OP here checking back. PP, thanks for the great tip about Khan Academy. Will definitely keep this in mind. How wonderful also that your child was able to raise scores so much. That’s awesome.

Remember that SAT test-taking can be learned. My high GPA kid also started out with a low PSAT (1100s) and took the SAT 3 times: 1430, 1490, 1510 (I didn’t want her to take it that many times-it was her decision).

She used the free Khan Academy online prep that linked to her SAT results on collegboard. That ensured she focused on learning how to do the types of problems she was getting wrong.

I’ll be happy if my kid gets a 1300 on the SAT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did she take the PSAT? That score might be a better proxy than a practice test. My DD is similar to yours, SAT just under 1300, high GPA (though lower than your DD's, which is excellent!). DD's reach schools are UVA and W&M (probably will not submit scores to those), targets are VA Tech (non-STEM) and JMU, with VCU being her favorite "likely" option. If you're in VA and your DD wants to continue with art, maybe check out VCU Arts -- DD loved it and I think would be happy there.

With your DD's high GPA, if she can't get her test scores up (and lots of prep hasn't helped my test-anxiety-ridden kid, though it does work for others), consider test-optional schools for sure!

No chance at either UVA or W&M.

If this person doesn't get in test optional, then I don't know who would. I find this hard to believe.

NP. This is why I just don't believe schools that say they're "test optional."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did she take the PSAT? That score might be a better proxy than a practice test. My DD is similar to yours, SAT just under 1300, high GPA (though lower than your DD's, which is excellent!). DD's reach schools are UVA and W&M (probably will not submit scores to those), targets are VA Tech (non-STEM) and JMU, with VCU being her favorite "likely" option. If you're in VA and your DD wants to continue with art, maybe check out VCU Arts -- DD loved it and I think would be happy there.

With your DD's high GPA, if she can't get her test scores up (and lots of prep hasn't helped my test-anxiety-ridden kid, though it does work for others), consider test-optional schools for sure!

No chance at either UVA or W&M.

If this person doesn't get in test optional, then I don't know who would. I find this hard to believe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did she take the PSAT? That score might be a better proxy than a practice test. My DD is similar to yours, SAT just under 1300, high GPA (though lower than your DD's, which is excellent!). DD's reach schools are UVA and W&M (probably will not submit scores to those), targets are VA Tech (non-STEM) and JMU, with VCU being her favorite "likely" option. If you're in VA and your DD wants to continue with art, maybe check out VCU Arts -- DD loved it and I think would be happy there.

With your DD's high GPA, if she can't get her test scores up (and lots of prep hasn't helped my test-anxiety-ridden kid, though it does work for others), consider test-optional schools for sure!

No chance at either UVA or W&M.

If this person doesn't get in test optional, then I don't know who would. I find this hard to believe.

Anonymous wrote:Did she take the PSAT? That score might be a better proxy than a practice test. My DD is similar to yours, SAT just under 1300, high GPA (though lower than your DD's, which is excellent!). DD's reach schools are UVA and W&M (probably will not submit scores to those), targets are VA Tech (non-STEM) and JMU, with VCU being her favorite "likely" option. If you're in VA and your DD wants to continue with art, maybe check out VCU Arts -- DD loved it and I think would be happy there.

With your DD's high GPA, if she can't get her test scores up (and lots of prep hasn't helped my test-anxiety-ridden kid, though it does work for others), consider test-optional schools for sure!

No chance at either UVA or W&M.

CTCL is colleges that change lives. Someone wrote a book about LACs that seem to a good job educating and preparing students for life and now there’s a website etc. Places like Juniata, St Olaf, St Mary’s, Lawrence, Eckerd etc.

Have you looked at any Naviance data? I wouldn't sweat it unless there's some extreme grade inflation at her high school

I at the OP, Someone asked if she took the PSAT. Not yet! That's tomorrow. And no, no preparation!! Too busy with everything else but she WILL prepare for SAT in March 2022.

HI. OP here. Thank you for your responses. I get a little crazed reading dcurbanmom.com. If you read this, every other kid has a stellar (near perfect) SAT and finishes high school with over 10 AP classes. Then, they don't get into top schools. It is worrisome because while my daughter works hard and has good grades, she doesn't test in the stratosphere. Nor, do I push her to take 5 AP's a semester, which was not advised by the guidance counselor.

To the Virginia posted, thanks for the tips on Virginia schools. WE are in Maryland though. I anticipate looking out of state as well as in Maryland.

May I ask what a CTCL school is? What does that stand for. It is nice to know you can get half paid in scholarship. These schools are really pricey.

Thank you to all. Would love to hear other stories of kids with similar stats. Gives me hope.

Most schools are in play. And with the fabulous gpa, there are many test optional schools. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if your kid ended up with a higher score than you anticipate.

My kid had the exact score you are aiming for. Many schools are test optional now anyway. My child's GPA was somewhat lower than yours (3.7 UW, 4.2 weighted).

She wanted a small LAC, and got into almost every one she applied to (they were ranked between 30 and 80 nationally).

She even got generous merit aid (close to half tuition) at most. She is now thriving at a CTCL.

I would say, set your sights on a quality school, that she is excited about. Top tier would not have been good for her self image (even if she could get in). Luckily she was not obsessed with impressing others. She sought fit and chose very well.

Did she take the PSAT? That score might be a better proxy than a practice test. My DD is similar to yours, SAT just under 1300, high GPA (though lower than your DD's, which is excellent!). DD's reach schools are UVA and W&M (probably will not submit scores to those), targets are VA Tech (non-STEM) and JMU, with VCU being her favorite "likely" option. If you're in VA and your DD wants to continue with art, maybe check out VCU Arts -- DD loved it and I think would be happy there.

With your DD's high GPA, if she can't get her test scores up (and lots of prep hasn't helped my test-anxiety-ridden kid, though it does work for others), consider test-optional schools for sure!

Just starting the college search. DD got ‘only’ 1130 on a practice SAT. Will take a prep class to try to bring it up. Has a 4.61 weighted and 3.91 unweighted. In drama and fine arts extracurricular stuff. Mostly AP and honors courses. All around good kid. She’s a Junior. What kind of schools are we looking at if she can raise her SAT 100 points to a 1230? Thank you