<p>I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but if you are in fact good at structured testing, why do you think you score poorly on the SAT? Is it just a lack of preparation? Weak vocabulary? (If so, work on that before starting college.) What do you think explains the disconnect between a really stellar classroom performance and inability to get a score commensurate with your abilities on the SAT?</p>
<p>I do not know what your talking about when you said I did poorly in many subjects. I got two 72’s freshman year due to an awful teacher. Over half the class failed first semester. I actually have done better on finals recently then in the past. I also scored a 4 on the APUSH exam and a 3 on the APHG exam.</p>
<p>Sorry, ec- dont have time to research your past 129 threads. But IIRC, you talked frequently about your grades going into the finals, and then how you didnt do well because of this or that.</p>
<p>I honestly did not study that much for the SAT. I took a prep course at my school which was useless and I had both the official SAT/ACT books. I looked at the SAT blue book a couple times and spent an hour maybe once before the exam and I looked at the ACT book the day for the exam. So, I obviously didn’t prepare well enough but I was planning on applying to SAT Optional Colleges so I didn’t care.</p>
<p>And yes, I have done bad on some finals in the past but that’s just not me. So many kids fail finals it is not even funny. I don’t know anyone when finals actually help their grade.</p>
<p>EC- Go back and read your very first post in this thread, and also read post #45 about your impressions coming out of the ACT exam (the first time you took it, I believe). Despite all the difficulties you explained away, you still thought you did better than the scores reflected. You have had difficulty in different subject matter so have adjusted your class schedule accordingly (dropping down different levels, taking Honors rather than AP, etc). You state that you work extremely hard but your tests dont reflect your knowledge base. </p>
<p>To be frank, ec- there really isnt such a thing as a “bad test-taker”. Mathmomvt has asked you some very important questions. If you cannot finish tests within the allocated time frame, whether due to test anxiety, processing speed etc, if you don’t have a documented disability you won’t have the opportunity for accomodations in college and you may face the same or bigger challenges as the academic demands and expectations for college students increase.</p>
<p>People here have been trying … <em>TRYING</em>* to help you.</p>
<p>I guess we can agree to disagree.</p>
<p>Disagree about what? That there is no such thing as a bad test-taker? This is a skill that can be learned, and if you have had ongoing difficulties, there is a problem.</p>
<p>Do the merit scholarships at Clark or elsewhere require a minimum GPA to maintain? </p>
<p>Time for me to move over to the martini/bourbon thread.</p>
<p>I don’t agree with you, but I’m not going to spend this whole thread arguing. I need a 2.0 (lol) to keep Clark’s merit scholarship.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any comments about the early estimators in post 394? And no comments about Allegheny? :)</p>
<p>You don’t believe that there is no such thing as a “bad test taker”? If that were true, many of us in my profession have been wasting a whole lot of time and energy in identifying and addressing learning disabilities. I am tired of wasting my breath too. But do yourself a favor and go back and read your own posts.</p>
<p>Then don’t post here…</p>
<p>I wonder if the idea of a learning disability has a negative connotation for you, and that’s why you dismiss the possibility. I work in a school with a lot of children with various issues, including learning disabilities. LD does not mean “not smart”, at all. I have been a booster of yours, mostly in lurk mode, so I am adding in here with the best of intentions. As is everyone else.</p>
<p>It has no negative connotation, but not doing well on the SAT does not mean one has a learning disability. Like I said earlier, many of my AP/Honors friends did the same on the SAT. I didn’t study that much for it because I don’t believe in standardized testing.</p>
<p>Exactly, GCmom. But the resistence is palpable.
And this is an open forum. Many, besides the Op, read it. If someone learns from it, even if sadly it isnt the op, then that is just fine. If you don’t want feedback, dont solicit it and start a million personal threads.</p>
<p>If you are “tired of wasting your breath” then don’t bother replying. I have posted threads asking advice from all members, not just you. And CC is not what I would call a normal board. Obviously some people have more elitist opinions then most people out there. But I have found some very helpful and supporting parents! :)</p>
<p>No need to be so hostile and defensive, e-c. Yes, you have apparently started lots and lots and LOTS of threads, asking for lots and LOTs of help and advice, and hopefully you have gotten lots of advice/feedback and maybe listened to some of it.
But like it or not, posters will post when and where they please, and perhaps maybe there is just that slim chance that they might know what they are talking about.</p>
<p>You have been very rude to me over the years, so I can finally defend myself. If you are going to complain about me please do it elsewhere…</p>
<p>No, it doesn’t mean LD, but its an indicator that perhaps there’s something to look at. </p>
<p>Anyway, Allegheny…love that school. It was my D1’s second choice, and likely will be on my S’s list in two years. We know a junior there now who is really flourishing.</p>
<p>ec- nice ad hominem. No one has been rude to you- just direct. You may listen. Or not.</p>
<p>Telling someone that Clark is going to reject them just because they have lower SAT scores is exactly that, rude. Getting a merit scholarship from Clark def closes that theory. Clark cares more about the overall individual then a stupid test.</p>
<p>ANYWAY, Where did your daughter end up going GCmom? How would you compare Juniata and Allegheny? They both seem so alike, it’s hard to tell distinct differences between the two. Are they on the same scale academically? And if anyone has any comments about the financial aid estimates it would be appreciated. I cannot believe Earlham would give so much in loans.</p>
<p>Given the changes you are currently making on your list do you now see why we all said you were a bit premature in trying to figure out how to visit too many schools? I can’t find that thread right now but between acceptances, rejections, deferrals, and financial aid packages you have a variety of schools that you have no interest or need to visit and some that may have become more important for you to visit.</p>
<p>Oh, and I agree that testing would, in all probability, be beneficial to you but that’s between you and your parents.</p>