Boo on you, economy of Arizona (and the world)! LOL

[Syn]

Well I got a letter in the mail today notifying me that I have exceeded (passed above standards) my AIMs testing.
This is state testing that in-state colleges will look at, or so I've been told.

Five to ten years ago I could have gotten a scholarship to any in-state university, just with that.
However, thanks to the recent collapse in the economy, etc. etc., I may still be forced to pay for school.

Oh well, I exceeded, that's all that matters . It's nice to be able to say that.


Anyone else taken any tests and done well lately?

 

[pssh]

Congrats!

I took a PSAT this year and did better than 87 percent of the other kids all across america

 

[Syn]

I took that last year, I believe I got around the same as what you did, but I really don't remember.
I know some standardized testing I got into the top 99th percentile, but I believe it was district-wide.

 

[pssh]

I'm taking it again in a few months. See if I improve at all.

 

[Syn]

Unfortunately we are only allowed to take it Sophomore year.

 

[thealissa]

Syn, I exceeded my AIMS tests as well, and got awarded the scholarship. It is still in place, don't lose hope! It locks in at your first semester's tuition, which sucks because if you renew the scholarship the next year and tuition increases, you have to pay the balance remaining.

Your senior year you will get a letter from the colleges saying that you got the scholarship. If you keep doing well, they'll send you the next one up (or at least ASU will) it's called the Provost Scholarship (worth a bit more money). Lastly, if you graduate within the top 2% of your graduating class, you will get an even better scholarship called the President's Scholarship. I got all 3, but could only keep one, so of course I picked the best one. I get $9,000 each year, and after tuition, I get about $1,000 directly deposited into my back account. It's awesome. Of course, that money goes towards buying books, which even used, runs me about $200-$400 per semester.

As far as PSAT's and SAT's go, if you're just going to your local community college or state university, they're a waste of money. I never took the PSAT's, but I did take my SAT's twice and it turns out ASU doesn't even care. For how much they cost, and how long they are, I wish I could just go back and not take them. ASU does look at them, but you can still get accepted without them. Also, as a tip, colleges don't look at your writing score. They look at your combined Reading and Writing, and then your math. But, it honestly doesn't matter because in order to skip classes you must get a high score on your AP Exam (for English) and do well on their math placement tests (ASU one and the ALEKS test) or have dual credits from your high school that will transfer over.

Definitely fill out your FAFSA, you will get grant money for free based on your parent's income. My mother didn't fill out her part of it and I lost a ton of money since my parent's are near broke. Also, I graduated a year early which entitled me to a $2,000 early graduation grant, however, my mom didn't fill out her part of the FAFSA form and now they aren't offering it anymore due to the economic status. You can imagine how angry I was at her.

 

[Syn]

Wow! Sounds like you still got a good amount! Thanks for all the info, but unfortunately my freshman year I didn't do so great, probably won't get into the top 2%.. hahaha. I can't believe it locks in at the first semester's tuition! That must be how they get you. I am really hoping that I can at least get something.

Thanks for all the info and getting my hopes back up, but since several people said it was unlikely, I am just starting to think there isn't much hope.. LOL. Oh the FAFSA.. I also forgot about that. I may or may not take the SATs depending on if I have the time (/money). But eh.

 

[thealissa]

One last thing, you can't get the scholarship (any of the three I mentioned) if you have, or have received, a C or lower in any of your core classes. If you do, you can simply retake them.

 

[Syn]

Looks like I am retaking freshman class(es). At least the two teachers that gave me a 78/64 were fired that year for failing(or giving out false grades) a lot of students based on what sports they played, etc. We have had a bit of trouble with staffing. I don't know if you heard about it from AJHS. Oh lawdy. Anyways, thanks for all the info!

Err, wait, is biology a core class? I can pass my Aims but have no idea which classes are core classes... :|

 

[jlkelly88]

I just started classes this week. No tests yet. Congrats for doing so well on your test. =)

 

[thealissa]

Looks like I am retaking freshman class(es). At least the two teachers that gave me a 78/64 were fired that year for failing(or giving out false grades) a lot of students based on what sports they played, etc. We have had a bit of trouble with staffing. I don't know if you heard about it from AJHS. Oh lawdy. Anyways, thanks for all the info!

Err, wait, is biology a core class? I can pass my Aims but have no idea which classes are core classes... :|

I never heard about it... I went to a small charter school where a lot of crazy stuff has happened (and still does) but never gets reported. I vividly remember one day last year when a realllly drunk guy was wheeled (in a spiny chair, lol) to the front office because he was too drunk to walk. He almost fell off whenever he was pushed over a bump. Haha

I think Bio is. It's not an elective right? Anything required of you to graduate is a core class (minus the electives like P.E.).

Have you taken any foreign languages yet? You need 2 credits of the same foreign language in order to get into a university.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Well done (all of you) on your good academics.

 

[Syn]

I never heard about it... I went to a small charter school where a lot of crazy stuff has happened (and still does) but never gets reported. I vividly remember one day last year when a realllly drunk guy was wheeled (in a spiny chair, lol) to the front office because he was too drunk to walk. He almost fell off whenever he was pushed over a bump. Haha

I think Bio is. It's not an elective right? Anything required of you to graduate is a core class (minus the electives like P.E.).

Have you taken any foreign languages yet? You need 2 credits of the same foreign language in order to get into a university.

LMAO! That is a great story, we've had similar occurrences, but nothing to that extent (recently).

In that case, I suppose it is a core class, unfortunately.

I am in my third year of Spanish.