CollegeBound50

My SAT Is should be in the average range for Davidson (700 CR and 690 Math), and I am going to take it at least once more and I know for certain that my math will go up.

If I chose not to take any SAT IIs how much will it hurt my application, specifically if I choose to apply ED?

mattmom

i would check with the admissions office. With only middle range SAT I scores you are not in a superstrong position anyway unless your GPA and other qualifications are at a higher level. It's true that Davidson emphasizes SATs somewhat less than other elite colleges and has quite a high admit rate for ED students but that does not mean being average will get you in. I think you ought to do what you can to maximize your chances if you really wannt to get in. And really only the admissions office an tell you what the school's priorities are.

Papa Chicken

CollegeBound50-- here's an excerpt from my Feb 2006 Davidson trip report (Davidson Junior Day Trip Report):

"On SATs, I did learn something new, with regard to Davidson’s approach. As their Common Data Set (latest on posted below) notes, SATs are only in the “considered” category, not “very important” or “important”....this is true, as Gruber noted that Davidson looks at SAT 1’s a little differently than many other colleges, with grades & courses greatly dominating the standardized testing. However, he noted that they like to look at SAT 2’s (achievement, subject tests) as these tests are reinforcement for what a student learned in their courses."

I don't know the precise answer to your question, but it appears to me that "good" SAT 2 scores would likely be viewed very favorably. Agree w/ Mattmom that you might want to call. If you get a decent answer, please post it.

kj52

I chose not to take the SAT IIs when I applied here ED 1, and I was accepted. That said, I had an SAT of 1550 (780 Math, 770 CR), which is above the average here, while your 1390 is about average, maybe slightly below. Additionally, I was told by people in admissions that they will look at your AP scores in place of SAT IIs, as they too are a measure of what you actually learned in the class. Overall, I don't think that not taking the SAT IIs would prevent you from being accepted, but doing well on them would be a big boost for you in terms of your chance of being accepted. I would say your chances really depend on your grades, extracurricular activities, and how badly you want to come to Davidson.