Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 21:07     Subject: Re:1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for the feedback so far. I appreciate it.

I just went back and looked at her grades since freshman year, and I actually underestimated her grades.

In ninth grade, she had 3 A- and a B+ in math. (She also had an A+ in Art and an A in PE, but I assume those don’t count).

In 10th grade, she had a B+ in English, A in Chem, and A- in math, Spanish, and history. (again, As in art class plus physical education, but I assume those don’t count.)

It’s just 11th grade where the grades dropped – we haven’t received final grades yet but in her mid-year report card, she had two Bs, 2 B+, and one A-.

Very rigorous and well-regarded DC private school.

I appreciate all the suggestions. Some of these are already on her radar, but some are not, so it’s good to have other places to research.


If she’s coming from a rigorous DMV private, she’ll do fine with ED.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 21:03     Subject: 1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:Maybe she can do community college for two years and then transfer.


My DD is at Marquette with similar stats. They accepted her with a lovely pretzel (made in Milwaukee) and a great merit scholarship. It’s been a great school and she’s going into her senior year.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 10:48     Subject: 1250 on SAT
I wouldn’t give up on tests. Have her do a timed ACT and see how that goes. The ACT is generally easier than the SAT, but it is faster. Students often prefer one over the other.

And then once you’ve settled on which test to take, look for a great test prep tutor if you can manage it. 4 or 5 one on one sessions and the accompanying homework often result in big boosts in scores - 100-200 points on the SAT or 2 or 3 points on the ACT. And obviously stronger scores correlate to more college options.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 10:38     Subject: Re:1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for the feedback so far. I appreciate it.

I just went back and looked at her grades since freshman year, and I actually underestimated her grades.

In ninth grade, she had 3 A- and a B+ in math. (She also had an A+ in Art and an A in PE, but I assume those don’t count).

In 10th grade, she had a B+ in English, A in Chem, and A- in math, Spanish, and history. (again, As in art class plus physical education, but I assume those don’t count.)

It’s just 11th grade where the grades dropped – we haven’t received final grades yet but in her mid-year report card, she had two Bs, 2 B+, and one A-.

Very rigorous and well-regarded DC private school.

I appreciate all the suggestions. Some of these are already on her radar, but some are not, so it’s good to have other places to research.


At our private, CC would recommend ED Chicago test optional for this profile.


This is totally nuts.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 10:32     Subject: Re:1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:GW
American
Northeastern
BU
Fordham


All reaches except maybe American


A B+ student at a top private can definitely get into GW and Fordham. Those are probably targets (they were for my private school B+ student who is at a more mid-tier DC. private). Talk to your student’s CCO and check the school’s scattergrams. You may be surprised!
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 09:25     Subject: 1250 on SAT
Delaware, Arizona.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 09:24     Subject: 1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At an academically rigorous school, those grades are fine.


Then how did she get a 1250? It’s not adding up. A rigorous education should yield a higher SAT score.


If her school was truly an elite private, then her grades would translate into a 1400+ (if not 1500+) SAT score.


News flash. There are people who are poor standardized test takers. They can be highly intelligent, successful students but still not do well on some standardized tests.


My kid has awful test anxiety in timed situations. She took it twice and still did not break 1300. She said her brain just shut off at a point. We should have pursued test accommodations for her. She was not interested in top schools and ended up a Big Ten school honors college. She found out this morning that her research she worked on her freshman will be published with her professor and presented in Paris in the fall, so not the end of the world.

If your kid takes advantage of the opportunities she will be fine.


NP here. Yes! My daughter is similar and is at a T30 school.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:55     Subject: 1250 on SAT
UCs
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:54     Subject: 1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At an academically rigorous school, those grades are fine.


Then how did she get a 1250? It’s not adding up. A rigorous education should yield a higher SAT score.


If her school was truly an elite private, then her grades would translate into a 1400+ (if not 1500+) SAT score.


News flash. There are people who are poor standardized test takers. They can be highly intelligent, successful students but still not do well on some standardized tests.


My kid has awful test anxiety in timed situations. She took it twice and still did not break 1300. She said her brain just shut off at a point. We should have pursued test accommodations for her. She was not interested in top schools and ended up a Big Ten school honors college. She found out this morning that her research she worked on her freshman will be published with her professor and presented in Paris in the fall, so not the end of the world.

If your kid takes advantage of the opportunities she will be fine.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:47     Subject: 1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At an academically rigorous school, those grades are fine.


Then how did she get a 1250? It’s not adding up. A rigorous education should yield a higher SAT score.


If her school was truly an elite private, then her grades would translate into a 1400+ (if not 1500+) SAT score.


News flash. There are people who are poor standardized test takers. They can be highly intelligent, successful students but still not do well on some standardized tests.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 00:59     Subject: 1250 on SAT
U of Kansas, U of Nebraska, U of Oklahoma
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 00:00     Subject: 1250 on SAT
Your best bet would go TO. TO friendly colleges like Michigan, Emory, BU, UCLA, UC San Diego, UMass, UConn offer very good chances.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 23:16     Subject: Re:1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:GW
American
Northeastern
BU
Fordham


All reaches except maybe American
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 13:17     Subject: 1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Marquette for Wisconsin, Loyola for Tulane, Tampa for Miami.


Which Loyola?


I was thinking New Orleans. I was trying to find substitute schools in a somewhat similar geography.
Anonymous
Post 06/14/2026 13:14     Subject: 1250 on SAT
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My child has same SAT with more As, A-s with a B or B+ here and there, but may have less rigor as we are outside DC and DCUM rigor is beyond wild.

Looking at UVM, Syracuse, Umass, Penn State, U Del plus some smaller schools which I won't mention as it sounds like she wants larger. If she's into STEM maybe RIT? Maybe Pitt, UConn, Ohio State, Minnesota, or University of Arizona?

Again, your child might have a stronger school/more rigor so maybe these would be more safeties?


This poster has many great suggestions, and the poster who suggested community college is unkind - unless your kid wants to start there, there is no need for her to do so with that profile.


Yes, it's rude to assume a family can't afford to pay for a country club experience alongside junior college


The poster is at a top DC private school. Community college is very unlikely to be on the table.