@bgbg4us My d20 is also getting tired of standardized tests. We are waiting on the results of her first SAT and hope that will be the end of it (although she has to take a mandatory ACT test at her school next month).
@janiemiranda My d20 didnât take the mandatory ACT at her school. She was burned out on standardized tests but told she had to take the ACT. We looked at the state rules and there was an exclusion for students who had already taken the SAT or ACT and received a nonremedial score. So we used that and she didnât have to take the test, which was a big relief to her. I donât know if thatâs an option in your state or even if youâd want to do that.
@ bigmacbeth: Aah, Thanks! I hadnât been able to get to the chart/ list.
Very helpful indeed.
@ebh87 If her SAT comes back where she wants it, we will certainly look into the possibility of skipping the school ACT. Fingers crossed here.
@lkim10
I know nothing about the UConn summer program but just thought your DDâs future career path to be super cool and exciting. Visiting zoos at different cities is my hobby. 
Hi everyone,
Been away for a while catching up on work - glad to see the forum is active. A belated thankyou to @typiCAmom
@HarrietMWelsch @bigmacbeth @Dancingmom518 and anyone else I missed for your helpful feedback on volunteer experience and NHS.
My son found out he did not get into RISE internship at BU. His mistake was that he hadnât taken the SAT prior to applying, so his PSAT score (which was very minimally prepped for) was not good enough - even though at the 99th percentile. First experience with disappointment with more to come next year but that is a good thing. It helps him realize that some rejections can be a bit arbitary. I said it is based on a moment in time, not who you really are as a person.
@Octagon, I sympathize with you and your son - D was similarly heartbroken when she wasnât selected for NSLI-Y, but I know she will have a great summer even if she stays home and works 40/hrs a week for the entire break. She applied for one more summer abroad program, but a second rejection, if it comes, will be easier. Plus, after mourning her dream summer in NSLI-Y country, she is more open to other little opportunities, like going for girl state for just a week (her interview (first or not? I am not familiar with the process) was yesterday. Are boys state available and still accepting apps in your stats? I hope there are other programs your son can still apply for, but either way, they wonât make or break his summer! Best of luck!
@lkim10 My son did the pre-college engineering there last year and enjoyed it. The programs are well attended. We live super close to UConn, so if you have any specific questions about location, Iâm happy to help answer them, or if you have more general questions about the experience.
@typiCAmom Thanks - yes he is applying to another program. It is his first real experience with how ultra-competitive it can be out there but might as well learn now! That way, he can pick some safety schools, not just super elites. The applications increased this year from 700 to 800 so many others also searching for meaningful summer plans.
Thanks @taverngirl. She turned in her application today so we will see if she gets in. Not sure if they are really selective on it or as long as you get good grades and can answer the questions coherently you should get in? If she gets in I will check in with you on any questions. Figuring out transportation will be the big thing since they donât provide help getting to and from the airport. I figure I would go one way with her and then tag a few extra days on for some sight seeing but I donât want to fly out twice. We will figure it out I am sure.
So my D20 got a letter from Harvard yesterday and it pointed out that their need based financial aid is roughly only 10% of parents income. It puts Harvard in the affordable range and more in line with some state schools. Has anyone else looked into them? It seems to good to be true. Harvard would definitely be a Reach (I guess for everybody because of the fact that they are the #1 most selective school according to Niche), but still within the realm of possibility.
@WasIDremin My D20 got that letter, too, and I was surprised about the financial aid. My friendâs son graduated from Harvard and she said it was very affordable and they were generous but I didnât get specific details.
We got that letter. I saw the aid too. What surprised me more that it was in a big envelope. Much of the school mail we get looks like junk mail especially since there is an election coming up in our area.
D20 got the letter too but we just kind of laughed it off I guess. I canât imagine she would ever have the possibility of being accepted. To be honest I didnât even read the stuff but was surprised it was an actual packet of materials and not the typical flyer or poster. Maybe I should pull it out of her college box and see what they said just for fun. She wouldnât ever consider applying there.
My husband propped the letter and envelope on sonâs piano. Donât know what he was thinking.
It is kind of interesting to see Harvard ramping up their marketing, we have been getting emails and mails (didnât open) from them, one of the emails even targeted at DSâ demographic background, we are not planning to apply.
My DD received the Harvard letter as well. Given that they give no merit aid, I think our donut hole family status would be very obvious there, even if she was able to gain admittance. She does not plan to apply.
re Harvard - same over here for S20 (emails/mailings) but no intention of even considering applying. We will receive no financial aid so beyond the budget we set for our kids.
That being said - if you have a high stats kid with amazing ECâs and your family income is in the right range, any of the 100% meets need schools could be a great option and more affordable than your instate public options. Run the NPC to get an idea. (Of course getting in these schools is a long shot for even top notch students.)
D20 also got the letter yesterday.
We would get some aid, then D17 graduates and BOOM