Should older students retake their SATs?

oxgirl · 05-13-2009, 08:20 PM

I'm finishing up my AA degree at community college but am looking forward to transferring to a 4 year program next year. I want to get my degree in Chinese and stay near where my partner and I live so I'm looking at University of Vermont, Dartmouth and Middlebury if any of them will have me (an my online class and at home dictionary if they won't).

Way back in the days of dial up modems and pine email I went to a 4 year college but my life got in the way and I had to stop. I took the SAT and the ACT more than 10 years ago. I think I got in the 1400's and - I don't know - something comparable on my ACT. So now, the colleges tell me that, if I'd like to, I can take the tests again before I apply (and take 2 SATIIs if I want to). The person I talked to was fairly noncommittal in saying if the schools preferred a fresh set of standardized test scores or not. Does anyone here have an opinion? Should I get my number two pencils ready and start making flashcards?

thirdfloor · 05-17-2009, 01:29 PM

You might find that you do better on the new SAT/SAT Subject Tests. Some of the sections have been tweaked, and the logic/analogies section has been eliminated. Try taking a practice test, or taking a test prep class.

ThatPoshGirl · 05-24-2009, 01:59 AM

Some schools wont accept scores older than a certain number of years (I assume it varies by school). For instance, Columbia GS doesn't take scores older than 8 years. Also, apparently some schools don't accept scores from tests taken while you are in college. So before you spend the money make sure that the school you are applying to will actually accept the scores.

oxgirl · 05-29-2009, 10:02 PM

Thanks for the feedback. Dartmouth said that some of their non-trad students took the SATs and the SATIIs before applying, but I'm not sure about Middlebury.

crucial bbq · 07-09-2009, 10:03 PM

You don't mention it, but are the SAT's even necessary for transfer students at these schools? If they are not required, then very little to no weight will be put on them if you send them in. If they are required then it would be to your advantage to retake them. Transfer admissions are usually more competitive than regular admissions and a 1400 SAT is about average.

hellojan · 07-10-2009, 04:04 PM

At a school like Dartmouth, admissions expect to see an SAT plus two IIs from every candidate. I think, if you do decide to retake the test(s), you'll find you do significantly better with you extra experience and focus.

It's worth the time if it puts you in range with other applicants.

bezerkely · 07-15-2009, 06:22 PM

Oxgirl...I attended City college of San Francisco at age 39. I completed all the core sunjects in 18 months with a gpa of 3.9. I asked my advisors if I should take the SAT to try and get into Stanford and Berkeley. They said it was a waste of time, they were right I applied to both and was accepted at UC Berkeley(entering as a sophomore), where I have already graduated. Complete the general requirements with a stellar gpa, and nothing should stop you from gaining entrace into a top university.

TrinSF · 08-05-2009, 03:41 PM

OMG, Pine! I used Elm, myself. :-)

BTW, I'm at SJSU, looking to go to Berkeley for grad school. Stanford's Religion department doesn't offer financial aid for MA candidates, so it's not an option.

Valynn · 08-12-2009, 01:06 PM

TY Oxygirl for posting this.

I am about to finish up my AA soon also and I am going to be transferring to a 4yr SUNY university. My only problem is that I NEVER took my SATs, come to think about it I wasn't even offered the chance to take them. I was in Special Ed classes in HS & I graduated in 1991.

portugueseninja · 08-12-2009, 02:43 PM

I think it's worth re-doing them. I'm an international nontraditional student and while I didn't have the option to do SATs, I did do A Levels but am still taking SATs and 3 subject tests. I just think if you're applying after a break in your education it shows that you've been dedicated to studying by doing SATs in your own time and helps ease you back into the learning process as well.

MidwestMom2Kids_ · 08-12-2009, 10:09 PM

I remember pine...

I do not think it is necessary to take SATs if you have had A's in your Community College classes. Your old, high, SAT scores are there if anyone wants to look at them.

Bait&Switch · 08-14-2009, 11:07 AM

I was accepted in May as a non-trad transfer (26 y.o. vet) by Dartmouth. My SAT's were 9 years old.

Let me crystal clear: THE SAT IS A COLLEGE SUCCESS INDICATOR TEST FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. Yes, 17 year-olds - as in, kids who just got their driver's license and don't have their braces off yet.

Like bezerkely said - a waste of time. Admissions crews (Stanford, Duke, Dartmouth, UVA, Brown, etc.) uniformly told me not to bother.

Syrinx32123 · 08-15-2009, 03:06 PM

Actually Biat & Switch, these are direct quotes from an email I received from Stanford

"<b> All applicants, including transfers, must submit results from either the new SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with Writing in order to be considered. Also, though we don't require the SAT II Subject Tests, it can be helpful to submit results from at least two SAT II Subject Tests.</b>"

and

"Yes we will take recent SATs and consider your highest score", when asked if I should retake my SATs

TrinSF · 08-16-2009, 01:35 AM

Syrinx: And you are how old? How old are your SAT scores? How long have you been out of college?

OH, here's an answer, from another post of yours:

"I am now 20 years old looking to transfer to a UC in fall 2010. Is it wise to take the SAT and ACT again for an improved score??"

You're a 20 year old. You're not a non-traditional student. Stanford gave you the answer appropriate for your age and situation. If you were a 43 year old returning to college, they would not have suggested you take the SAT. G'wan, ask them.

TrinSF · 08-16-2009, 01:41 AM

We're a featured topic, so we're getting people who think "non-traditional student" means someone with pink hair, or a unique personality. :-)

From Wikipedia, non-traditional students are:

Students who are older than the historically typical undergraduate student (usually aged 18-25), and had interrupted their studies earlier in life

(Less common usage) Students of traditional age but attending colleges or programs that provide unconventional scheduling to allow for other responsibilities and pursuits concurrent with attaining a degree

So non-traditional students are usually over 25, or have been out of school for usually 5+ years, or are part time, have families, etc.