Reply to Another Request for College Suggestions /Insights

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]A low-income African American junior with a rigorous transcript and 3.4, correct?

Have her try both the SAT and ACT (available free online; have her time it properly) to see which is a better fit for her and then prep only for that one.  Have her take the test whenever it becomes available and potentially plan on a second take in the fall of senior year.

Look at Questbridge.  Also look at schools that claim to meet full financial need (google lists).  Then for each school of interest, use their Net Price Calculator to see an estimate that applies to your finances and that college specifically.  See if the price would work.  As mentioned above, include travel costs as necessary, though some colleges are more generous than others on that front, if they are more organized about how they help low income students along the way.

If this is a senior, obviously ignore my testing comment, but time would be very short.[/quote]

Nope she’s in her Sophomore year so hopefully I’m helping her in time!

I’ve already ordered both ACT/SAT books and a career book to help her narrow down what she think it might look like, and she has siblings so I’m hoping they take a peek.

But honestly I feel like it isn’t enough, both parents never graduated high school. So I’m thinking of hiring a SAT or ACT tutor to make sure she knows how to properly prep. But this might be over kill?

Thanks Everyone!

[/quote]

Has she taken the PSATs yet? If so, she can plug the results into Khan Academy and get a lot of practice that way.  Even if she doesn't have any test results, Khan Academy is a great resource.  Questbridge is an option but it is incredibly competitive and she may not be interested in any of their partner schools.  In my opinion, the best thing you can help her do is minimize the amount of money she will need to borrow, even if this means going to a top tier school.  I highly recommend the book "Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be" by Frank Bruni.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TS7YDZ4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1  The premise is that you can get a good education anywhere - its about what you do when you get there.  She should attend the school that fits her best and then she will make the best of it!

Best of luck to you and her.  Sounds like she has some real strengths and grit to be doing as well as she is given her family situation.  We didn't face the same financial challenges that you are helping her overcome and still the college application process was stressful.  Come back and ask questions as you have them.  Some people can be jerks here but others are very helpful and genuinely want to see all kids succeed.  [/quote]

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