College Admissions Counseling | Fairfax. VA | ForWord Consulting
  • Home
  • College Admissions Counseling
    • College Searches
    • College Application Parts
    • Writing the Essay
    • Career and Major Planning
    • Paying for College >
      • Scholarships
      • Financial Aid
    • Test Prep
    • Special Populations >
      • Artists
      • Student-Athletes
      • LGBTQ+
      • Students with Disabilities
      • Undocumented Students
      • Low-income Students
      • Minority and First-generation Students
  • Virginians Only
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • About Us
    • Pricing
    • Testimonials
    • Blog
  • Blog

ForeThoughts:
The Blog

Words (some of wisdom) about the college process.
Contact us

Don't Study for the SATs. Study for the PSATs instead

5/5/2014

0 Comments

 
I have a secret: I'm a closet Tiger Parent. 

Whew. I have that off my chest. 

That said, maybe I'm really a Tiger Cub Parent. I don't push my kids to do tons of stuff, but I do encourage them to pursue their interests. I don't hire private coaches. I don't require the cello/violin/piano. 

But I do care about testing. Sort of. 

Here's what I do: I love these Barron's SAT Flash Cards for vocab. I tape them around the mirrors in the girls' bathroom, in their shower (where they can't get wet), next to their beds. And I do have them take an SAT prep course. But not for the SATs. 

Here's why: There is no test more important for the college-going student than the PSAT. 

You get one shot at the PSAT, and this one shot determines whether or not you qualify for National Merit Semifinalist. It's not until students get their scores junior year that they realize the importance of this test. This test and their results can guarantee tuition reduction or elimination at many schools nationwide. For instance, if a Virginia student is a NMSF, she can get in-state tuition rates at Ohio State, Auburn, Arizona, etc. This means and automatic "scholarship" of $25K/year. 

The SATs are teachable and retakeable. The PSATs are a one-shot chance. 

So, while SATs are always the oft-talked about worry; my kids are secretly studying for the PSAT. Because mamma's big into scholarships. (We can talk about my strategies later. But suffice it to say I know of what I speak. My daughter, independent of university-sponsored scholarships, has earned $23K in scholarships this year through outside scholarships. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Who?

    A College Counselor who asks and answers the tough questions. 

    Archives

    June 2018
    April 2018
    June 2017
    February 2017
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    April 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    Appealing Your Financial Aid
    Longwood. Immediate Decision.

    RSS Feed

For Students

College Essay Writing
Selecting a Major
College Search

Financial Aid 
Interviews
​Scholarships
​

For Parents

Services
Pricing
Testimonials

Admissions Blog

​ForWord Consulting, LLC

Contact Us:  ForWord Consulting  
Call Now: 703-447-1475
​

Our College Admissions Coaches serve Northern Virginia including (Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Fairfax, Fair Oaks, Falls Church, Great Falls, McLean, Reston, Herndon, Vienna as well as Washington DC and Maryland.

© COPYRIGHT 2019.
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • College Admissions Counseling
    • College Searches
    • College Application Parts
    • Writing the Essay
    • Career and Major Planning
    • Paying for College >
      • Scholarships
      • Financial Aid
    • Test Prep
    • Special Populations >
      • Artists
      • Student-Athletes
      • LGBTQ+
      • Students with Disabilities
      • Undocumented Students
      • Low-income Students
      • Minority and First-generation Students
  • Virginians Only
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • About Us
    • Pricing
    • Testimonials
    • Blog
  • Blog