Schools for my B student daughter?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>My 19 year old daughter is looking for schools that will accept her, I believe a few of you tried to match her before on here but she tends to look at colleges that are only reaches. That isn't a bad thing but I'd also like to find some saftey and on par schools that she would be happy at if none of those reach schools will accept her. </p>

<p>We recently have gotten her transcripts from her high school and this is what came back;
GPA Percent: 85.1667%
(Not sure where this is on a 4.0 scale)
Class Rank: 16 of 35
Graduation Year: 2009</p>

<p>Testing Results:
11th Grade PSSA Math 1267 Basic
11th Grade PSSA Reading 1383 Proficient
11th Grade PSSA Writing 1491 Proficient</p>

<p>SAT Scores(Date Taken 11/01/08):
Math: 380
Critical Reading: 490
Writing: 380
(She retook her SATs again yesterday and believe she did much better on her Critical Reading and Writing areas, but isn't confident on her Math scores again.)</p>

<p>08-09 High School Grades:
Algebra II: C
Chemistry II: C
English 101: A (College course provided by Allegheny College of Maryland)
Food Prep: A
Geometry: B
Introduction to Accounting: A
Phys Ed 10: A
POD(Problems of Democracy): B
Speech 101: A (College course provided by Allegheny College of Maryland)</p>

<p>07-08:
Academic English 11: B
Algebra IA: B
Desktop Publishing: A
Environmental Science: B
Graphic Design II: A
Health 11: B
Phys Ed 11: A
World Cultures III: B</p>

<p>06-07:
Academic English 10: B
Drivers Education Class: C
General Biology: B
Graphic Design I: B
Gym Class: B
Keyboarding I: B
Music: C
US History 10: C
Vocational Math: B</p>

<p>05-06:
Algebra 1/2: C
Art: B
Economics: B
English 9: A
Gym Class: A
Homemaking I: A
Physical Science: C
Spanish Skills 9: B
World Cultures 9: C</p>

<p>Our schools Grading Scale:
A= 90-100
B= 80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
E= below 59
No AP classes were provided at their high school, only the two college courses which she took.</p>

<p>I'm not sure if you needed all that information but I want to find the best matches possible for her.</p>

<p>We reside in the state of Pennsylvania and are looking for schools here and in states that border ours. </p>

<p>About my daughter:
My daughter is 19 years of age. She took a two year gap due to a many of things including her current boyfriend and some health issues that we handled on our own. She is a bright girl who did average in school but I know she can do much better and I know she is ready for this. She is the artsy type with interests in photography, music, and drawing but is looking to get a degree in Psychology due to her previous problems in order to help other people like her. She is very independent and tends to stay away from mainstream things and opting out to instead listen to Independent music labels and Independent movies. I think because of this she never quite fit in with your normal crowd in school and why she never had any friends. She has progresses-ed very much these last two years and is able to strike up conversations with strangers now though still has no close friends(besides the local librarian).
She's quiet and loves to read as well as tends to be more happy off at the library or with an Ipod stuck to her ear every second of the day.
I believe she would fit more into a liberal arts college.</p>

<p>Health issues:
Suffers from a heart murmur as well as was diagnosed with bulimia in the 9 and 10th grade and anorexia in the 11th and 12th grade up. We have dealt with this with the help of our doctor and several physicians at our local hospital. She recently was taken out of recovery and is doing remarkably well, its the happiest I've seen her in years.
We, the doctors, and the psychologists all agree she should take on new experiences such as college and its something she is very excited about.
She currently is in love with Bryn Mawr College for Women and I am letting her apply even though I know she wont be accepted. I don't want to come right out and tell her that but deep down I know she realizes this. </p>

<p>We will be applying for financial aid. We don't have a lot of money but considering all she's been through we don't want to mark off a college that is expensive. Both me and her father want to see her in a good school no matter what it costs. We will figure it out no matter what.</p>

<p>I have looked at one college, Chestnut Hill College in Pennsylvania and its seems to interest her. I'm just wondering what their academic standing is degree wise and what the school itself is like? I don't want her to graduate and find that her degree isn't as well respected.</p>

<p>Please help us in finding some matches for my daughter.
-Concerned Mom</p>

2

<p>woah u just posted your daughter’s life history on CC</p>

3

<p>I just want to find the best match for her and see her happy. If posting as much as I can about her will help me then I believe that’s what I’ll have to do. I’m so used to talking to people that have to know every little detail about her that its a hard habit to break, very sorry.</p>

4

<p>What schools are currently on her list.</p>

<p>SAT Scores(Date Taken 11/01/08):
Math: 380
Critical Reading: 490
Writing: 380
(She retook her SATs again yesterday and believe she did much better on her Critical Reading and Writing areas, but isn’t confident on her Math scores again.)</p>

<p>Hopefully she’s done better. Her current scores would be a problem for many schools.</p>

<p>What state are you in? </p>

<p>We will be applying for financial aid. We don’t have a lot of money but considering all she’s been through we don’t want to mark off a college that is expensive. Both me and her father want to see her in a good school no matter what it costs. We will figure it out no matter what.</p>

<p>I’m going to be honest with you. I do NOT think it’s wise for you and your H to go into debt to send her to college. </p>

<p>I realize that you feel that she’s been through a lot, but putting yourselves into life-strangling debt is NOT the answer. I child like this may need help from you in the future and you wouldn’t be able to help her because of education debt that you’d be responsible for. </p>

<p>What state are you in? </p>

<p>Her best chances are probably your local state school or community college. I really think a community college is best for her. If she makes it thru 2 years with good grades, then you might consider borrowing some money for her to go away to school.</p>

5

<p>BTW…are you familiar with looking up what test scores the average student has at a various school?</p>

<p>If you go to Collegeboard.com and put in a college’s name, you can bring up scores to find out whether your child is likely to be accepted.</p>

<p>Student scores are broken down into 4 quartiles. Only the score ranges from the middle two quartiles are shown. </p>

<p>For instance, at Bryn Mawr</p>

<p>Test Scores
Middle 50% of
First-Year Students<br>
SAT Critical Reading: 600 - 700<br>
SAT Math: 580 - 680<br>
SAT Writing: 610 - 700 </p>

<p>As you already know, your D’s scores are too low for this school. But you can look up any school to get some ideas.</p>

<p>[College</a> Search - Bryn Mawr College - BMC - SAT®, AP®, CLEP®](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)</p>

6

<p>We are in Pennsylvania.</p>

<p>I understand that and we’ve been through bouts of debt before that we’ve always managed to climb out of. We have a small sum that has accumulated over the years towards a college fund as well as bonds left for her by family that can only be used for education purposes.
Were your average middle class family and determined to make this work. Money might be a factor but I don’t want it to inhibit her.</p>

<p>I hope at least her math score has climbed. He first mistake when taking the SAT the first time is that she wasn’t aware that guessing lost you 1/4 of a point. She basically went through and guessed on every question that she didn’t know which I think might explain the low score. Her school gave her credit for even showing work and guessing on her usual tests and I think she was under the impression that the SAT did that too.</p>

<p>Another one of our predicaments is this,
She is 19 and if she applies in time for the fall semester she will be 20. Her college counselor has told her that her going in as a freshman at that age will be awkward, if she goes to a community college for two years she will come out and then go into a four year school at 22. Even more awkward?
I realize that anyone can go to college at any age but we are supposed to only place her in situations that she is comfortable in. I know that she’ll feel out of place if she does that and that is the point at which I fear she would relapse.</p>

<p>Are there really no schools out there that accept average B students with a low SAT score?</p>

<p>Thank you for that link as well. I’ve been using Carrercruising but it would be nice to look at a different sites determination.</p>

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<p>I don’t know much about Chestnut Hill, but look at Moravian College, Washington & Jefferson College, Philadelphia University, St. Francis University, and St. Joseph’s University (all in PA). Also check out Goucher College (MD). I’m not sure how these schools are with cost/aid, but they’re all within reach for your daughter (especially if she can write great essays). Good luck!</p>

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<p>There is a 3.0 thread around her somewhere; I will try to post a link. Is the GPA you calculated ALL of her classes? Have you done one with just the academic ones? BTW, I think you have to input some numbers and/or set up an account on collegeboard to use the “how do I stack up” feature mentioned in post 5.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/939933-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread-2011-hs-graduation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/939933-3-0-3-3-gpa-parents-thread-2011-hs-graduation.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks you. I’ll definitely have a look with her through those. Moravian seems to stand out the most for me in looks of the campus.
Does anyone know if Ithaca College in New York might be a possible match for her?</p>

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<p>Shrinkrap, the GPA was what was on the high school transcript they gave me, so its the one they send to the actual colleges. I’m guessing the percentage they had on it was already calculated?</p>

<p>She has a Collegeboard account from when she registered her SATs so I’ll have to play around with the site and find all the features they offer.</p>

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<p>One of the early things adcoms do is put all applicants’ grades on some equal footing- this includes stripping out non-academic classes some kids took and recalculating gpas. So, Food Prep, Phys Ed, Gym, Homemaking, Drivers Ed, and possibly Keyboarding and Desktop, will come out. Try to figue her gpa without these.</p>

<p>They look at overall rigor of classes taken and any particularly challenging classes. (These are a strong indication of motivation.) They will know the rigor of her hs- we need to be frank, to give you some perspective: if it’s a hs that offers no APs, is there something else that makes the school challenging and might explain a B-ish average?</p>

<p>Adcoms are also quite concerned with how applicants will fit in socially and mesh with campus life. This is one value of clubs, volunteering and other ECs- it shows how a kid integrates and takes on responsibilities. So, if there is any of this you didn’t mention, be sure it’s on the app. </p>

<p>Her age diff with other students shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you feel she is truly independent, shy, doesn’t want mainstream activities, whatever, consider a school where many students commute or there is a higher range of ages or a large body of “return to school” students- ie, where the social pressure isn’t all about dorm life, clubs and parties.</p>

<p>A gap is forgivable- but best is when the applicant shows evidence (in schoolwork and ECs) that she sprang back when she returned. It is optional to have a doctor or psychologist include a note attesting that she worked hard to overcome her issues and is now ready for all challenges. It’s wise to anticipate what sorts of questions the adcoms may have and try to show her readiness as much as you can. You can refer to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which may apply to the issues she faced.</p>

<p>Psychology can be a tough major and includes lab work. She might consider social work, which can also lead to a profession as a licensed clinical counselor.</p>

<p>My D2 also went through difficulties and as we evaluated her college options, we were more concerned with where she could thrive- and succeed- than what people would think of the school after she graduated. We also had to seriously consider whether going deeply in debt was the path that would help her succeed. Each family has to ask themselves: would putting this child into a competitive academic situation- one that is possibly over her head- be right for her ? AND would it make sense for us to go into debt to take this path? It may be that the very best decision is to let her start at a school she can master. If the past is past and she is ready for more, she could transfer for the last two years.</p>

<p>I know you love her and want to believe she can handle college. But, sometimes, holding back a bit is the hard decision we have to make, in our kids’ best interests. You noted: “but we are supposed to only place her in situations that she is comfortable in” and your willingness to take on debt to do this. Please remember that the college years are a time when kids transition to young adulthood- it is about facing a number of situations that are not comfortable, putting oneself through a ring of fire, to come out tested and stronger. If you only want her to be comfortable, she will not grow and come to trust her abilities. Please consider carefully what is truly best for her.</p>

<p>I don’t mean to sound harsh here- it’s just that we had to face hard choices for our D2.</p>

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<p>How about some SAT optional schools?</p>

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<p>She is 19 and if she applies in time for the fall semester she will be 20. Her college counselor has told her that her going in as a freshman at that age will be awkward, if she goes to a community college for two years she will come out and then go into a four year school at 22. Even more awkward?</p>

<p>She can start at a CC in the spring. If she does 3 semesters there, she can transfer to a 4 year university for Fall 2012 (she’ll be 21 at that point, right?)</p>

<p>No matter whether she goes to a 4 year in the fall or goes there as a junior at 22, she’s going to be 22 as a junior…either way. And, that’s not really unusual anyway.</p>

<p>we’ve been through bouts of debt before that we’ve always managed to climb out of. We have a small sum that has accumulated over the years towards a college fund as well as bonds left for her by family that can only be used for education purposes.</p>

<p>I would save that small sum of money for after she transfers.</p>

<p>I don’t think you understood what I was saying about debt. If you take on debt for her 4 years of college, if she has ANY other future issues, you may be such a financial bind from education debt that you won’t be able to help her with a future issue.</p>

<p>This is a bit harsh…but you have to consider this possibility…If you take on debt for her first years in college, but she never graduates, then you’ll be left with a pile of debt and no degree.</p>

<p>*I hope at least her math score has climbed. He first mistake when taking the SAT the first time is that she wasn’t aware that guessing lost you 1/4 of a point. She basically went through and guessed on every question that she didn’t know which I think might explain the low score. *</p>

<p>This really doesn’t explain her low score unless she truly didn’t know an overwhelming number of questions…which would mean that she still would have gotten a low score with or without guessing. If she guessed on a large number of questions, then likely she would have guessed “right” on around 1/4-1/5 of the guesses, which would have eliminated the so-called negative impact of the 1/4 pt deduction. In reality, guessing doesn’t really hurt a score.</p>

<p>*She is very independent and tends to stay away from mainstream things and opting out to instead listen to Independent music labels and Independent movies. I think because of this she never quite fit in with your normal crowd in school and why she never had any friends. *</p>

<p>This is another reason why I think she should commute to a community college at least for a bit.</p>

14

<p>SAT-optional schools are a good idea. Also, if you haven’t already, take a look at the PASSHE schools (Lock Haven, Edinboro, Millersville, IUP, Slippery Rock, etc.). They will be affordable in-state options – generally about $7,500/year tuition plus costs. And their 25th percentile math SAT scores can be in the low 400s.</p>

15

<p>Cedar Crest ¶
Chatham University ¶ </p>

<p>Women’s colleges, not as selective as Bryn Mawr.</p>

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<p>Here’s a link to a website listing SAT optional schools.<br>
[Optional</a> List | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]Optional”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>

<p>Hopefully, she’ll raise her SAT scores with her most recent retaking. Penn State satellite campuses (and University Park after 2 years) and maybe West Chester might be worth a look if she does raise her scores.</p>

17

<p>In addition to looking at test-optional schools, which is probably a good route, you might consider trying starting over with the ACT. I would also suggest some direct prep help for the ACT or another sitting of the SAT, either on your own with her or using a professional. Generally no great fan of prep courses, but this might be a case where real knowledge about how the test works and how to do well on would help.</p>

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<p>A long time acquaintance’s son is a freshman at Chestnut Hill this year.</p>

<p>The Mom loves it – truly a caring faculty who has gone out of their way to help the kid academically. The kid came from a tech school background and lacked some of the foundation of his peers. The kid is an athlete. The school offered quite a bit of money – the school was much cheaper than PASSHE schools with the offer. I will say, the academics are tougher than the admission standards would lead one to believe. The school is very very strict with partying. Many kids visit other schools on weekends.</p>

<p>Another regional nuturing school is Gwynedd-Mercy. As with Chestnut Hill, the weekend social life may be lacking to some students.</p>

<p>I really like Moravian. Nice campus, solid academics.</p>

<p>If the new SATs come in a bit higher, may want to consider LaSalle.</p>

<p>York College is a favorite in our area (cost low), but with all she has been through, finding a comfortable environment with easy access to counseling and close enough to home doctors would be paramont to me. I don’t think York offers enough in way of counseling…</p>

<p>Luckily, you couldn’t be in an area more flooded with college choices.</p>

19

<p>although off-topic a bit, she may want to explore art therapy as well, combining her artistic side with her need to help others. I agree with women’s colleges, as long as the cost is not prohibitive.</p>

20

<p>About making her comfortable: I think that they meant putting her in situations where she has a chance of succeeding. Not where she will struggle just to keep up. That could be a devastating ego blow to any student- and your dau has been through so much already.</p>

<p>SAT optional schools are not necessarily easier to get into. In the absense of the scores, they look extra closely at grades, classes taken, awards and ECs. Plus, social fit. </p>

<p>You’ve said, a few times, aren’t there schools for B students? Of course there are. And, there are good schools for C students. And, there are good schools for kids who desperately need a second chance. And, so many good schools in PA. But, it’s misleading to categorize her as a B student- that’s just one piece of the picture adcoms will look at. </p>

<p>In your OP, you gave so many details, so we could see the whole. You need to look hard at that whole- the low scores, the misunderstanding of how the SAT is scored, the non-rigorous classes taken, the possible lack of ECs- and help her find an understanding school that will help her flourish. Not a school that expects her to come in ready to run a full race.
That’s hard to hear; I’m sorry. But, I see it as a gift adults can give a child, to help her succeed.</p>