@SammoJ and others with ACT cancellations – I’m sorry! I really don’t understand how ACT doesn’t send email notifications. That’ very poor form.
I hate all these ACT issues everyone is having - these companies have the ability to email when sites are cancelled. I hate that they are not. One of the first things I was taught when I started my career was that communication is 90% of the battle.
People just want to know what happened/is happening and they want to know right away. Even if it is bad news, people take it better when you call them (this was back in the 90’s) right away.
If ACT sent an auto email to every registrant as soon as they cancelled a site, everyone would be upset, but not as upset as when they have to do the chasing to find out it’s canceled. I understand not doing the blanket cancellations that the SAT is doing, because some of the June ACT tests actually went forward and so it was worth it to hold them, but just sent a freaking email. It’s not that hard.
These last few comments make me think that CC should have Q & A sessions (similar to the ones with students) with reps from ACT, CB, maybe even college AOs!
I take it you have been on the phone with ACT or CB? I only have experience with CB, but it’s a nightmare. You get a call center and the reps have written out answers to most asked questions and then just repeat themselves. They have no info on how to find out if a school makes a decision to cancel a test. There’s a total disconnect. The only way I’ve found to get the real answer about whether a test is a go is to call that school’s guidance office and try to get in touch with the person who is in charge of running the test. This has helped for tests at D21’s school but also the school in the next town.
There is some breakdown between when a school decides to cancel, how they report that to the testing company, and when the testing company puts it on a list of cancelled tests. Sometimes a school kind of knows it’s not really going to have the test and they drag their feet on doing the paper work to officially cancel it. And I bet there’s a lag time between the time they tell the testing company and when that info is on a list.
How do we get them to answer the questions truthfully?
@TXStuMom W&L is very high on my Ds list. We live about 2 hours away. Lexington is a beautiful, rural area and a very cute little town. Their most popular club is the Outing Club- you can check out equipment and take guided excursions- kayaking, climbing, hiking, etc. It is more conservative, as far as college campuses go. There is little diversity, though they are working on it. Lots in the local news recently about how it is a difficult environment there for POC. Amazing Honor Code- there were computers left at tables and back packs lining the wall outside the dining hall. Students self select when and where to take finals. Also has something called the Speaking Tradition. Everyone is expected to acknowledge and speak to others- so when you pass someone walking you at least make eye contact and say “hey/hello.” We toured spring break '18 and the vibe was very friendly. Very collaborative, not competitive. Small classes. Huge Greek %, but it’s done differently than most. If you want to join, there is a space for everyone. Greek housing is the predominant sophomore year housing for women (there are themed houses and a few dorms for the small non Greek %). I honestly didn’t pay attention to the men’s housing. D will go Greek wherever she lands, so this is a non issue for us, and is actually a positive that it is “sorority lite.” Known to be work hard, play hard. On campus 3 years- most seniors live in group houses in the Lexington community that have been passed down from friend group to group over many years. There is a bus system that picks up at the community houses, but anyone can have a car.
100% meets needs and need blind. 10% of incoming class is awarded their highly competitive scholarship- The Johnson. It’s a full ride. Usually around 40-44 Johnson Scholars. Essay is first step, then those selected for the next round come for a 3 day weekend of multiple interviews.
They have a committee meeting right now to discuss a name change for the University, to remove "Lee, " possibly “Washington.”
The lack of diversity and high level of affluence does concern us, but we are also looking for $, like that for us it is close to home, and really liked much of what we have seen.
Good point. Unfortunately I don’t see anyone from the testing orgs agreeing to a Q&A. Seems like their operational guidelines must say somewhere to keep all decisions and processes non-transparent, and to make things as difficult as possible for all their customers.
Actually, I haven’t, but I just read this thread and feel everyone’s anxiety going through the roof! But honestly, if they can send a confirmation, they can send a cancellation. You’d think they would have learned as the Spring tests came and went with such horrific communication.
People would understand that it is the site that is canceling, not ACT. They might be frustrated, but they wouldn’t be as frustrated as they are these days.
The lack of communication tells me they are not thinking about students. Students are preparing, studying, practicing and by not letting them know as soon as possible their seat has been cancelled, they are de-valuing student efforts. That’s what irks me.
I would be tempted to try twitter, as odd as that sounds.
I agree. I also blame the HSs that pull out…at the very least they could send an email to their student body (or send a tweet, FB post) that they have decided to cancel as a site host for X test. In many situations that would reach a significant proportion of students registered for that test.
My guess is high schools just don’t know yet. Our district’s default planning is for in-person classes but they haven’t actually announced the official plan yet (as far as I’m aware). In turn, the district is probably waiting on specific rules from the health dept, which in turn may be waiting on the governor or something. What a mess.
Maybe more of a mess for those high schools that don’t start the school year before Labor Day, as the district may not have the urgency to figure it out in time for Aug test dates. (I’m feeling fortunate, perhaps, that schools in our state almost all start between early and mid Aug, so they’re working on it.)
@Rue4 , Thank you very much! That really helps. My daughter was intrigued with W&L before, but never added it to her list, I am not sure she even did much research. But started looking at it after her friend said that it is on the top of her list. She started looking at the school a little closer and likes the choices they offer for the major and the small class sizes. I totally agree with you, though they are trying hard to make the student body diverse the lack of it currently is very concerning. Especially if there have been reports in local news about how difficult it is for a POC . That said, thank you once again.
W&L was in the top 3 for my S17’s best friend, I think mainly because of ranking and it’s strong reputation. His other 2 picks were Fordham and Northeastern - about as far from W&L as you can get! He did their accepted student day and liked it a lot, especially the academics (obviously!). But for a NJ kid, he felt it had too much of a conservative, Southern private school vibe for him. Being that he ended up at Northeastern, I really didn’t think it was a fit from the get go. Echoing the above about Greek life there - it’s huge but he really liked the way it was set up.
We visited Lexington years ago before colleges were a thought, and it’s a great town!
I know a couple folks who work at W&L. Lexington is a very cute mountain town. It’s pretty isolated from any metro area.
The college def. leans wealthy, white and conservative. I think in some ways the college wants to break out of that mold, but they have struggled to attract more diversity. Not sure if they aren’t putting enough resources into it or are putting resources toward that but are struggling to be successful.
I read somewhere on CC that W&L and WashU have the wealthiest student bodies in the country. I have not verified if that’s true.
W&L is also heavily tilted toward frats and sororities.
I hate ACT.
Missed any earlier notification beyond boilerplate info to check to make sure your testing site hasn’t changed, but they moved D’s registration to a town 2 hours away. Just saw it when I looked at the admission ticket this morning.
We have people from out of town staying with us that weekend. It’s going to be a mess getting her there.
The community college where D21 and D23 take classes just went almost all online for fall. No surprise there, as it’s in a (small) city. I think D21’s physics lab might still be in-person, but not yet 100% sure. The state university where she takes her foreign language classes each semester is still in-person, as of now. I have been in regular communication with both colleges to let them know that we take COVID-19 very seriously and that D21 will comply with all safety measures just like the fulltime students. The state university is going to test her weekly I think, just like they will test their fulltime undergrads. D21 will not participate in her usual regional sporting tournaments this fall (not that I think they are actually going to resume anyway) and we won’t be doing our usual constant traveling. If she is going to be at either college in-person with other students, then of course we will continue to lock ourselves down to help secure the safety of the residential undergrads.
I loved W&L on our walk through. It’s absolutely stunning. It’s on S21’s list, though he’s wavering a bit because of the reputation… W&L = white & loaded. Plus, just about every piece of clothing in the book store was Vinyard Vines - lol. Those issues aside, excellent academics, tremendous alumni support and that Honor Code is no joke.
If one can’t drive to W&L, I think it’s kind of hard to get there. Just food for thought.
As for ACT and SAT, I so want to bag it but one percent of me is still worried that a decent score could help D21. I called our guidance office and was told that the Oct SAT is on since it’s the all school test for these kids. If she has to take that test, I guess I hope her Aug or Sept test sittings come through so she has more than one shot. Of course, if I knew she didn’t need a score for some acceptances, I would be telling D to move on!
She just finished her CA personal statement and just got sign off on four other supplements from the teacher that is helping her. So, Wake app is almost done and an essay about an EC that’s important to her is done that can be used for three other schools. If her list stays the same, she has five or six more essays to write. She’s hoping to get at least two more done before school starts but I want her to wait on two of those because they are “Why X school” essays and, if we can visit this fall, I’d rather her visit before writing them.
She is also done with her CA activities list. So she’s feeling pretty good about how her apps are moving along.
@NJWrestlingmom , @AlmostThere2018, @eb23282 , and @homerdog, Thank you very much!