- lesscollegestress
- Mar 5, 2023
Outside of the U.S., all future SATs are in the new digital adaptive format. However, SAT will change to the adaptive digital format in the US starting in spring 2024. It is hard to prepare for both forms of the SAT. Colleges might superscore between the two formats or not, but we don't know for sure yet.
Sophomores in the US should plan ahead. As a general rule, those who next fall will be in Pre-Calc or a higher level of math should plan to take the ACT or the old format of the SAT in the fall of 2023. Those in Algebra 2 or a lower math level should take the ACT or the new digital SAT in the spring of their junior year. However, we know that most students achieve their highest scores in the spring of junior year or summer of senior year. That's why there is no pat answer and I will advise my students one at a time.
It's smart to take a mock exam of both SAT formats as well as the ACT test to compare which is right for you.
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/practice-preparation/practice-tests
Students working with me can access free SAT (current) and ACT tests. Free ACT tests are available online from many sites.
- lesscollegestress
- Feb 26, 2023
Though my students still apply to dream schools in the northeast and midwest that admit <15%, the collective gaze has shifted south. Colleges in these states attracted the most applications (increasing in order). Since decisions are still coming in, I’ll report on that later.
Students submitted 10 applications to schools in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas, and West Virginia. Along with the usual enthusiasm for the Crimson Tide, I saw my first applicant to Ole Miss. The Texas privates: SMU, TCU, and Baylor prevailed, since the state system admits <10% out-of-state students. West Virginia University and the University of Kentucky offered significant merit aid, and super-selective Tulane admitted two students ED.
Next came Virginia, with 19 total applications to JMU (most popular), Virginia Tech (very selective for STEM), the University of Richmond, the College of William & Mary, and UVA (ED for any edge).
North Carolina colleges received 22 applications (many to annual favorite and increasingly selective Elon). NC State gets more attention each year, as does UNC Wilmington. Two were interested in East Carolina (admitted), and a few were UNC-Chapel Hill hopefuls (denied–no surprise there).
Florida followed, with a total of 26 applications. Most applied to Florida’s few test-optional colleges: the University of Tampa, which checks many students’ boxes, the University of Miami, which uniquely blends selectivity and merit aid, and Eckerd and Flagler, two small beachside colleges. Students reached for the University of Florida, Florida State (both very selective), and the University of South Florida, which all require test scores.
Finally, South Carolina tops the list with a grand total of 27 applications divided between Clemson, the University of South Carolina, and the College of Charleston. (No wonder so many were deferred.) Add to that Coastal Carolina, a growing favorite offering interdisciplinary majors and resort-like atmosphere.
This southern trend continues as I build my juniors’ lists (LSU is another new addition). I’m visiting more of these schools (I’ve done Florida and Georgia tours, and am heading to North Carolina later in March), so I can help my southern-hopeful students more. South Carolina is next!
- lesscollegestress
- Feb 19, 2023
UGA, Georgia Tech, and Emory visits were planned: discovering SCAD Atlanta was an exciting surprise.
University of Georgia: Enjoyed a private tour of the sprawling campus and a delicious southern dinner at The Last Resort with a former student/current freshman accounting major. The work can be challenging, but she's loving every part of the traditional college experience. Met with our gracious NJ rep the following morning and learned that UGA is receiving many apps and they are committed to giving each one the time it deserves. With 28,000 undergrads, UGA looks to enroll a class of 6,000 and do not admit by major. Becomes more highly selective each year: average recalculated GPA is over 4.2 with top rigor. Hospitality is the newest major.
Georgia Institute of Technology: GTI’s modern campus in downtown Athens reflects its STEM focus and dedication to solving the world’s problems. Every major, including liberal arts, earns a STEM-sealed BS degree. 60/40 instate and out of state, male and female. Lots of first-year support--supplemental sessions of 20 meeting w/one TA to make large classes manageable. Top paid co-op opportunities (many students do three, others just one) with Microsoft, Google, Coc-Cola, Home Depot, CDC, American Cancer Society and many more. Must select a major. Nearby Tech Square campus houses the Scheller College of Business.
SCAD-Atlanta Campus: Unplanned, we wandered in, and were blown away by what students are doing at SCAD’s Advertising and Branding campus. Atlanta is called “the Hollywood of the South” because at least 50 movies, television pilots, series, reality shows, feature films are currently in production. Along with those opportunities, SCAD’s Schools of Business Innovation, Creative Technology, Visual Communication, Building Arts, Animation & Motion, and others give students access to Fortune 500 companies, a thriving arts scene and limitless professional opportunities. The creative energy is palpable and SCAD is growing, with new luxury dorms in the works (the existing dorms are already luxurious).
Emory University: Biggest thrill? Seeing my former student so happy. How to be admitted to one of the most selective Universities in the south? Be an intellectually curious problem solver who engages with community and understands the interdisciplinary nature of majors and professions through your essays and life experience (and of course, take the most rigorous courses offered at your school). The rolling-hilled campus features mostly classic marble buildings with modern additions for the sciences and student center. Hospitals on campus and nearby support Emory’s nursing and pre-med students. But Emory is playful: we met Dooley, the “Lord of Misrule," a skeleton that embodies "the spirit of Emory." In 1899, the skeleton from Emory's biology classroom began writing letters commenting on student life to the college paper. Calling himself "Dooley" the bone man evolved to become Emory’s beloved mascot.
