<p>So daughter is finishing off junior year very strong… w/possibly getting straight A’s (a first for her!) 6 academic classes 2 of which are AP’s. Her SAT’s however were 1800. We’ve all seen the threads for lower gpa w/ high test scores but what about higher GPA w/ average scores?? My daughter refuses to retake the SAT. She is taking the ACT next weekend to see how she does but she is not a very good test taker. She is frustrated because it seems to her that all her hard work in keeping her grades up this year will be wasted if she doesn’t get into a University… What do I tell her and what schools are not so dependent upon test scores?</p>
<p>Outside of CC, 1800 is above average. My D refused to take it a second time too. In fact, few kids at her school take it twice. GC…( well… ex-GC. …) said “take SAT and ACT once each”. There are many universities where 1800 is mid-range. Check out collegeboards site, and use “how do I stack up”. Are you looking for UC’s as in University of California? (given your user name). Her stats are perfect for mid-tier UC’s</p>
<p>Hay, this is like me! I’m going to UMich, but I am instate, so if you don’t live in Michigan, that probably won’t work out. I had a 3.9 and 1840 SAT (which I didn’t submit), 29 ACT (after taking it 3 times). </p>
<p>I would think that the University of whatever state you live in would admit her… At very least for most states. I can’t see what someone with a high 3 and fairly decent test scores wouldn’t get into any University.</p>
<p>are you a CA resident? As long as your D has completed her a-g requirements and her UCgpa is above a 3.0 she is in at a UC. Now which UC depends. My D with a 4.04 UCgpa and 1250 CR/M was denied at UCD and subsequently accepted at UCM and UCR which she hadn’t applied to. Her sister with slightly lower GPA and a 26 ACT was admitted to UCSC.</p>
<p>Wow historymom! Am I wrong about the “perfect for mid-tier UC’s” thing?</p>
<p>My daughter is very similar to your daughter, a solid GPA but less than solid SAT scores. She just seems to panic on those tests. We are looking at some of the SAT optional schools and the ones that place less of an emphasis on standardized tests. There are some very good schools that fall into that category, including Holy Cross, Wake Forest, Gettysburg and Franklin & Marshall.</p>
<p>Yes we are Calif. residence. Already have son finishing first year at UCSD so we know how competitive it is. It’s like every year it gets harder and harder!!! Her first choice would be UCDavis but she would definately be on the lower end of that average. She would be going in as an english major if that makes any difference. She definately won’t go to Riverside, doesn’t like the area. Other choice would be Cal Poly. I get frightened of the privates because we don’t qualify for any aid and with with one child already at UCSD we’re looking at paying quite a bit in the next year… would like to keep her in state if possible. She does have alot of EC’s, over 300 hours community service, CSFGold Sealbearer, don’t know if any of that helps. She has definately taken above and beyond the recommended A-G requirements. I just feel her frustration, where son was really strong in math, physics, science classes she excels in the english, history department and there are so many more AP’s offered in the math/science at our school to help bring up the GPA (Son graduated w/10!) Is Merit aid based on both SAT’s and GPA???</p>
<p>It’s possible your D will do better on the ACT than the SAT - many do. The UCs will look at the highest score from a single sitting for their evaluation. Since her GPA is good, I think she should seriously consider where she wants to attend college and then work to get there. If she really wants to go to UCD or some other UC but her SAT/ACT puts her below the midline (and remember - half of the students are below the midline!), then she should reconsider her stance on not retaking the SAT/ACT tests. If she puts in some effort in taking some practice tests (at home) she should be able to see where her weak areas are and then work on strengthening those. Sometimes it’s just a matter of brushing up on areas she’s forgotten - especially if she’s weaker in math and might just need to refresh some of the basics. If she’s closed to the idea of retaking the SAT should it prove advisable based on whatever she gets on the ACT, then she’ll need to look wider for her college choices.</p>
<p>If nothing else, I suggest she -
- Take a practice ACT (at home out of a book or something) to get an idea of what’ll be on it and brush up where necessary before taking the official ACT.
- Take the SAT again after doing the practice as above.
- Expand her college selection to assure that she has some matches and safeties. For the UCs it’s as simple as checking off the other UC boxes (and paying the extra app fee). She should also include some CSUs and include some in addition to CalPoly SLO and SDSU since those are very popular and getting more competetive (but she might make it in anyway with what she has).
- Not get too discouraged - she has very good grades and I’m sure will be accepted to a good school as long as she applies to more than just reaches and what might (or might not) be matches.</p>
<p>I’m not sure on the merit aid question but the UCs have ‘Regents Scholarships’ which can be quite good but they’re very competetive - one needs to be in the top so many of the applicants. For the top UCs consider that almost 100% of the students have above a 4.0 weighted so they must use more than just GPA to determine the awards.</p>
<p>This is exactly our situation, though my D’s GPA is slightly lower (3.7 uw) and her SATs are slightly higher (1940). She’s taking the SAT IIs which UC still requires but I’m not at all hopeful that she will do very well. She’s also taking the ACT in two weeks. </p>
<p>She really wants to go to a small LAC, and she’ll give some a shot as well, but in the end I’m crossing my fingers for either UCD or UCSC.</p>
<p>Her stats are close enough to getting her into UCD that she should probably reconsider retaking the SATs if she doesn’t get the needed score on the ACT. Most kids go up on the second try just from the experience of taking it the first time. Some tutoring and practice should get her the hundred more points that would make it far more likely.</p>
<p>When you’re between the rock and hard place of wanting an in state school, you have to do what it takes.</p>
<p>Middlebury and Bowdoin are also excellent coilleges that are SAT optional.</p>
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<p>She is harming herself by refusing to retake the SAT. A potential English major should be able to improve on 1800.</p>