@roycroftmom makes a really good point about math SAT2. Everyone who takes it is just as good at math, it’s probably hard to do well enough to distinguish oneself.
I will certainly “allow” him to take it if he wants, but want him to focus hard for right now on SAT which he’s taking for second time in May. First round he was between 700-750 on math (not comfortable putting exact stats, at least not yet) but he was higher on practice tests and he was disappointed.
It is amazing what peer pressure does. He wants to join in with his friends on this SAT2 math test. He was doing practice questions on line last night, to see if he could handle the test. He thinks he can. Very motivated (unlike for most of his usual homework which he barely tolerates, in pain).
Will colleges accept one subject test? For some reason I thought you had to take two or three, or none. ? Don’t know where that came from.
Most of the colleges we looked at didn’t require subject tests but said that if we wanted to send them, we could. There was no stipulation on the number of tests and certainly, no minimum. Basically, if we felt the score would enhance a student’s chances, send it. If not, don’t. We sent two out of three SAT2’s, D took. I have no idea if they helped. If your son gets a great score on the test, that can only help.
@JBSeattle how long will you and d19 be in town? Will you be able to get some sightseeing in? Some great Irish pubs in Riverdale and Katonah Ave area. One has traditional session on Sat evening if you are into that kind of thing.
@TimeFlies2 none of our B, B+, A-, or A kids took any of the subject tests. Very very few schools require them and generally speaking the B student isn’t targeting those schools. Unless you are in CA and targeting a UC school, which would be a reach for this stats group. I don’t believe the Cal States require them.
That said if he thinks he would do well, sure, why not. However some schools (again not usually target schools for this thread) require ALL testing history. If there are any on his list that do, and the test doesn’t go well, it could be a negative.
@TimeFlies2 if your son wants to take them and you are OK with paying for it, then why not?
Not many schools require you to submit all test scores, so if he doesn’t get a great score then he doesn’t have to report it.
If he gets a good score he can certainly submit it, and most schools don’t require them anymore anyways. But it can show that he has a very good aptitude in math, which might help him gain admittance to a major he is interested in, such as mechanical engineering. A school would look favorably on this aspect of his application, and maybe give him a little boost if he his math grades have fluctuated thru the years between A’s and B’s. It would show the schools he certainly learned the material and is ready for more challenge.
My son19 took 2 tests and did fine on them, but certainly not perfect scores. He’s. a very good man student and physics student and did not find them easy. There are tons of kids prepping and taking these tests and the results skew to the top end of the 700 scale, as an FYI. The reason the results are skewed is because mostly kids who are aiming for admittance to T20 type schools are taking them. The average and below average kid don’t take them. So results are all based off of ton of pretty bright kids.
A school requiring SAT subject tests was grounds for a parental-privilege removal from my daughter’s list. I have to pay the College Board for enough, and I’m not adding anything else to that list that isn’t truly necessary.
Leaving tomorrow for NY and returning Tuesday. Sotomaior is going to be speaking at Manhattan College later this year. Not my cup of tea but she is a Supreme Court Justice and I have never heard one speak!
@my2greatkids I was a first gen college student as well, and turned down our state u’s Honors College for a top 60 school. I never looked back. Your child must be very talented - don’t underestimate the power of the face lighting up! Odds are your child will be challenged more and achieve more at the better school - just make sure you are not going into debt to afford it - taking out basic student loans for the student to repay is fine. Good luck & congratulations!
@augie696 Drew has a fabulous new president who is really working to improve the school. My neighbor went there years ago, she is a doctor. A dear friend’s kid was accepted - deciding between it and honors program at Univ of Delaware. I plan on showing it to my son too. Good luck!
Yes, @Trixy34. He thought the school itself was cool - the Frat house thing turned him right off the overnight school experience though. I think schools should vet carefully the people who volunteer for overnights, and maybe talk about the impression they give as Ambassadors for the school. Ymmv, but he was really turned off by the drinking and drugging as his main impression. I think that his host had had a similar experience given for him when he visited the school - and that was what appealed to him, so he repeated it for my kid. Each to his own!
It is official and no surprise. Deposited at University of Lynchburg!
Friday was spent at Ursinus Accepted Student Day. DD and DH were very impressed, especially with the Art Department. DD wants to go into Museum Studies (minor) and would major in Art History or Communication depending on the college.