Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are a lot of parents of high scoring kids on here who cannot comprehend that the score is not the be all end all. I get it. You feel threatened. My own kid had a difference between score and grade point (score much higher than grade point). I would feel threatened, too, but I do think there truly are kids who are bright and would do well in college, despite not having a 1500+. The evidence is there. Schools have been doing test optional for many years. I get it that it would be great to deny and pretend that the test score is supreme. It just isn’t with all of the prepping that goes on. If you want an example, look at FCPS AAP, which has become completely watered down because people Prep their kids and go to “certain” psychologists for IQ tests. (Yes, my kid was in AAP without prep and an IQ test.)

But how can you say that a standardized test score is less “watered down” that an entirely subjective GPA?
Colleges need something to go on. If test scores aren’t a fair measure, and the gpa isn’t a fair measure, how are colleges supposed to determine which students are genuinely prepared?

Anonymous wrote:I think there are a lot of parents of high scoring kids on here who cannot comprehend that the score is not the be all end all. I get it. You feel threatened. My own kid had a difference between score and grade point (score much higher than grade point). I would feel threatened, too, but I do think there truly are kids who are bright and would do well in college, despite not having a 1500+. The evidence is there. Schools have been doing test optional for many years. I get it that it would be great to deny and pretend that the test score is supreme. It just isn’t with all of the prepping that goes on. If you want an example, look at FCPS AAP, which has become completely watered down because people Prep their kids and go to “certain” psychologists for IQ tests. (Yes, my kid was in AAP without prep and an IQ test.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For my kid, here is how the chips are falling...

Not in favor -
- Pandemic induced random selections by college admissions office
- Asian-American male.
- Most peers in the magnet school are also preternaturally gifted.
- Wants to do CS/Engineering/Maths. Highly competitive majors
- Does not want to go to red states and party schools (so no Florida and Alabama)

In favor -
- Killer SAT and GPA (weighted and unweighted)
- Most rigorous curriculum in school
- 8-12 APs in all core subject areas with 4s and 5s
- Set up Pandemic Relief work
- Research internships
- Did several interesting individual projects and courses during lockdown
- Unique ECs, great rapport with teachers/counselors
- Published work
- Academic/scholastic honors (awards, honor society, competitions)
- Leadership positions in 2 clubs.
- Hundreds of hours of work with disadvantaged youth that is documented.
- Can afford full pay

For us the only difference now is going to be that instead of applying in just 7 schools as originally planned, my son will apply to 15 in EA/ED round and probably several more if he does not get in anywhere in RA. He is going to be ok.

I don't think test optional schools are not test aware/blind. In the end, schools want paying students who are intelligent and will not drop out of college.

Does he play sports?

If he is not valedictorian or salutatorian, it may be a challenge for him to distinguish himself from peers in the same program.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For my kid, here is how the chips are falling...

Not in favor -
- Pandemic induced random selections by college admissions office
- Asian-American male.
- Most peers in the magnet school are also preternaturally gifted.
- Wants to do CS/Engineering/Maths. Highly competitive majors
- Does not want to go to red states and party schools (so no Florida and Alabama)

In favor -
- Killer SAT and GPA (weighted and unweighted)
- Most rigorous curriculum in school
- 8-12 APs in all core subject areas with 4s and 5s
- Set up Pandemic Relief work
- Research internships
- Did several interesting individual projects and courses during lockdown
- Unique ECs, great rapport with teachers/counselors
- Published work
- Academic/scholastic honors (awards, honor society, competitions)
- Leadership positions in 2 clubs.
- Hundreds of hours of work with disadvantaged youth that is documented.
- Can afford full pay

For us the only difference now is going to be that instead of applying in just 7 schools as originally planned, my son will apply to 15 in EA/ED round and probably several more if he does not get in anywhere in RA. He is going to be ok.

I don't think test optional schools are not test aware/blind. In the end, schools want paying students who are intelligent and will not drop out of college.

Does he play sports?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are a lot of parents of high scoring kids on here who cannot comprehend that the score is not the be all end all. I get it. You feel threatened. My own kid had a difference between score and grade point (score much higher than grade point). I would feel threatened, too, but I do think there truly are kids who are bright and would do well in college, despite not having a 1500+. The evidence is there. Schools have been doing test optional for many years. I get it that it would be great to deny and pretend that the test score is supreme. It just isn’t with all of the prepping that goes on. If you want an example, look at FCPS AAP, which has become completely watered down because people Prep their kids and go to “certain” psychologists for IQ tests. (Yes, my kid was in AAP without prep and an IQ test.)

+100
Totally agree. There simply is no way of knowing who has prepped and who has not - which renders scores pretty much meaningless.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test optional needs to stop. Test sites are widely available for the class of 2022 and will continue through the year.

I recently attended a virtual college session hosted by our public school and many college recruiters participated. They also said they think that test optional is here to stay. It is what it is.

That is not appropriate because a.) college is full of tests, and the kid has to be able to test, like the other students have to be able to test and b.) test optional is not leveling any playing ground, because colleges want to know that your kid can do well there, and tests are just one indicator c.) ultimately, it is better for the class if the tests continue, as they always have d.) the more factors to make your kid stand out, the better.

Actually, much (most?) of college is writing papers and short word answers and doing problem sets that require you to show your work, not taking multiple choice tests.

Exactly. I’d rather kids have to write a five-page essay that was graded by a teacher as their entrance exam. College students don’t take standardized tests. It’s bizarre that they have to take one to be admitted to college. The entrance standards should replicate the kind of work they’ll actually be expected to do.

So that you can BS through the process?

Anonymous wrote:I think there are a lot of parents of high scoring kids on here who cannot comprehend that the score is not the be all end all. I get it. You feel threatened. My own kid had a difference between score and grade point (score much higher than grade point). I would feel threatened, too, but I do think there truly are kids who are bright and would do well in college, despite not having a 1500+. The evidence is there. Schools have been doing test optional for many years. I get it that it would be great to deny and pretend that the test score is supreme. It just isn’t with all of the prepping that goes on. If you want an example, look at FCPS AAP, which has become completely watered down because people Prep their kids and go to “certain” psychologists for IQ tests. (Yes, my kid was in AAP without prep and an IQ test.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Full-pay is king. It could mean you get waitlisted instead of rejected outright.

How do they know if you are full pay or not? I thought financial aid/admissions is need blind? Just curious as I haven't been through this yet!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For my kid, here is how the chips are falling...

Not in favor -
- Pandemic induced random selections by college admissions office
- Asian-American male.
- Most peers in the magnet school are also preternaturally gifted.
- Wants to do CS/Engineering/Maths. Highly competitive majors
- Does not want to go to red states and party schools (so no Florida and Alabama)

In favor -
- Killer SAT and GPA (weighted and unweighted)
- Most rigorous curriculum in school
- 8-12 APs in all core subject areas with 4s and 5s
- Set up Pandemic Relief work
- Research internships
- Did several interesting individual projects and courses during lockdown
- Unique ECs, great rapport with teachers/counselors
- Published work
- Academic/scholastic honors (awards, honor society, competitions)
- Leadership positions in 2 clubs.
- Hundreds of hours of work with disadvantaged youth that is documented.
- Can afford full pay

For us the only difference now is going to be that instead of applying in just 7 schools as originally planned, my son will apply to 15 in EA/ED round and probably several more if he does not get in anywhere in RA. He is going to be ok.

I don't think test optional schools are not test aware/blind. In the end, schools want paying students who are intelligent and will not drop out of college.

Does he play sports?

How are you getting to 15 EA/ED when so many are restricted? Really, for most EDs, that is all you can plus a few state schools.
Your kid doesn't sound any different than my kids' friends in our W school -- don't really think a magnet is getting you anything these days. Probably want to make sure he has some actual safeties.

Anonymous wrote:Full-pay is when you can indicate on the Common App that you’re not applying for financial aid, federal or institutional.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For my kid, here is how the chips are falling...

Not in favor -
- Pandemic induced random selections by college admissions office
- Asian-American male.
- Most peers in the magnet school are also preternaturally gifted.
- Wants to do CS/Engineering/Maths. Highly competitive majors
- Does not want to go to red states and party schools (so no Florida and Alabama)

In favor -
- Killer SAT and GPA (weighted and unweighted)
- Most rigorous curriculum in school
- 8-12 APs in all core subject areas with 4s and 5s
- Set up Pandemic Relief work
- Research internships
- Did several interesting individual projects and courses during lockdown
- Unique ECs, great rapport with teachers/counselors
- Published work
- Academic/scholastic honors (awards, honor society, competitions)
- Leadership positions in 2 clubs.
- Hundreds of hours of work with disadvantaged youth that is documented.
- Can afford full pay

For us the only difference now is going to be that instead of applying in just 7 schools as originally planned, my son will apply to 15 in EA/ED round and probably several more if he does not get in anywhere in RA. He is going to be ok.

I don't think test optional schools are not test aware/blind. In the end, schools want paying students who are intelligent and will not drop out of college.

Does he play sports?

Anonymous wrote:Full-pay is king. It could mean you get waitlisted instead of rejected outright.

Anonymous wrote:For my kid, here is how the chips are falling...

Not in favor -
- Pandemic induced random selections by college admissions office
- Asian-American male.
- Most peers in the magnet school are also preternaturally gifted.
- Wants to do CS/Engineering/Maths. Highly competitive majors
- Does not want to go to red states and party schools (so no Florida and Alabama)

In favor -
- Killer SAT and GPA (weighted and unweighted)
- Most rigorous curriculum in school
- 8-12 APs in all core subject areas with 4s and 5s
- Set up Pandemic Relief work
- Research internships
- Did several interesting individual projects and courses during lockdown
- Unique ECs, great rapport with teachers/counselors
- Published work
- Academic/scholastic honors (awards, honor society, competitions)
- Leadership positions in 2 clubs.
- Hundreds of hours of work with disadvantaged youth that is documented.
- Can afford full pay

For us the only difference now is going to be that instead of applying in just 7 schools as originally planned, my son will apply to 15 in EA/ED round and probably several more if he does not get in anywhere in RA. He is going to be ok.

I don't think test optional schools are not test aware/blind. In the end, schools want paying students who are intelligent and will not drop out of college.