Did TERRIBLE on SAT ☹️ + Test Optional Schools

Applying to College
1

I just got my June SAT scores back and I did horrible - 1130. I know I know I feel stupid : ( I am a rising senior but I am not sure of my GPA as of my junior year. My GPA from freshman and sophomore year combined is around 98.98% with full honors classes. I took full IB my junior year and only got 1 B as a final grade so my GPA will definitely boost.
My EC’s as of right now are:
Marching Band - 9th 10th & 11th
French Club - 9th 10th & 11th
Learn and Serve - 10th & 11th
Summer Camp Counselor - summer going into 11th
Community Service Club VP - half of 11th and will be 12th
National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, Rho Khappa (Social Studies NHS)
Tutoring at a local community center (volunteer & paid) - 11th & will be 12th
Graphic Design Volunteer Work for local organizations - 11th through current

Although I will be retaking the SAT I am deciding that I will be applying to mainly test optional schools (Wake Forest is my top choice). How was your experience in applying for test optional schools? My EC’s aren’t very strong and I am relying on my essays and I know that I am black which gives me some advantage. This college thing (mostly SAT) sucks!
ARGH!?

2

Have you tried a practice ACT test? Many students find that they do better on one of the tests than on the other.

Were you surprised at that SAT score when you compare it to other standardized tests that you have taken over the years? Or, do you normally do well in classes and poorly on standardized tests? Good classroom grades and bad standardized tests can be an indicator of a number of things including (but not limited to) poor test-taking strategies, test anxieties, and previously undiagnosed dyslexia/slow processing learning differences. Each of those issues has a different fix or work-around, so talk with your guidance counselor about sorting through the possibilities.

http://fairtest.org/ has a current list of test-optional and no-test institutions. Take a look and see what looks good to you in addition to Wake Forest.

Wising you all the best!