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Barb.b
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| Posted: May 21 2009 at 12:11pm | IP Logged
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DS in finishing 10th grade. For those with kids in college, which admissions test did you take - SAT I, SAT subject, act, AP. SO for he took SAT I, and SAT physics (score of 570 - not sure if its good or bad?).
It is such a pain figuring out these tests. He also wants to major in mechanical engineering. Are the SAT subject tests more important since we homeschool?
Any advice, experience sharing will be appreciated!
Barb
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Mary G
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| Posted: May 21 2009 at 1:15pm | IP Logged
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First, have him decide which schools he might want to apply to ... and see what their requirements are. Some want the ACT, some the SAT and some require the SAT subject tests. Some also require the writing portion, while others don't care.
Also, with the SAT/ACT, he can take them often and the schools look at the best score ... but studies have shown that usually after the 3rd time, the scores don't improve enough to warrant the time/$.
He might want to spend this summer looking at schools ... either online or in-person; often (at least this worked for us and some others I know), contacting a school personally and talking to an Admissions' counselor will circumnavigate some of the worries and time wasting ...
Good luck and prayers for all ... as this can be a daunting task. We always turn it over and pray ... that helps SO MUCH!
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Barb.b
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| Posted: May 21 2009 at 5:39pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Mary! Yes, he has schools he has looked at. They all require either the SAT and/ the ACT. So he will take the ACT as well. So far none require SAT subject tests. That said, I don't know if it helps homeschoolers to take them. But truthfully after all the time he has put into studying for the SAT test he took in March, then the Subject test in May, and now is studying to retake the SAT in June (He wants to up his writing and critical reading to above 600 from 515 and 560) I wonder if all the time is really worth it! We are thinking now that he will not take any AP or SAT subject tests.
Sorry for the long winded note! Sometimes I worry too much about homeschooing a high schooler! I know he will get into a college, but until then . . . what a maze of tests and studying!
Barb
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Mary G
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| Posted: May 21 2009 at 6:00pm | IP Logged
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The advice we got (and that I think is pretty valid) if he takes the ACT he should be closer to being/doing Senior-level courses as that's what's tested ... for instance, my 17yod took the ACT mid-Junior year as all her classes were Honors/AP and so basically senior level ... she did quite well but if she'd taken it earlier, probably not.
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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stellamaris
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If he's is going to be interested in taking subject tests, you might want to look into the CLEP tests. I don't know a tremendous lot about them, but I do know that some colleges give academic credit for successfully passing these tests, whereas I do not know of any colleges that give credit for SAT subject tests.
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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Barb.b
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| Posted: May 21 2009 at 7:08pm | IP Logged
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Mary, Thanks for the ACT advice. Right now he is ahead in Math but not the other subjects, so waiting for the ACT until the later half of Junior year might be a good idea. That way he can incorporate ACT prep into the year without feeling rushed.
Caroline, I Don't know the real difference either between the CLEP and SAT subjects. We aren't concerned with getting academic credit, so we might not pursue them. So far no college we have looked into requires them of homeschoolers so hopefully none will! I just hope we don't encounter any admissions departments requiring homeschoolers prove themselves by having to take extra tests.
Thanks!
Barb
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Tonya
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Barb, I agree with Mary that it depends on what school he is applying to. Unless he is applying to an upper tier school, he probably doesn't need the SAT subject tests or the AP exams. However, any testing can help a homeschooled student. If you go on to the princetonreview.com website, you can get a pretty good idea what each school requires as far as scores. My older kids applied to quite a few different schools and those schools were mainly interested in their ACT/SAT scores. A few asked for some more info but it wasn't anything that we couldn't give them.
My son is a little more advanced than my daughters were so he is taking AP classes so that he can get some courses out of the way. He is also looking to attend a more "upper-tier" school. If he doesn't get into the colleges that he is hoping for, he will be able to have advanced placement. He thinks that if he is ready for the AP challenge, it can only help him out.
I would leave your son enough time after he takes the ACT to be able to retake it if he wishes. Some students do much better on one of the tests than the other. My daughters did better on the ACT and my son did better on the SAT. They then put their effort into retaking the one that they did better in. (Honestly, none of their scores went up that much when they retook the tests!)
My daughter is an admissions counselor at Franciscan University. She likes to see as much documentation as possible from the homeschooled kids. It does help to have good test scores.
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Tonya
Mom to 2 daughters (24 and 21), 4 sons (19, 15, 12, 12), and 3 in heaven
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Barb.b
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| Posted: May 22 2009 at 3:24pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Tonya, He did just take the physics SAT test (570 - I think thats good but I don't know if admissions will or not?) And sometime the Math II SAT since he is interested in engineering. As far as the SAT and ACT I thing I will have him take those in late winter or early spring in case I wants to try them again.
Barb
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: College admission
