Article on Chances with Low Scores

Chance Me / Match Me
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<p><a href=“http://www.collegesofdistinction.com/subpagetemplates/contributorpage.asp?articleid=197&section=students[/url]”>http://www.collegesofdistinction.com/subpagetemplates/contributorpage.asp?articleid=197&section=students&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>"Don Bishop, Associate Vice President</p>

<p>Don Bishop is the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Previously, he served at the University of Notre Dame, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. …</p>

<p>So you’ve picked a dream college…The only problem is, their average SAT or ACT scores are much higher than your own. Is there any hope?*</p>

<p>Sizing up the college
First of all, how do you size up a college by its scores? Let’s say you have decided that are interested in a college that says it has a “middle 50%” range of 1280 to 1400 on the SAT. Half of their applicants scored in this range. This tells you that their “middle point” (or median) is 1340—halfway between those two numbers. It also tells you that 25% of the enrolled class scored above 1400 and 25% scored below 1280. …</p>

<p>Now, how do you compare to this profile? Let’s say you had an SAT score of 1220… This is below their “middle point.” It is also significantly below the top 25%. Can you still get in?*</p>

<p>The answer is, maybe…Here are some factors that might weigh in your favor:*</p>

<li><p>You have exceptional grades and are you ranked at the very top of your class. (That means the top 1-3%, not just in the top 10%. Remember, you need to be extraordinary, not just very good.)*</p></li>
<li><p>You have taken a remarkable curriculum that distinguishes your preparation or has developed unique academic talents…"</p></li>
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<p>I find this thread helpful; it kinda gives you an idea that is so true yet so simple</p>

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<p>so true, so simple…and so useless. i’m in my senior year, nothing i can do about not being in the top 1-3% at this point.</p>