2013 AP® Scores are NOW Available

NYU permits applicants to substitute AP scores for SAT/ACT scores

In case you didn’t get the email, Advanced Placement (AP®) scores for tests taken last May were officially posted this morning at www.apscore.org. 

With the launch of a new online system, old fashioned snail mail reports have been discontinued in favor of a system that requires you to have a College Board account to access your scores.

And as many on-the-ball students may have noticed, scores began rolling out in waves over the weekend during specific “early access” windows based on geographic location—a move designed to prevent a major clog in the system when AP scores officially became available to thousands of 2013 test-takers. 

So if you haven’t already accessed scores, now is the time to log-in and take a look. 

BUT, to get your scores, you will need

• an online College Board account requiring registration, and
• your username and password and
• your 2013 AP number or student identifier (if you wrote it on your answer sheet)

Clearly the system has a few wrinkles, but unless there was a problem with identification, scoring or test administration, your scores should be waiting for you and will be added (unless you pay to have them removed) to a cumulative report of all AP tests you have taken to-date. 

But if you’re unlucky enough not to have a score report, feel free to contact Score Reporting Services especially if you haven’t received scores by September 1.

And what do the scores mean? AP exams are graded on a scale of 1 to 5:

• 5:  Extremely well qualified to receive college credit or advanced placement
• 4:  Well qualified to receive college credit or advanced placement
• 3:  Qualified to receive college credit or advanced placement
• 2:  Possibly qualified to receive college credit or advanced placement
• 1:  No recommendation to receive college credit or advanced placement

You can also think of the five-point scale in terms of letter grades, with 5 equating to an “A” and 1—well, you get the picture.

And what are they worth? The awarding of credit and placement status is determined by individual colleges or universities. You can check directly with the school or on the College Board website to research this information.

In most cases, a student who scores a 4 or 5 will receive college credit. In rare cases, a school may require a 5, and almost no colleges will accept a score of 2. In fact, the most selective schools will not accept a 3 for credit.

Locally, George Mason University will accept a 4 or 5 for credit in specified courses, but will go as low as a 3 for languages, Music Theory, Human Geography, and Computer Science.  Neither Georgetown nor GW will award credit for any score below a 4. 

The University of Virginia generally awards credit for scores of 4 and 5, but allows a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the French exam to fulfill the foreign language requirement.  Students receiving a 3, who wish to continue to study French, may skip to FREN 3031.  That must be one tough test!

AP exam scores may also be used to meet standardized test requirements in the admissions processes of several colleges. Fair Test keeps track of this evolving trend on its Test Score Optional List and includes Bryn Mawr, Colby, Colorado College, Hamilton, Middlebury, and NYU among those colleges and universities allowing AP’s to be submitted in place of ACT/SAT scores.

And to get an idea of where your score stands relative to other students who sat for tests last May, check out Tweets that the College Board’s head of AP, Trevor Packer, has been sending out.

In his Tweets, Mr. Packer debunks the theory that AP Environmental Science is the “easy AP science exam”—in fact, it receives the lowest scores of any AP science.  Evidently, too many students take AP Environmental without taking the prerequisites of standard biology and standard chemistry first.

Teachers and AP administrators will be receiving scores later in the month, and many schools include score distributions in the high school profiles they send with transcripts. This is so colleges can put individual scores reported on applications in context with those earned by others in your class. 

And if you’re considering whether or not to take a specific AP course offered by your high school, these score distributions when correlated with grades can give you a pretty good evaluation of the quality of the class.  But not every high school will provide you with this kind of insider information.

Absent the requirement to register with the College Board, the new online reporting system seems like a more efficient, environmentally-friendly way to get scores.  But be aware.  The College Board can now connect your AP scores with PSAT and SAT scores as well as any information you provide on one of their net price calculators. 

And if you haven’t graduated from high school yet, expect to receive recruitment materials from colleges should the College Board sell your name and contact information to admissions offices anxious to get to know you.

Virginia Tech among the Best in Architecture and Design

Virginia Tech (Wikipedia)

Once again, the Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design was highly visible among a select group of  America’s Best Architecture and  Design Schools study conducted by DesignIntelligence in conjunction with the Greenway Group.

In the only national college rankings focused exclusively on design, Virginia Tech made appearances among the top 20 architecture programs (graduate and undergraduate) as well as on the top lists for landscape architecture (graduate and undergraduate), interior design, and industrial design.

programs recognized in the annual

The only other local school to make an appearance was the University of Virginia Graduate School of Architecture, which tied with UC Berkeley for number 7 on the graduate school ranking.

As in previous years, the DesignIntelligence survey tapped professional practice leaders who have direct experience hiring and evaluating the performance of recent architecture and design graduates.

For the four professions surveyed—architecture, landscape architecture, industrial design, and interior design—392 private practice organizations participated in the study which analyzes those college and university programs that have best prepared students for professional practice.

This year’s DesignIntelligence rankings also introduced results from a study of the strongest “branded” schools in 22 categories.  For example, the top branded schools for construction leadership were perceived to be Iowa State, Clemson, and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  The strongest branded schools for best campus building and facilities were the University of New Mexico, University of Minnesota, and the Savannah College of Art and Design.

In the sampling of architecture school brand strengths,” Virginia Tech’s architecture program was identified as strong in the following areas: “Crystal Clear Vision,” “Making a Strong Global Statement,” “Strong Integrator of Design Disciplines,” and “Environmental Stewardship.”

Earlier in the year, DesignIntelligence honored 30 “most admired” educators from the disciplines of architecture, industrial design, interior design, and landscape architecture for 2013.  Among those cited for excellence in education and education administration were Robert Dunay of Virginia Tech, Beth Meyer of the University of Virginia, and Sharran Parkinson of Virginia Commonwealth University.

The top undergraduate architecture programs for 2013 according to DesignIntelligence are:

• Cornell University (1st for 8 of the last 10 years)
• Southern California Institute for Architecture
• Rice University and Syracuse University (tied)
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• University of Texas at Austin
• Virginia Tech and Rhode Island School of Design
• Iowa State University and Auburn University

Top undergraduate landscape architecture programs include:

• Louisiana State University
• Virginia Tech
• Penn State
• Kansas State University
• Texas A&M
• Cornell University
• California Polytechnic State University, Purdue University, and University of Georgia (tied)
• Ball State University

Top undergraduate interior design programs:

• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
• University of Cincinnati and Rhode Island School of Design (tied)
• Pratt Institute
• Auburn University
• University of Texas at Austin and Virginia Tech
• Boston Architectural College, Cornell, Kansas State, and Parsons

And the top undergraduate industrial design programs cited by DesignIntelligence are:

• Art Center College of Design and the University of Cincinnati (tied)
• Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, and Virginia Tech
• Auburn, College for Creative Studies, and SCAD
• Carnegie Mellon and Syracuse

Keep in mind that like any other "ranking," these lists represent one organization's opinions and should provide little more than “food for thought” or a starting place for a more thorough investigation of programs.

Even More Totally Awesome Test Prep Tips You can take to the Beach

Eckerd College

Test prep is definitely on the minds  of college-bound students and their parents. When to begin? What company to use? Are tutors worth the investment?

Although research suggests that most students experience only minimal gains from test prep, even small improvements in scores can be worth the effort.

And the work put into test prep can pay off unexpected dividends in terms of school-year academics.

Fortunately, this project doesn’t necessarily mean purchasing the most expensive package from the most prestigious company in town. There are other options, many of which can easily be explored during the summer months.

Consider some of these ideas and see where they might fit into your time at the shore:

Sign-up for the ACT or SAT Question of the Day
Since we know you’re always “connected,” why not take advantage of these free services and register?  You “passively” prep by simply answering questions that sweetly pop up on your computer screen or mobile device every day. Check answers and compare how you did versus the thousands of other high school students who take these quizes like vitamins every morning.  Hint: Get mom and dad to do it too.

Work the Free Online Prep
Even though the SAT and ACT are paper-and-pencil tests, you can still benefit from working with online test prep programs. Number2.com, INeedaPencil.com, and 4Tests.com offer sample tests and loads of test-taking tips (as do the College Board and the ACT).  Hint:  There are apps for this.

Explore Free Practice Tests 
Have you ever noticed the stacks of little newsprint booklets collecting dust on a shelf in your guidance office? Here’s a secret: each one contains a full-length sample test complete with answer grids. Stop by your local high school and get a booklet or two (if they haven’t thrown them away yet). And then, get up early on Saturday morning, assign a designated timer from among household members, and take a complete test. The truly dedicated will actually do the scoring and go over results.  Hint:  Get an extra booklet and try competing against mom or dad—they may find the calculus a bit challenging.

Use Published Study Guides 
Go straight to the source and invest in the Official SAT Study Guide and/or The Real ACT Prep Guide. All of these books contain practice tests and lots of advice. Again, because college entrance exams involve sitting at a desk and working with a No. 2 pencil, you don’t need to buy the computer software. Instead, take several published practice tests over the summer (see above).  Hint:  For the ACT, there’s a strong argument for looking into other resources including The Fabulous Guide to the ACT, simply because the official guide hasn’t been updated to reflect subtle changes in recent tests. 

Build Vocabulary
The good news is that you can work on vocabulary without looking too nerdy by downloading a few interactive “apps” for your mobile device. The flashcard vocabulary builders, especially those that allow you to enter new words like gFlash-Pro, are really effective.  Or join StudyBlue nation, which added an iPad app to its arsenal of weapons.  Hint:  The device may set you back a little, but the software tends to be very inexpensive.

Work Puzzles and Play Board Games 
While you’re sunning by the pool, grab a pencil and work some puzzles—crossword, “hangman" with a friend, or Sudoku for example.  And after the sun goes down, join the family for a competitive game of Scrabble.  You’d be surprised how quickly you’ll sharpen your vocabulary skills by simply using words in puzzles and word games.  And Sudoku might help with the part of your mind that specializes in critical thinking and reasoning—skills tested by the SAT.  Hint:  There are apps for these too.

Read
If you don’t do anything else to prepare for the SAT or the ACT, make time to read over the summer. NOT Teen Cosmo or Sports Illustrated. Try getting lists from reading-intensive history or literature classes. But if great works of literature don’t work for the beach, try magazines. Look for scientific journals or read popular culture articles in The New Yorker. Remember that magazines as well as books are available at your local library.  Hint:  If you prefer to take your Kindle along on vacation, use the dictionary function to look up words you don’t recognize.

Write
It doesn’t matter what you write, but write. And write in complete sentences. Paragraphs are good too.  Don’t limit your written communications to texting or IM-speak. These habits are harmful if you lose your “ear” for correct grammar and syntax. Start a blog, write grandma, bother your Congressperson, or begin drafting college essays—it really doesn’t matter. If you’re reading good books, enroll in an online literary group like the Big Read or Shelfari. Not only can you share ideas but your writing will improve, especially if you are susceptible to peer pressure and actually clean-up sentences or check spelling.

Listen
Check out iTunes University or National Public Radio for downloads and apps—basic or educational programming. You’d be surprised how much vocabulary and language usage you can absorb on the way to the beach, especially if you take the time to note and look up words you hear and don’t understand. And do something totally radical like watch the History Channel and other learning or public broadcasting programs. It’s all grist for the mill!

Study Forward
Use the summer months to get ready for next year, especially if you're taking a load of Honors, AP, or IB classes.  Borrow or purchase textbooks and get reading assignments—from  your teacher or friends who’ve already completed the class.  In addition to reading, do problem sets.  Working on math skills over the summer will get you in shape for the big tests.  And if you know you’re struggling in some areas, schedule quality time with a tutor.  You don’t need a pricey SAT specialist to work on SAT- or ACT-related math skills. With a little dedication to task, you can kill two annoying birds with one stone.

Find a Buddy
Most of your friends are experiencing test prep anxiety. Gather a few together and form a support group to take practice tests and discuss test-taking strategies. The wise high school student learns the value of study groups early.

So the good news is that there are ways to prepare for standardized tests and still have fun. You can even get a little ahead for the next school year.

It may take self-discipline, but whatever.

On the Road with the Higher Education Consultants Association in the Mid-South

Rhodes College

Undeterred by record-setting heat and humidity, the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) hit the road last week for a tour of eight colleges in the mid-South—starting in Nashville and ending in Memphis.

While the campuses seemed relatively quiet, admissions offices were working behind the scenes to put finishing touches on student recruitment programs scheduled for this fall.  Several campuses were taken over by summer campers while others were already welcoming newly-minted freshmen for transition programs.

Here is a little more of what the 50 counselors learned about each school:

• A “Christian university,” Belmont offers seven bachelor’s degrees in over 80 academic majors, the largest of which is music business—a perfect fit for its Nashville location.  As a requirement for graduation, Belmont’s “Convocation Program” promotes student exploration of various cultural, service, and education opportunities through the awarding of academic credit for attendance at approved programs.  And Belmont students have consistently finished first in the University Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) competitions for their ability to create and apply complex business models to lasting social change, which is a real tribute to Belmont commitment to sustainability and community service.
  
  
• Founded in 1871 as a Lasallian institution of higher learning, Christian Brothers University (CBU) is located about four miles east of downtown Memphis. One of only 15 programs in the U.S., CBU offers a BS in Engineering Management with Packaging Concentration as well as both a Packaging Minor and Packaging Engineering Certificate, all of which capitalize on Memphis-area corporate needs for packaging labs and the professionals produced by them.  Other engineering programs include Chemical, Civil, Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, Electrical, and Mechanical.  A 5-year dual degree program is available in conjunction with Rhodes College.
  
  
• Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) boasts of the largest undergraduate population in Tennessee.  Aerospace is a huge department with five concentrations:  flight dispatch, maintenance management, professional pilot, administration and technology.  And the technology available for students in the air traffic control program is as good as gets anywhere in the nation.  A four-year degree is offered by the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) Department in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, which is one of only four such programs in the US.  MTSU offers guaranteed admission to freshman applicants with either a 3.0 minimum GPA or a minimum composite ACT score of 22 (SAT 1020) or minimum 2.7 GPA and ACT score of 19 (SAT 900).
  
  
• A founding member of the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL), Rhodes College is located on a stunning 100-acre wooded campus in the heart of historic Memphis and offers an outstanding liberal arts education grounded in the Rhodes Foundations Curriculum. One of several undergraduate educational opportunities unique to Rhodes, the Institute for Regional Studies provides selected “fellows” with generous stipends to support intensive academic research based in the mid-South region.  Rhodes is one of a limited number of colleges and universities participating in the Bonner Scholars Program and provides up to 15 four-year service scholarships to entering students who have financial need and an exceptional commitment to serving the community.
  
  
• Located on 13,000 acres including 60 miles of trails, Sewanee is committed to providing a first-rate education at the lowest possible price.  In 2011, the university announced it was reducing tuition and fees by 10 percent for that and the following academic year.  Last year, it announced that the fall 2012 class would have tuition, room and board frozen for four years through the spring 2016 tuition.  Sewanee provides test-optional admissions (a graded paper is substituted) and requires evaluative interviews—all conducted via phone.  And when you visit Sewanee, you’ll find pairs of hiking shoes on the front porch of the Admissions Office, ready for anyone interested in exploring the amazing campus.  Fun fact:  Tennessee Williams left his entire estate and all rights to his plays to Sewanee, the University of the South.
  
  
• Situated in an attractive park-like inner city setting, the University of Memphis recently celebrated its centennial anniversary and is hoping to attract increased numbers of out-of-state students by offering strong academics, generous scholarships, and unique educational opportunities. For example, the industry-supported biomedical engineering program combines biology and medicine with engineering to advance healthcare through the creation of innovate devices and procedures, and it’s one of the most popular and fastest-growing departments in the University.  Also popular among undergrads, the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management, created and named for the founder of Holiday Inns, emphasizes lodging and resort operations through a mix of classwork, applied industry experiences, and a required internship.  Non-resident applicants are eligible for some amazing scholarships many of which include out-of-state fee waivers making the University of Memphis a highly affordable option for many students.
  
  
• The University of Mississippi, “Ole Miss,” seeks to create a “big school experience in a private school setting.” With a wide range of majors and centers of distinction, such as the Center for Manufacturing Excellence, Trent Lott Leadership Institute, Croft Institute for International Studies, and the McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Ole Miss is looking for diverse and well-qualified students from every corner of the country.  School spirit and tradition are central to the Ole Miss experience, and there’s nothing like “game day” in Oxford, Mississippi.  Scholarships for out-of-state students kick in for applicants with a minimum ACT composite of 26 and a GPA of 3.0.  And they are huge!
  
  
• Vanderbilt University, one of the most highly regarded universities in the south, receives over 20,000 visitors per year in its newly renovated Historic Old Gym.  Last year, the Vanderbilt admissions staff reviewed paperwork from over 31,000 applicants and read “everything they sent.”  Engineering has been a fundamental part of the university since the very beginning and includes five major departments and the Division of General Engineering:  Biomedical, Chemical and Biomolecular, Civil and Environmental, Electrical and Computer Science, and Mechanical. The College of Arts & Sciences offers 47 disciplinary and interdisciplinary majors and includes extensive undergraduate research opportunities.  The Blair School of Music is one of three top-20 universities with an accredited undergraduate music program, and the Peabody College Education and Human Development is among the top-ranked schools of education in the country.