<p>Schmoomcgoo, I don’t see how the ACT could possibly have made a difference. Your daughter’s test scores, either way, were not strong enough to be impressive for Columbia or SEAS – by that I mean, that she would have needed something on her record other than scores to make the cut. So your question is somewhat akin to holding a losing lottery ticket and wondering whether you should have purchased a 2nd ticket before the drawing – the likelihood of it making a difference is quite small. </p>
<p>As the parent of a kid who got into reach schools despite weak test scores, I certainly have no problem with your daughter having given Columbia her best shot – I’m just saying that either way, the test scores aren’t her strongest asset.</p>
That’s o.k., adigal, my daughter did best on SAT Writing (11 on the essay, well above 700 on the overall score) – the same year that just about every college said they weren’t going to consider it. Oops.</p>
<p>The hardest thing to do emotionally was to let go of that amazing writing score and submit only ACTs, despite the fact that she had only a 7 on the ACT essay – in her case we were concerned about some SAT II scores in the low 500’s – so it was something of a balancing act to make the decision.</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind words. It is tougher for parents I think, sometimes, to see our kids shine in an area, and have that area not really “count.”</p>
<p>I keep telling myself that things will work out the best for my son, he will end up where he belongs. I have to put faith in the system and the higher powers of the universe that things will work out as they should. </p>
<p>I think many schools will take the ACT with Science and you don’t have to submit any SAT IIs at all. They are waived if you have the ACT w/Science.</p>
<p>I know PENN did this and my son is at USC with only ACT. We never sent in SAT II despite the recommendation to do so. Many IVY waive the SAT II requirement if you have the ACT with science.</p>
<p>So it is not a wasted test depending on where you apply.</p>
<p>“What class is the weed out class for engineering majors?”
Sorry to send the thread off course- couldn’t PM-
but I’m not sure what the ‘weedout’ course is for engineering (what type, what field?). Bioengineering has to do all the premed courses along with a bunch of math plus engineering. As far as I know, Ancient Greek history is just as difficult as Orgo. It depends on the way you think and your interest. I just don’t want a kid starting out to get discouraged because of a standardized test score.</p>
<p>My son didn’t study for most of his SAT2s, because he was too busy studying for the APs and NYS Regents tests in most of the same subjects. Luckily there’s a lot of overlap! If you take them in May or June of the year you take the course studying can probably be minimal.</p>
<p>I think a 650 is about the threshold for a good enough score at an Ivy league college SAT math either SAT1 or SAT2, I do think that a high score on one will to some extent mitigate a somewhat lower score on the other. The OP’s daughter had two science SAT2s in the 500s and the language SAT2 was no better. It’s possible she had bad teachers, but the fact remains those scores are likely to count against her at top schools like Columbia. Some students can get away with one low score with other exception qualities, but nearly every one has scores of 600+.</p>
<p>Lets not forget that Columbia ED and RD chances are pretty much lower than anything buy HYPS. I am pretty sure your D will get in many others schools.</p>
<p>I do believe the SAT II scores are what killed her at Columbia. </p>
<p>We did go ahead and send the ACT scores to the two schools she applied to where she did NOT specify engineering as a major. We will also submit ACT’s to the remaining RD schools. (Figuring it can’t hurt and it might help.) Neither school requires SAT II’s (although, of course, they have received the scores along with the SAT I). </p>
<p>Columbia was the only truly top tier school she applied to. One of the schools, hers is an Early Action application, the other is rolling admissions. The EA school may not consider the scores since they arrived after the deadline. Both are Midwestern schools that are likely more used to receiving the ACT. At the first school her ACT is in the middle of the middle 50% and near the top (or slightly over for writing) of the middle 50% for SAT’s; at the second school her ACT’s are at their stated 75th percentile and her SAT’s are slightly over the 75th. </p>
<p>I agree with those who said she should retake the SAT II’s. Those who suggested convincing her to study for them over Christmas break (most of which will be spent on a cruise in the Caribbean) may be difficult are correct. Not gonna happen. As for applying to schools that take ACT’s instead of SAT II’s, we did run into one or two while looking at schools, but don’t remember which they were. If the person who suggested that wouldn’t mind posting or PM’ing the names of a few, that would be great.</p>
<p>As for questioning her ability to make it through an engineering program, there is no question in my mind. Her dad’s a PhD engineer and he believes in her too. If she ultimately chooses to major in engineering (and she’s NOT sure), she will do well, even if it means struggling. She has just completed Calculus 2 at the university level.</p>