Blueridge Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 ... now I have an IMPOSSIBLE choice. Here is the situation: My dh's week in Orlando on business (and our trip to Disney) was rescheduled from Sept. 21 until October 12. They will be closing that Orlando training facility at the year's end so there will be no more company paid trips there. It's now or never. Despite the fact that Disney tickets will cost double during that week since Homeschool Days fares will no longer be valid, we could save and scrimp and possibly still go with him. But, alas, that week in October is the week my dd is scheduled to take her PSAT exam. Oh my gosh. She has completed algebra 1 and 2 but is just taking geometry, and the PSAT has a lot of geometry and trig, so she will probably stink in the math section. So, how do we choose...family fun or the only chance to take the test? I am really battling a discouraged attitude today. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 It is only useful if she scores high enough to be a National Merit Scholar. There's a lot of scholarship money on the line. If she's not going to score well with so little geometry, I don't think I'd plan on the PSAT. Also from what I've read, you can take the SAT and only have the score you like reported to colleges, like the ACT. But in talking to ladies who have had their children go to college, I've heard that college admissions automatically takes the best scores in each area anyway. So if you are taking the PSAT as a practice to the SAT... well there is value in the practice but it's not necessary. If I didn't think my dd would score well on the PSAT, I don't think I'd pay for her to take it. I'd be planning a Disney vacation instead. Of course, if this were actually my child, I'd be sitting agonizing over the choice just like you are! So I completely understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I'd go to Disney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 If I had to 'save and scrimp' to go on vacation I wouldn't go. (But I'm going by my interpretation of save and scrimp--it would mean we have no extra money) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 I would go to Disney, but then again we leave for Disney in a week and I am a Disney addict! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 What about the possibility of going to Disney but scheduling your daughter to take the PSAT in Orlando? Would that be a possibility? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnG in Arizona Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Well, perhaps it would help to ask yourself if your daughter has a realistic chance of scoring in the top 1-2% of PSAT takers in the country. If that is not a serious possibility, then the main value of taking the PSAT is as "practice" for the SAT. If that is not the case, I'd say - go to Disney! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babysparkler Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 If I had to 'save and scrimp' to go on vacation I wouldn't go. (But I'm going by my interpretation of save and scrimp--it would mean we have no extra money) :iagree: And I think that taking the PSAT is a good "practice run" for the SAT, even if scholarship wasn't in sight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdeveson Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 What's the point of sitting for the PSAT if you don't think she's going to make it to the top 2%? It would be an exercise in futility. Go to Disney World instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthwestMom Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I'd go to Disney. What good will the test do her if she's not going to do well anyway? You can do practice tests for the SAT/ACT or whatever another time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean too Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Is your dh's work paying for hotel and travel expenses? If you can afford the tickets for the parks for a couple of days and dh's work is paying hotel and travel I'd go on to Disney. Even if you can't afford to go to the parks everyday hanging out by the hotel pool in Florida is a good vacation too. Unless you think your dd is going to get a very high score on the PSAT, skip it and go for the trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Unless she has a realistic chance of scoring in the top 1-2 % in your state, what's the point? She can take the SAT for practice for the SAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneRoomSchoolHouse Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 (edited) I took the ACT and SAT twice each. I took the ACT and SAT, then did a computer aided study program. I then took the ACT and SAT again and scored higher on both by the same amount of points. Lesson learned - You do have alternatives to the PSAT and they do take only the highest scores from your SATs and ACTs. Thought I would mention that I was a Straight A student that always did terrible on timed tests. The computer program was excellent because it timed each section for me to learn to pace myself. Oh, and yes I was an over achiever! Edited September 20, 2009 by OneRoomSchoolHouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceyobu Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Is that even a hard decision? Go to Disney. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueridge Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Thank you all. I really appreciate your responses. It was a long week, and as I get older it seems to be harder to refocus. :001_huh: We tossed around the idea of dh taking a few days off this week and taking us somewhere, anywhere. But the same excitement and zeal just weren't there anymore. We talked to dd about the PSAT and she said, 'Honestly Mom, I don't believe that I will be strong enough in the math section to make it worth the effort this time around. And besides, I don't need a high test score to make me feel good about who I am." We all feel better! So we are getting a refund from Disney for the homeschool days tickets we bought. Dh's company will pay for the October trip (car rental and hotel) as before, and we can save the rest of the money we will need by being frugal at the store and staying out of craft shops! :D Dd is planning to take the ACT in the spring, so hopefully we can get her up to speed with geometry by then. Many thanks for your encouragement. I'm packing my Disney bags again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnG in Arizona Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Woo hoo!!!! Sounds like a mature and balanced decision for all concerned. Have a blast and say hi to Mickey for me! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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