Dear Friend,
The apricot tree outside my window is signaling spring. The bare branches that were in sharp relief against the intense blue sky are suddenly a bit fuzzy in outline. Barely visible just a few feet away, small buds are swelling and there is the softening of re-birth.
Changes are in the air for Aiming Higher Consultants as well. I am thrilled that so many families have subscribed to my Training for Excellence e-zines. New folks join us almost daily! And we’ve noticed an interesting thing – most families subscribe to both e-zines. Given that scenario, we’ve come to the realization that we can better serve you by combining the Younger Years and the Transitioning to College e-zines into a single entity. We will maintain the schedule of the first and third Thursday of each month. Every e-zine will contain a feature for families with older students and one for families with younger children. This change provides you with the same amount of information in a more streamlined fashion.
Happy Spring!
Jeannette
Back to top
Younger Years: SAT Subject Tests
This article will wrap up our discussion of the various tests you need to be aware of as you begin planning for high school. We’ve looked at Reasoning Tests like the SAT and the ACT and discussed one type of knowledge test, the Advanced Placement exam (AP) that covers college-level material in a specific subject. Now let’s turn our attention to SAT Subject Tests.
Many top colleges require SAT Subject tests for admission. To leave all doors open, it is recommended that your student plan on taking 3 subject tests. Many schools accept 2, but homeschoolers are often encouraged to take more. These one-hour multiple-choice tests assume a high school level knowledge of the subject matter. They are offered seven times a year on the same day as the SAT; however, you can only take one or the other on a single test day. You may take up to three SAT Subject tests in one day, but I only recommend taking one.
Test Categories:
English Literature U.S. History World History Math Level 1 - after 2 years of algebra and 1 year of geometry. Note: many schools will not accept level 1 as it covers the same material as the SAT math section. Math Level 2 - adds elementary functions (precalculus and/or trigonometry) Biology E - questions pertaining to biological communities, populations, and energy flow Biology M - questions pertaining to biochemistry, cellular structure and processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis Chemistry Physics Languages - Some are offered only as reading tests, others with listening to measure your ability to understand the spoken language. Listening tests are offered only in November.
Hints for Selection
Don’t take both math tests or both biology tests. The goal of these tests is to show that your student can handle diverse subject matter. This is critical for homeschoolers.
It appears that native speakers are taking the tests in languages and driving the scores up, making it difficult for those new to the language to score in the top percentiles. Just something to consider.
If you think there is any possibility at all that your student might major in engineering, they will want to take Subject Tests in Chemistry and Math Level 2 as these are required by many engineering schools.
How to Prepare
These tests should be taken immediately after completing a class in the subject. Have your student study with a good test prep guide to make sure that they know what the test will cover, even if they have had a good class in the subject. Have them take as many practice tests as they can under timed, realistic conditions at home (if their scores aren’t what they want, as many as 6-8 practice runs).
I recommend your student start taking these as early as possible to spread the test load out. If your students can start taking them the sophomore year, it will be much more manageable.
Fee Waivers
If you are a low-income family, you can request a SAT and SAT Subject test fee waivers. These can also sometimes serve as college admission fee waivers. Click here to check CollegeBoard for details.
Score Choice
Many students are looking at Score Choice as a excuse to just take the SAT or SAT Subject tests without preparing, hoping that they perform well enough the first time that they won’t have to put much effort into it. While many colleges will allow you to use Score Choice, be advised that some colleges prefer that you give them all test scores. CollegeBoard advises you to honor the wishes of the school.
Bottom line, to keep all doors open, prepare well and don’t count on using Score Choice. You may have that option, but you might find that your first choice college wants you to report everything.
Back to top
Transitioning to College: Planning a Unique Graduation
Homeschool graduations can be as distinctive as the person they honor. While some homeschool groups opt for the traditional mortar board and gowned event with obligatory speaker and display table for each graduate, we opted for a much more personalized celebration with our children.
Thank You
My son’s senior year was embarrassingly successful. It seemed that every few weeks the newspapers ran a new front-page article about another national award Austin had won. When it came time to plan his graduation, he made it clear that none of that would be mentioned or be in evidence ANYWHERE! He didn’t want the focus to be on him, but on the people he invited. He requested a simple fellowship time with his extended family, his church family, and some friends. So we decided to turn it into a Thank You event – no mention of awards, scholarships, colleges, future plans, anything.
He wrote a touching essay about his science mentor (an elder in our church) that was placed inside the program. That mentor was the keynote speaker that afternoon and told wonderful stories about my son when he was a wide-eyed little boy with huge feet and a bigger curiosity. We put together a fun slide show featuring all the people in the room accompanied by the great song “Thank You.”
Austin’s “graduation speech” consisted of thanking each person for all they had meant to him through the years. In the only bow to formality, his father handed him his diploma and said a few words. Then we ate and laughed and talked the rest of the afternoon.
Tea Party
My daughter asked for a very different kind of event. As a classical violinist, she wanted to combine her senior recital with graduation and a tea party. Not just any tea party either, but High Tea.
Many of the people in the audience were not classical fans, so she broke protocol to explain each piece of music and what it meant to her just before she performed it. She saw it as her gift back to the people who had encouraged her growth as a musician.
After she was hugged and presented with a dozen roses by her big brother, we re-located to our church a few blocks away where tables were decorated with tea pots, photos, and all sorts of girlie treasures. Guests were treated to a dizzying array of scones, tea sandwiches, cookies, and fruit. Natalie didn’t want any formal speeches (as she knew everyone would cry) so we opened the floor for funny stories about her instead and laughed until it hurt. Like her brother, she wanted nothing to do with showcasing her successes, but just wanted to treat people to a fun time.
Personal is Best
We’ve been to graduations at state parks, backyards, and church rec rooms. Each one was distinctive and totally fit the personality of the graduate. I encourage you to think outside the box when planning this event for your graduate. Personalized graduations bring closure to a wonderful period and can help us with the transition to the next phase of life.
Back to top
Resources: The Naval Academy’s STEM Program
The Naval Academy has an interesting opportunity called the STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for rising 8th-11th graders. It is a free weeklong camp at the Academy. Check it out here:
http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/stem
Back to top
Forward
Do you know someone else who would benefit from this newsletter? Forward it to them!
Did someone else forward this email to you? Subscribe here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox!
If you’ve missed past editions of Training for Excellence, visit our Archives!
Want to Use This Article in Your
E-zine or Website?
You have our blessing, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
“College Consultant Jeannette Webb publishes Training for Excellence, a bi-monthly e-zine designed to empower families to make thoughtful choices for their younger children, to confidently navigate the difficult high school years, and then ace the college admissions process. Sign up for your FREE e-zine at www.AimingHigherConsultants.com.
Back to top
About Us
Jeannette Webb is the founder of Aiming Higher Consultants, a firm dedicated to helping Christian students gain admission to great colleges. She has a heart for assisting parents as they train their children for excellence. Jeannette works to empower families to make thoughtful choices for their younger children, to confidently navigate the difficult high school years, and then ace the college admissions process.
If you liked today’s issue, you’ll love her personalized consulting services that help you map out a holistic plan for your student.
While Jeannette is best known for her clear-sighted counseling, her clients feel that her biggest gift to their family was permission to be themselves.
Back to top
|
