Low test scores, good GPA

[Anonymous]

Did he take any test prep classes? I think those really work. Another option is to try ACT and see if he does better on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it OP, my DC was in the high 2300s, and I therefore understand that 1900 can seem disappointing, but it is really a solid score.

Oh yeah!?

My DC was in the high 2600, so there!

There is no such an SAT score of 2600. Are you an alien coming from outer space?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it OP, my DC was in the high 2300s, and I therefore understand that 1900 can seem disappointing, but it is really a solid score.

Oh yeah!?

My DC was in the high 2600, so there!

There is no such an SAT score of 2600. Are you an alien coming from outer space?

I am sure that was a joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it OP, my DC was in the high 2300s, and I therefore understand that 1900 can seem disappointing, but it is really a solid score.

Oh yeah!?

My DC was in the high 2600, so there!

There is no such an SAT score of 2600. Are you an alien coming from outer space?

Yes, from a planet unlike this one, where the residents understand jokes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it OP, my DC was in the high 2300s, and I therefore understand that 1900 can seem disappointing, but it is really a solid score.

Oh yeah!?

My DC was in the high 2600, so there!

There is no such an SAT score of 2600. Are you an alien coming from outer space?

Yes, from a planet unlike this one, where the residents understand jokes

Oh, I did not know alien knows how to make joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get it. My DD had weakish grades along with weakish scores similar to OP's kid. Fortunately, she's full pay and was accepted to her first choice private ranked around 25th (if you care about that sort of thing).

Which proves the point: 1900 is not low or "weakish." Honestly, WTF?

http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/SAT-Percentile-Ranks-Composite-CR-M-W-2011.pdf

1900 is at the 88th percentile. For those of you who actually are "weakish" in statistics, this means that 87% of SAT takers had lower scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone dealt with this before? After round three of standardized tests, I think DS realizes he's just about maxed out in the 1900 range. He has a good GPA though (3.8 unweighted...) from an area public with several APs and honors. Good, but nothing spectacular, extracurriculars. One varsity sport. One leadership position.

I always hear about the "smart but lazy" dilemma (low GPA, high scores) but never really the opposite.

I haven't had time to read all the responses but we discovered that our SN kids performed much better on the ACT than the PSAT and SAT. Do you have time to prep and have DS take the ACT. There was an extraordinary difference, probably because the SAT incorporated the writing part and the writing part on the ACT (garbled for one kid, but still combined ACT 34) is not reported.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate humble-brag. It really makes those of us with real issues feel like crap.

+1
What an idiotic post. 1900 is wonderful.

[Anonymous]

1900 is a good score, but more importantly, focus on the Math and Critical Reading sections. Many colleges are not as interested in the Writing section (that's why they are phasing it out).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate humble-brag. It really makes those of us with real issues feel like crap.

+1
What an idiotic post. 1900 is wonderful.

+2. I decided to ignore this thread at first. Nice to see others do the heavy lifting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate humble-brag. It really makes those of us with real issues feel like crap.

+1
What an idiotic post. 1900 is wonderful.

It depends where you are aiming. My DC was in the high 2100s and it was low even for schools ranked in the teens/20s. The college counselor told DC it would be a lot better to be above 2200. It also depends who you are. My DC had excellent grades and ECs but rich suburban white kids with those stats are a dime a dozen.

Op I'd look at the test optional schools. There are good choices on that list.

[Anonymous]

1900 is a great score if you're not hoping to get into a top 50 university.

[Anonymous]

1900 is a great score if you're not hoping to get into a top 50 university.

Agreed. Could certainly try for:

UMichigan
PennState
Wake Forest
New York University
Tulane
George Washington


Unless ED, the key will be a range of schools. At some schools it will depend on the major.
Op, do you want private of public?

[Anonymous]

Add:
URochester
Northeastern
Boston University
UIllinois
UWisconsin (maybe)

This + the above list, DC would likely get into a couple. Apply widely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

1900 is a great score if you're not hoping to get into a top 50 university.

Agreed. Could certainly try for:

UMichigan
PennState
Wake Forest
New York University
Tulane
George Washington


Unless ED, the key will be a range of schools. At some schools it will depend on the major.
Op, do you want private of public?

Wake is test optional so a good choice. Average SAT at Michigan is above 2100 for out of state.