Comments on: Ask the College Counselor: Advanced Regents diploma required? http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/ Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:14:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Anonymous http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-9518 Anonymous Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:21:43 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-9518 hi my name is susan m my question is would my daughter be able to graduate and get a high school diploma without taking regents subjects , because we are currently in california but we will be moving to ny in her senior year and in california we dont have regents we have exit exams which she had already passed would all the subjects she took that are none regents be accredtit to her or what would be the case iam realy confused with this matter if u can answer my question i would realy apriciate it ,and can you please explain what is regents thank you so much hi my name is susan m my question is would my daughter be able to graduate and get a high school diploma without taking regents subjects , because we are currently in california but we will be moving to ny in her senior year and in california we dont have regents we have exit exams which she had already passed would all the subjects she took that are none regents be accredtit to her or what would be the case iam realy confused with this matter if u can answer my question i would realy apriciate it ,and can you please explain what is regents thank you so much

]]> By: Ivy http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-8248 Ivy Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:18:22 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-8248 Liz, Last year I wrote to the College Counselor about the SAT vs ACT and here is her response: To return to your question about whether taking the ACT will have a negative impact on your son's applications: the answer is "no." Colleges that require standardized test scores do not care if students take the SAT or the ACT, or both. It makes no difference to them. The ACT has been around for a long time, but it was developed by a Midwestern company, so that's why it gets somewhat less publicity on the East Coast. The SAT, because it was developed by an East Coast testing company, has long been the ruling exam in New York City. But if we lived in Chicago, the ACT would be the test of choice. The two companies are business rivals, and the only thing they have agreed upon is that they will not give the tests on the same dates. The idea that one test is "better" than another is just a myth. What are the essential differences between the two exams? They both test reading comprehension and math. The SAT includes a writing section (many colleges are still not weighing this section strongly at all) and the ACT has an optional writing section. The ACT additionally has sections on English and science. The highest composite score on the ACT is 36, and on the SAT it is 2400; each exam scores the essay on a 0-12 basis. There is no "wrong answer penalty" on the ACT, while the SAT subtracts 1/4 point for each incorrect response (which forces students to strategize rather than to concentrate on just answering the questions). With the ACT, a student can choose to send the scores from one test date, and withhold the scores from another. The SAT used to offer this "score choice" option, but then changed its policy, saying that all SAT and Subject Test scores would be reported on one form and no individual scores could be withheld; however, the SAT is returning to the "score choice" option for students graduating in 2010 and after. I personally do not prefer one test over the other. Some students feel more at ease with one rather than the other; it just depends on individual reactions. Your son might consider taking both during his junior year and comparing his results. Here's something else the two tests have in common: they test, primarily, the ability to do well on the test. While it is idealistic to believe that a "standardized" test levels the playing field for all applicants, the field is far from level. Many factors impact test outcomes, including socio-economics (test prep courses cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars), learning styles, and whether English is the primary language spoken at home. College admissions officers understand this and take these factors into account. And many colleges have decided that neither the ACT nor the SAT is truly a reliable way to assess a student's academic performance and potential, and therefore have made the submission of scores optional, not required. Liz,
Last year I wrote to the College Counselor about the SAT vs ACT and here is her response:
To return to your question about whether taking the ACT will have a negative impact on your son’s applications: the answer is “no.” Colleges that require standardized test scores do not care if students take the SAT or the ACT, or both. It makes no difference to them. The ACT has been around for a long time, but it was developed by a Midwestern company, so that’s why it gets somewhat less publicity on the East Coast. The SAT, because it was developed by an East Coast testing company, has long been the ruling exam in New York City. But if we lived in Chicago, the ACT would be the test of choice. The two companies are business rivals, and the only thing they have agreed upon is that they will not give the tests on the same dates. The idea that one test is “better” than another is just a myth.

What are the essential differences between the two exams? They both test reading comprehension and math. The SAT includes a writing section (many colleges are still not weighing this section strongly at all) and the ACT has an optional writing section. The ACT additionally has sections on English and science. The highest composite score on the ACT is 36, and on the SAT it is 2400; each exam scores the essay on a 0-12 basis. There is no “wrong answer penalty” on the ACT, while the SAT subtracts 1/4 point for each incorrect response (which forces students to strategize rather than to concentrate on just answering the questions). With the ACT, a student can choose to send the scores from one test date, and withhold the scores from another. The SAT used to offer this “score choice” option, but then changed its policy, saying that all SAT and Subject Test scores would be reported on one form and no individual scores could be withheld; however, the SAT is returning to the “score choice” option for students graduating in 2010 and after.

I personally do not prefer one test over the other. Some students feel more at ease with one rather than the other; it just depends on individual reactions. Your son might consider taking both during his junior year and comparing his results.
Here’s something else the two tests have in common: they test, primarily, the ability to do well on the test. While it is idealistic to believe that a “standardized” test levels the playing field for all applicants, the field is far from level. Many factors impact test outcomes, including socio-economics (test prep courses cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars), learning styles, and whether English is the primary language spoken at home. College admissions officers understand this and take these factors into account. And many colleges have decided that neither the ACT nor the SAT is truly a reliable way to assess a student’s academic performance and potential, and therefore have made the submission of scores optional, not required.

]]> By: LizF http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-7932 LizF Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:44:04 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-7932 Will people in the know comment on ACT vs. SAT. I'd rather my daughter take one not both. Before knowing which schools she'll apply to, how can we know which test would be most advantageous? Thank you! Will people in the know comment on ACT vs. SAT. I’d rather my daughter take one not both. Before knowing which schools she’ll apply to, how can we know which test would be most advantageous?
Thank you!

]]> By: Dennis http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-7930 Dennis Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:12:13 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-7930 That sounds like what used to be called the Regents Scholarship, back when I went to school. What is this called now, and where can I find more info on it? That sounds like what used to be called the Regents Scholarship, back when I went to school. What is this called now, and where can I find more info on it?

]]> By: Iris http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-7924 Iris Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:04:57 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/06/16/ask-the-college-counselor-advance-regents-diploma-required/#comment-7924 Advanced Regents diploma enables the student to receive extra funds ($750) from the state. If you need the financial help, as small as it may seem, the Advanced Regents is the only way to get those funds. Advanced Regents diploma enables the student to receive extra funds ($750) from the state. If you need the financial help, as small as it may seem, the Advanced Regents is the only way to get those funds.

]]>