Anonymous wrote:I think we still have to play the game and try to get our kids an opportunity to test and hope it comes out ok. A lot of 2020 seniors are deferring, which means our kids will have even fewer spots available to them. The more our kids can bolster their applications, the better a shot they'll have at the decreased spots that will be available to them.

My DC's determined to go pre-med, but I'm still talking up CC for the first 2 years and then transfer to a 4 year and saying that we can deal with the fall out of which med schools don't want CC science classes. It's not the "normal" college experience, but these kids aren't getting anything normal.

+1 There is an interesting YouTube video about a girl who did cc->4 year for premed and she got into MD and DO schools. She chose DO and is doing well.

I think we still have to play the game and try to get our kids an opportunity to test and hope it comes out ok. A lot of 2020 seniors are deferring, which means our kids will have even fewer spots available to them. The more our kids can bolster their applications, the better a shot they'll have at the decreased spots that will be available to them.

My DC's determined to go pre-med, but I'm still talking up CC for the first 2 years and then transfer to a 4 year and saying that we can deal with the fall out of which med schools don't want CC science classes. It's not the "normal" college experience, but these kids aren't getting anything normal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South County HS.

Does this mean that it is cancelled for all FCPS schools?

Great question. I would assume yes?

I assume all buildings in FCPS will not be open then. Or that they will not be able to provide the rooms and proctors needed?

Anonymous wrote:This will be the end of The College Board business model.

Yes, please!

Why don’t they just go back to pencil and paper and hold it outside under a covered area. They could certainly do that in September as the weather then is fine.

This will be the end of The College Board business model.

Here’s the list of test optional schools. The list continues to grow. https://www.fairtest.org/sites/default/files/Optional-Schools-in-U.S.News-Top-Tiers.pdf

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South County HS.

Does this mean that it is cancelled for all FCPS schools?

Great question. I would assume yes?

I want to quit but DS top school (Michigan) is not test optional

Anonymous wrote:South County HS.

Does this mean that it is cancelled for all FCPS schools?

Anonymous wrote:I understand this only apply to a small percentage of college applicants, but couldn’t 2021 kids submit psat scores? Why aren’t colleges allowing that? I’m curious.

That is the type of "uniformity" or at least information from colleges that would be helpful.

I understand this only apply to a small percentage of college applicants, but couldn’t 2021 kids submit psat scores? Why aren’t colleges allowing that? I’m curious.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Same. We might have paid 4 times for all I know. It is aggravating on that front alone.

I wish the colleges would make a uniform decision on this soon.

What type of uniformity are you referring to? Top privates are uniformly test optional this fall (with one being test-blind) even though some of them sound interested in seeing scores if possible. Publics vary a bit, but many/most are also test optional.

Maybe I am not as knowledgeable about the process as I should be. As I understand it, "test optional" is a choice. Submit test scores or go without. I have read that even with test optional admissions, a student is better off submitting scores as long as they aren't too low. There is risk in not submitting scores and test optional admissions benefit applicants who are not likely to score well on the tests.

But with COVID, what if you have a kid who is a good test taker? Under normal circumstances, he would have taken the SAT in March, the ACT in April, or both exams in June, or maybe in August. Right now, who knows? People are thinking about driving long distances to find somewhere the test will be administered. That's insane. In some areas of the country, juniors were able to take the test in March in others they weren't. The normal factors for deciding whether to submit scores are not in play. Of course the College Board wants to keep offering the tests and promising that they will be administered, But it is torture for the kids!

My kids are out of college, but I really feel for these kids regarding testing (and everything else for that matter). Has testing been cancelled throughout the entire country? I could understand if testing sites handled less kids due to social distancing, but everyone getting booted out is CRAZY. Has anyone actually spoken to a College Board employee or guidance counselor. Why is College Board so paralyzed?

Anonymous wrote:Same. We might have paid 4 times for all I know. It is aggravating on that front alone.

I wish the colleges would make a uniform decision on this soon.

What type of uniformity are you referring to? Top privates are uniformly test optional this fall (with one being test-blind) even though some of them sound interested in seeing scores if possible. Publics vary a bit, but many/most are also test optional.