Summer School Option

Failing a class in high school can be devastating to self esteem (not to mention offer potential trouble getting into a preferred college), but luckily there are options to take: Summer school, taking the class over the following year, staying back a year or, if it’s an elective, just letting it go. Here are five reasons why summer school is a viable choice:


1.) Summer school will give more time to learn the basics of the subject being taught. Middle and high school classes mimic the fast paced world in which we live. Unfortunately, students learning math and science often can’t keep up and get lost. Considering each step is a building block for the next concept in the course, it isn’t a mystery why many students do not pass a class the first time around. The needed time is offered during summer school sessions.

2.) The environment of a summer school class offers a different approach. It tends to be more relaxed with smaller classes – it’s the optimal learning environment in which all students could benefit. Couple that with having a different teacher who uses their unique teaching approach and students may do very well with the subject that they previously failed. students, such as these, do well in summer school and often become more positive about their academics.

3.) Summer school will give a second chance to obtain class credit, preventing doubling up a core class during the school year. Here is how today’s high school works: Each state requires a certain amount of core classes to be taken by every student and passed before they can graduate. So, even if a student isn’t going to college, he/she may still have to pass four math classes including algebra and geometry to obtain a diploma. This can be demoralizing to students that have a hard time in math classes. If he/she fails the one, having to take two of these together the next year can lead to more failure with the possibility of the teenager dropping out of school. Summer school prevents this problem.

4.) During summer school, students will be able to focus on just that particular class. Remember, students face the same type of stress that we are facing in our adult lives with deadlines and the push to perform well. Summer school will help those who get overloaded by having too many classes to focus on at one time. So, if the work load during the school year was a problem, summer school is the option to take to get the class credit.

5.) Summer school will give the chance to raise his/her grade point average. A failure in any class really hurts the cumulative average and can cost the chance to go on to the college or technical school of choice. While letting an elective class go and not retaking it is an option, summer school grades replace the failing grade already earned, thereby raising the grade point average.

Create a positive conversation by bringing up something your does well. Then discuss ways to keep a failing grade from happening again by using study groups and perhaps hiring a tutor at the first sign of trouble in a class. When it is all said and done, summer school will get some students back on the right track with passing grades.

Summer School Tips

When looking for a summer school program, here are some important factors to consider:

• How much of the summer do you want to commit to school? Programs range from five days to eight weeks.
• What do you want to get out of summer school? Do you want to turbocharge your academics? Act in a play? Teach young children? Learn how a political campaign is conducted? Polish up a second language? Work with engineers in the computer industry?
• Where do you want to stay? Do you want a residential program where you live in dorms with other students or would you prefer to live at home, attending school only during the day?
• Can you get high-school (or college) credit for summer school courses? Receiving credit depends both on the school where you take the course and on your home school.
• How much can you spend on summer school? If the answer is nothing, are free programs available in your state or school district?

Bottom Line

When evaluating whether summer school is right for you, the real question is what you aspire to learn and what type of summer program provides the best experience for it. For more advice and for information about specific programs, talk to your high school counselor.

Summer School - It’s Not What You Think:

Summer school may make you think of remedial classes for students who slacked off during the school year. But that’s not the whole story. Yes, lots of high schools do have mandatory summer school for students who have underperformed. But summer school can also mean attending classes at a college, in programs students actually compete to get into.

A Variety of Programs and Benefits

These days, there are summer schools for just about every type of student, whether you’d like to work on academic subjects or developing skills such as playing an instrument or sport.

Pursue Your Interests

Use a summer program to develop a talent or interest in the arts, humanities, or sciences. For example, the California State Summer School for the Arts, held on the campus of the California Institute for the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia, has programs in film and video, creative writing, visual arts, animation, dance, music, and theater.

Meanwhile, the Michigan Tech Summer Youth Program allows you to participate in week-long “Explorations” in engineering, math, science and technology, ecology, outdoor adventure, and a variety of social sciences and humanities areas.

To stay closer to home, check out your local performing arts centers, science museums, and parks; many have summer programs where you can get hands-on experience, ranging from set design to environmental education.

Gain Experience Outside of the Classroom

Summer school programs often involve a lot more hands-on learning than you’ll find in your regular classes. Many residential summer school programs include sports, travel, and social activities in their curricula. Personal development and leadership skills are also major themes.

Improve Your High School Transcript

A challenging summer school program can increase your chances of getting into a competitive college. Attending a challenging summer school program can increase your chances of getting into a competitive college. In fact, some summer school programs are as competitive as colleges, requiring an extensive application complete with SAT or PSAT scores, teacher recommendations, and a personal essay.

While attendance at a high-powered summer school does not guarantee that you will get into an Ivy League school, it does add a certain luster to your college applications. Nonetheless, a cutting-edge internship or a job that requires responsibility and leadership can look just as good on your college applications.

Try Your Hand at Real College Work

If you’re craving more in-depth study of a subject you’re interested in, and high school classes leave you wanting more, college-level classes may be the answer. Or, if you simply want to explore a particular school, or experience college classes, it's a great preview.

Most colleges welcome anyone who wants to learn into their normal college-level classes. Of course, they give priority to students who are enrolled full time, but more often than not room is available. Call the colleges on your wish list. Ask if they have a summer semester and get them to send you a catalog.

If you are motivated and able, it’s also possible to enroll in college classes during your normal school year. But make sure the extra workload won’t interfere with your high school work.

The Cost

Private summer schools can be expensive, but the good news is that Governors’ Schools and similar programs supported by state and federal education funding tend to be less so – some are even free of charge, and most offer financial aid based on need.

If you come from a low-income family or you’ll be the first member of your family to attend college, you may be eligible for an Upward Bound TRIO program, in which you could spend part of your summer at a nearby university or college, essentially getting a preview of campus life while building skills and meeting other students from across your region.

Private summer schools, like the program offered at Harvard, also offer a limited amount of financial aid, so don't cross them off your list just because they carry a hefty price tag.

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

Why take AP Classes?

If you’re planning to go to college and your high school offers AP classes, you should take advantage of the opportunity. The successful completion of Advanced Placement classes has benefits during both the college application process and undergraduate life. Below are six of the biggest advantages to taking AP classes.

1. Impress College Admission Counselors

At nearly every college in the country, your academic record is the most important part of your college application. The folks in the admissions office want to see that you’ve taken the most challenging courses available to you. Success in difficult courses is the surest sign of your preparedness for college. The most challenging courses, of course, are college-level Advanced Placement classes.

2. Develop College-Level Academic Skills

AP classes require the type of high-level calculating and critical thinking that you’ll encounter in your first year of college. If you can write essays and solve problems successfully for an AP class, you’ve reached the level of many of the skills that will lead to success in college.

3. Save Money

If you take enough Advanced Placement classes, you can potentially graduate from college a semester or even a year early. Early graduation isn’t always a good idea, but for a student who isn’t receiving financial aid, it can save tens of thousands of dollars...

4. Choose a Major Sooner

AP classes can help with your selection of a major in two ways. First, each course provides an in-depth introduction to a specific subject area. Second, a high score on an AP exam often fulfills one of a college’s general education requirements. This means you’ll have more room in your schedule to explore different academic fields early in your undergraduate career.

5. Take More Elective Classes in College

Not only do AP classes help you zero in on a major sooner, but they also free up your schedule so you can take more elective classes (college classes that are not required for graduation). For many students, a college’s general education requirements and major requirements leave little room for fun and exploratory classes. If you want to take that interesting class on glass blowing or dance, AP credits will make it much easier to fit the course in your schedule.

6. Add a Minor or Second Major More Easily

If you’re particularly driven and have multiple interests, AP credits can make it more feasible to add a minor (or two) or even a second major to your undergraduate academic plan. With a standard work load and no AP credits, you might find it impossible to complete the requirements for two majors in four years.

AP Test Advantages

Did you know there are more than 30 Advanced Placement classes and test you could take in order to get college credit while still in high school?

Taking AP exams can potentially save you (or your family) thousands of dollars in tuition bills depending on where you go to college, how well you score on the tests, and the number of test you pass. Some students will even enter college as a Sophomore due to AP credits – putting you further ahead in the registration cue, getting into more advanced classes earlier, or letting you enter that "Just of Majors" course long before others that started college with you…


Here is a list of potential courses:

Art History
Biology
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Chinese Language and Culture
Computer Science A
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
English Language
English Literature
Environmental Science
European History
French Language
German Language
Comp Government & Politics
U.S. Government & Politics
Human Geography
Japanese Language and Culture
Latin: Vergil
Music Theory
Physics B
Physics C
Psychology
Spanish Language
Spanish Literature
Statistics
Studio Art
U.S. History
World History

Check with you counselor or instructors to see which classes are offered at your school. Remember to check with your potential college or area universities what the AP credits would count for (electives, GEN ED courses, etc) depending on your score. Some college will give you credit for English 101 if you get a 4 or 5, but only an English elective credit if you get a 3.

Also, remember that you generally don’t have to take the AP class in order to sign up for the test. So if you’re a history buff but your school doesn’t offer that class you may be able to take the test elsewhere (another high school or testing center) and try for credit. Each test does cost money but $86 (or $56 if you show financial need) now is better than hundreds in tuition later… Plus, depending on your state and your financial need you may even be able to take multiple AP exams for free or at very low cost. See this website for more information on your state.