Picking Colleges

Colleges and universities in the US do not follow a single pattern. You have real choices when picking a college. When you take the time to explore alternatives, you
• Discover exciting options that you never dreamed exist
• Understand better what suits you
• Apply only to schools you know you like
• Become a stronger candidate

Many students and parents are unaware of the richness and range of possibilities. You may think the only major differences among colleges are size, location and how hard they are to get into. Your assumptions can needlessly limit which schools you consider.

For example, do you believe
• Curriculums are basically similar. The first two years you fulfill requirements in subjects such as science, humanities, social science, and then you pick a major.
• It will cost more to go to a private school than a state school.
• State schools are very large.
• With SAT scores below 1500 there is no point applying to an Ivy League school?

Consider this!

• Many colleges have absolutely no required courses or subjects other than your major. You choose whatever you wish from the catalog, as much or as little math or history as you like, or none at all. (Check out Amherst, Vassar, Brown.)
o Some schools go even further to allow each student to design his own education. Students “contract” individual programs of study with faculty mentors. Rather than emphasize preset courses and content, you focus on independent reading, research projects, tutorials, internships or field work. (Check out Hampshire College, New College of South Florida.)

• Many private universities generously assist students from families of low and moderate income. Some provide merit scholarships regardless of financial need. Your tab could be lower than at a public institution.
o A notable example: parents with incomes below $40,000 are no longer expected to contribute to the cost of their child’s education at Harvard.

• Some state schools have fewer than 5,000 undergraduates. Among them are Fort Lewis in Colorado, University of North Carolina, Asheville, Purchase College, State University of New York, Evergreen College in Washington State.

• Admissions officers at selective, private institutions often have more discretion than their state counterparts. Rather than fill entering classes with valedictorians and students with 1600 SAT scores, they look for applicants who distinguish themselves with their accomplishments, commitments and interests, and personal characteristics.
o Your essay, resume, and interview, and recommendations can be decisive.
o Do not necessarily write off a school because 95% of students have SAT scores higher than yours!

High School "To Do" List - Senior

Senior-year tasks

* Meet with your school guidance counselor early in the year to discuss your plans.
* Continue to develop your advocacy skills and to polish study skills.
* Learn about what faculty members in college will expect from you.
* Continue exploring possible college majors that are consistent with your career goal and your strengths and interests.
* Figure out how you learn best and how this will help you in college.
* Find out how to get accommodations in college. It’s a very different process from high school!
* Role-play talking with professors about your accommodations.
* Explore assistive technology that you may need in college.
* Research the resources in your state to find a college preview event for students with disabilities. If your community has this type of event, plan on attending.
* Role-play college interviews with counselors, family members and teachers.
* Finalize your “Going To College” portfolio so that it contains at least the following:
o Copies of your psychological and educational evaluations
o Transcripts
o ACT or SAT scores
o Your medical records (if appropriate)
o A writing sample or other work samples related to your choice of a major
o Your letters of recommendation from teachers and employers
o The current list of academic accommodations and auxiliary aids and services you may need in college (be sure to include assistive technologies)
* Visit colleges (start early in the year):
o Visit the college Web site and look at the admissions office to see when college tours are offered.
o Be prepared when you visit colleges to write or talk about your experiences.
o Admissions officers will provide information about admissions procedures and financial aid opportunities.
o Take your “Going To College” portfolio with you to share with disability service providers, if appropriate.
o Evaluate the disability services, service provider and staff.
o Talk with college students receiving disability support services about their experiences.
* Compare the various colleges and think about living in the campus community (e.g., housing, social activities, classrooms, leisure activities, services for students with disabilities and athletic activities).
* Apply to two or more of your preferred colleges — choose one that is a “reach” or your “dream” school, one where you expect to be accepted and one where you KNOW you can be accepted.
* Prepare your applications carefully, paying close attention to the instructions and deadlines. Be neat. Be accurate.
* When accepted, consider attending the pre-admission summer program (if available). It will be worth your time and ease the process when classes start in the fall.
* Take the SAT again, if appropriate.
* Send a thank you note to the individuals who wrote you recommendation letters.
* If not done in your junior year, contact the vocational rehabilitation counselor to determine your eligibility for DRS services while in college.

Taking Admissions Tests

Tests are part of the process

Many four-year colleges and universities require standardized test scores as part of the admissions process. These scores are designed to supplement the information provided by your grade point average, high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, reference letters and personal essay. It is important to check the admissions requirements of universities, colleges and community colleges to determine what, if any, admissions tests are required. Keep in mind, many community colleges do not require the SAT or ACT for admission.

The most common admissions tests include the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT test. Both tests are timed and average about four hours, including breaks. A fee is required to register for each test.

Sitting through the SAT

The SAT is designed to measure critical thinking, mathematical reasoning and writing skills that students need to complete college-level work. It consists of three major sections: critical reading, mathematics and writing. Each section has a potential of 800 points. The test consists of multiple-choice questions, a written essay and math questions.

The art of taking the ACT

The ACT test is a general education college entrance exam that is based on what is taught in high school. It covers four areas: English, math, science and reading. The test is given in a multiple-choice format, with a score of 1-36 possible for each area, and an overall composite score is given. The optional 30-minute writing test requires students to plan and write a short essay.

Which test is best for you?

It is important to talk with your teachers, guidance counselors and other students about which test may be best for you to take. Some students may feel more comfortable taking a test based on what they were taught in high school (ACT) vs. skills they will need in college (SAT). You can also try out some practice test questions as each standardized test comes with practice test questions on their Web sites. Guidance counselors can assist you in registering for the test. It is also recommended that you take the SAT or ACT in your junior year, so you have the option to retake the test if a higher score is desired.

Start preparing

In the fall of your junior year, you may take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) which helps you to prepare for the SAT. By taking this practice test, you also have a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship programs. The PLAN is a practice test to prepare students for the ACT, which can be taken by 10th-graders. For more information visit the ACT Web site.

These practice tests will give you feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on the skills necessary for college study. This information will help you target specific areas on which to focus, study or practice. You can also see how your scores compare with others applying for college and the type of questions and specific directions to expect on the tests.

If you typically do not do well on standardized test, consider taking a preparation class or workshop in your area to improve your test-taking skills. Check out the ACT and SAT Web sites for additional preparation materials as well.

Step #5: Acing the SAT

There is only one way to ace these tests – prepare, prepare, prepare! Enroll your teen into an SAT preparatory class. Buy books and host study groups – complete with pizza. Allow your teen to take the test more than once. While a lower grade on these test will not keep your teen from attending college completely, a higher grade will get him into the college of his choice and can help with scholarship funding.

Great Schools for Not-so-Great SAT Scores

Let's face it -- some strong students just don't do well on standardized tests. More and more schools are recognizing this fact, and the list of test-optional colleges continues to grow. Other excellent colleges require standardized test scores, but their average scores are well below what we see for the Ivy League and elite liberal arts colleges.

Of the more than 10 colleges and universities in the list below, many are highly selective schools with test-optional admissions policies. Others are colleges that offer top-notch academics, but are likely to admit students with mid-range SAT scores.

Arcadia University

Located just 25 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia, Arcadia University features small classes and one of the best study abroad programs in the country. Visitors can't miss the stunning historic landmark, Gray Towers Castle.
• Location: Glenside, Pennsylvania
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 500 / 610
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 490 / 590
• Test-Optional? No

George Mason University

The 2009 U.S. News & World Report ranked George Mason #1 among "up and coming" colleges, and it's easy to see why with the school's rapid expansion since its founding in 1972. The university's pre-professional programs such as business, engineering, education and nursing are all popular among undergraduates.
• Location: Fairfax, Virginia
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 500 / 600
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 520 / 610
• Test-Optional? Yes

Hampshire College

Hampshire College has never been fond of conformity, so it's no surprise the school has test-optional admissions. If you like to think outside the box, if you enjoy debate, if you'd like to design your own major, if you'd like to be evaluated qualitatively, not quantitatively -- then Hampshire might be a good choice.
• Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 610 / 700
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 540 / 660
• Test-Optional? Yes

Mount Holyoke College

Founded in 1837, Mount Holyoke College is the oldest of the "seven sister" colleges, and it consistently ranks as one of the top women's colleges in the country. Mount Holyoke features a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and a beautiful campus where students can enjoy the college's botanic gardens, two lakes, waterfalls, and horseback-riding trails.
• Location: South Hadley, Massachusetts
• Test-Optional? Yes

Sarah Lawrence College

Located in Bronxville, New York, Sarah Lawrence has an amazing 6 to 1 student / faculty ratio and students will find that teaching truly is valued more than faculty research. The application process does not consider standardized test scores at all; in fact, Sarah Lawrence was a leader in the test-optional movement. The college's quaint campus has the feel of a European village.

Sewanee, The University of the South

Sewanee can boast of a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, small classes, and an 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio. The university has a particularly strong English program that is home to The Sewanee Review and Sewanee Writers Conference.
• Location: Sewanee, Tennessee
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 570 / 680
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 580 / 670
• Test-Optional? Yes are likely to admit students with mid-range SAT scores.

Texas A&M at College Station

If you have a strong GPA or high class rank, you don't need to report SAT or ACT scores when applying to Texas A&M. The university has many strengths in engineering and agriculture, but the liberal arts and sciences are also extremely popular among undergraduates. In athletics, the Texas A&M Aggies compete in the Division I Big 12 Conference.
• Location: College Station, Texas
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 520 / 630
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 560 / 670
• Test-Optional? Yes

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Manoa's strengths are many, including highly ranked programs in astronomy, oceanography, cancer research, and Pacific Island and Asian studies. The university has a diverse student body representing all 50 states and 103 countries. UH at Manoa is the only college in Hawaii to have a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
• Location: Manoa, Hawaii
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 480 / 580
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 510 / 610
• Test-Optional? No

University of Iowa at Iowa City

Iowa has strong programs in nursing, creative writing and art, to name just a few. Some of the University of Iowa's graduate programs are consistently ranked among the top in the country. The Iowa Hawkeyes compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, and historically the football, basketball and wrestling teams have enjoyed great success.
• Location: Iowa City, Iowa
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 520 / 650
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 550 / 670
• Test-Optional? Yes

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin does not require SAT or ACT scores from students who have a high enough GPA or class rank. The university is one of the top public universities in the country. It has numerous selling points including a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a top business school, and membership in the Division I Big 12 Athletic Conference.
• Location: Austin, Texas
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 530 / 660
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 560 / 690
• Test-Optional? Yes

University of Montevallo

Most students submit ACT scores, not SAT, but applicants with average scores won't find the admissions standards beyond their reach. As a public liberal arts college, Montevallo is a true value. The campus is charming, and students can expect strong student-faculty interaction.
• ACT Composite (middle 50%): 19 / 24
• ACT English (middle 50%): 19 / 25
• ACT Math (middle 50%): 17 / 23
• Test Optional? No

Ursinus College

Ursinus is a highly selective college, but they do not require SAT scores if an applicant has a strong enough GPA and high class rank. Ursinus is a top-rate liberal arts college with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio, generous financial aid, an excellent observatory and art museum, and a new performing arts building. In 2009, the college was ranked #2 for "up-and-coming" colleges by US News & World Report.
• Location: Collegeville, Pennsylvania
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 550 / 660
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 560 / 660
• Test-Optional? Yes

Wake Forest University

Wake Forest is one of the most selective colleges to move to test-optional admissions. The university combines the small classes and low student/faculty ratio of a private liberal arts college with the excitement of Division I athletics as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 610 / 700
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 630 / 710
• Test-Optional? Yes

Washington College

Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, Washington College has a long and rich history. The college was recently awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its many strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. The college's scenic location provides students with opportunities to explore the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the Chester River.
• Location: Chestertown, Maryland
• SAT Reading (Middle 50%): 520 / 630
• SAT Math (Middle 50%): 520 / 610
• Test-Optional? Yes

What is a Good SAT Score?

Question: Are My SAT Scores Good Enough?

What are good SAT scores? Do you have the SAT scores you need to get into your top choice schools? This article explains the relationship between college admissions and SAT scores.

Answer: SAT scores are just one of many criteria used by colleges to make admissions decisions. Nevertheless, their importance shouldn’t be underestimated. As much as admissions officers say they take an open-minded and holistic approach to their decisions, SAT scores can make or break an application. And let’s face it -- it’s easier to compare numerical data than it is to decide whether a semester in France should be ranked higher than a state soccer championship.

Also, schools usually make their SAT data public, and they know that their reputations depend upon high numbers. A college won’t be considered “highly selective” or “elite” if its students have an average SAT math score of 470.

So what is a good SAT score? The exam consists of three parts: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. The scores from each section can range from 200 to 800, so the best possible total score is 2400. The average score for each section is roughly 500, so the average total score is about 1500.

Very few students get a perfect SAT score, even those at the country’s top colleges. The list below shows the middle range of SAT scores for different schools. The middle 50% of admitted students fell within these numbers. Keep in mind that 25% of students who were admitted scored below the lower numbers listed here.

Finally, you'll see that some school profiles in your college search will include the critical reading and math scores, but not the writing scores. This is because the writing part of the exam is still new, and many schools do not yet use it in their admissions decisions. We're likely to see that change in the next couple years as colleges figure out the relationship between the writing score and academic success.
Auburn
• Critical Reading: 520 - 620
• Mathematics: 550 - 650
• Writing: 520 - 620

Duke
• Critical Reading: 690 - 770
• Mathematics: 690 - 790
• Writing: 680 - 780

Harvard
• Critical Reading: 690 - 800
• Mathematics: 700 - 790
• Writing: 690 - 780

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
• Critical Reading: 660 - 760
• Mathematics: 720 - 800
• Writing: 660 - 750

Pomona
• Critical Reading: 690 - 760
• Mathematics: 680 - 760
• Writing: 680 - 760

Stanford
• Critical Reading: 660 - 760
• Mathematics: 680 - 780
• Writing: 670 - 770

UCLA
• Critical Reading: 570 - 680
• Mathematics: 610 - 720
• Writing: 580 - 690