I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[platamama]

Yes we are virtual for qtr 1 in a lot of central va. (Two adjacent more rural counties claim to be going five days in person but I highly doubt it). I don’t expect my kids to step foot in a school building this year. And it’s dd’s senior year. Also don’t think sat or act will be administered.

And ny has 31 states on their list but I too was shocked va got added. Our issues are mainly in the eastern part of the state (beach). I’m from ct and frankly have zero desire to ever return to the tri-state area so it doesn’t bother me. Just hoping mi doesn’t do something similar in the next five weeks.

Senior year. I've wondered how college/universities are supposed to evaluate applicants since schooling is so altered right now. Of course they have more pressing issues with current returning and admitted students, but oh boy this is another headache. I have to doubt that SAT/ACT scores will be a factor in acceptances, because what meaning could they have given the variabilities in all the kids' schooling now?

 

[Albort]

Senior year. I've wondered how college/universities are supposed to evaluate applicants since schooling is so altered right now. Of course they have more pressing issues with current returning and admitted students, but oh boy this is another headache. I have to doubt that SAT/ACT scores will be a factor in acceptances, because what meaning could they have given the variabilities in all the kids' schooling now?

In California, SAT scores are eliminated for now for UC. i would guess just based on high school school work and extra curriculum...

 

[Alexle2007]

Senior year. I've wondered how college/universities are supposed to evaluate applicants since schooling is so altered right now. Of course they have more pressing issues with current returning and admitted students, but oh boy this is another headache. I have to doubt that SAT/ACT scores will be a factor in acceptances, because what meaning could they have given the variabilities in all the kids' schooling now?

I personally hope they use this opportunity to do away with the SAT/ACT requirement. To rely so heavily one test is ridiculous. Some kids are good test takers and others aren’t.

 

[Alexle2007]

In California, SAT scores are eliminated for now for UC. i would guess just based on high school school work and extra curriculum...

Some of our MD colleges aren’t using them next year either.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Yes we are virtual for qtr 1 in a lot of central va. (Two adjacent more rural counties claim to be going five days in person but I highly doubt it). I don’t expect my kids to step foot in a school building this year. And it’s dd’s senior year. Also don’t think sat or act will be administered.

And ny has 31 states on their list but I too was shocked va got added. Our issues are mainly in the eastern part of the state (beach). I’m from ct and frankly have zero desire to ever return to the tri-state area so it doesn’t bother me. Just hoping mi doesn’t do something similar in the next five weeks.

It's my niece's senior year too. I'm very bummed for her. Thankful she's a smart kid and wise beyond her years so she's taking it in stride (honestly, probably much better than I would have my senior year). Hanover sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Senior year. I've wondered how college/universities are supposed to evaluate applicants since schooling is so altered right now. Of course they have more pressing issues with current returning and admitted students, but oh boy this is another headache. I have to doubt that SAT/ACT scores will be a factor in acceptances, because what meaning could they have given the variabilities in all the kids' schooling now?

My niece is planning to apply to UVA early decision and they've already said SATs are not mandatory. She's taken them and has a good score, but is debating whether or not to include it in her application.

 

[havaneselover]

It's my niece's senior year too. I'm very bummed for her. Thankful she's a smart kid and wise beyond her years so she's taking it in stride (honestly, probably much better than I would have my senior year). Hanover sounds like a recipe for disaster.



My niece is planning to apply to UVA early decision and they've already said SATs are not mandatory. She's taken them and has a good score, but is debating whether or not to include it in her application.

DD will also be applying to UVA (Engineering) early action.

 

[havaneselover]

I personally hope they use this opportunity to do away with the SAT/ACT requirement. To rely so heavily one test is ridiculous. Some kids are good test takers and others aren’t.

Well this is a great natural experiment to see if not using them impacts the quality of student they accept.

And I personally do think it is of some value. If I'm comparing two students from different high schools who both have A's in Calc B/C and one has a 750 math SAT and the other has a 610, the one with a 610 may not be able to cut it in a rigorous engineering program. But I wouldn't know that from the grades alone.

 

[DisneyMandC]

DD will also be applying to UVA (Engineering) early action.

Good luck to her! My niece is applying to the nursing school there.

 

[havaneselover]

Good luck to her! My niece is applying to the nursing school there.

Thanks I'd rather have her an hour away than three hours away. Plus I hate driving to Blacksburg!

 

[disfanforlife]

I was afraid Florida might get jumpy and add us on their list for quarantine.....that would help make a lot of decisions for fall trips.

We still have a trip booked for November - but unless Florida ends the quarantine for NYers we can't go. Hopefully, we will be able to go in March.

 

[platamama]

In California, SAT scores are eliminated for now for UC. i would guess just based on high school school work and extra curriculum...

I guess that's what they'll have to do. But extracurriculars are strongly affected by this too. DD is in theater and volleyball, and I rather doubt those are going to be allowed this fall (and even if they were I don't know if I'd allow her to do them). If kids were relying on extracurriculars to strengthen their apps, so much is affected by groups being limited in numbers (rightfully so, I totally understand the reasoning for it). I can say that DD has taken several AP classes in 9th and 10th grade, and once they went to online for the rest of last school year, it was a poor substitute for actual in-person classes. Perhaps that's because the teachers were thrown into it and some adapted easily and some didn't; same as for the students. Her violin lessons became zoom lessons and that was lame. Some things do not transition well to online instruction.

I personally hope they use this opportunity to do away with the SAT/ACT requirement. To rely so heavily one test is ridiculous. Some kids are good test takers and others aren’t.

So true. Plus there's a strong correlation of test scores to zip codes where wealthier communities' students have lots of support and opportunities. Still it would have been a boon to DD since she is a good test taker and did well on both the SAT and ACT in 9th grade, and I was hoping she'd get a chance to boost those scores (based on the pre-covid paradigm). Oh well. Like everyone has to, we will adapt and do the best we can given what the situation is. At this point just staying healthy physically and mentally is the primary goal in my mind.

 

[needsomesun]

I guess that's what they'll have to do. But extracurriculars are strongly affected by this too. DD is in theater and volleyball, and I rather doubt those are going to be allowed this fall (and even if they were I don't know if I'd allow her to do them). If kids were relying on extracurriculars to strengthen their apps, so much is affected by groups being limited in numbers (rightfully so, I totally understand the reasoning for it). I can say that DD has taken several AP classes in 9th and 10th grade, and once they went to online for the rest of last school year, it was a poor substitute for actual in-person classes. Perhaps that's because the teachers were thrown into it and some adapted easily and some didn't; same as for the students. Her violin lessons became zoom lessons and that was lame. Some things do not transition well to online instruction.

DS is taking mostly AP/honors classes for the first time this year. I'm worried for him for those classes because we are starting off virtual (no choice here). Hoping he learns enough to make them useful. He has ADHD and does better in person. I was also not impressed with the online learning learning this past year, and our district was already set up well for it. We're now in a new district and I'm sure they've been planning for it, so we'll see how it goes!

 

[Alexle2007]

Well this is a great natural experiment to see if not using them impacts the quality of student they accept.

And I personally do think it is of some value. If I'm comparing two students from different high schools who both have A's in Calc B/C and one has a 750 math SAT and the other has a 610, the one with a 610 may not be able to cut it in a rigorous engineering program. But I wouldn't know that from the grades alone.

Or maybe it was just a bad test taking day for the 610 person? 610s grandmother had just passed and she took them so not to lose the money? Or 750 had the advantage of multiple test taking preps than 610 didn’t? I guess I just don’t put a lot of stock in one day tests.

 

[havaneselover]

Or maybe it was just a bad test taking day for the 610 person? 610s grandmother had just passed and she took them so not to lose the money? Or 750 had the advantage of multiple test taking preps than 610 didn’t? I guess I just don’t put a lot of stock in one day tests.

I hear you. But in normal times, kids take SAT and/or ACT 2-3 times (at least around here). I do get it. I grew up in a very upper middle class family and took an SAT review course. While I could swing that for DD, we aren't upper middle class and she got UWorld (which I highly recommend) for $99. I do think Kahn academy is a very good free resource that can make a big difference. That said I still think in general standardized tests do reflect the test takers' abilities fairly well.

 

[hlhlaw07]

I personally hope they use this opportunity to do away with the SAT/ACT requirement. To rely so heavily one test is ridiculous. Some kids are good test takers and others aren’t.

And I personally do think it is of some value. If I'm comparing two students from different high schools who both have A's in Calc B/C and one has a 750 math SAT and the other has a 610, the one with a 610 may not be able to cut it in a rigorous engineering program. But I wouldn't know that from the grades alone.

Or maybe it was just a bad test taking day for the 610 person? 610s grandmother had just passed and she took them so not to lose the money? Or 750 had the advantage of multiple test taking preps than 610 didn’t? I guess I just don’t put a lot of stock in one day tests.

I have to weigh in on the standardized test value. I agree with those who recognize they aren’t a good indicator of anything other than how one person did on a test that one day. I graduated with with honors from undergrad, but had a horrible LSAT to get into law school. Because of my horrible LSAT score, it was extremely difficult to actually get into law school because of that test score alone. I ended up graduating valedictorian from law school, passing the bar exam on my first try, and have gone on to have a successful career as a lawyer. But all of it almost did not happen because of one stupid standardized test that really had no bearing on anything remotely related to law school or the practice of law.

 

[mmmears]

Senior year. I've wondered how college/universities are supposed to evaluate applicants since schooling is so altered right now. Of course they have more pressing issues with current returning and admitted students, but oh boy this is another headache. I have to doubt that SAT/ACT scores will be a factor in acceptances, because what meaning could they have given the variabilities in all the kids' schooling now?

At least the colleges base most of the decision on 9-11th grade. DD was already accepted at her college before she had any senior grades, sports, or activities to put on the application. So, in a weird way, the seniors may be the least impacted by this.

I suspect that the test scores will help if you have them, but they will be optional this year since many haven't been able to test at this point. My DD is applying for another degree and right now the schools are saying they will accept the application without test scores but admission will be contingent on getting them (and having them at an acceptable level). She tested last year, so it's not an issue for her. And with undergrad it will be much harder since the numbers are so much greater.

Well this is a great natural experiment to see if not using them impacts the quality of student they accept.

And I personally do think it is of some value. If I'm comparing two students from different high schools who both have A's in Calc B/C and one has a 750 math SAT and the other has a 610, the one with a 610 may not be able to cut it in a rigorous engineering program. But I wouldn't know that from the grades alone.

I totally agree. An A at one school (or even one class within a school) does not necessarily equal an A at another. Tests are the great equalizer. As far as preparation, there is free SAT prep at Khan, which was set up to equalize things between those who had access to test prep and those who didn't. The tests help put the rest of the application in context. I've seen 4.0 HS students with a 5xx in math thinking they can be engineers, only to find out in college that they don't have the math skills to cope with the curriculum.

For kids who really don't like tests, there are test optional colleges out there and many are really good schools. They will still accept tests though.

 

[havaneselover]

At least the colleges base most of the decision on 9-11th grade. DD was already accepted at her college before she had any senior grades, sports, or activities to put on the application. So, in a weird way, the seniors may be the least impacted by this.

I suspect that the test scores will help if you have them, but they will be optional this year since many haven't been able to test at this point. My DD is applying for another degree and right now the schools are saying they will accept the application without test scores but admission will be contingent on getting them (and having them at an acceptable level). She tested last year, so it's not an issue for her. And with undergrad it will be much harder since the numbers are so much greater.



I totally agree. An A at one school (or even one class within a school) does not necessarily equal an A at another. Tests are the great equalizer. As far as preparation, there is free SAT prep at Khan, which was set up to equalize things between those who had access to test prep and those who didn't. The tests help put the rest of the application in context. I've seen 4.0 HS students with a 5xx in math thinking they can be engineers, only to find out in college that they don't have the math skills to cope with the curriculum.

For kids who really don't like tests, there are test optional colleges out there and many are really good schools. They will still accept tests though.

I sort of agree. I know last year's seniors said everyone felt sorry for them but it may be this year's seniors that have it worse. Probably true in a lot of ways (although hopefully things are better by Fall 2021 when they head to college). But I also think juniors are going to have it very tough. Really there are no winners. Just lots and lots of disappointment.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I have to weigh in on the standardized test value. I agree with those who recognize they aren’t a good indicator of anything other than how one person did on a test that one day. I graduated with with honors from undergrad, but had a horrible LSAT to get into law school. Because of my horrible LSAT score, it was extremely difficult to actually get into law school because of that test score alone. I ended up graduating valedictorian from law school, passing the bar exam on my first try, and have gone on to have a successful career as a lawyer. But all of it almost did not happen because of one stupid standardized test that really had no bearing on anything remotely related to law school or the practice of law.

I agree with you. Dd graduated from a very well known private school in Fort Lauderdale with a 5.02 GPA, scored 5 on the calculus AP exam and 4 on the AP Chem exam, yet couldn't score higher than 1450 on the SAT. She is very, very bright and gifted in math, yet just doesn't take standardized tests well. She has taken the pre-entrance tests for her fall engineering courses (they have an engineering prep program) and scored near perfect on the calculus section. If she had scored higher on the SAT she would've applied to Cornell for engineering, but with a 1450 her college advisor said she most likely wouldn't get in (turns out that 15 kids from her school got in this year). Things have worked out perfectly and she did get accepted at her first choice with the largest scholarship they offer, so it is true that everyone ends up where they are supposed to be. Plus she will be only a 3 hour drive from me!

 

[havaneselover]

Just locked in my rate (2.5% on 15 year fixed). Hoping to close by the end of August. I emailed Suntrust (that's who I'm with now) and was told they're at 3.125% on a 15-year refinance.

 

[mmmears]

I agree with you. Dd graduated from a very well known private school in Fort Lauderdale with a 5.02 GPA, scored 5 on the calculus AP exam and 4 on the AP Chem exam, yet couldn't score higher than 1450 on the SAT. She is very, very bright and gifted in math, yet just doesn't take standardized tests well. She has taken the pre-entrance tests for her fall engineering courses (they have an engineering prep program) and scored near perfect on the calculus section. If she had scored higher on the SAT she would've applied to Cornell for engineering, but with a 1450 her college advisor said she most likely wouldn't get in (turns out that 15 kids from her school got in this year). Things have worked out perfectly and she did get accepted at her first choice with the largest scholarship they offer, so it is true that everyone ends up where they are supposed to be. Plus she will be only a 3 hour drive from me!

IMHO a 1450 is a great score.

ETA - those AP scores are also standardized tests, and they can help put the SAT in context.