So what now? Advice from a College Senior

isayhello
Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:56:04 +0000

@NorthStar
Looking at what she’s doing, it sounds like she’s on the right track. Many of the things you’re saying she did are things that I was doing at about the same age. You really do need to stay focused because the level of success you’re trying for isn’t just in the water of your community.
My subject tests just matched the AP classes I was taking in a given year; she’s already has to study for those, why not just take the exact same thing a couple of months later?
“She just needs to hone up on her leadership skills.” High school politics, like grown up politics, is a lot about how much you can be a figurehead. The leadership job for an average club is also not that difficult in terms of time commitment. If people respect your daughter for her work, even as a shy person she can win. She should go for it, and work hard to pull it together just for that speech- she might compensate for the wavering voice with a really good vision. It doesn’t have to be student government, but that works, too.
Taking the SAT twice- why not? I’ve heard that it’s better to take it fewer times for admissions reasons, but I’ll admit that I took the SAT twice (the first time I got a 2190) and before* that I took the official PSAT twice (~186 the first time, then I did that program through my school district and got a 223 on the second one, so very much worth it.) Who cares as long as you get the results?
(Note: If money is an issue for anyone, know that you can get waivers for the SAT, and I’m pretty sure you can get financial help with the AP test fees, though I’m not positive. Ask College Board/school admin.)
Also, she doesn’t necessarily need to take it this early if it means she’ll have more time to prepare?