Hire a tutor.

simple. it just means your DC's grades are inflated. adcoms know.

MY DC was similar. Many, many practice tests question helped! Also, don't write off a private tutor. After small group class, We used an online tutor, much more affordable. Also, take the college math requirement at MC or NOVA over the Summer, or better yet if colllege takes CLEP, take college algebra or precalc/trig.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the extent possible, I'd send the kid somewhere small. The big schools, the ones with a thousand kids in Econ 101 -- they use a lot of multiple choice.

You should play to your kid's strengths.

This makes a lot of sense! I never thought about this!

Yes. It is hard for all of us to remember that getting in to college is just the beginning. My husband and I have done a fair amount of undergrad teaching and have really focused on finding places where our son's weaknesses will not be fatal.

OP here - Thanks for the replies. We can't afford private tutoring. Right now DC is using Khan Academy because it's free. Honestly, it won't help much. This kid of mine struggles with all things multiple choice. If the test was all essays, this kid would do quite well!

Maryland state schools will be your best financial option. Some of the test optional schools require GPA AND scores to award merit. My DS, who's SAT was 300 points higher than your student, did not receive any merit from Wake Forest.Also, W and M is NOT test optional. I agree with the others, concentrate on testing. There is still time.

What about two years at Montgomery College/Community College and then transfer to UMCP? Their Philip Merrill College of Journalism seems decent. Is this an option?

GW has a good journalism program. Maybe you would qualify for aid?

I'd get him tested for a learning disability! And a small college with more emphasis on writing sounds right.

One nice thing about journalism is that it is one of the less status-based jobs--if he is a good writer and reporter, he can make it. They won't care what college he went to.

Interesting (and erroneous) remark. Journalism is much harder to break into now than in the past as newspapers shrink. Most places now require a master's degree to break into the industry, and the best outfits want people from top schools.