There in 'lies the rub' when it comes to those who think testing isn't the 'be all & end all'. Know many students over the years like this with rigor and excellent grades but somewhat low test scoring who have gone on to college and done great things there and beyond. They must have still been prepared despite their testing results.

I'm OP--maybe I should have my child try the ACT. Has been studying for SAT. Thoughts?

I have a child who went from a 31 to a 35, and I know plenty of kids who went from 29-34 or 35. It's not magic. Just a matter of commitment.

Anonymous wrote:If she has a 3.9 at a rigorous private, she should take the test and she will need a 34+. It is possible to go from a 29 to a 34 with prep

I question how rigorous this private is. My kids and friends with 3.5's at our private are getting 34s on their first try (no exaggeration---I probably know 10 kids with this exact scenario). They are retaking to try and get scores up to 35 or 36.

Can you ask college counseling for similar GPA kids who were successful as ED TO?
Which schools?


That's a good idea.

Where are you getting that information? Are you a college counselor? Do you have an child who did this?

Anonymous wrote:He's not aiming for Harvard. I am asking for people's experience with it, not your opinion on how it looks. Thanks, though.

Can you ask college counseling for similar GPA kids who were successful as ED TO?
Which schools?

If she has a 3.9 at a rigorous private, she should take the test and she will need a 34+. It is possible to go from a 29 to a 34 with prep

Anonymous wrote:TO will not be a great look for a someone w your DCs stats. Not too hard to bump up sat. I would have him work on that. Superscoring to at least 1500 will be straightforward. Good luck.

Hmm.
Disagree if your high school has a rigorous rep.
At our private lots of kids ED to certain schools TO (Vanderbilt; UChicago; Wash U)…and they are successful

He's not aiming for Harvard. I am asking for people's experience with it, not your opinion on how it looks. Thanks, though.

I’m curious too.
DD. 3.9 at rigorous private. National awards in niche area.
First ACT was 29….
Trying to figure out how much standardized tutoring/time might be worth it - think she needs a 34 to be competitive which is a big jump.

TO will not be a great look for a someone w your DCs stats. Not too hard to bump up sat. I would have him work on that. Superscoring to at least 1500 will be straightforward. Good luck.

Fishy? LOL. He is a junior and has not taken his SAT other than mocks--just not mocking over 1400 at the moment, so I am wondering what test optional looks like. Your response isn't helpful, so move along and annoy someone else.

^ why would standardized test scores be too low to submit if he has the AP exam scores and GPA. That looks fishy.

If your son/daughter has gone test optional, what was the outcome? Highly achieving public. 10/11APs, 3.94 unweighted, good EC, 4/5 on AP exams. White male. Thank you!