Verballed: But struggling to meet required ACT admission score to get in

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Nov 3, 2012
480
16
My DD has verballed to a really strong academic school and is a 2019. She's a good student, but not top of her class. The University she wants to go to and has verballed to requires a 24 on ACT to get admitted. She didn't get the score on her 1st attempt, and was about 4 points off. Were taking the test again next month and using ACT tutoring program. Hopefully she eventually gets the score in the next year. But if she doesn't get it, at what point do you give up on it and look at other schools? If we wait too long, we could blow any chance at a scholarship. Wonder if anybody has been in this boat?

She really likes this school, but we did have some other schools showing interest before verballing.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
First of all, DON'T give up!!! We are in a somewhat similar situation. DD verballed to her school. Lucky for her that she has an automatic entry since she is top 10%, but academic monies don't really become available until she hits 28-30 on the ACT. She has only gotten two B's in 5 semesters of school taking all AP courses, but she has not tested well. If she went to another state school they would be throwing money at her to get her to come, but the academic requirements are so low. Merit monies start in the mid 20's.

Your DD has plenty of time to get a 24 which is very achievable and she has lots of time. Go ahead and let her take the test next month and then again at the end of the school year. Hopefully the prep course will help. My DD took a Testmasters course over the summer and she scored worse on the SAT than she did the first time she took with no prep work!!!
 
Nov 3, 2012
480
16
First of all, DON'T give up!!! We are in a somewhat similar situation. DD verballed to her school. Lucky for her that she has an automatic entry since she is top 10%, but academic monies don't really become available until she hits 28-30 on the ACT. She has only gotten two B's in 5 semesters of school taking all AP courses, but she has not tested well. If she went to another state school they would be throwing money at her to get her to come, but the academic requirements are so low. Merit monies start in the mid 20's.

Your DD has plenty of time to get a 24 which is very achievable and she has lots of time. Go ahead and let her take the test next month and then again at the end of the school year. Hopefully the prep course will help. My DD took a Testmasters course over the summer and she scored worse on the SAT than she did the first time she took with no prep work!!!

Were definitely not giving up. She might be able to get in with a lower score, but the merit monies start at 24. At least both are DD are aiming high. Were hoping the course and a little experience with the test will help. Also going to have her try the SAT in March. Either SAT or ACT will work. Just wondering if DDs have done better on ACT or SAT.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
My DD has verballed to a really strong academic school and is a 2019. She's a good student, but not top of her class. The University she wants to go to and has verballed to requires a 24 on ACT to get admitted. She didn't get the score on her 1st attempt, and was about 4 points off. Were taking the test again next month and using ACT tutoring program. Hopefully she eventually gets the score in the next year. But if she doesn't get it, at what point do you give up on it and look at other schools? If we wait too long, we could blow any chance at a scholarship. Wonder if anybody has been in this boat?

She really likes this school, but we did have some other schools showing interest before verballing.

When DD decided to change schools her senior year she needed to increase her ACT score 3 points. We found a private tutor who came highly recommended, spent a good bit of money (@ $800) for 4-weeks of private tutoring and DD's score improved 5 points. Not sure everyone will have similar results, but I can recommend a good one in Atlanta!
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Also, does the school superscore? If they do, have your DD concentrate on one section, take it, and if her score is good on that section she can focus on the other.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
When DD decided to change schools her senior year she needed to increase her ACT score 3 points. We found a private tutor who came highly recommended, spent a good bit of money (@ $800) for 4-weeks of private tutoring and DD's score improved 5 points. Not sure everyone will have similar results, but I can recommend a good one in Atlanta!

I think motivation helps as well!!! Those 5 points seem so small, but they are everything! I told DD that she is responsible for $10K/Yr, we will pay the rest $17K. How she gets it (schollies, grants, loans, savings) is up to her. Those ACT scores are any easy way to earn $$$$$. I was told a few years ago by a mom. Instead of spending money on extra batting lessons, take that money and spend it on Test prep tutors/courses. Probably one of the smartest pieces of softball advise I have ever heard....and anything JAD says!!!

Side note: I am talking to a guy that swears that he can get my DD to a 32 ACT or he will give me my money back. He says that he can teach students how to answer most questions without even knowing the subject matter. Needless to say, my interest is piqued. I will report back.
 
Feb 15, 2016
273
18
I think motivation helps as well!!! Those 5 points seem so small, but they are everything! I told DD that she is responsible for $10K/Yr, we will pay the rest $17K. How she gets it (schollies, grants, loans, savings) is up to her. Those ACT scores are any easy way to earn $$$$$. I was told a few years ago by a mom. Instead of spending money on extra batting lessons, take that money and spend it on Test prep tutors/courses. Probably one of the smartest pieces of softball advise I have ever heard....and anything JAD says!!!

Side note: I am talking to a guy that swears that he can get my DD to a 32 ACT or he will give me my money back. He says that he can teach students how to answer most questions without even knowing the subject matter. Needless to say, my interest is piqued. I will report back.

That is interesting. Definitely let us know. I know a lot of kids improve a few points just by taking it again.
 
Jan 28, 2017
1,662
83
Also, does the school superscore? If they do, have your DD concentrate on one section, take it, and if her score is good on that section she can focus on the other.

If they superscore, your schools academic people should be able to help with a path to help. I can't think of the name of the test but we give it to our seniors at our school and it is accepted at some schools and can replace the ACT. (Not SAT). I would make sure it is a solid 24 on the ACT and not a sliding scale related to GPA. Good luck.
 
Aug 12, 2015
14
1
When DD decided to change schools her senior year she needed to increase her ACT score 3 points. We found a private tutor who came highly recommended, spent a good bit of money (@ $800) for 4-weeks of private tutoring and DD's score improved 5 points. Not sure everyone will have similar results, but I can recommend a good one in Atlanta!

JAD - Can you let me know who you used in Atlanta?
 

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