@LeopardFire It is in October but my dad thinks I need to start now. I’m hoping for NMF but I don’t think I’ll get it.
@singingwriting If you’re planning on taking the SAT next year studying for it would also be preparing for the PSAT at the same time.
@bubblylaugh Summer break for me lasts from June 18th to August 28th, with school starting on Monday, August 29th.
I also don’t really like the idea of class rank. I mean, I could’ve gone to the school I live closest to, which is known as a ghetto school, and could easily have been 50 places up from where I am now. I went to middle school with some of those kids, and let me tell you, a lot of them were disrespectful as hell. They’d get into fights and then wouldn’t care if they got suspended because most of their parents won’t beat their asses. (Excuse my language, but if I was suspended when I was younger, you can bet my parents would’ve beat my ass!) :)) My point is, I felt going to my base school would not challenge me enough, so I went to my current school which is, ironically, the most challenging high school in the county.
@singingwriting @bubblylaugh Here’s a cautionary post from the Parents of HS Class of 2018 thread (might help!):
Here is my cautionary tale about SAT/ACT prep classes/tests -
We sent D16 to a SAT test prep class over Christmas break of her junior year. She had just taken the PSAT and done ok, no studying, but it was clear that she needed to pop her score up 150 pts or so. She took a practice test the first day of class and scored just about where she had on been projected to score from the PSAT. Took another practice test mid class and scored the 200 points higher than we were hoping for, yay making progress. Took the final practice test at the end of the class and did fantastic. So we took away from the class the hope that she would end up with an SAT score somewhere between the mid practice test and the final practice test but certainly with the 150 point increase that she needed.
D16 went off to the real SAT in January she scored very near the first practice test score. Definitely short the score she needed. (I will concede that her head may not have been in the game for that test, Her boyfriend of 1.5 years broke up with her the night before the test…). Took the SAT again in May and scored around 100 pts higher, still shy of the score she was shooting for. Took SAT again in June and score worse. I am not sure what the issue was, but she never did score on the SAT anywhere near what the SAT prep class indicated that she was “capable” of doing.
She took the ACT cold after the 2nd SAT and received an solid score (roughly the score that we had hoped from the SAT). Took the ACT one more time and bumped up just 1 point. So she definitely tested better on the ACT vs. SAT.
Curious as to why the SAT prep class test scores were so off the actual test scores I conducted a very unscientific test on my own. I had my D18 take a portion of the 1st practice test, she did pretty bad. Then I had D18 take the final SAT practice test. She rocked it, not quite as well as D18 but pretty great. (D18 took PSAT in October and did not score anywhere near the score on that final practice SAT test) D16 have parallel tracked GPA and PSAT test scores, they are nearly identical. D18 does seem to take a test better but overall they are very similar in intellectual capability. I have concluded, unscientifically, after reviewing the tests…the SAT prep class intentionally used a harder version of the practice test for the initial test and used an easier version for the final practice test, simply to inflate the perception that the course was effective.
I will be the first to own that D16 certainly did not put in the work to improve her real world SAT scores and she got exactly the score that one would expect for the amount of work that she put in. But I have walked away from our experience with the SAT prep class with a very negative perception. The only benefit for us was that it forced D16 to actually take a few practice tests but definitely didn’t justify the expense of the class.
We will not have D18 take a prep class.
I just looked at my grades, I GOT A 99% ON MY VARIATIONS AND CURVE FITTING TEST! 
Here are my grades as of right now (even though it doesn’t matter):
Computer Math - A - 97%
Pre-AP English 10 - A - 94%
Pre-AP World History I - C - 74%
Spanish I - A - 93%
Pre-AP Chemistry - C+ - 77%
Algebra II - B+ - 89%
HPE I - B+ - 87%
I don’t even care about my individual quarter grades, I’ve already solidified my grades for the year and I couldn’t be more proud of myself. :))
OMG, so I’m literally the only one that showed up to Computer Math class today. Since the rest of my classmates are all seniors, and now that the final is done, they don’t need to come to this class anymore. I’m the only underclassman, so guess who has a free period/study hall for the next two weeks? This guy! I’m going to start working on my final for HPE I and then watch some YouTube videos then listen to an audiobook. This is so great!
Also, my aunt visited yesterday and gave me a $50 Navy Federal Credit Union Gift Card as a late birthday gift. I don’t mind though, she has a lot of work. She’s a successful business woman in Canada who came down here for a week.
My break is from May 18th to August 1st.
For those who are still in school, how are finals going?
My U.S History Final was good and so was my Alg 2.
My break is from June 8 - August 29 (I think)
My break this year is hella long because I’m doing college classes next year, and they start andd end later. June 16th - Sept 21!
I’m planning to study for the psat and sat on khan academy this summer, not cause my parents want me to but cause I want to.
I have some good news to share! My school has this peer tutoring program for math which I was interested in joining sophomore year, but I couldn’t really get a straight answer from anyone as to how I would go about that. Well, I was invited today to join due to my A’s in Geometry and Algebra 2! I’m going to be a tutor junior year! I have to dedicate 3.5 hours a week for 15 weeks. It focuses on Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Geometry, so it’ll be pretty easy for me. My ultimate career goal is to be a math professor, so this is perfect. The only thing I don’t like about it is that I actually get elective credit for it. That’s gonna bring down my weighted GPA. Oh well, I’m just excited for the experience.
Oh, and I got my final grades already. Straight A’s. I’m super proud of myself. It was a tough year and I often questioned if I could even make it, but look at me now! 
The last couple hours have been so good to me. After school, I went and visited my old middle school today to see some of my old teachers. I first went to go and see my favorite teacher, my 8th grade science teacher, and talk to him about my classes for next year. He was very impressed that I was doing two engineering classes next year as well as AP Chemistry. He asked me about I talked to him for a little while about my plans for the summer, visiting colleges, learning how to code, and my summer assignments. He also asked me about my other classes as well and said it’s great that I’ll be taking Calculus senior year as it may prove useful for AP Physics, if I take it. After that, I went to go see my old 7th grade science teacher and talked to her for a little bit. I went to go see some other teachers which was great and then I went home.
I just got an email yesterday from Virginia Tech about a Virginia Tech Sneak Peek Day, where we’d get to tour the university and attend an informational session. The program itself is mainly for racially underrepresented rising sophomores and juniors.
Here’s the email I got:
Come see Virginia Tech’s campus on Friday, July 29, or Monday, August 1, 2016, to get a sneak peek into life as a VT student.
Stop by one of our award-winning dining halls for lunch, then learn about admissions, student life, the beautiful VT campus, and much more!
Register today! View the day’s schedule and other information at www.admiss.vt.edu/vt-sneak-peek.
Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 540-231-6267 or admissions@vt.edu with questions.
Go Hokies!
Sincerely,
Virginia Tech
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Here’s what it says on the FAQ page about the event on the event page:
You’re invited to Virginia Tech’s Sneak Peek this summer!
Register Today!
VT Sneak Peek is an expanded visit to Virginia Tech that will allow you to learn more about the University through an information session, campus tour, and panel session. You and your family will have the opportunity to interact with admissions counselors, current students, and other members of the university community.
VT Sneak Peek will fill up fast, so register now!
Who may participate in VT Sneak Peek?
Rising sophomores and rising juniors from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in learning more about Virginia Tech with their families are the main audience for Sneak Peek. However, any rising sophomore or rising junior with an interest in the program is welcome to attend.
Does VT Sneak Peek cost anything?
There is no cost for VT Sneak Peek. If you wish to eat lunch in one of our dining halls prior to the start of the program, prospective students attending VT Sneak Peek may eat free at D2 at Dietrick Hall. Family members may eat at D2 for $11.25 per person.
Where should I park?
Check in at the Visitor and Undergraduate Admissions Center (VUAC) at the start of the day to get a parking pass and directions to appropriate lots on campus.
May I / do I have to come to both days of the event?
Both Friday, July 29, and Monday, August 1, will follow the same schedule and provide the same information. You should select one of the two days to attend.
I can’t come to VT Sneak Peek, but I still want to visit Virginia Tech. How can I do that?
We would love to accommodate you for a visit on another day if you’re unable to make it to VT Sneak Peek! Please go to http://www.admiss.vt.edu/visit to schedule an information session and/or campus tour on the day that works best for you.
I want to visit on Friday, July 29, or Monday, August 1, but not during those times. Can I still come?
You are welcome to visit on those days even if you are unable to attend VT Sneak Peek. To register for an information session and/or campus tour on either of those days, visit http://www.admiss.vt.edu/visit.
Agenda for VT Sneak Peek, Friday, July 29, and Monday, August 1
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.– Campus arrival
Check in at the Visitor and Undergraduate Admissions Center (VUAC) for parking pass and directions around campus.
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Lunch at D2 at Dietrick Hall (optional) *
Taking traditional dining to the next level, D2 is a state-of-the-art facility that combines all-you-care-to-eat dining with the variety of an international marketplace. Your family is welcome to lunch on your own before joining VT Sneak Peek at Goodwin Hall Auditorium.
Prospective student eats free, family members pay $11.25.
1:00 p.m. – Welcome and Admissions Information Session (Goodwin Hall Auditorium)
Admissions Directors will welcome you to campus and present an overview of the university and the admissions process.
2:00 p.m. – Campus tour
Depart from Goodwin Hall Auditorium for a guided walking tour of campus led by current Virginia Tech students.
3:15 p.m. – University Panel (Goodwin Hall Auditorium)
A student panel of university community members will be present to discuss the ins and outs of Virginia Tech.
4:00 p.m. – Closing remarks and departure
Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 540-231-6267 or admissions@vt.edu with questions.
My dad says that we’ll be able to go on Friday, July 29th. I’m so excited! I think he hasn’t noticed that I’d have to skip summer school for one day, but it’s worth it.
Its really scary that we’re almost juniors.
I also got a 90% on my Solutions Test in Chemistry that I took yesterday. We had homework that was also due yesterday and I forgot to write up an entire section and she still gave me a 95%. Where was this side of her all year? :)) I’m at B right now, an 83, in Chemistry. My grades actually went up significantly today. I from an 89%, in Algebra II, to a 97%, all because I retook a test on Probability and Statistics I had a B on, and got an A. I had a 92% on the retake. This retake also bumped up one of my quiz grades to a 100. I also got a 91 on my Julius Caesar essay for English. I also have my Spanish I writing final today.
My grades are now:
Computer Math - A - 97%
Pre-AP English 10 - A - 94%
Pre-AP World History I - C - 74%
Spanish I - A - 93%
Pre-AP Chemistry - B - 83%
Algebra II - A - 97%
HPE I - B+ - 87%
dude solutions was hella hard for me @ak2018 i’m at a solid B in the class before our final in exactly two weeks but that was our last chapter and i thought I’d fail it but thankfully i somehow got a 65 on it and so I still have an 83 before our 30 point finals review packet so I’ll only need a 65 on the final. I have A’s in all my other classes though so I’m chilling.
My grades before finals
Spanish 3 Honors:95
Algebra 2 Honors:91(86 for an A because of common core)
English 2:93
Chem H:83.3 before 30 point finals review packet 84 after the review packet
WHAP:92