<p>As of the end of junior year, my kid has a 3.5 UW GPA/very rigorous courses/4.1 weighted. But she has not done well on the SATs etc. After taking them twice she has 1800, slightly higher on the ACT (28), and just okay on the APs -- 3 for BC CAlc/AB calc component, 4 for statistics and only 2 for AP US. Her scores are highly skewed, with 510 on the CR but much higher scores on both writing and math. This is after considerable tutoring for the CR, so I think we need to accept that this is where she is. </p>
<p>Her actual grades would be even higher if it weren't for the fact that she tends to bomb midterms and finals -- she'll be running an A and then get C's or even Ds. She's been working very hard on this and at this point, again, I want to take the pressure off her rather than bring on a whole new spate of tutors.</p>
<p>My question is: what types of colleges might be best for her? She is planning to major in the sciences (either environmental or perhaps chemistry or neuroscience), but she doesn't want to go to a polytechnic because she wants the option of LA courses (for instance, she got an A-plus in creating writing and plans to take AP English senior year). Someplace that places a higher emphasis on classwork than testing would of course be ideal. </p>
<p>I would be gratefl for advice!</p>
<p>Bombs both in class and standardized tests despite adequate preparation? You should have her evaluated for anxiety - specifically test-induced anxiety. She should have this issue straightened out before college. There will be many classes where all of the grade is based on the exam.</p>
<p>Types of colleges that will be right for her…</p>
<p>Well, what kind does she like?</p>
<p>big and rah rah?</p>
<p>small and quiet?</p>
<p>rural?</p>
<p>city?</p>
<p>Catholic schools ok?</p>
<p>What state are you in?</p>
<p>Much may depend on how much you can afford to pay. If you can afford to spend $55k per year, then she’ll have many choices. If you can’t afford to pay much, then she may have to attend a local state school. </p>
<p>What is your budget?</p>
<p>Budget is flexible–we can afford private if needed. She likes smart, nerdy, not too intrnse though. Doesnt care about sports. Again sciences/math. Her favorites so far are nyu (we’re in ny), she also liked smaller lacs if there was some diversity…</p>
<p>I wish I didn’t, but I agree with happymom that there’s something going on here if she’s tanking on both school exams and standardized tests when she’s been doing well in her classes week after week. I don’t know whether it’s anxiety, but there’s something. For a whole lot of money, an educational psychologist could probably tell you what it is.</p>
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<p>If we were talking about my daughter, I wouldn’t dissuade her from majoring in the sciences, but I myself would be quietly preparing for the possibility that her plan might not work out. Unfortunately, classes in the sciences (and math) do tend to be more about performance on a couple of big exams, and less about day-to-day work–except for lab write-ups.</p>
<p>If you can afford to throw between $2000 and $3000 at this problem, you could have her evaluated by an educational psychologist. From that evaluation, you might get some concrete recommendations about learning and testing that could help her through college, or you might get the information that test-taking is an area of relative weakness for her, and she’ll do best to steer clear of majors (and careers) that emphasize or rely on the taking of big tests. If she were my daughter, I would probably do this. I would also worry that I wasn’t going to get my money’s worth out of it, but I’d feel even worse if she foundered in college and I hadn’t done the assessment because I’m a miser. (Which I am.)</p>
<p>You could probably find the name of a good educational psychologist in your area by asking teachers or guidance counselors at your daughter’s school (ask the teachers who seem particularly smart), or by asking your daughter’s pediatrician.</p>
<p>She’s been evaluated; i appreciate this input but eould really like to think in terms of college choices right now . Tx.</p>
<p>Wow…guys…the kid got a 4 on her stAts ap and a 3 on bc calc as a junior…690 on the math sat and 650 on writing. She is in the top 20 pct of her class with a 4.1 weighted gpa. Do you really think she needs a cc? I was thinking more of smaller classes, more one on one…</p>
<p>Thanks Erin’s dad!</p>
<p>Have you considered Quest University? It’s in Canada, so I don’t know if that’s something you’re willing to consider, but it’s a reasonably priced (for a private school) private university that sounds like potentially something your daughter could thrive in. It’s way different from traditional universities–students take one class at a time, in four week “blocks”, with four blocks per term. I don’t know a lot about it, because I didn’t really look into it when I was doing my college search, but the curriculum is very focused on experiential learning and their whole mission statement seems like they would oppose the idea of evaluating a student based solely on how she performs on tests. (They’re also a test-optional school when applying.)</p>
<p>If Canada is completely out of the question, you might want to look into schools like Hampshire College. Hampshire is an alternative school in Massachusetts, and while they’re more liberal-arts focused than science-focused, they do offer science courses. They don’t assign grades or GPAs, but instead evaluate students with written assessments. Your daughter might be more suited to alternative schools like Hampshire if she’s looking for a place where her testing ability isn’t the measure the school uses to determine success. </p>
<p>One caveat–most alternative schools require a highly motivated student who can provide their own structure, as there isn’t as much (or any) built in academic structure.</p>
<p>Thank you! Great ideas. She is highly motivated.</p>
<p>Okay, addressing only your question about college ideas, consider these 2:</p>
<p>Evergreen State College, in Olympia, WA. It’s far from home, but it is a unique school she may want to consider. Instead of letter grades, students get narrative evaluations. They have a terrific interdisciplinary studies option where you can fashion majors like “Environmental studies and humanity.” About 4,300 undergrads.</p>
<p>Consider also Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. Lots of discussion groups and hands-on learning, few lectures, no tests. Tiny LAC, 1,500 or so students.</p>
<p>Honestly, I wouldn’t consider 1800 bad. If she’s looking to go to an elite school, it may look bad, but that score is above average. Most state colleges/universities would consider that a good score. In New York, you have the whooooooole SUNY system to look at! Those are some really good schools! </p>
<p>I wouldn’t completely rule out NYU, either. It can be her reach school. But really, check out SUNY. Here’s a list of all of the schools in the system: [suny.edu</a> - Our Campuses](<a href=“http://www.suny.edu/About_SUNY/ourcampuses.cfm]suny.edu”>http://www.suny.edu/About_SUNY/ourcampuses.cfm)
Off the bat, you should check out Stony Brook and Geneseo. Both are great. Check the list and see if any others appeal.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
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<p>Maybe American U would suit her. They do seem to offer quite a bit of academic advising and support for students who need it. At least they claim to. No first-hand knowledge yet.</p>
<p>First of all a 28 on the ACT is not bad at all. In fact, it is higher than average. I would ditch the SAT and just use the ACT. That is what we did and my kid got into his first choice. Unlike your kid, mine wanted a polytechnic program.</p>
<p>Your daughter has a 3.5 UW GPA/very rigorous courses/4.1 weighted. What is wrong with that? She is definitely college bound. The only question is where.</p>
<p>Here is a great CC link to “Colleges that Change Lives” that you can research. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1330997-did-one-colleges-change-lives-change-your-life-your-childs.html?highlight=colleges+that+change+livesTo[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1330997-did-one-colleges-change-lives-change-your-life-your-childs.html?highlight=colleges+that+change+livesTo</a> To me it sounds like your kid just needs a nurturing environment with a lot of choice. Go to one of these schools and her life will be wonderful.</p>
<p>What about Boston Univ? </p>
<p>Are Catholic schools ok? Holy Cross? St. Louis Univ? Villanova?</p>
<p>Thank you!! This is greatly helpful. I agree re ACT. Colleges that change lives had some good ideas. She’s not interested in catholic schools or BU. she would love to reach for nyu, maybe oberlin, even a pitzer or carleton. Will consider a suny but hasnt liked the ones we’ve seen.</p>
<p>How about URoch? or Syracuse?</p>
<p>OP, it’s fine to apply to those schools as reaches but make sure your child knows that is the case. DD2 applied to Carleton and was waitlisted - NMF, 4.0 UWGPA, #1/450, 2280 SAT.</p>
<p>Some specific CTCL schools to look into:</p>
<p>Ursinus
Allegheny</p>
<p>Lots of hands on learning, support and discussion based courses.</p>
<p>Many of the CTCL are now SAT optional if she doesn’t want to stress over the standardized test.</p>