@homerdog, if my daughter had studied for even one ACT that got canceled, I don’t think I’d even let her try again!! Absolutely hate everything about standardized testing so preparing for ACT is not an EC in our house. It’s ridiculous and I truly believe it’s not worth it. My kids each spent about 25 hours in total preparing over 6 weeks including the time taking at least 2 practice tests. Because D21 had a big gap between her components in her two practice tests before Feb exam, she had always planned to re-take math/sci when they became available as section only tests in Fall as her 2nd try so she has not prepped at all since Feb. Even though component re-tests aren’t happening now, I told to not even review for Eng/Reading, just try to close that 8 point gap between math and english because her practice tests were only 6 apart:).
I suspect your daughter’s transcript falls right in line with her expected ACT/SAT results and I wouldn’t think twice about not having her test, truly.
@meddy I agree with @Aguadecoco , if your kid wants to try for a reach TO, why not? Just keep expectations realistic and give it a try.
@3kids2dogs We are also now delayed until after Labor Day for in person/hybrid learning at my kid’s HS.
@socaldad2002 Thanks for the cautionary writeup on safeties. Other than our nonselective public U, we are still on the hunt for that elusive safety that D would genuinely like to attend and also would be affordable.
For test scores, look at each school’s website as many schools allow self-reporting of scores, allowing you to save money by not needing to send official scores. Most schools will ultimately require the official score upon matriculation.
Our High school is sending transcripts out slowly, an admin is working most days in the counseling office.
Just saw where Lafayette and Lehigh are giving a 10% tuition reductions because of going to online classes
I think a pretty healthy chunk of schools will accept self reported scores before acceptance. I just did a quick glance through a list and I think most/all of the schools D21 is looking at are on the list.
Were the scores in the normal spot? I assume yes, but since they still say on the site that scores don’t start coming out until tomorrow I was hoping you found a backdoor way to get them to load.
@dadof4kids They were just on the front page after logging in. I was really surprised to see them because all other communications said they would be released starting tomorrow. It was a pleasant surprise, sort of.
We are still working on refining the list. Is anyone here familiar with U Mass Amherst? It looks beautiful and checks off a lot of boxes for my S’s wish list even though it’s harder to get home than I would like at this point in time. Even without a test, S21 is a good candidate.
Specifically, I’d love to know if students have trouble getting classes and if the stronger majors are super impacted like they are here in CA publics. (S is interested in CS and natural science as a back up or minor.) Basically, is it overcrowded? Also interested in the “vibe” - collaborative vs. competitive - and anything else you’d like to share. Thanks!
I think each high school does their own thing. Our high school doesn’t charge for transcripts. Kids have to fill out a form for each college they want a transcript sent to. One form per school. Hand them to guidance counselor. She sends them electronically.
@NateandAllisMom We visited U Mass Amherst’s campus a few years back. The Honors Program is well regarded, the food is amazingly good, and there is some merit for OOS students that is obtainable for strong (but don’t have to be insanely strong) students. Do pay attention to the fees because they are higher than is typical as part of the total cost.
I don’t know about impacted majors but if your kid gets into Honors, I believe they get priority registration.
Campus is a mishmash of architectural styles, a lot of it more modern, but there is a core that looks more traditional. Outdoor recreation is easy to get to. The nearby town is cute with all of the amenities a college student might want.
@DOTexe Thanks!!! D’s scores were right there on the front page.
We are still shaking… she got a 34. Her math was still not where she wanted, so she may still take the October test we signed up for yesterday. Pressure is off now. Such a HUGE relief. She has an amazing transcript, but coming from a lower performing HS, we really wanted a standardized score to validate her record.
@Rue4 congrats to her!
@rue4 Congratulations, that is wonderful!!!
Is there some other way she can substantiate her math skills, like an AP Calc test? In any event, if the October test doesn’t happen, that score clears the bar just about anywhere.
For the rest of you awaiting July ACT test scores, I hope your students meet their targets!
@Rue4 That’s great news!
@NateandAllisMom UMass Amherst is on our list as well. There’s a big thread from this year about high stats in state kids being deferred/denied while lower stat OOS kids were getting into CS. My D isn’t interested in that area at all, but you should check it out.
Congrats to your daughter @Rue4 !!!
Echoing @mamaedefamilia thoughts. Our D, who HATES testing, decided to forego anymore testing with a 34 which includes a low science score. She got a 4 in AP bio, and while not a 5, we’re thinking it shows she’s at least “good” enough…
If only they had section retakes…
Is anyone visiting any colleges this summer/fall? We’re scheduled to visit St. Mary’s College of MD later this month. DD wants to major in biology or biochem and we’re impressed with the personal attention the students get from their professors. She’s a bit of an introvert and has some anxiety issues, so we’re thinking a small campus would suit her. We’re from Virginia and we’re hoping her stats (4.4 w/GPA, 34 ACT) will help her with merit aid as OOS schools.
@Muad_dib we are supposed to be going to VA/NC at the end of the month, but I think we’ve pretty much decided to cancel - AGAIN! We will probably try to get up to UConn and UMass instead since there aren’t any quarantine issues around those states. We’ll see how the numbers look…
@Rue4 Congrats to your D on that solid score!
Thanks for the U Mass info. I’ll check out that thread for sure @NJWrestlingmom
I just listened to an Inside the Admissions Office podcast and they are checking up on us in here in CC. They think great schools will get lots of no test app volume from unqualified candidates, making it harder to stand out. Kind of becoming aware that being from a lesser known small high school is a disadvantage, especially without a test score. They encouraged keeping up with trying to get a test and not to overshoot with high reaches just because TO this year.
In general, if your student has a test score that is in the middle 50% or better for last year’s class, definitely submit it. The thinking here is the score is within range for the college so adcoms will “check that box” and move on to other areas of your application.
The problem with not submitting a test score this year is:
- lots of grade inflation in high school so the test score can help separate similar applicants. For example, I read that 70% of the admits at UCLA had a 3.94 unweighted GPA and almost 50% had a perfect 4.0. They get 110,000+ applications a year and accept 14,000. That's a ton of perfect (or near perfect) grades.
- I personally don't trust adcoms that say "it doesn't matter if you submit a score or not". I think it all matters. They are used to seeing a score to help "validate" the overall academic record of the student and if you have no score and students from your high school and surrounding communities have scores, that might not work in your favor.
- Regarding test optional to highly selective colleges. Worth a shot but make sure you are really strong in all other areas GPA, AP exam scores, SAT II subject tests (if you have taken) to "make up" for a missing ACT/SAT score. LOR, ECs. and essays need to be stellar for these top 25 colleges. It wouldn't surprise me if 75% of the students to highly selective TO colleges submit a test score.
- Lastly, if you can afford it and have identified a college your student would love to attend, apply ED where being TO might be better than waiting to Regular Decision as they may have more time to review your file more closely (i.e. a lot less applications to pour through). ED applications were down over 10% last year at most highly selective colleges and I expect that trend to continue this year with all of the uncertainty.
I know this year has been extremely challenging, especially in trying to get a test score in but at the end of the day all your student can do is the best they can during this highly unusual year. I guarantee you that come April, they will be happy to commit to their college. And if things continue the way they are for the next 9 months, I would take those waitlist offers as I’m seeing more and more students getting off waitlists late into the summer. We had a close friend’s kid (very good student) that got shutout on all of her reach colleges (8) but stayed on the Vanderbilt waitlist and got in early July. Hang in there, persistence can pay off.
@socaldad2002 are you an expert now? 
Remember that, for many of us who have 2021s, this isn’t our first rodeo!