<p>^ Hey sorry I didn’t read all your posts but what do you tend to score on the SAT? I practiced with the blue-book and got my scores up 200 points or so. But for learning techniques as such, there are other books that I used such as Grubers for Math and Rocket Review for CR if I remember correctly. I suggest not taking a prep class… from what I hear, they are extremely expensive and not worth the investment. The best thing to do would be to get some books and practice and self-teach. If you dedicate a month or two to practicing couple of hours a day (like I did), you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I got a 129 on the PSAT, I know atrocious! But I didn’t study at all and could have tried more. I was really shocked, but I have never done good at tests. I am usually weak at mathematics, but better at reading and should do well on the writing portion. I have a feeling I will do better on the ACT. Are the online classes on collegeboard worth it?</p>
<p>You might check on the SAT part of the forum for what they recommend. It can’t hurt to be prepared. I am definitely not an expert on the tests, but I would think looking into the strategies for each test (they are different for the SAT vs the ACT) while doing well in your classes would be a good start. If your parents want you to take a prep course, that would be fine - I can certainly see their perspective - wouldn’t it be great to do so well the first time you don’t have to take any more tests? The things I have heard though is the the very expensive courses are not necessarily “better” than the inexpensive courses offered by community colleges or groups like “Zaps.”</p>
<p>Again, check around about the prep stuff - my own kid did not prep, so I am no expert!</p>
<p>Edit: Looks like good advice above!</p>
<p>I will check it out, thanks again. I will give you guys an update later on. :)</p>
<p>Maybe look into some SAT optional schools like Wake… if you get a 3.5 or so, you may have a chance considering other parts of your application are good. I do not think online classes are worth it to be completely honest with you. Getting better in math depends on practise… For English, I read four or five random novels and I realized it helped me with the pace. Why do you feel you’re not good at practise testS? Is it because you don’t know the material or is it because you run out of time? Depending on the answer, the path you should take to improve would be drastically different.</p>
<p>I have really never taken practice tests. For AP World, it didn’t help me at all (it was more of a notes book) and I did look at some questions the day before I took the PSAT. I know a lot of people whose SAT scores were a lot higher then their PSAT scores. Most peers I know didn’t try because it wasn’t going to count. I usually do well on reading and I am better at algebra then geometry.</p>
<p>I wanted to bump this thread. Looking back, I cannot see any good <em>fits</em> with cheap aid. I have begged my father to figure out our EFC and he won’t. He said there is no point when it will be significantly different. Who knows, maybe it won’t with these economic times. How much we can afford for college always changes too.</p>
<p>I found Clark is known for good aid and Allegheny has some good merit scholarships. The problem with Clark is it doesn’t have a journalism major and Allegheny is a little too rural. Realistically no SUNY OR CSU are good fits, but I love the $$ rage. U Dayton may be a possibility and I heard Denison is good with aid. It seems like the best fits are known for bad aid and are matches/reaches. </p>
<p>I am really having trouble with this process. One, I have too many schools on my list and I cannot narrow them down. There are schools that seem so similar it is hard to take them off. It is also hard to differentiate colleges. My mother said maybe we could visit some schools in neighboring states (in Georgia), but most of my schools are in the Northeast and Cali. Any good fits anywhere in the South? It is hard to get a campus feel when I haven’t even been to some of these states. I’m also having trouble if I should apply to schools without a journalism major. Some good fits are great, but they don’t have my major (Vassar, Conn College, etc)</p>
<p>I am also willing to apply to UGA, GCSU, and Georgia State (last option) in Georgia for financial reasons. I also tend to want a tier one school. Does Sarah Lawrence give any type of good aid? My ideal school is an urban LAC with a print journalism major with some sort of good aid.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>early_college, one problem is that LACs tend not to have a “journalism” major per se, as that subject is usually considered to be more “pre-professional” than part of general arts & sciences. If you really want a small LAC, you may have to settle for an English major. If you really want journalism specifically, you may have to choose a larger college/university.</p>
<p>I understand that. I do have options of schools that have journalism schools though: NYU, USC, Nothwestern, Northeastern, Boston U, American, George Washington, etc. </p>
<p>I think when applying I may have to pick which route to go, the LAC route or the bigger journalism schools.</p>
<p>bump…</p>