school. </p>
<p>Unfortunately for Spykid1, a severe grass allergy has mostly taken it and the flagship off of her list. I do however, have one very old and dear friend in Washington – near you Seattlemom – who is going through the same thing with her DS’13. But he found a great program close to home and is excited to start in the fall.</p>
<p>Safeties are DD’s challenge as well. It’s nuts that it these test scores have so much sway. Another email from AP today, this time it was in my inbox. These people are relentless.</p>
<p>NewHaven: You seem to have a lot more choices on your coast. Talk to friends with older kids to get a feel of what the schools are really like. I’ve been chatting with everyone we know who has attended schools with programs in DD’s interest area. It’s eye opening to get the scoop from the kids rather than the polished propaganda from the school.</p>
<p>go2mom–her scores sound excellent and I agree that she must be a fairly natural test taker to score that well on ACT w/o prep. She seems to be in a very good spot as a Jr.</p>
<p>If the SAT she took was either the Oct or Jan test, you can pay $18 for the QAS so that she can see her actual answers and the other choices, including the correct response. CB also sends you a blank copy of the test book. </p>
<p>My point above about subject tests was to see if her schools will allow use of the ACT in lieu of subject tests. I truly know nothing about this but have seen it mentioned more than once on CC.</p>
<p>Momreads - the problem isn’t getting safeties with a high stat kid. That’s really easy (been there, done that, though mine got a better financial offer from one of his matches). The problem can be getting a safety with a lower stat kid (not NM contender). While my guy has scores to get into many places (not top places), affording them will be another issue.</p>
<p>Like others, we’re looking a step down in colleges to be able to afford it. Hopefully, for what he wants to do in life, where he goes to school won’t matter as much as having a degree. From what I’ve heard through some internet grapevine, places he is looking at have a decent rep in their areas (not local to us). That’s important to me.</p>
<p>It’s actually kind of rare to have where you went to school mean a whole lot. For engineering there are a couple of choice schools locals hire from (Penn St and VA Tech) and I’ve heard financial consultants want to see certain Ivies, but most jobs (and grad schools) really don’t care. That’s good in that it allows fit, both personal and financial. It’s how you do in college that matters more (including networking through profs, etc), not what name is on the diploma.</p>
<p>go2mom – Sending in both scores seems like a good plan. It shows her strengths on both sides.</p>
<p>Has anyone’s DC had experience with interviews? Spykid signed up for a tour and apparently it includes an interview. I’ll run a search for threads on interviews, but was hoping to get some advice from you all.</p>
<p>Agentninetynine: DS found that interviews were actually pretty enjoyable, and he’s somewhat of a shy kid. Remember that the interviewer is trying to impress your child as much as the child is trying to impress the interviewer!</p>
<p>Can I ask where the interview is? DS interviewed all over the northwest and I might be able to give you more insight if he interviewed at the same school.</p>
<p>Creekland, we’re in the same situation. DD needs to apply to schools where her scores are in the top quartile if she’s to receive any merit aid. Scattergrams from her two top choices have really high scores. Which means her SAT or ACT need to be in those ranges. </p>
<p>Pacnw, the school is Gonzaga. I’m really hoping she loves it as much as her two top choices because it looks on paper to be a good fit. Did your DS interview there?</p>
<p>Vandyeyes—the standard line from CB is six to eight weeks after test date, assuming you ordered when registering for test, or three to four weeks after scores were released, assuming you ordered then. My son’s QAS from Oct test arrived the night before the Dec test, so one day shy of eight weeks. I had called CB to clarify b/c I felt the report was taking a long time to arrive. The Sandy power outage which affected CB’s area may have delayed processing, as I have heard that others received more promptly in the past.</p>
<p>The report is not all that sophisticated so I do not know why it takes as long as it did to process these things.</p>
<p>99, don’t let the interview intimidate spykid. They tend to be very low key and it is rare for them to make or break an applicant. I suspect the interviewee would have to misbehave severely in order for it to change anything. Try to have spykid view it as a chance to ask personal questions about the school. You probably know all the important stuff. No need to dress formally, but no beer t-shirts and ripped shorts. </p>
<p>My kids’ HS has practice interviews with the GCs. If spykid is feeling anxious, perhaps the school does that? Or you can practice instead.</p>
<p>Agent99—it wasn’t worthwhile for my S to receive it the night before the test, so I don’t think it would be useful for Jan test takers who plan to use it for March test. But, a Jan tester who planned to retest in May or June, then, yes, I would say it would definitely be worth the money. $18 seems like a small sum in the scheme of all the other college admissions-related spending.</p>
<p>Math was my son’s weakest score on PSAT and both sittings of SAT. Having the QAS and whatever one calls the PSAT’s feature that allows one to look up incorrect questions, allowed me to realize that a couple of his incorrect math responses were careless errors.</p>
<p>Seattle mom. A dress is not necessary? Spygirl (formerly known as the artist Spykid) is hyper conscious about what she wears on campus and was worried about touring So Cal schools in jeans. Took convincing that it’s okay to wear jeans on a campus where 45% of the students are attending class in pj’s. </p>
<p>She has had interviews through 4-H and is a very good public speaker. I think it’s the one on one that makes her nervous. We can mock interview at home. I haven’t heard that her school provides that opportunity and we’re touring over spring break which for us is the last week in March.</p>
<p>I don’t think a dress is necessary, but my D did not interview at any Catholic schools. (D was also sporting a hair color not found outside of tropical bird colonies at the time.) What do the rest of you think?</p>
<p>Love that! I actually envy the self confident girls with beautiful purple or sky blue hair at the high school where I work. I wish I had been able to do that when I was a kid. I couldn’t do it now. ;)</p>
<p>Apparently there is a similar booklet you can order for the ACT that gives you all of questions and answers. Wish I had ordered it with the Feb ACT but apparently you don’t see it for a good 4 weeks afterwards anyway. Probably too late for the April test date.
But very good piece of advice CT1417. </p>
<p>Agentninetynine, I’m betting spykid will really impress adcoms during her interview with her varied interests and talents. She just needs to be herself and not let herself be intimidated. </p>
<p>I hear you though about getting those top quartile scores for merit aid. And for some schools that offer some pretty significan full/half tuition scholarships, those extra points on every test start to add up. It’s definitely a nailbiter.</p>
<p>Hope everyone has blue skies and sunshine for the rest of the day!</p>
<p>I don’t think the QAS was available for the Jan test. I tried to order it and that is what it said. I don’t think it is available at all test dates… but I could just be a dork too.</p>
<p>5boys–I could have sworn QAS is offered for Oct, Jan & May only. This is the reason you see those test versions circulating around the internet. Will look later as am running out now.</p>
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