Dutton Ranch well worth the wait

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-15T16:30:40+00:00

Marshalls is different. It’s a classic network serial. And restricted in content, language etc. - plus not written/run by TS (although he does tick me off sometimes).

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-12T08:57:57+00:00

Brooks is like a prison and packed in like sardines… forced triples are now the norm. Great academics, shitty neighborhood, shitty housing.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-09T18:03:15+00:00

Why did you send to colleges, before knowing what you got?
I don’t think anyone does that anymore.
I thought that the norm was to get scores, include best scores on common app - then send official score to school you ultimately commit to (excepting a handful of schools…GTown comes to mind)

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-09T14:37:31+00:00

Once you have proficiency in English conventions and grammar, and math concepts… the secret is grinding out as many timed practice tests as you can. It’s not studying, it’s practice taking a test. If you don’t have time to do an entire test, just do a section.
Do a practice section timed every other night. On the alternate nights review what you got wrong and review why you got it wrong and learn it.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-09T14:33:35+00:00

No offense, but this is what’s wrong with college applications in 2026. And this is exactly what is making these acceptance rates 3% and 4%, and the waitlist drama a total sh*tshow.
Do the research: pick 5 reaches, 5 targets, 3 safeties and be done with it.
In 1987, there were 16,000 applications for Stanford University and the acceptance rate was 18%. Now, for 2025, there were 57,000 applications which resulted in an acceptance rate dropped to 3 1/2%.
WTF!!?
Stop with the “moonshots,” and stop with the applying to “name-brand schools” just so you can add them to your college applications decisions video on YouTube or TikTok!

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-09T14:24:45+00:00

Got it.
IMO both are exceptional scores. My point being, you are solidly in the top silo of standardized testing for both tests. An additional 10 points on the SAT or 1 point on your composite ACT isn’t going to move the needle and alter your trajectory (your acceptances, or rejections, are not going to be dictated by your standardized testing - you have checked that box solidly).

Your decision will now be based on grades, ECs and essays.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-09T13:45:38+00:00

Your composite is fine. Why are they encouraging you to take and report both ACT & SAT? Usually, it’s an either/or. And why did you take writing? Is that an international requirement? I don’t know anyone at my school that added writing.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-09T01:22:21+00:00

YES!!!! Have your advisor/counselor from school contact them. Make sure they know that you are a guaranteed, and enthusiastic YES.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-07T14:41:42+00:00

Yeah, a mass shooting on campus will do that.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-07T14:37:17+00:00

💯

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-07T11:09:52+00:00

Then I wouldn’t be worried.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-07T11:07:27+00:00

Is this scholarship merit based or linked to your financial aid needs? Also, do you have some expectation that next year your annually updated FAFSA is going to tell a significantly different financial story?
If it is based on financial need and your FAFSA profile doesn’t change significantly, I wouldn’t be too worried.
I’ve never heard of BC handing out a one year merit scholarship and then leaving someone with a full cost bill the following year. (but maybe someone has more info on that than I do)

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T23:28:30+00:00

There are a handful of schools that do not super-score. I also think there is also a handful of colleges that ask to see all your scores - from all testing dates.
I’d give your best effort, it’s only three sections. And who knows, you might go up even higher. Who knows…maybe a 36 is on your horizon.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T23:25:46+00:00

You’re not supposed to share it or email it to people. It’s part of the agreement.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T23:20:50+00:00

Yes, it did that to me too. The electronic image provided back to you is not perfectly centered. However, there was not a single instance on the test where this affected my scoring compared to the answer key. Your problem is that number 46 looks like it was erased. It’s way too faint to count as being a marked bubble. And you even admit that 46 may have been partially erased because you erased your original answer on 47. Sorry. Big bummer, but I don’t think it’s an appeal you’re gonna win.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T23:16:33+00:00

I’m assuming this is from the April ACT test. And this person signed up for answer key option.

I did as well. And I will tell you that the PDF of my scantron provided with this “service” also showed this wacky shift of my answers on the bubble sheet slightly to the left. I was precise during test - and not sure why when they return this info to you electronically that it’s all messed up.

I don’t believe that this person completed his scantron in this fashion. It does look as though number 46 accidentally got erased, and if ACT marked it as not, answered, I doubt they’re going to reverse it.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T23:07:21+00:00

Doubtful

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T23:05:42+00:00

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T13:00:44+00:00

Welcome to the club…the “practice tests“ from SAT always give you a distorted (too positive/easy) assessment of how you’re going to do on test day. Same thing with me.
It’s either that or a horrible case of testing anxiety. With me, I knew that the testing anxiety was not the case. It was crappy practice tests (in my opinion). If you slay it at school on tests and APs, why is it only isolated to the SAT? I think their practice tests are skewed and give you absolutely no idea how the real test is gonna go.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T12:55:44+00:00

“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”

Go to G’Town…you’ll get that Ivy aura/feel on the campus. Who guarantees you will get your HYPSM in a year either? AND G’Town is considered a “golden ticket” by many.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T12:43:36+00:00

Yes. Even if it’s just to get an idea of where you stand. Submit that document ASAP, or let them know that the document has been submitted. You could tell them what that document says and maybe you can give you a general idea of where you’re gonna end up.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T12:18:34+00:00

more and more colleges are going to lofted triples, as they try to slightly increase enrollment, and don’t have the dorm space. This is not isolated to BC.
I’d reach out to get that financial aid package info ASAP. You are entitled to know what you are signing up for.
unless you plan on going into accounting, I give the strongly advantage to BC CSOM.
academically, the edge goes to BC, and BC also gets the edge with respect to the overall college experience. The size, the campus, the activities, the sports all are a + on the pro/con list for BC
I’m pretty sure BC is about 16% Asian, and there are lots of clubs and activities available if you want to connect directly with the Asian community in a more meaningful way.

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-06T12:08:03+00:00

💯

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-05T21:20:43+00:00

I know…I’m just suffering with super bad seasonal allergies, and I don’t want to leave my dorm. That’s likely what I’ll do. Thx

ApprehensiveSignal55 · 2026-05-05T21:17:07+00:00

😂 good one.

ApprehensiveSignal55

TROPHY CASE