A "is this a good college" thread for all college searchers...

[PrincessKsMom]

Just a quick note.....when colleges say that they prefer 3 years of a language, they actually mean three years of one specific language, not two years of one and one or two years of another.

If she is interested in matriculating to a 4-year college, quite a few kids (not all and probably not most) come in with 3 or 4 years of a language, especially the more competitive ones vying for honors programs and scholarships.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that kids don't get into NJ colleges with only two years of a language, just that it looks more competitive to come in with 3-4 (and if you have AP credit, even better! Just make sure that the college accepts it. Rutgers does give college credit for students who score at least a 4 on the AP exam.)

Just thought that you'd like to know, especially if you're weighing the cost. The better her HS record is, the more chances she'll have for merit awards from colleges.

Thank you! I have so much to learn.

 

[Green Tea]

I'm hoping you can all provide some guidance. I never went to college, never applied, never even took the SATs. My DD is a Freshman this year and definitely college bound. I know nothing of the college life or where to even start. I've spoken to her guidance counsellor twice this year and I'm not necessarily confident in her abilities to provide the information I'm going to need. Is there a book/website/somewhere I can go to begin the process of finding out everything I need to know in order to prepare her for the SAT, what kind of schools she should be looking at, scholarships, and what we'll need to know in order to navigate the waters?

Did her father go to college? The reason I ask if "First Generation" students have some additional help with navigating the college process; from programs to help guide them while in high school to boosts in the actual admissions process at some schools.

 

[Green Tea]

Even if your student isn't a junior or senior, think about the SAT II's, the subject tests. If a student takes European History as a sophomore and does a great job in the course, they can take that SAT II that year. Just using that course as an example, not sure exactly which tests are available, and some are only available on certain test dates. For colleges that require them, it is generally 2 tests they want to see, from 2 different subject areas. You can take up to 3 on a specific testing date. They are 1 hour tests.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Did her father go to college? The reason I ask if "First Generation" students have some additional help with navigating the college process; from programs to help guide them while in high school to boosts in the actual admissions process at some schools.

Unfortunately, no. No one in our family (except my SIL) went to college. And SIL went to college 25+ years ago so things have changed tremendously since then.

 

[Green Tea]

Unfortunately, no. No one in our family (except my SIL) went to college. And SIL went to college 25+ years ago so things have changed tremendously since then.

Google programs for first generation students. You might be pleasantly surprised at the additional opportunities that are available to her then, and it provides some preference in the admissions process at some schools.

Is TalentSearch in your area? She is their target group. (at least in my area-it is for first generation college bound high school students)

Look also at questbridge.org if she is a really great student. That is a fantastic program.

 

[KarenB]

Sometimes I think I don't fit in here...average kids, low paying job, very few big vacations....

This thread makes me dizzy! We have 2 in college now, both at state schools, both love it and doing ok. I feel you can go to a less expensive state school or a pricey private school and you will only get out of your education at either one what you choose to put into it.....

 

[disneylovin24]

Unfortunately, no. No one in our family (except my SIL) went to college. And SIL went to college 25+ years ago so things have changed tremendously since then.

That is going to be a great thing for her! Colleges love students who have had little or no family members go to college. If your SIL is not a blood relative then she is going to end up in really good shape. Colleges want students who will be the first in their family to go to school, the first generation hook!

 

[disneylovin24]

#9-What does this mean? I'm very curious about your reference to "the curve"

#10-Is it only the tippity top schools that would need the subject tests? Or would the high end student who's not going ivy but going competitive need to look at these?

9) It is like a curve on any other test, students get extra points because it was hard. I actually read on College Confedential that this January's test had a very small curve and most thought it was a very hard test!

10) A lot of competative non-ivies require them too. I think it is best to take them because doing well on them will not hurt your chances at any schools. If your going somewhere that does not require them and you want to be a Chem major then it'll probably help to have taken and done well on the Chem subject

 

[disneylovin24]

Anyone here know much about Cabrini College, Caldwell College, or Bryant University?

 

[Green Tea]

I would love to hear any first hand information on Dominican.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

This thread makes me dizzy! We have 2 in college now, both at state schools, both love it and doing ok. I feel you can go to a less expensive state school or a pricey private school and you will only get out of your education at either one what you choose to put into it.....

All state schools lovers stand up and be proud!
My D loves her SUNY and could not be more happier. We always said if we knew she would have done so well and enjoy it so much we would have her skipped senior year of H.S!

I'm hoping my younger DD decides on New Paltz next year. It's a perfect fit for her personality.

 

[KarenB]

All state schools lovers stand up and be proud!
My D loves her SUNY and could not be more happier. We always said if we knew she would have done so well and enjoy it so much we would have her skipped senior year of H.S!

I'm hoping my younger DD decides on New Paltz next year. It's a perfect fit for her personality.

I think New Paltz is such a cool town. We were there for very short time and often talk about going back for a weekend. It seems like an eclectic little college town.

 

[pixie dust 112]

All state schools lovers stand up and be proud!
My D loves her SUNY and could not be more happier. We always said if we knew she would have done so well and enjoy it so much we would have her skipped senior year of H.S!

I'm hoping my younger DD decides on New Paltz next year. It's a perfect fit for her personality.

Standing up with pride. Graduate of a SUNY and my daughter is also going to a SUNY!!! I am hoping that my DD who is now a junior in HS also decides on a SUNY. Great education, Great value. In my education my only regret is that I went to a private school, rather than a SUNY for graduate school!

Muffy, I am not too far from New Paltz (so of course my kids don;t want to go there because it is too close to home). It is a great village. Easy walk from campus with lots of great artsy shops!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Here's what College Board says:

What is the SAT curve?

The SAT "curve" generates a scaled score (200-800) from your raw score (the number of questions right minus a quarter point for each multiple-choice question wrong). This curve is designed to correct for minor variations in the difficulty of the test. If the test is a little too hard (e.g., January, 2006) compared to an average SAT, you will get a higher score than if you had taken an easier test (e.g., October, 2007) and gotten the same number of correct answers. For example, if you get only 3 multiple-choice questions incorrect, for a raw math score of 50 (54 - 3 - 0.75 penalty), on an "easy" SAT you will get a 710, on an average SAT you will get a 720, and on a "hard" SAT you will get a 730.

A common myth about the SAT is that the average test taker should avoid a particular test month if a large group of strong students will be taking the SAT that month, and instead take the test when a large group of weaker students will take the test. The (incorrect) assumption here is that the curve will push down the average student's score in the first situation (large group of strong students) and pull it up in the second situation (large group of weak students). The reality is that the curve only reflects the difficulty of that particular SAT, not the quality of students taking the test. For example, suppose that in a particular month, a large group of strong students take the test. Even if they all get perfect 2400s, your score will be the same as it was had they not taken the test. In the same way, a large group of weaker students taking the test will not affect your score. For those really interested (warning: non-trivial math) in how SAT curves work, see this College Board white paper.

The curves from previously released SAT tests (those given in January, May, and October) are available in this PDF file (6 pages).

This makes more sense, relating it to the test itself than the other students. Thank you for the info!

Well, you will find differing interpretations of the curve (so this is mine, as well as many others), but collegeboard does talk about the curve (see previous poster).

Didn't mean to cause a stir

Not a stir at all, it was very interesting and a subject I knew nothing about and had never heard of so thank you for bringing it up!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Standing up with pride. Graduate of a SUNY and my daughter is also going to a SUNY!!! I am hoping that my DD who is now a junior in HS also decides on a SUNY. Great education, Great value. In my education my only regret is that I went to a private school, rather than a SUNY for graduate school!

Muffy, I am not too far from New Paltz (so of course my kids don;t want to go there because it is too close to home). It is a great village. Easy walk from campus with lots of great artsy shops!

I hear ya. I live on Long Island so StonyBrook was never on their list.
We visited New Paltz in the Fall and she really liked it. She loved that she can walk to the town where she saw some of her favorite stores. Plus the school has a Anime club which she saw someone wearing a Anime hoodie.
But she still wants to see some other schools. I have to watch myself because sometimes the more you push something specific just makes them not want it.

 

[bluesaturn]

Here's what College Board says:

What is the SAT curve?

The SAT "curve" generates a scaled score (200-800) from your raw score (the number of questions right minus a quarter point for each multiple-choice question wrong). This curve is designed to correct for minor variations in the difficulty of the test. If the test is a little too hard (e.g., January, 2006) compared to an average SAT, you will get a higher score than if you had taken an easier test (e.g., October, 2007) and gotten the same number of correct answers. For example, if you get only 3 multiple-choice questions incorrect, for a raw math score of 50 (54 - 3 - 0.75 penalty), on an "easy" SAT you will get a 710, on an average SAT you will get a 720, and on a "hard" SAT you will get a 730.

A common myth about the SAT is that the average test taker should avoid a particular test month if a large group of strong students will be taking the SAT that month, and instead take the test when a large group of weaker students will take the test. The (incorrect) assumption here is that the curve will push down the average student's score in the first situation (large group of strong students) and pull it up in the second situation (large group of weak students). The reality is that the curve only reflects the difficulty of that particular SAT, not the quality of students taking the test. For example, suppose that in a particular month, a large group of strong students take the test. Even if they all get perfect 2400s, your score will be the same as it was had they not taken the test. In the same way, a large group of weaker students taking the test will not affect your score. For those really interested (warning: non-trivial math) in how SAT curves work, see this College Board white paper.

The curves from previously released SAT tests (those given in January, May, and October) are available in this PDF file (6 pages).

I think this is saying it doesn't actually matter what month you take the test, correct? It's saying that the curve ensures you receive the same score based on your ability/knowledge no matter how "hard" the test is that month. So if the same student takes the test in January and March (no change in aptitude), she might get 15 questions right on the Jan test and 20 right on the March test, but both scores end up being a 600 with the curve.

It is helpful to take the test in January of your junior year though, because there's usually less pressure and less going on with activities.

 

[uromac]

Hi! Just saw this thread on this board - we are now in the midst of heard back/waiting to hear back mode for HS senior dd & ds is now a senior at The George Washington University in DC. Right now dd has heard from Syracuse University early - and probably her first choice (not binding because did not get into her first choice school there), and assorted other schools (University of Tampa, University of Hartford, Hofstra all with merit $) and now really just waiting for American University and a handful of other schools (Towson in MD, College of Charleston, James Madison, University of Vermont, etc..). BTW, We really were looking for schools that had a great learning services department (dd is dyslexic) and Syracuse and American are both nationally ranked very highly with their services - which is very important to us.

FYI - an important site that I really like is www.collegeconfidential.com which I found very informative on a variety of colleges, parent forum, and a variety of other very good 'boards'! In addition, for those that are Jewish another great link is : http://reformjudaismmag.org/fall_2010/collegeguide/, especially the parent's forum thread on collegeconfidential for 'Colleges for jewish 'B' students' based on my own personal experience!!

Hope this helps everyone! This is my second college-go round and it does get better - although it still is sometimes filled with doubt, tears, and joy !

Good luck to all !!!

 

[golfgal]

Ok, I didn't want to tell it but you're making meso here goes......


Many HS students take the SATs for the first time in March or June of their junior year, and then again in the fall of their senior year. So, the scores are mostly juniors and seniors. In January, fewer students take it, but there are many middle schoolers that take it for gifted and talent programs (like Duke University's). Therefore, the scores are more likely to be lower, and the curve adjusted, so jr/sr (who are more knowledgeable) will score higher. Example: June SAt - mostly high schoolers taking it so not as many questions thrown out, so the score is what it is. You score a 520, and that's what you get. January, mostly middle schoolers taking it. Collegeboard sees that many students miss quite a few questions, they throw those questions out (middle schoolers haven't been taught a lot of things on the test yet). Now, that 520 score that you would have had, now becomes more like a 560 (roughly - just guestimating, but you get my drift). January is also a good time because there is usually a lull in student activity (fall sports have ended, no finals or AP exams to study for, kids tend to stay inside more because of the weather (so more time to study). Fall is an extremely busy time for seniors.

But you didn't hear that from me


And for #10 - Most Ivy schools require them, many other competitive schools recommend them, and they look pretty darn good at a lot of other schools. My child was a math/science girl (until she hit honors geometry and bio), so I thought that she should take the math subject test after Alg. 2 next year, and the biology one after AP Bio her junior year. Now that she's in HS, she's doing better in her English and World history classes, so she may do things differently. Collegeboard should have the school's recommendation or requirement for subject tests.

We may have to look into having our twins take a couple of these. They are in Algebra 2 and AP bio right now. They are also taking AP US History so I need to see if that is one of the or if I should wait until next year when they are done with AP World.

Unfortunately, no. No one in our family (except my SIL) went to college. And SIL went to college 25+ years ago so things have changed tremendously since then.

There are a LOT of scholarships out there for first generation student as well as the TRIO program that is available for first generation college students. When you start with college visits make sure they know she is a first generation student and they will give you more information about this.

 

[MrsPete]

I think this is saying it doesn't actually matter what month you take the test, correct?

I know nothing about a "curve" making some months easier than others, but I DO know this:

If you plan to have your student's actual test mailed to you after the test (a very good idea because then you can pinpoint his or her weaknesses and work on them), you must choose one of the more popular dates. Off the top of my head, I cannot say which months offer this option and which months do not.

There are a LOT of scholarships out there for first generation student as well as the TRIO program that is available for first generation college students. When you start with college visits make sure they know she is a first generation student and they will give you more information about this.

Yes, you'll find lots of scholarships -- mostly small ones, but they add up -- for first-generation college students.

If you could "build a student" perfect for scholarships, it'd be a first-generation college student with a parent in the military (or law enforcement) who planned to go into teaching or nursing. Obviously, top grades, community service, and extra-curriculars. And throw in financial need. That person would CLEAN UP.

 

[golfgal]

I know nothing about a "curve" making some months easier than others, but I DO know this:

If you plan to have your student's actual test mailed to you after the test (a very good idea because then you can pinpoint his or her weaknesses and work on them), you must choose one of the more popular dates. Off the top of my head, I cannot say which months offer this option and which months do not. Yes, you'll find lots of scholarships -- mostly small ones, but they add up -- for first-generation college students.

If you could "build a student" perfect for scholarships, it'd be a first-generation college student with a parent in the military (or law enforcement) who planned to go into teaching or nursing. Obviously, top grades, community service, and extra-curriculars. And throw in financial need. That person would CLEAN UP.

I don't know about that--our high school announcements from this past week has 2 $1000 and one $2500 local scholarship for a first generation student as well as one for $5000 if they have a 28+ on the ACT and are a first generation student of color.