Official SAT/ACT transfer retake thread.

[Violaghost]

I've yet to hear one concrete opinion on the issue, so I think we should conduct the discussion here.

The question is: if the college one is transferring to accepts college SAT/ACT scores, should one retake?

Let's look at cases.

Case one:
A hardworking but not particularly bright student gets a 1980 SAT (29 ACT) in high school, and then retakes and scores a 2080 (31) in college.

Case two:
A cliched high school slack-off who happens to be intelligent but very lazy scores under 1900 in HS, but starts working hard in HS and scores 2100 - a rare case, but some people do really wake up when they get to college.

Case three (that's me =P ):
A bright student scores a borderline good score - 2080 SAT/31 ACT in high school and then re-scores 2150/33 ACT in college.

Case four:
A decent student scores a 2020 in HS and barely improves on the college retake ( say... 2050). For example, his math is a little better due to a college math course he is taking.

In which of these cases [FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE YOUR OWN!] should a student retake?
My argument is that if a student scores poorly due to laziness in HS and then does very well in college and on the college SAT/ACT retake, the admissions committee will understand that he was absolutely not working to his full potential. At a top school, the committee may consequently state that they want to see more of an intellectual commitment (i.e. "reapply in a year")

If a student scores fairly well (2000-2100) and manages to improve his score sufficiently (2150-2300), the committee will understand that he has gained knowledge through college studies and will not give much regard to the new scores, as the old ones do not hurt the application. [This part a UPenn admissions representative confirmed for me]

Please comment and argue; I think we all need one good "Should I retake?" thread.

[tperkins]

I'd say I am a case 3 too, and I was considering re-taking the ACTS. so I'd say yes for case 3.

[Bait&Switch]

I was the cliched smart kid who did zero work. I was, in fact, drunk when I took the (old) SAT. I got a 1350. A respectable score, but hardly world-beating, so when I got out of the Army and got serious about college, I contemplated dumping time and money down the SAT hole. Best piece of advise I got? The SAT is a test for HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. When I wrapped my head around that, I came to the realization that it was really true, and that I had been out of high school too long to cater to schools where an SAT score would be 'make or break'.

Also keep in mind that the SAT has seemingly become less and less important as admissions get more and more holistic. Several adcoms have told me that it is one of the last things that they look at (tie-breaker situations).

In summery, I think it's much better to put your efforts and resources into areas that will be more likely to payoff during the transfer process:

1. your college grades
2. your essays
3. your extra-curriculars
4. a developed sense of understanding regarding the schools & programs you are applying to
5. how the first 3 things, aka your current life: a) demonstrate and reflect genuine pursuit of your stated interests and b) prepare you for these specific programs and places

This is how I played the whole thing, and I just got into Dartmouth as a community college transfer student, and will attend there, barring acceptances to Duke or Yale.

[HelpMeTransfer]

As a student in high school, I performed marginal at best; thus I never took the SAT or the ACT. Do most Top 30 schools require junior transfer students to submit an SAT or ACT score?

[iuvo10]

I think colleges don't really care for the SAT score when you transfer later on in your college career. The only plausible reason I think they would take it is to enhance their SAT score pool for transfer students, or also use it to compare you to other students in a time you were vulnerable (hs). It is an indicator of how you will perform as a freshman, and, from personal experience, a bad one at that (I scored 1280 but I have a 3.8 GPA in college).

[iansown]

Take what you want from this.

I applied to two top 10-20 schools last semester with an SAT which you categorize as "very lazy scores below 1900". I was rejected at both.

I applied to another top 10-20 school this semester after retaking the SAT and scoring 220 points higher during my first semester of sophomore year. I was accepted.

Personally, I think it won't hurt (besides your wallet) to retake the SAT in college if you score significantly better. On the other hand, if you get significantly lower scores, they will definitely affect your admission decision negatively.

Good luck to those still in transfer limbo!

[lookingaround]

A couple questions...

1) How do I sign up for the SAT if I'm in college? I looked on collegeboard and one of the first things it asks for when you register is your expected date of graduation for high school (and it doesn't let you go back a year- its 09 and beyond). Do I need to get special permission?

2) If I'm applying to two schools and one accepts SAT retakes in college and one doesn't, can I still re-take the SAT and only send it to the school that does accept it? Are you allowed to apply to a school that doesn't accept SAT retakes (if you have retaken them in college)?

[Bait&Switch]

"I applied to another top 10-20 school this semester after retaking the SAT and scoring 220 points higher during my first semester of sophomore year. I was accepted."

Anecdotal. Could have been because of a number of things: better fit, better essays, better recs, more college work completed, their preference for junior level transfers, etc. If anything, your retake effort could be viewed as one of those "above and beyond" type of things.

I would be willing to guess that in this day and age, a school is probably more concerned about your score helping to pull up their average SAT than providing an indicator of your future success.

[Javous]

1. your college grades
2. your essays
3. your extra-curriculars
4. a developed sense of understanding regarding the schools & programs you are applying to
5. how the first 3 things, aka your current life: a) demonstrate and reflect genuine pursuit of your stated interests and b) prepare you for these specific programs and places

I think this is a golden list for prospective transfer students. I didn't have great SAT score--I'll leave it at "very lazy scores below 1900"-- and got rejected from my top choices which were top 15 schools. I thought taking the SAT in college would be too burdensome and I focused on my college grades, essays, and getting good recs. In the end, I was accpeted into Georgetown and BC (two schools I originially did not apply) and Wharton (after being rejected the first time).

I believe what helped the most in my success were my essays. I started my researching my transfer schools during November~December, started the essays during Winter break, and polished them until the deadlines. So anything can be possible in the transfer process.

[regza]

Which of the SAT/ACT is better to retake? I mean, when you send ACT score, you can just pick the best one, while you cannot choose just the best score for SAT.

[iuvo10]

You can choose the best score for the SAT. It's a new college board option (on the homepage).

[ironicallyunsure]

hmm i'm thinking of retaking. it's weird because i'll be taking it with my twin brothers during their first time. the next one is in october, yes? the school to which i'm applying wants all application materials by november 1. do you think i'll have my score by then? i don't remember how long it takes for these things to process.

[iuvo10]

Your scores will be online on Oct. 29. It'll be mailed after the deadline though.

[ironicallyunsure]

so then is it worth it?

[Dupes]

Yeah. Absolutely retake. Why pass on an easy exam that can improve your chances at admission?