<p>psychmom - you won’t find out if you’re NMSF until early senior year. At this point, the best guess would come from seeing what the class of 2011 had to score to qualify*. I think this post is the most recent info on that: </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1065674428-post657.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1065674428-post657.html</a></p>
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<li>Note qualifying thresholds can change from year to year.</li>
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<p>Thanks, DB. My D’s PSAT and SAT scores were too lopsided to even consider NMF (she scored much higher in math than reading), so I kind of tuned out on all that buzz. She did wonderfully on the ACT so she submitted that during the app process.</p>
<p>My S (the 2012er) is lopsided in the other direction (reading>>>>math), but apparently he made it to commendation range…it looks like he will miss NMF. He refuses to consider the ACT and says he will take the SAT once. Those with less stubborn kids should really have them try both exams.</p>
<p>My kids break the typical gender stereotypes (in terms of math and reading)!</p>
<p>ps–He just came in and tole me that no one cares about commendation, and that he is probably 2-4 points away from the NMF cutoff, so he’s bummed.</p>
<p>I would be thrilled to be the parent of a commended scholar! Cheers to YOU then, Pyschmom.</p>
<p>What a sweet thing to say, pathways. I don’t post often about S as he vibes “apathetic” and needs a few more years of stewing in the pot, if you know what I mean. Not your typical CCer.</p>
<p>We have not started college visits yet, but will likely do so during the winter and spring vacations. I plan on taking D to a few of her top choices in NY, ME, Vermont, and Cananda (and hit a few new ski hills too 
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<p>D also has 3-4 schools on her list near our home --I live in the Boston area so there are dozens of great colleges within an hour’s drive (or via public transportation). I am not sure whether I should accompany her on these visits. </p>
<p>I suppose I could ask all the usual parent questions during a follow-up visit in the fall --for those schools still on her list. Is this a crazy idea?</p>
<p>Sounds like an excellent plan to me. You will be with her in the beginning, touring the more distant schools (and combining this with some fun), and then you are giving her the opportunity to explore a bit on her own close to home. Once she gets the idea of a few tours/info sessions, she’ll be on her way. My own D’s path began with her wanting a large city school…in the end she picked a small, surburban LAC. It’s an interesting journey of self discovery if the student is ready for it. Remember to bring the mental duct tape on those early tours.</p>
<p>What was nice with D is that she had the time to re-visit the schools she particularly liked and to interview. I have a feeling with S it is going to be a mad dash next fall. On the other hand, S is saying (at least right now) that he wants to be close to home (which limits the choices).</p>
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<p>Psychmom - I hear ya! My son is equally stubborn, so much so that he is refusing prep for his Jan SAT (and he really does need it since he is also lopsided but M>CR). He refuses to look at the ACT at all. I made him take it in October, which was a mistake. He would not open the prep book at all and did not take the test seriously and left many blanks on the test. This is a kid who should have done well on this test and of course he did not. </p>
<p>He however does agree to a SAT retake in June should his “strategy” not work out well in January.</p>
<p>seiclan - D2’s Nov test result is not what she has hoped for. She plans to re-take it in Jan, IF she could consistently get the total score she needs on her practice tests, otherwise she will push it to Mar. Her counselor is telling her not to take the test too many times, he said two settings is good.</p>
<p>D2’s problem is she could hit her target score for each section if she were to take it separately, but if she were to take the whole test in one setting she loses focus. For math, with 2 wrongs it drops down to below 750. It is more than knowing the material, it takes stamina. D2 has finals before the winter break. As soon as the break begins, she will take as many practice exams as possible and go over her weak points with her tutors.</p>
<p>oldfort, I am envious that your daughter will allow tutors to help her. My son is a “I’ll do it myself” kid, regardless of how much everyone tells him that tutors could greatly help him and that practically all of the top students at this school use SAT tutors. It is wonderful that your daughter recognizes her shortcomings (test stamina) and is willing to practice to improve. My son has blinders on and does not/will not understand what needs to be done (practice test to build stamina and familiarity). All I can do is console myself with the mantra that “he will get the score that he deserves and then will get into the colleges that he belongs at”. He loved Columbia and Penn when we visited them but unless he figures out how to get a high CR and Writing SAT score, he will be rightfully denied. </p>
<p>I am hoping that he comes to his senses in time for the second sitting in June and praying for the possibility that his PSAT results will push him to actually practice for the test (I am predicting a very mediocre score).</p>
<p>Pathways-- I’d go with her to all schools-- but I’m sure it depends on the kid, your relationship, and everything else. My D would be likely to let shyness get in the way of asking important questions, and would fix so completely on the department she’s interested in that she might not notice other essential things. Also, at this stage she’s likely to dismiss a school based on…a snippy receptionist, or some such. So, I’d go with her on the first visits and let her make the second visits by herself, instead of the other way around. Then, when she’s narrowed her choices down and is ready to look deeper, have interviews etc., she can go to the closer options by herself and explore exactly as she sees fit.</p>
<p>pathways, I agree with Gwen that you might consider going with D. I accompanied my D on all of the visits and we had different takes on what we saw and heard. We also had different questions about money, housing, class reg., etc. At one school, we were lucky to have a private meeting with 2 profs and we asked candid questions about their department and the school. They were happy to oblige. D said she would’ve never thought to ask those questions.</p>
<p>I also like to think of campus visits as car test drives. We wouldn’t put our kid in the car and let them drive off to try it out on their own. They’re thinking about “cool”, we’re thinking about “safe”, we have different agendas. Just as with the schools, I consider safety and cost among other things. Afterall, we’re paying for it. :)</p>
<p>To all of the parents who are getting the testing out of the way - I am so envious! D is not interested in repeat testing and will take the first decent score - SAT or ACT. A coach at one of the colleges did tell us that she should take the SAT (and score 550 min in CR and math) so she wouldn’t have to take the entry exams for math and English at his school.</p>
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<p>seiclan, that was my S and now my D. In S’s case, he did do well on the SAT the first time but with D, she will struggle with the writing and CR portions - the PSAT’s have shown that. My sister says I should just enroll her in a prep class - that there’s no time for negotiating. I’m still thinking about that. However, I tend to be leaning your way. That what she scores is a true reflection of her abilities and the school where she ends up will be where she should be.</p>
<p>Please take what I have to say with a grain of salt…D2 has taken the hardest course load and worked hard to have a high GPA in high school. If by studying and taking more practice tests could increase her scores 100 to 200 points, she would have a lot more options. I for one do not think SAT is a good measurement of how successful they would be in college but unfortunately that’s one measurement adcoms use. After the Nov test, D2 was discouraged and was not too keen on doing any more studying. I told D2 that why let bad SAT scores (2-3 months worth of work) take away her 4 years of hard work in high school.</p>
<p>One thing I will say is that the grammar portion of Writing is very mechanical, with a good tutor most people’s score could go up. D2 is a good writer, but she had to learn SAT grammar. She went from low 600(first practice) to over 700 on that section. My nephew had even a bigger jump.</p>
<p>oldfort, good points. </p>
<p>You’re reinforcing what my sister is advising me to do. I really believe that I’m actually trying to avoid any more conflicts with her. The class load and demands of her sport have merged with her rebellious teen behavior (not as bad as it sounds - just unpleasant) and frankly, I’m exhausted just thinking of all of the things she is expected to do from now til the spring!</p>
<p>Thanks for the input.</p>
<p>I completely agree with you oldfort but my son is very resistant to my advice/wisdom. I think that the compromise may be for him to do it his way (unprepped) for January, but MY WAY (with a tutor) for the June.</p>
<p>Is it common in your areas to get a tutor for ACT or SAT? It’s almost unheard of around here. There’s a guy who gives a short ACT prep seminar (a few hours) through the local high school. The local high school also picks some of the top PSAT scorers from 10th grade and offers them the chance to change their 2nd semester 10th grade schedule to take a test prep class (I think this is selfish on the part of the school to increase their number of state scholars, regent scholars, and NMF). This is for a very limited number of kids, though.</p>
<p>My daughter’s school puts more emphasis on test prep than most. They did a couple of practice PSATs (over several days, they never sat a full test in one sitting until the actual test), but basically they just answered the questions and then graded them – no coaching on how to find the right answer. There’s no additional preparation for the ACT or SAT.</p>
<p>S has finally started seriously studying for the ACT this week. His practice tests are higher than the scores from last year, and almost where he wants to be. When he signed up for the test this year, he picked 12/11 because it didn’t interfere wtih plays, finals or prom. I wish there was a July test date.</p>
<p>Our high school offers SAT prep courses, for a fee. Most of the kids take them but they aren’t said to be terribly helpful. I helped D prepare for the PSAT (I was a tutor myself sometime in the very dim past)-- we’ll see how that worked out very soon! But I am going to try to find her a tutor for the SAT itself, which she plans to take in March. I don’t know anyone here who has used a tutor but her GC said he’ll have suggestions once we see how the PSAT went.</p>
<p>My oldest son (college freshman now) wanted to take the SAT once, no prep, because he was in the camp that thought it’s supposed to be a reflection of your abilities, not something you should practice for. he thought that would be gaming the system. He did end up taking it a 2nd time and increased his score by 150 points. He still didn’t really study, but he did go take a practice test at his school a couple times. I think the familiarity helped. </p>
<p>What changed his mind was that i pointed out to him that a ton of other students were studying a lot - paid coaches, multiple tests, etc. - and that he was essentially just leveling the playing field somewhat by taking it a second time. </p>
<p>My 2012 son will take the SAT a 2nd time in March,and I think he’ll be done then.I’m even thinking about talking to him about not taking the ACT, assuming he does close to what he wants on the SAT. It’s just another whole Saturday, and another day taking a practice test at home. Why bother if he likes his SAT score? </p>
<p>Does anyone know of any case where it’s really necessary to have an ACT score? Assuming you’ve taken your SAT subject tests as well.</p>
<p>In my state (MS) the MS Economic Development Council has something called the ACT STAR student. The top ACT $24,000 scholarship. For me, that is reason to take the ACT and the NMF scholarships are enough reason to take the SAT.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I don’t know if other states have the state scholarships for the ACT.</p>