<p>DS is a rising senior in the NW burbs of Chicago. Hoping to visit UA in July.</p>
<p>Wetumpka, Alabama – Roll Tide… </p>
<p>My Dad told me about this site, he is on here also as BamaAF</p>
<p>Ah…Well…welcome to all of you!!! :)</p>
<p>Rising senior here from the west suburbs of chicago, specifically Wheaton. I visited UA last Wednesday with my dad and friend and immediately fell in love with the campus. The OOS scholarships are real appealing to me because 1. I already meet the requirements for a UA collegiate award (and trying real hard to get my act for a UA scholar award) 2. Illinois public college tuition is ridiculous 3. Dad works for United Airlines so flying to and from Birmingham is free. I play high school football and love watching college ball.
Roll Tide!!!</p>
<p>I already meet the requirements for a UA collegiate award (and trying real hard to get my act for a UA scholar award)</p>
<p>Ok…have you taken both the SAT and ACT? If not, take BOTH…some kids do a lot better on one than the other…and it can make a serious difference in dollars!! Get both types of practice books…The REAL ACT Prep Guide and the Collegeboard SAT prep book (the blue book)…read the front sections…and do the tests. </p>
<p>What are your current scores…including breakdown?</p>
<p>Yes! I have recently read on some of the forums that the SAT scores needed for scholarships can be easier to get than the ACT scores. I took the June 11th ACT so I do not have those results back but on my April ACT I got a 31 english, 28 reading, 27 math and 25 science for a 28 composite. I think that I improved on math in the June test since I was able to finish it unlike the April test. </p>
<p>Today I discovered that science is not on the SAT which can be very beneficial since science is what brings my composite down. Although the SAT is not popular in the midwest, it is definitely something worth looking into. I will be sure to go out and buy the Collegeboard SAT prep book.</p>
<p>My Dad also suggested taking an ACT class before the September and October ACT dates. It may cost a few hundred dollars but it could save thousands if I were able to improve my score to a 30.</p>
<p>I understand that for UA scholarships there are two dates left for both the SAT and ACT in the fall and that after applying you can send in additional scores for scholarships. By the way, when can you start applying? I see deadlines all over the UA site but no starting dates. Also, I know that you can check the application status online, however, do they not post whether you are admitted or not until December 1st? Thanks mom2collegekids for being so helpful!</p>
<p>I echo m2ck’s suggestion. Although S scored 35 English, 33 REading his Science score on the ACT consistently pulled his composite down. He had a great ACT mentor who focused in on just the ACT Science section and his science score jumped from a 27 to a 33! Not sure the specifics but there is a certain way to approach the ACT science section.<br>
Also, S went ahead and took the 12/2010 ACT test which gave him the score that he needed for the Presidential Scholarship. Obviously they amended the deadline date.</p>
<p>25 science for a 28 composite</p>
<p>Yes…there is a technique for improving that section. I remember Curmudgeon writing about this 5 years ago here on CC …his D went from a low SR to a 35 SR. I will send him a message and ask about that. He’ll remember.</p>
<p>Yes…the SAT has no SR section. And since Bama only uses the M + CR sections, you can just study those two sections and do “whatever” on the W section. LOL</p>
<p>You can apply in July as soon as both school and scholarship apps go live. But, you do have to wait til you get your follow up email from Bama in order to do the scholarship app. That usually happens a few days after applying.</p>
<p>Last test dates:<br>
ACT…Sept and Oct<br>
SAT…Oct and NOv</p>
<p>UA accepted S’s December ACT score</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Really? for scholarships?? Wow…never heard of them doing that. Great!</p>
<p>Curmudgeon just responded…</p>
<p>*All we had to do was explain to her that it was science reading, not science knowledge and the light bulb came on. “Gee. Everything I need to answer the question is right here in this paragraph or chart or graph.” It went up from a 26 to a 35. lol. </p>
<p>She got totally flummoxed and befuddled by a dewpoint graph and missed every question in that section when she took it the first time. “Dad. I don’t know anything about dewpoints”*</p>
<p>So, the point is that you don’t need to know anything about the question, just look at the charts for the answers.</p>
<p>That is so true!! My 7th grade son had the opportunity to take the ACT last winter. His senior sister gave him one piece of advice, that was just as was said earlier, that it is simply a reading, charting test, not a knowledge test, so relax! He scored a 27!! He was so tickled “I totally had no idea what they were talking about, I just matched up the chart with the questions.” I’ll take a 27 in 7th grade;)</p>
<p>A 27 in the 7th grade is amazing. He should get a special award for that score and get to go to a state awards thingy. Is this with Duke Tip?</p>
<p>Yes, for scholarships!!! He received revised scholarship letter in February.</p>
<p>“He should get a special award for that score and get to go to a state awards thingy. Is this with Duke Tip?”</p>
<p>Yes, all my kids have done the TIP program. I wish we could afford to take advantage of all the wonderful classes, and camps they have. It is a great experience for the kiddos to take those above level tests (builds confidence, helps us know strengths and weaknesses, and takes away the fear for later) and yes, the awards ceremony was nice. It gives the kids a chance to see that academics can be a big deal too, not just sports.</p>
<p>Here’s a question then, re: ACT/SAT for scholarships. How early can a test taken be accepted by UA? If for some reason you took an ACT early Junior year, or even Soph., and got the needed score - would they take that?
How great would it be to go into the app. season knowing you already had UA in the bag?</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I think Bama will accept any high school score up to those senior year deadlines. I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t accept a soph year score. They definitely take all junior year scores.</p>
<p>AL34: My son took his SAT I (he did take SAT IIs for other schools) for the last time during the first semester of his junior year. Alabama accepted his score without any problem.</p>
<p>^ that’s something I hadn’t considered… hmmmm, can’t hurt to try!</p>
<p>On another happy Roll Call note - I was in the parking lot at DS2s school today when a nice lady came up to my window and asked if I was (my name!). She saw my Alabama decal and figured I had to be the fellow CCer on this board! Rolling Tide here in Chicagoland :)</p>
<p>bump…</p>