<p>I had form W, and the state I took the test in doesn’t have a W anywhere in its name. </p>
<p>It was a good theory though. </p>
<p>In the notifications for this thread, @Iamquiteloud 's profile pic looked like the cover of “The Fault in Our Stars.” Kind of made me a little angry lol.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts on taking a gap year? I’m considering not applying to college in 2015 Fall; instead, I’ll graduate high school a semester early (December 2015) and apply to college Fall 2016. It’ll give me extra time to boost my resume (get a few publications since my main research project got delayed), and I would also be able to travel (Europe, China, etc.). I’d enter college in 2017 and graduate in 2021 rather than 2020. I’d actually be the same age as my peers for once (I’m a year younger than most of you because I skipped a grade). </p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>It sucks to be graduating in 2016. SAT changes (gets easier - plus the change is much better) right when we are graduating…PSAT changes (gets easier) next year.</p>
<p>@Chrysanthemum14 Eh, I prefer the current one.</p>
<p>@Woandering - Same. I’m not sure if the new SAT will actually be easier, but I’m so used to the old format by now.</p>
<p>I’m with @Woandering and @glasshours on this – although easier’d be nice, I do like a good challenge.</p>
<p>If the PSAT and SAT got easier, wouldn’t that mean students would need a higher score to stand out and get National Merit Scholar?</p>
<p>@awakeningvenus It didn’t necessarily get easier. It won’t include as stupidly high level vocab, and it is a “better” test of your abilities. I don’t see how it’s easier at all.</p>
<p>General Question: How many safety schools are you all applying to? In the case that these schools are your backup for any top-tier university? I wish my state had a nationally ranked state university but alas it doesnt. So I’ll be looking for safeties in nearby states. #VeryCurious lol</p>
<p>@PoisonIvy20 I’m using U of Rochester as somewhere between a Safety and a Match, but I’ll do PR, so I’ll know if I need to get another safety. I’m also looking at international schools as safeties. Most US colleges, whether top tier or lower tier, are all ridiculously expensive, so I’m either paying for the prestige, which may or may not help me later on, or I’m just going to go international. </p>
<p>@Woandering Sorry, I’m getting a mixed message by what people are saying.</p>
<p>@PoisonIvy20 I’m applying to at least one instate, maybe two depending on how much I like the campus for the second (haven’t visited yet). Both are more “match” as far as stats go but accept more than 60% of applicants so I think I’ll be okay. The flagship that everyone knows for the football team is just a bit too big for me, being consistently in the top 5 largest universities in the US by student population.</p>
<p>@awakeningvenus For years, everyone’s been hating on the SAT for the incredibly hard vocab and tricky questions. Now, a lot of us assume the test will be easier, just because they’re getting rid of all that. The questions will be more straightforward, and vocab will be reasonable. That doesn’t necessarily mean the test is going to get easier. Math will go to a higher level, and the reading passages will be of college level. Doesn’t sound easy to me. (Keep in mind, everyone, including myself, is basing this off what they publicize.)</p>
<p>Aren’t you guys juniors? How come you’re already looking at colleges?</p>
<p>@purportedlay Thanks to my Asian family, I’ve had a college list since I was 1, and it only included Harvard. I’ve just expanded the list. </p>
<p>Oy vey, what a funny stereotype. Good job.</p>
<p>I meant literally <em>looking</em> at them. Like, being there. I have had a list as well, since about 7th grade. I’m not Asian.</p>
<p>@purportedlay Oh, well I consider myself a little behind. I’ve only popped into my favorite schools when I’m in the area (1 of them international). On the other hand, my classmates have already been on a “college visit trip”, to the east coast (from California). It’s not a crime to look at schools early.</p>
<p>@purportedlay I’m not going waste money/time applying to a college that doesn’t feel like a decent fit, so why not visit and see if I could picture myself on campus?</p>