ACT back - should D bother with SATI?

[Rachacha]

D is over the moon - got a 34 in the ACT on the first try (confirming the theory that this was a better test for her), she has to take SATII's for a couple of schools. Since they would send any SATI scores with the SATIIs regardless of how good/bad she does, should we just go with the ACT and SATII's and be done with that? It would be a big relief to her if she can...if anyone has done this let me know - THANKS!

[sharonohio]

If D is NM qualified she will need to take the SATI anyway. I think that needs to be the first consideration and based on notes in this forum it looks like she will know that really soon.

[meco]

mecos mom -- I would just concentrate on the SAT 2s and be done with it.

[curmudgeon]

Rachacha, that would cetainly be plenty.'


Great job.

Has she decided she will/might apply at schools requiring SAT Subject Tests? (OT: My own cantankerous D built her reach/match list from schools that did NOT require the Subject Tests. I felt at the the time that her refusal to take the tests was limiting. She felt otherwise.)

[wjb]

Congrats on that great score. Your plan is the right one, IMO. If your D finds she needs to take SAT I to qualify for NMF, she can always take it in November or December of her senior year, after her ACT and SAT II scores have been sent to the colleges on her list. That's the strategy my son used this year. It really took the pressure off the SAT I: Qualifying scores for NMF are relatively low, at least relatively low as compared to what highly selective colleges want to see for admissions purposes.

[Dad II]

First of all, congratulations on a very good score on the first try. My DD did the same so our experience may apply.

For admission purpose, I would say a 34 is really more than good enough. Unless one of the subject score is low, such as 36, 35, 36, and 29.

For merit $$ purpose, every point counts. The good thing about ACT is that you could hide any score. So, if your DD needs merit $$ and would not mind another 5 hours taking a test in Saturday morning, get her to take another one with preparation. However, do not send it to any school nor even list her own HS at registration.

Our DD got into Stanford, Duke, Cornell, Washington U @ ST Louis, Vandy and State U with that 34. However, she did not get any merit $$, not even State U.

PS. I am not complaining about any thing, just listing facts.

[Rachacha]

Thanks - from what we have been hearing she just missed the cutoff for NMF consideration for New York, so she may take your advice...has to take SATII's for one school that is on her short list (W&L)

[BunsenBurner]

God job, Rachacha's D! I have a feeling that a 34 would be good enough to be in the running for merit aid at lower tier schools, but at tippy-top ones even a perfect 36 would not guarantee anything, it will all come down to the "soft" factors. Did she take the ACT with writing? Some schools might require that.

[SoCalGal09]

We're in the same situation here. DS took the ACT cold end of 10th grade and scored 34. His PSAT is 201 (maybe squeak in as commended?) but we're in CA so no way Semi. He's not going to take SAT 1, but he is retaking ACT because his writing was 9 and kids generally improve their scores.

If you decide to retake, here's what I wished we had done: You can order a copy of her test questions and answers. That way she can concentrate on areas where she missed questions. ACT Score Information: Requesting a Copy of Your Test Questions and Answers

[EMM1]

First, congratulations to D. 34 is a GREAT score

It might depend on how good her grades are. S2 got 33 in Feb. of his junior year. With his grades (very good by any but CC standards but not spectacular) after some inquiries, we determined that that score was good enough to get him all the merit money possible. So he's done except for SAT IIs. (yay)

However, if D is a straight A student and is in the running for tippy top merit money (particularly at Wash. U-type schools), even 34 might not be enough (although I have no hard info on that question).

[nngmm]

Did she take the ACT with writing? Some schools might require that.

I think most schools require ACT with Writing to replace ACT.
On the bright side, at some schools ACT with writing replaces bot SAT I and SAT IIs.

[wjb]

He's not going to take SAT 1, but he is retaking ACT because his writing was 9 and kids generally improve their scores.

The ACT Writing score does NOT affect the composite score.

[2VU0609]

wjb has given you the best advice on sending scores. Although you will pay to send scores twice if the SAT I is awesome, it will be well worth the money.

[SoCalGal09]

"The ACT Writing score does NOT affect the composite score."

Yes, but it is there to see. (I've been told some colleges care, some don't.)
Off topic, anyone on a mac able to get the "quote messages in reply" to work?

[wjb]

It is there to see, but many colleges still don't seem to attach much weight to it. For some, it's just a data point.

Some colleges will tell you how they use the Writing score if you ask the question directly.