Questions about timeline of college apps -- concerned about family member

[Anonymous]

My DH has a half-brother, "Larlo," who is 17 and a senior in HS. Larlo is outgoing and smart, with good grades and lots of activities, but he's definitely a teenager and tends to need some pushing to get things done. He's excited about going away to college and he's been eagerly touring schools with his parents, but nobody seems to be giving him any guidance or direction with the actual application process. DH remembers his dad being the same way 20 years ago, but fortunately his mom helped him out. My SMIL (Larlo's mom) means well but she's not that focused on Larlo and she never went to college herself so she doesn't understand the process.

Last night I spoke to SMIL and she was complaining that Larlo is "supposed to take either the ACT or the SAT in the next couple of weeks" but he hasn't been studying at all. (They live out west.) I was surprised, because I seem to remember having everything pretty much lined up by this point senior year. I told DH about this and he wants to talk to Larlo and/or his dad just to make sure things are moving along to make the most of Larlo's potential opportunities. E.g., if he's applying to schools with rolling admissions the drop-dead deadlines may not be for a while, but it would be to his advantage to get his application in asap. Then again, are there even such things as rolling admissions anymore? We have absolutely no idea how things work these days. Larlo seems to have a good list of where he wants to apply, I think mostly middle-tier/regional state schools and a few less expensive privates. I don't have any reason to believe he's being unrealistic in his expectations, but I think he's procrastinating on getting it done. The guidance department at his school seems useless.

I'm not looking for feedback about the family issues, although this is DCUM so I"m sure I'll get it. DH is going to handle this, not me, but I'm trying to help him get some info about the college stuff. Are we right to be concerned about a kid who hasn't started studying for the SAT/ACT by this point in his senior year, and actually doesn't even seem to know which one of the two he is taking?? Even if he can get a decent score without studying, will he be able to get it fast enough to submit with his applications? What else should he be doing now to make sure he is able to get things in on time? Anything else DH should mention when he talks to Larlo and/or his dad?

Thanks so much for any info!

[Anonymous]

Hi, my two cents.

1) First of all, without knowing specifics about him, it's hard to provide specific suggestions. He is clearly late for EA/ED deadlines (some schools have Oct 15 due date, some Nov 15, but mostly Nov 1). He can try for test optional schools (you can easily Google to see the list of test optional schools) then he just needs to complete the app/essay and request transcript from school.

2) If he wants to try for Regular decision schools or schools with rolling admissions (yes, there are still rolling admin schools) that require SAT/ACT, then he has time but not much. Oct SAT is tomorrow, there is Nov 8 SAT he can try or ACT. If helps to find out whether he is more of SAT type kid or ACT type kid so he can better focus time he has.

3) The most important aspect, IMHO, is for him to identify his "target/safety" schools and then, as schedule permits, identify "reach" schools.

4) how about $ - will he need FA or will he be a full pay? He needs to run Net Price Calculator (each schools' NPC is slightly different but it gives you a pretty darn good estimate on how much it will cost). If his parents plan to file for financial aid, then they may want to get the papers together.

sorry for typos. in hurry. hope this is helpful.

[Anonymous]

I am helping a senior who is in the same boat. He is signed up to take the Nov SAT but has not been studying, so we are encouraging him to also take the Dec SAT and to take a prep course (it is too late for a prep course for the Nov test). Most colleges in mid tier will "superscore" so we hope he will do okay on the Nov test but worst case it will be a warm up for Dec. My student is not applying ED anywhere (you really can't do that if you are relying on fin aid bc you need to see what the aid packages you receive are) ans most colleges he is looking at have 1/15 or 2/15 app deadlines so the Dec score will be fine. We are also encouraging him to look at SAT/ACT test optional colleges, as a PP mentioned, and to get his app in as early as possible for those colleges.