Preparing for college

[#1]

Here is a website that gives you Schools That Do Not Use SAT or ACT Scores for Admitting Substantial Numbers of Students Into Bachelor Degree Programs As of Fall 2007. The link I have provided for you is in order by state.

http://www.fairtest.org/optstate.html

[#2]

Thanks Sal375 and everyone else. This is great information.

[#3]

Last year a student of mine was in a similar predicament...he found 2 New York State schools that don't require the SAT. They are SUNY Canton and SUNY Delhi ... in case you are not from New York, SUNY stands for State University of New York; Canton and Delhi are the towns. They are in the upstate area, but I cannot tell you exactly where...sorry! Good luck!!!

[#4]

My alma mater, Bates College, does not require SATs.

[#5]

I just went through the college process last year with my daughter. We live in NY and she looked at schools in NY, NJ, MD, and PA. Every school she looked into was willing to take the ACT rather than the SAT. Most students in her school as well as other neighboring schools did much better on the ACT than the SAT. In fact, I spent $1000 on a Kaplan SAT class, less than $20 on an ACT review book and it was her ACT scores that were consistently higher. The ACT scores were sent to the colleges, the SAT scores weren't and no college demanded the SATs.

[#6]

Check into the ACT's for your son. Some schools will accept SAT or ACT scores. I have been told the ACT is a little less difficult

[#7]

The fairtest.org site is a comprehensive site as mentioned previously.

People should be aware that there is a relatively small list of schools that require the SAT subject tests (SAT IIs). Many students take these tests unnecessarily but they still are forwarded to the colleges along with the SAT. We have compiled a list of schools that require them and the number required. It is currently posted on our website (see the SAT Subject Test section).

http://www.campusbound.com/CollegeAdmissionTests.aspx

[#8]

Parents really need to know the difference between the ACT and the SAT as well. The SAT measures more logical thinking whereas the ACT tests more classroom learning. So if your child does well academically in classes, chances are he/she will perform better on the ACT. Food for thought! And as a high school teacher, I require all of my juniors and seniors to register with Fastweb.com. excellent resource for ANYONE going to college, even you parents! There are so many scholarships out there that have very few applicants which just increases the odds of your student getting it, especially when the only requirement is an essay!!!!

[#9]

I agree, FastWeb is a great resource and don't wait until your child is a senior, there are even scholarships available to middle school age. It does take some time to go thru, but they have really good suggestions on managing your scholarship search. My daughter is a senior and so far quite a few schools we've looked at ask for SAT or ACT scores, but we are finding that the expectations for score are way below what she got on her SAT's so we are still debating on whether she should take the ACT or even if she should bother taking her SAT again.

[#10]

As a college employee i can say that the difference between the SAT and ACT exams are far more different than the way described. Students wishing to attend college within the City University System and have passing SAT scores(480 in reading, 480 in math) are exempt from taking the ACT exams. Which is basically an entrance exam to determine the Reading, Writing, and Mathematical abilities/levels of the student. Private and State colleges require higher scores. Failing any part of the ACT exams would require that student to be placed in a remidiation course where they would not recieve credit for the course and have one year to exit. This is a loss to parents who are paying for their children to attend college. I suggest that parents encourage their children to take the SAT exam have them study in groups. For some assistance they can log on to the Collegeboard website where there is help and tips for the exam as well as scholarship information for parents, students and educators. www.collegeboard.com. Coca cola also offer good scholarships.