Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 16:42     Subject: 980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
OP,

Hang in there. How many decisions are pending? (Sorry if I missed that.) I would encourage getting into a school and transferring after her first year. Many students do it.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 11:16     Subject: Re:980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry I made a typo, she did get into the HBCU, but not any of the well known ones. She says that her counselor tries to push African American to attend HBCU, but a couple of them decided against it.


So she did get into Bowie State, etc? Those are good options then. If it's not a fit and she does well then maybe she can transfer to another school down the road. Spelman has low SAT averages but still a competitive admit rate so not totally surprising she didn't get in with weak grades.

•Percent of Applicants Admitted: 38%
•Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
•SAT Critical Reading: 480 / 570
•SAT Math: 465 / 560

That may be why the counselor was pushing HBCUs - more prestige relative to SAT scores so a better fit for your DDs academic profile?
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 11:08     Subject: Re:980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry I made a typo, she did get into the HBCU, but not any of the well known ones. She says that her counselor tries to push African American to attend HBCU, but a couple of them decided against it.
Are you in a parochial private school? Why does the counselor 'push' AA students to attend HBCUs?
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 11:03     Subject: Re:980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
I'm sorry I made a typo, she did get into the HBCU, but not any of the well known ones. She says that her counselor tries to push African American to attend HBCU, but a couple of them decided against it.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 10:45     Subject: 980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
I just want to say Good Luck! My ex was a first generation college student, too. If you have any friends that know professors or admissions people at colleges, they could give you lots of advice. It is tough when you don't know the "system" and how to put the best foot forward. Once she is enrolled somewhere, she should let her professors know that she is first generation and ask for help when she needs it. Many students flunk out without ever asking for help because they are afraid. In truth, most educators are more than willing to help a struggling student (or a great student) who shows an eagerness to learn and succeed. They can also help her choose majors or help her with decisions on grad school or employment.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 10:27     Subject: Re:980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
OP, if nothing pans out, have her do a gap year and perhaps apply to http://www.possefoundation.org and Questbridge this fall. You didn't mention anything about your socioeconomic status. There are schools out there that don't require SAT scores. Really surprised that she wasn't accepted into those HBCUs.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 08:59     Subject: 980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
OP, I can't help but wonder why the school counselor wasn't more proactive in your DD's situation. Sounds like there was minimal participation in addressing schools that could meet DD's academic and physical needs.

Many African-American kids opt for historically black colleges from private schools, and many reach out for in depth information from organizations like A Better Chance and BSF.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 08:38     Subject: Re:980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:no to community college. It will drag her down. George mason is a good option for two years. Then she can transfer.


Why would community college drag her down?


The mindset and drive of students is different at community college and many students don't graduate.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 08:33     Subject: 980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
Anonymous wrote:Please contact the Black Student Fund. You need some direction and while BSF caters to K-12, they are a wealth of information and can put you in touch with organizations thst can assist you and your daughter.

http://blackstudentfund.org/wordpress/
Another plug for Black Student Fund. The school counselor can help but if you're interested in HBCUs, they definitely can point you in the right direction.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 08:09     Subject: Re:980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
Anonymous wrote:I appreciate that you are reaching out here for help and that's good but you need in person support. Call the school tomorrow and talk to her counselor. Ask for their help in finding support for your and your DD to help make the best decisions for college. Do not take the stance that you can't or are unable to understand the process. You absolutely can.


+1000
The primary job of guidance counselors in high school is to help students through the college process. Call the school and make an appointment for you and your daughter to go in together. Counselor knows your kid and your situation much better than we can. She should be able to help you figure out the best way forward. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 06:46     Subject: 980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
Gaucher may be too competitive. Another college to look at is McDanial.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 06:35     Subject: 980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
Anonymous wrote:DC will be a first generation college student. She's very intelligent, but a horrible test taker. She's taken AP English both junior and senior years as well as AP Calculus and Psychology. She's struggled with those courses getting C's, but otherwise her academic record is about a B average. She's depressed because she got 3 rejection letters already from good schools and her peers normally attend schools like UMD and one of the ivies. Community College isn't an option for her as she doesn't drive and we're not near transit. She's applied to the other state schools, but she's afraid of not being as successful as her peers because of her struggle with tests and school work. Any suggestions? I don't know how to help as I'm not familiar with college at all.


Get a book called "Colleges that Change Lives". Look at Goucher in MD.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 05:48     Subject: Re:980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
Anonymous wrote:OP I really feel for you. If only you had come here a month or two earlier, we could have given you some really good advice and helped you to nudge your daughter in the right direction as far as SATs, preparation, and applications. But it isn't too late. The advice you've already gotten is really good, but you should start seeking out schools with late deadlines that your daughter can study at for a year or two until she can transfer to a college that she's better suited for. How's her financial aid situation? Will she be a full pay student, or will you need aid from the school?


thanks for the advice everyone! She will need financial aid. I'm a single parent.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2014 01:49     Subject: Re:980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
OP I really feel for you. If only you had come here a month or two earlier, we could have given you some really good advice and helped you to nudge your daughter in the right direction as far as SATs, preparation, and applications. But it isn't too late. The advice you've already gotten is really good, but you should start seeking out schools with late deadlines that your daughter can study at for a year or two until she can transfer to a college that she's better suited for. How's her financial aid situation? Will she be a full pay student, or will you need aid from the school?

Anonymous
Post 03/09/2014 23:31     Subject: Re:980 SAT score and rejected from all EA colleges?
Anonymous wrote:no to community college. It will drag her down. George mason is a good option for two years. Then she can transfer.


Why would community college drag her down?