<p>I’m applying to a school called Missouri Academy. It’s a program where I’ll go to NW Missouri St. for my final two years of high school.</p>
<p>They had a requirement for PSAT scores of a math of 56 and a comp of 150 (i know, REALLY low for here, but hey, oh well). I got a composite of a 176 (as a sophomore), but a math at a 53.
I talked to some of the admissions people when I was there and when I mentioned that I had a low math score and asked if it would cut me out of the running, they said that they liked me and would work to get me in.</p>
<p>I was mainly just wondering how honest they would be, since it /was/ face to face, and if I can take their word.</p>
<p>The rest of my application is strong. I have a 3.9 GPA UW, decent ECs, supposedly good rec’s, you know, the norm.</p>
<p>oh, if it makes any difference, it’s for a small place. They receive about 100 applications and usually accept half.
i’m a sophomore, applying for my junior and senior year.</p>
<p>I know nothing about the place, but instead of asking us if we think they’re lying, I’d first like to hear from you the reasons why they would lie to you? To mess with your head? To make you pay the application fee? To make you feel good before they make you feel bad (by not admitting you)?</p>
<p>And even if you can come up with a motive (let’s just say, “They wanted to be polite to my face.” is a plausible motive), do you think someone would actually LIE to achieve the motive you come up with?</p>
<p>Finally, does the school have an Honor Code?</p>
<p>By the time you run through these questions I hope you’ll have the answer to your own question.</p>
<p>Well, I’ve certainly gotten your opinion (which I thank you for), but I think that there is reason for them to lie.
The program is very young, they opened I think like 2000 or '01. They only get about 100 applicants a year, and I think that they would lie just to boost their stats. </p>
<p>While I’ve gotten a very personable feeling from everything I’ve gotten from the school, that is the school’s job… to make me WANT to apply. </p>
<p>However, I must admit, I know more about college admissions than private high school admissions (i was somewhat blindsided when I got a brochure in the mail). </p>
<p>Also, I naturally plan for the worst and hope for the best unless somebody else tells me otherwise. I came here for somebody else to tell me otherwise.</p>
<p>Well, if you think they’re lying to boost their stats…STAY AWAY FROM THAT PLACE!</p>
<p>But if they say they’ll work with you…and that means they’re going to invest some time in your file and talking with you and perhaps giving you some guidance as to things you can do to give them some assurance that your score is not reflective of your aptitude for math…do you think they’re that desperate for better statistics?</p>
<p>But if you find the character of the admissions people to be that suspect, I’d have to say that going in – during what should be your “honeymoon” or “engagement” period when most applicants are star struck by the schools they most want to attend – this is an inauspicious start, to say the least. If you’re this cynical and distru****l of the school administration NOW, maybe you need to get a case of cold feet about this school, too. Then again, maybe you’re just throwing up an emotional cushion for yourself so that if they don’t admit you, you can rationalize that they lied to you and that you’d rather not go to a school run by liars.</p>
<p>If you honestly, in your heart of hearts, believe that there’s a good chance they lied to you about helping you out…do NOT go to this school.</p>
<p>If, however, you’re holding that thought in reserve so you won’t feel so bad if they reject you later, then show a little bit of confidence in yourself and don’t get yourself feeling suspicious of people who may actually be figuring out a way to bend over backwards for you.</p>
<p>I think you’re getting the wrong idea.
I’m not saying that I think that they were lying, but instead asking if they would do that.</p>
<p>I said that they’ve been very personable and friendly. </p>
<p>I’m trying amazingly hard not to fall head over heals for this school (so i guess i’m putting up an “emotional cushion,” as you would say). I don’t want to love it, be rejected, and have to go back to my public school.</p>
<p>Because there are a limited number of spots at the schools, and there are more applicants than there are spots – your application will be evaluated relative to the other applications. What you cannot control and what the admissions person does not know at this time is how strong all those other applications are.<br>
If it will make your application stronger and give you some peace of mind, is it possible for you to retake the PSAT before they finalize their admissions decisions? Are there other tests you have taken in which you achieved a high score in math? When you take the SAT, your score is really a range, and you are given that range. Were you given ranges for the PSAT score, and if so, does your score have 56 as the high end of the range? What is it about this school that requires them to have a higher math score than the other scores? Is its focus on math & science? Just wondering. I know nothing about the school and really nothing about PSAT scores.</p>
<p>I actually think you may have a problem – I did some checking on the internet and it is actually the Missouri Academy of Math,Science and Computing. It is one of those state honors high schools for very talented kids. It does sound great, but the description of the school on their website is that it is for students who have distinguished themselves in math and science. With a test score lower than their eligibility requirements – I think that it would be an issue.</p>
<p>They do accept scores for the PLAN and ACT – so you might think about doing some studying and taking the next ACT test. Are you enrolled in Algebra II this year? </p>
<p>There is an ACT test being given Feb 10th that you might be able to take on stand-by. On their website they say: “Applicants are strongly urged to take the ACT or SAT before the test dates of February 10, 2007, and January 27, 2007, respectively.”</p>
<p>Burb Parent: no it’s not possible for me to retake the PSAT. They only give it once per year.</p>
<p>As for the range that they gave me for how they thought I’d score on the SAT my junior year, it was 530-560 (ironically enough).</p>
<p>I also took the PLAN test, but was sick the week leading up to it and scored worse than the PSAT.
However, in MO, they require you to take the MAP test every few years (Missouri Apptitued P___?), and whenever I’ve taken the math section, I’ve always scored in the highest level (whether a 4 or a 5, they change it quite often), as well as in the 95+ percentile.</p>
<p>hsmomstef: I truly appreciate your post (you put enough thought into it to research the program :)). It is because of what you said that I’m worried about my application.
However, I plan on pitching myself as one of the students who is distinguished in science. My current school has an engineering program, and I’ve acceled in it. On all of the cool projects that we’ve done, I’ve gone way above and beyond (ping-pong ball gun that shoots balls 30 mph powered by only a balloon was the most impressive).</p>
<p>Yes, I’m currently enrolled in Algebra II and am receiving a high A. </p>
<p>Interesting info that I plan on providing: I’ve had four different math teachers this year. Even more, one biology class has had four different teachers this year as well. I think that this may help my chances because whenever I’ve talked to the dean of the program, he’s talked about how it’s meant to get kids out of schools that aren’t providing them with what they need to be successful (which is why they work so hard to keep it as cheap as they do, free tuition and automatically half off room and board).</p>
<p>[edit] it’s not my intent to bash my current school. I understand that they have to teach so that the greatest number of students learn, but because I’m missing out on what I could be learning, I think I have the right to portray my school as poor if it will help me get into a school that would more adequatley meet my needs.</p>
<p>I still think that math score is going to hurt you tremendously – they set the minimum score because they feel that it is necessary for you to succeed at their school. You are going to have to attack that problem head-on.
I would start by talking both with your current school and the school you are applying to. </p>
<p>Call and ask to speak with the head of admissions, explain to them that you don’t feel that your PSAT score accurately reflects your abilities in math and that you understand that a certain score is required for entrance into the school. Then ask if exceptions are made for that requirement and in what circumstances. Follow up that phone conversation with a letter restating what you discussed on the phone along with any other pertinent facts. Make sure the letter is nice, to the point and that you seem mature in it. Use proper business form and address it directly to the admissions person you talked to. </p>
<p>At your current school, talk to any math teacher that you are on good terms with and has taught you. Last year’s teacher, this year’s teacher, it doesn’t matter – ask them if they feel comfortable writing a letter of recommendation regarding your math abilities. Be honest with them about your PSAT scores and the difficulty it will present in getting admission into this new school. You don’t want the standard “She is a great math student” you want the letter of recommendation to specifically address your abilities to handle the advanced and accelerated math courses at the new school. Also – do not personally mention the turnover in teachers (it sounds whiny and you are making excuses) but the teacher writing the recommendation can certainly include that type of information.</p>
<p>I’ve already had my math teacher that I’m on best terms with write and send in their rec.
Should I ask them to send another rec?
(or, I could have my current math teacher that I’ve now had for 5 weeks… he seems to like me).
If I don’t want them to send the standard “great math student” letter, what type of thing do I want them to say?</p>
<p>thanks for all the help. I’ll take your advice on calling up the school and then sending a follow up letter.</p>
<p>garrity – did you read the school’s website? They clearly have minimum math scores required and they are a school with a math and science focus.</p>
<p>I am not saying that she isn’t “in”, I’m just saying that she needs to address the problem preemptively.</p>
<p>Hey, I’d just like to thank everybody again, and update you.
I took the SAT (i’m not a fan of the ACT…), and got a 640 math, so i scored high enough.</p>
<p>However, they didn’t receive the SAT score from the collegeboard before the admissions, so I got a rejection letter and had to go through the appeals process to show them my SAT.
I’ve since been accepted and have gone through orientation and will be attending next year. :D</p>
<p>again, thanks to everybody, especially hsmomstef</p>
<p>[edit] oh, and while I never noticed it before, re-reading the thread I noticed being called ‘she,’ and would like to correct that. I’m a guy :)</p>
<p>congrats! I am glad it all worked out – have fun this fall!!</p>
<p>It is interesting to note that the lower score did indeed cause you to be rejected – and that is what I thought would happen. I am glad you decided to take the SAT (and got the score you needed – 640 is great for a rising junior) and not just sit back and assume that what you already had would be good enough.</p>
<p>yes, the lower score did indeed have me rejected.
Everybody’s happy, though, as with my score, I had the highest SAT (m+v+r) to come into the school in their history :D</p>
<p>…I guess I should note that in MO, not many students take the SAT, so I’m actually the first person to be accepted using their SAT score, but that’s just a technicality.</p>
<p>I am glad you were proactive and took the SAT. I know that for many boarding schools, the test scores are just a portion of the application – but when I looked at the website for this school it was clear that no matter what they told you when you toured, that low math score would not cut it.</p>
<p>I think you will really have a great time – school will be tough, don’t kid yourself! – but you will have fun!</p>
<p>What do your parent’s think about it?</p>
<p>My older son is heading away for the last two years of high school – and we are going to miss him but we are also excited for his new adventure and I am sure he will have a great time.</p>