
Dear Parents of Juniors and Sophomores,
Congratulations on the juniors' first expedition into the world of official SAT testing! Now they know the test is not a push-over. It requires specific academic skills and lots of practice. These skills are not simply test-related but are useful for life, ordinary and professional.
At many college institutions, SATs are weighted equally (or nearly equally) with academic average in the scholarship formulas. Therefore a good score will improve a student's chances for merit-based scholarships significantly.
The juniors learned that they will have to work harder if they want to improve their scores. This means we must act in a determined and concerted way to do better. When it comes to college scholarships, SAT preparation is one of the wisest investments you can make.
And so I propose that each and every junior (and ambitious sophomores too!) enroll in the SAT preparation course which will be offered at Montfort this summer by Caitlyn Sommers, a current junior at the University of Pennsylvania and branch manager for "Ivy Insiders," a top-tier SAT/ACT preparation service staffed by Ivy League students. (See Caitlyn's profile
here).
Caitlyn, herself a high-achiever on the SAT, knows the ropes of the test and will be able to show our students how to get there step-by-step. We will make the course as affordable as possible for the students, well below the current rates for Kaplan and similar courses - and more effective at the same time.
ACTsJuniors must also think seriously about taking the ACTs, a nationally recognized alternative to the SATs. Many students from our area have found that they can score better on the ACTs than the SATs. I myself have seen this work. When your ACT score reaches a higher national percentile than your SATs - bingo! - you make it into a better scholarship category, even though the college has both scores. (Admissions counselors do not "average" the two scores.)
SUBJECT TESTSNext, we have to talk about SAT subject tests. There are several reasons to take them. First, they are required for applications to the better colleges. Second, they show your achievement in an areas not covered by the SAT general test. You should take two or more subject tests in the areas where you do best. Third, SAT subject tests demonstrate to a college that you are developing special interests, and they like that. It tells them more about you. It also gives you a chance to "show off." Even if your score is not off the charts, chances are your ability will shine through. Subjects tests are offered in: Literature, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, U.S. History, World History, Mathematics (level 1 and 2), Italian, and Latin.
REGISTRATIONI have already encouraged juniors to enroll in subject tests for May 1st. Another opportunity is coming soon after, June 5th. Although this is Montfort's graduation day, you should not miss a valuable opportunity to show what you have learned this year, especially in Literature and US History, two courses with AP-approved curricula. You can register
on the College Board web site.
Juniors: Don't wait, act now! Sophomores: Get ready to spring into action!
It's your future...and God has big plans for you!!!
Sincerely,
John Pilsner