SATs even worth it?

Student Lounge Veterans
1

<p>I know someone made the same post, but this one is pertaining to me. Im 6 months away from finishing my 5 year contract in the Marine Corps. I recently enrolled in a SAT Prep course, and realize I should not even be there. My math and vocab skills is no where near where they were back in high school.</p>

<p>We took a practice test, which I did horrible, I dont think I got above a 1500. And in the prep course, we went over some of the math, and I was so lost. The teacher even said to the class, "This course isnt to teach you what you already know, its to teach you how to take the best better." Well I consider myself a good test taker, if I know the knowledge. </p>

<p>But its pretty clear to me that I shouldnt even be in this course. Where these kids are getting almost all the exercises right, I get maybe half. Personally, I feel I should just go to a CC, take a rigerous schedule, and do well. </p>

<p>I was in a CC before I joined, and did way better than in high school. Right now, I feel a CC is the best choice.</p>

2

<p>I think the eKnowledge software company gives SAT prep software to all active duty for free, or a very reduced cost. That’s what helped me prepare for the SATs. You can google 'em.</p>

<p>Anyway, if you really feel like you need some remediation courses, then CC will be your way to go I think. You can also look into taking just a couple classes for no credit (threrefore keeping your Freshman standing) and take the SATs after a few of those if you feel more comfortable with the material.</p>

<p>I took the SATs a couple months before I EASed and did decent for being out of school for 4 years and doing strictly software prep for about a month beforehand. I took them and I’ll still end up going the CC route. I was accepted by some great schools, but they were too expensive even with the GI Bill. Most schools (state unis aside) are very veteran friendly, sadly.</p>

<p>If you go to CC, then you will still need to take a placement exam to where you will begin your Math and English classes. So either way you may end up taking some remedial courses.</p>

<p>In short, in light of my experience, save your dough and don’t take the SATs since you already know you aren’t strong in the material. I ended up wasting a whole lot of money to take the test and send scores to all the different schools (first 4 are free though). I ended up scoring pretty low on the CC placement tests and have to take some lower math classes afterall.</p>

<p>If you know you’re not strong in the material and will score too low to even be semi-competitive as an applicant, then don’t take it. Remember, you have to apply as a Freshman just like to 1 million other HS seniors - they don’t take verteran’s applications aside and treat them differently. Veteran experiences bring certain attributes that will tip you in favor over a like applicant, but it can only take you so far (from my experience).</p>

<p>If you’re okay with applying to a lower-tier state school (there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, just personal or educational preference), then you may consider taking them and applying then. I just don’t want you to waste your money fi you’re applying to UCB or UCLA/UCSD or somewhere where the regular freshmen class will be fiercely competitive compared to non-trational freshmen students.</p>

<p>Want to go to UCM, UCR, or even UCSC (or a CSU), then look up their incoming class stats and see if yo think you’ll score anywhere within that range. If not, then you’d be better off going to CC and having much higher chances of dominating there and transferring to UCB or UCLA/UCSD.</p>

3

<p>Heh, well I do have some pretty lofty educational/career goals, and I know even with this course, I probably wont be admitted any of the schools I really want. I mean, with my score so low, even if this course raises my overall score by 100 points, its not going to mean much of anything.</p>

4

<p>^That’s kind of what I mean. If you know you won’t be competitive now for your dream school list, then it would be better served to go to CC and have a better chance to transfer into them. By not taking the SATs, since they’re not required for CC, then you also save the $ it costs to take it and send scores, plus the $50 a pop for college applications.</p>

<p>Like I said before, I spent the money to take the test, send the scores, and apply to schools - propbably near $500 said and done - with nothing to show for it, but my decision to go to CC anyway. I wouldn’t have near any chance to get into UCB or some other schools if I applied to them now. But, with motivation to do better in CC tenfold than I did in HS, I may have a much better shot. A lot of CC students - not just veterans - explain all the time how their reach schools are considered their safeties once they’re done with CC.</p>