Colleges for the Jewish "B" student (Part 1)

socaldad42 · March 31, 2011, 8:15pm

My d just got her results from her first SAT. I did not think she could get so low. I am bummed for her. We booked our visit to colleges last week. Most of the ones we are looking at, she has no chance. She is well below 500 on each section. She will continue tutoring, but I do not expect her scores to improve much. Her LD’s make test taking very difficult. Her GPA is 3.2 in middle level classes.
Delaware and Indiana are now out. Miami Ohio is a very long shot. I think she can get in to Kansas, and maybe Colorado. I feel like we need a new list with these low scores.

She wants a rah rah school with greek life. She wants lots of jewish kids around her. She would like to leave the west coast and experience something different. I would like a public, as I can’t see paying 50K for a mid to low level education. I thought I had a handle on her search. I can not change where we are going to look on this trip. I need to formulate a new list for the applications. I ask all of you helpful people for new ideas.

A panicked dad.

northeastmom · March 31, 2011, 8:24pm

socaldad, I am sorry, but don’t panic. Have you looked at the test optional schools on fairtest? I would be more concerned about making sure that she will be supported and successful academically before looking at any other “stuff” on her/your wish list. I think the worst thing that could happen is being placed at a school where she will struggle too much, or plainly flunk out. Also, has she tried the ACT? Many students who have trouble with the SAT, do better on the ACT (and vice versa).

Deborah_T · March 31, 2011, 8:26pm

Socaldad, how about reviewing that FairTest list of test optional schools?

What does your daughter like to do? I think I’d start there.

edit:
NEM, I was typing while you were pressing send. ;-)

samtalya · March 31, 2011, 8:29pm

Socal, sorry to hear about the scores. I know how it feels to be disappointed in the scores.

I strongly suggest the ACT. She can get the test prep booklet at school and take a full test or go on line and you can print out a full test for her to take. see how she does. My son did much better on his practice test and will take the real test april 9. There is another ACT test on June 11.

northeastmom · March 31, 2011, 8:32pm

Deborah, it happens all the time. Good advice, if I say so myself ;)

crester · March 31, 2011, 8:33pm

socaldad

Start a new thread. Those of us with admitted HS seniors are going through withdrawal. Please indulge us.

yabeyabe2 · March 31, 2011, 8:47pm

Socal, I agree completely with Nemom and Deb T. I know this is not what you hoped for, but I trust you are not indicating to your D any disappointment in her.

Some additional thoughts:

Remember she will have geographic diversity on her side. This could help, for example, at Pitt.
Rah rah schools are fun, but perhaps strong LD programs–and/or small classes–should also be a priority.
There are publics which fit some of her critieria (Greek life; Jewish kids) and which are easier OOS than Delaware and Indiana, but they are perhaps less rah rah because they have smaller sports crowds–UMass; Binghamton; URI.
Conversely, for rah rah and Greek, and easier OOS than UDel, but I am not sure of Jewish populatton, consider VA Tech and James Madison (although JMU is not big time in sports).
As noted elsewhere on this thread, there are plenty of smaller private schools which have Greek life and lots of school spirit, but not large football crowds; will not cost you over $50K a year; and where an LD kid will not get lost in vast lecture classes.

Best of luck

rodney · March 31, 2011, 9:06pm

socaldad: is UArizona out of the question? I do know that the SALT program is an excellent one for LD kids; please look into it…and I know kids with very low SAT’s/ACt’s that are enrolled

I do like the idea of Kansas aswell…

Please try the ACT though…

samtalya · March 31, 2011, 9:08pm

My nephew has LDs and had a great education/time at Colorado Boulder. He chose the school because of all the help available to students with LDs.

rockvillemom · March 31, 2011, 9:35pm

socaldad - it is waaay too early to be this discouraged. It was her first SAT - she has many months left to test - if you are going to go that route. From what I have seen - Indiana University and Miami of Ohio are pretty easy admits for a “B” student.

Have her try the ACT - so many kids do better on it.

Does she have testing accommodations such as extended time? If not - this is something you should look into.

And I agree about the test optional schools.

rockvillemom · March 31, 2011, 9:46pm

socaldad - I am looking at our large public hs naviance. First - Miami Univ. in Ohio. There are a number of acceptances (not just one outlier) with wgpas between 3.0 and 3.5 and with an SAT between 1000-1100. There were several with the same GPA range and an 18 ACT and a few with a 23 ACT. Our hs has 13 out of 14 applicants accepted in 2010. National Naviance shows a 1070 as the low end of the 50% range - meaning 25% of accepted students scored BELOW a 1070.

For Indiana University - we had 32 out of 38 accepted in 2010. There were plenty between a 3.0 and 3.5 wgpa with a 1000 or so SAT. Some had SATs closer to 900. Plenty of admits with ACTs between 20-22. National Naviance shows a 24 ACT and a 1060 SAT as the low end of the 50% mid-range - again meaning that 25% of accepted students had ACTs below 24 and SATs below 1060.

So - I would not necessarily eliminate either of these schools from consideration.

rockvillemom · March 31, 2011, 9:55pm

National Naviance data:

Freshman
Received: 10653
Accepted: 9740
Percent Accepted: 91.43%
Enrolled: 3942

Test Score Ranges (Mid 50%)
Test Name High Low Avg.
ACT Combined: 27 22 24
ACT English: 27 21 24
ACT Math: 28 21 24

I agree with Rodney that this would be another great option.

quakerstake · March 31, 2011, 10:45pm

socaldad - no need to panic. Your daughter has a lot of time to raise her SAT scores and/or try the ACT, and no matter what will have lots of good choices. The schools already mentioned range from very realistic (Kansas, Arizona) to possible (Indiana, Colorado, Miami-OH) to a reach but you never know (Pitt).

I know KU is a much better school than its difficulty of getting in. Standards are supposed to be raised in the near future so until then it’s an opportunity to buy low and sell high.

Throwing a few more options out there:

Ohio Univ. (gorgeous campus, nice college town - rural but Columbus is within driving range, students seem to love it there);

DePaul (I know it’s Catholic but it has a long history of educating Jewish kids from Chicago, it’s Chicago!, Lincoln Park neighborhood; great business connections and entrepreneurial studies);

U. Alabama (rah rah, actively seeking Jewish students, brand new Hillel, Jewish sorority and fraternity);

U. South Carolina (sports, increasingly attracting students from the Northeast, not far from Charleston and beaches);

Penn State Satellite Campus (Altoona is closest to University Park/State College campus and big time sports there but there are many others, spend first 2 years at satellite with smaller classes and last 2 years at University Park, degree is Penn State).

Drexel Univ. (Philadelphia, co-op, borders Penn campus with great Jewish community).

Mom24boys · March 31, 2011, 11:06pm

Socaldad - I just went to a seminar about college admissions for kids with IEP and 504. He divided the schools into 5 different levels of support, 1 being almost none to 5 being theraputic/residential. Since I’m on the East Coast most of the schools he listed where East Coast schools.
Level 2 Co-ordinated or Moderate Services would have professional staff, distraction free testing area, note takers assigned to classes, certified tutors and possible support groups and workshops
Good Examples: American, Elon, UMCP
Level 3 Comprehensive: Fee based above tuition range $2,000-$5,000 per semester, Staff includes trained learning specialist, organizational coaches, tutors, note takers, mentors and psychologists, all kinds of technology, social skills training, stress management, possible summer orientation programs
Examples: U of Arizona SALT, Hofstra, West Virginia Wesleyan and MacDaniels

Level 4 Developmental - Orginally started for late bloomers, start in one part of the university for 1-2 years and then mesh in for regular degree.
Examples BU - College of General Studies, University of Hartford and Adelphi

Not all of these fit your daughters other requirements, but give you another angle to continue your search.
He also recommended this book (haven’t had a chance to look at it so don’t know if its any goood)
College Source Book for Students with Learning and Developmental Differences by Midge Lipkin

chocchipcookie · March 31, 2011, 11:53pm

Wow Mom24boys and quakerstake and RVM:

Tons of great info. you provided! :)

SoCaldad:

Do you really want her to be that far away?? If so, we’ve talked numerous times on this thread about Towson…is that an option for your D? I’ve heard good things about Colorado/Boulder too and it’s still a plane ride away, but geographically closer to you…

Have you looked into an SAT prep class of any sort?

PLEASE do not panic! There is a school out there for everyone!

Deborah_T · April 1, 2011, 12:29am

Socaldad, it looks like you are getting some great LD related suggestions and advice!

What I’m trying to help steer you toward with your daughter is the intrinsic, rather than extrinsic motivation. Your daughter needs to be vested. Does she really want to go to college? Why or why not? What does she want to do? What does she enjoy? What hopes, dreams, goals does she have?

socaldad42 · April 1, 2011, 2:03am

First, let me say 100 thank you’s to all who were so kind and gracious to share, encourage, and support.
My wife(and as a result me) always tried to downplay my D’s stuff. Until recently, she could not utter the word Tourette’s. It was called tick’s. When my d was in grade school, we tried a variety of medicines to control both of her conditions. They made her a zombie and took away her winning personality. She decided she rather twitch and live with ADHD, then take any medicine. Thus, we pretended she had no issues. She worked her ass off, struggled, sometimes cried, and persevered. She is my hero. School does not come easy. Today, when she heard her scores, she had a breakdown. I have cried in my moments alone. 
I do not think that the ACT will yield any different result. She has been tutored, will continue to tutor, and I expect little change. Her very capable tutor(he did great with D1 a few years ago) thinks she may improve a little, and feels she should not do the ACT. I trust his and judgement. I can only hope that she improves and get’s to 1000 or so. 
The colleges on our list, were of her choosing and desire. She desperately wants to go to Delaware or Indiana. She has a friend at UD, saw it with her sister, and likes the demographic profile. Indiana, she thinks, she will feel the same about. I have told her that I think Kansas is alot like IU. Hopefully, she will love it, and some pressure will be removed. I think she will get in. She bonded with the so cal. admissions rep, and he is taking her to lunch when we go. Not a bad thing. 
I will look at all of the ideas that were and will be suggested here. I am very thorough. I will steer my D to them after I do the prelims. I will look at the test optional list.
URI and Umass will go back on the list. Arizona and ASU were always an option. She would rather not go there. Too many kids from her high school. 
I will also look for smaller schools. IS COC out of her league? I will add JMU to the list of consideration. Does anyone know much about George Mason. The new director of Admission is someone I met when D1 was looking at IU. A great lady. Is is a commuter
school? Jewish? I like the location.
Again, I know there will be a school for her, I know she will be ok. I just feel for her today, and am now facing some realities I hoped we would not have.

Thanks to all my new friends here for your kindness. It is comforting to be able to turn here for all that you do.

Much appreciation

socaldad42 · April 1, 2011, 2:25am

Quakerstate,

Wanted to follow up with you. South carolina? was not on my radar. Do you know any jewish kids that are there? Are they thriving?
Alabama…I read they are starting to try to attract Jewish kids. Are they getting traction?
Ohio U. will look into it. Miami was high on our list. We are going there. No time to do another Ohio school. too bad. If she loves Miami, she might be able to get in ED. They have a high acceptance of ED applications. that is her best chance there.

Mom 24, thanks for your insights. I have a lot of internet reading this weekend.

CCC- yes, towson should be considered. It was researched. My d voiced concerns that she was told that the school was overwhelmed by super observant Orthodox Jews. She turned off to it. I never heard this. RVM…Fact or Fiction? Sorry, but I thought I should ask. I think she over reacts to rumors. Need backup info.

Deb T. yes she wants to go to college. She thinks she would like to be a social worker. She helps severely disabled kids every Sunday. She is the lead dance teacher. It has helped her deal with her own issues. This has lead her on a path of wanting either social work or teaching special ed. Got to love that. The only time she can control her body(tics) is when she is dancing. Ironic…
I do not mean to leave others out who stepped up with wisdom. Sorry, If I did not address each. I do hear all of you. Thanks

quakerstake · April 1, 2011, 7:17am

I know 2 Jewish girls from Atlanta who are planning to attend South Carolina (the “other USC”) in the fall. I can see if I can find out more from their parents. Jews are a minority there but there’s enough critical mass for Jewish life (Hillel, Chabad, Jewish fraternity). They recently started a Jewish Studies program: [Welcome</a> to the Jewish Studies Program at the University of South Carolina](<a href=“Jewish Studies Program - Jewish Studies Program | University of South Carolina”>Jewish Studies Program - Jewish Studies Program | University of South Carolina)

Someone on this USC Hillel newsletter became active in Hilel and says he has more Jewish friends than non-Jewish friends for the first time in his life: 
<a href=“http://web.sa.sc.edu/hillel/newsletterspring08.pdf[/url]”>http://web.sa.sc.edu/hillel/newsletterspring08.pdf</a>

There will be Jewish kids from Atlanta and Charleston has a nice Jewish community to draw from as well. They attract students from all 50 states, increasingly from the Northeast - should be some Jewish kids.

College of Charleston is about 10% Jewish and Jews are prominent on campus. I’m not sure it would interest your daughter since it’s not rah rah other than for basketball and is about 2/3 female.

mdcissp · April 1, 2011, 7:41am

I wanted to tell everyone that U. of South Carolina has in state tuition option with the state of Maryland for certain majors that Maryland does not offer. We considered this school for a particular major (related to insurance). I suggest seeing if your state has the same relationship to see if you can get the in state tuition price (for more unusual majors not offered by your state). It is some kind of inter-state agreement. I am sorry that I don’t know more or how to find this out, but worth looking into if you are serious about this school.
We decided against this because it was the only major of interest for the in state option and if it turned out to be the wrong choice because kids do change their mind, I did not want to be liable for out of state tuition.

Colleges for the Jewish "B" student (Part 1)

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