RedSoxFan21,
Either SAT or ACT is fine. There is a correlation between the two tests, so it is possible to roughly translate one score to the other. However, while the correlation is very good when averaged across all students, individual students tend to do better on one of the tests and worse on the other. So it may be useful to take both tests if a player's score is borderline. The coach will take the better score.
quote:Originally posted by RedSoxFan21:
OP states that you must take the ACT or SAT, or coaches will not talk to you until you have such a file. But he goes on to specifically say you must have an ACT file. Is that just an example, or, more specifically, is it ok just to have the SAT and not the ACT? The SAT is much more popular here in RI from what I have seen from having two daughters in/out of college.
Your son will be fine taking the SAT. I seldom hear a college coach ask what a kid's ACT score is, but they always ask for his SAT score. I have heard that more and more colleges are focusing on the ACT, but the SAT still carries sway almost everywhere. If your son aspires to a very top level university, he'll may end up taking both tests a couple times anyway. Depending on where he goes, he may also have to take SAT subject tests, so keep that in mind as well.
Perhaps one of the best things you can spend some 'baseball' money on is an SAT test prep course. I coordinate private SAT tutoring for all of my baseball players who want to participate, as I believe it is essential to maximizing their collegiate opportunities. In fact, I tell parents that if they have to choose between spending money for their son to take the SAT prep course or play summer ball with us, take the SAT course. We run our kids through Kaplan's courses, though there are certainly other good ones out there. Since we've been running this with Kaplan for a while now, they give us our own custom class schedule and classroom just for our group. We do it with a focus on taking the SAT in March, and again in May, which I believe are the optimum dates for a baseball player to take the test. It does make a difference. Like anything else, you have to shop and figure out which one provides what you're seeking at a cost you consider a fair value.
Here's a situation that goes "against the grain" and will probably be perceived as a "bad message" by some.
My son's SAT score was "less than desirable" in the eyes of many but if you had a social conversation with him, or talked to any of his HS teachers you would not believe the scores. My "dark" side said that it was even a reach for him to qualify for the Fargo Diesel Driving School. However, because of his baseball skills he was promised entrance at every school he applied to that had a scholarship attached. Fast forward 4 years and 2 degrees and any conversation you would have with him about History, Criminal Justice, politics, or whatever, you would sit, listen, and say this kid's pretty smart.
My message is 2-fold.
First, never shortchange yourself in regard to your goals based on test scores. If your goal is to go to a prestigious school, study in a certain area, and play baseball, fight to make that happen, and just don't resign to the notion you are not worthy academically. Let's throw it out on the table. As far as I'm concerned there are just as many kids that qualify with good scores that fail academically.
The second message is one we often complain about in the college athletics. IMO, Put the blinders on, and USE your baseball skills as that "unfair advantage". If you fail it's no fault but your own, and you should be humbled/ashamed. Take advantage of all situations because that's how life works.....like it or not.
As rz ducks for cover
We did, and when all was said and done he fulfilled his obligations at an academic school that looks down on athletes. Many times this site looks at the "big PC picture" and it probably should. But, when push comes to shove it's all about what's best for the individual family and sometimes there's an asterisk marked in our societal decisions when it comes to family.
My "dark rule" is be selfish with regard to family, but never put it back in someones face how you got to wherever.
rz ducks for cover again
My son's SAT score was "less than desirable" in the eyes of many but if you had a social conversation with him, or talked to any of his HS teachers you would not believe the scores. My "dark" side said that it was even a reach for him to qualify for the Fargo Diesel Driving School. However, because of his baseball skills he was promised entrance at every school he applied to that had a scholarship attached. Fast forward 4 years and 2 degrees and any conversation you would have with him about History, Criminal Justice, politics, or whatever, you would sit, listen, and say this kid's pretty smart.
My message is 2-fold.
First, never shortchange yourself in regard to your goals based on test scores. If your goal is to go to a prestigious school, study in a certain area, and play baseball, fight to make that happen, and just don't resign to the notion you are not worthy academically. Let's throw it out on the table. As far as I'm concerned there are just as many kids that qualify with good scores that fail academically.
The second message is one we often complain about in the college athletics. IMO, Put the blinders on, and USE your baseball skills as that "unfair advantage". If you fail it's no fault but your own, and you should be humbled/ashamed. Take advantage of all situations because that's how life works.....like it or not.
As rz ducks for cover
We did, and when all was said and done he fulfilled his obligations at an academic school that looks down on athletes. Many times this site looks at the "big PC picture" and it probably should. But, when push comes to shove it's all about what's best for the individual family and sometimes there's an asterisk marked in our societal decisions when it comes to family.
My "dark rule" is be selfish with regard to family, but never put it back in someones face how you got to wherever.
rz ducks for cover again
rz1 - no darts from me
Most parents I know do their very best to use baseball to get their child into a school they would not have qualified for without participation in sports. It is the payoff for all the hard work and 6 am games.
Most parents I know do their very best to use baseball to get their child into a school they would not have qualified for without participation in sports. It is the payoff for all the hard work and 6 am games.
Good post, RZ. I agree with much of what you say. My point is along the same lines in that you should take advantage of every possible opportunity to find a way into college. Baseball, just like high GPA's and SAT's is part of that formula.
I always tell my players this, and I believe it is good for anyone to keep in mind: 'If baseball enables you to get into college when you would not have been able to otherwise go to college, or it gets you into a better school than you could have gotten into without baseball, you've gotten everything you can ask from this great game. Anything beyond that is simply icing on the cake.'
I always tell my players this, and I believe it is good for anyone to keep in mind: 'If baseball enables you to get into college when you would not have been able to otherwise go to college, or it gets you into a better school than you could have gotten into without baseball, you've gotten everything you can ask from this great game. Anything beyond that is simply icing on the cake.'
quote:Originally posted by 06catcherdad:
Perhaps one of the best things you can spend some 'baseball' money on is an SAT test prep course.
Outstanding advice...
I've said this before, but in the context of this comment, it's worth bringing up again.
Junior did a prep course with a private tutor and his scores didn't change from the test he took pre-tutor. He took a prep course with a class, scores unchanged again. He took the ACT online prep course, same result, no change.
When West Point told him he needed to up his English score by at least 2 points, we asked Junior what English teacher he had ever had that he connected with best. The answer was his freshman English teacher. We paid her for about 6 weeks of once a week one on one time for ACT tutoring, Juniors English score popped up 6 points, and all his other scores rose also.
Our solution, through trial and error, was to get him in front of someone that he connected with. The result was magic. Not all students need this, but ours did. So if the prep courses and off the rack classes/tutoring sessions don't help, consider the teacher/student connection strategy, it worked for us.