AP exam scores can be reported on the UC application, and can be used in admissions (at least some campuses will use them).
I’m starting to feel confused about the purpose of this thread. Is it about finding out how this student can best present themselves on the UC application, or are you more interested in criticizing UC policy?
There is also a national award, the presidential scholars award, based on SAT score. One has to be invited to apply for it, but maybe it is of interest to your son.
Yes, he´s taking 6 AP this year, he can get AP scholar with distinction, but qualification is very low, avg. 3.5, lots of people may get this award.
Agreed.
Does your son’s course selection show high rigor ? What is his GPA?
Thanks! it´s for the class of 2028, and it´s paper based SAT.
5 last semester, predicted 1 B this semester.
They probably just haven’t updated it yet.
As I recall, after being invited, the applicants have to write essays etc as part of the award process.
If your son’s course selection shows high rigor compared to what the school offers and if he does well in his classes , that will show the UCs his academic potential via the metrics they want to consider.
US Presidential Scholars is quite an honor, but it isn’t awarded until May of senior year, too late to include on an application.
He has high GPA, but after I saw tons of excellent applicants received waitlist offers this year, I´m not confident he will get in one of flag schools.
With new FAFSA calculation, we feel we´re punished even more for not earning 1M a year and having multiple college students at same time. We eliminated all private school options, too expensive without any aid.
It’s true that there are tons of excellent applicants for the UCs. In addition to presenting himself well on the UC application, he’ll want to apply widely. Many UC applicants also apply to OOS flagships and other schools that, after merit, are likely to have comparable COA to a UC. I’m sure that folks here can help with suggestions, if you want help with that.
What you are seeing is that UCs do not just admitted high stat students. His HS GPA and rigor will speak for themselves. Use the Activity & Awards section and the PIQ to go into details that are not related to his test scores
Since some of you are counselors, anybody knows that UC might change SAT back to be optional this year?
Oh that’s too bad. Thanks for clarifying.
Have you run the net price calculators for private colleges of interest ? Some may surprise you with the amount of need-based aid.
And lots of students in your son’s situation apply for merit aid at colleges where they are among the top applicants. He might get a very nice merit award at one of those colleges.
And, although they are not as “in demand”, there are a number of UCs and CSUs that kids are still getting into.
So besides private schools and UCs, are there schools he will apply to that have SAT-related merit scholarship? Or is that what you are asking for, versus the original title of this thread?
I think the invitation to apply for this award comes early enough that a student can let their AOs know that they received an invitation, which itself is an indicator of a high SAT score.
I was also tripped up by this, but now I’m thinking “take it” meant take SAT, not PSAT. Maybe @BearsHunter can confirm that was their meaning.
I think you are premature in eliminating private schools. Some give great need-based aid and some give great merit scholarships.
High-stats CA students can NOT rely on getting into one of the top UCs or CSUs anymore. They all (including your son) need to have some safety colleges they are confident of getting into, that they can afford and that they like and will attend happily.