Does a bad sat score automatically.......

Colleges & Universities Johns Hopkins University
1

<p>I know a lot people who want to apply to good private universities but are worried about their sat score. My friend Njeri wants to apply to Cornell but got a 1620 on her sat and is worried they won’t even look at the rest of her application. (Which is very good, she has a lot of extra curricular activities and is a straight A student) </p>

<p>Is this true or do they look at everything before they deny you? Do good universities enroll some people with low sat scores? I really want to help her out…</p>

2

<p>It is very difficult to get into a top university without competive SAT scores. There thousands of students with a ton of ECs, straight As and a sky high SAT score. The SAT isn’t everything but it is given significant weight since it serves as a benchmark. Most top schools have a policy of reading a student’s entire application before rendering a decision.</p>

3

<p>so basically if you have a score of 1620 or even 1800 you aren’t likely to get accepted? even if everything else is good</p>

4

<p>this issue definately concerns me too. i’d love to hear some more feedback on the topic as well…</p>

5

<p>yea what bill said.
there’s always a chance you’ll get accepted. it’s just not very high, in my opinion.
SATs also root out schools that use grade inflation, so as ridiculuous as they are they do serve some purpose.</p>

6

<p>I can only speak about how things work at JHU, so please do not assume my comments here represent all selective universities.</p>

<p>That being said, standardized test results are just one of MANY factors we look at when making decisions. We review each and every application thoroughly and base our decisions on all elements of the application. Test scores matter, but in no way are they an ultimate determining factor.</p>

<p>We do not have cut off scores, and when reviewing applications we look at test scores in the context of the individual applicant’s history – not against some required standard. </p>

<p>The comments of your peers above are assumptions that are made about how test scores factor in the review process for selective schools. I have in the past and will in the future deny applicants with perfect standardized test scores. As well, I have in the past and will in the future admit applicants with what would be considered by many as low test scores. </p>

<p>To learn more about how we review applications read this old Hopkins Insider post:
<a href=“http://hopkins.typepad.com/hopkins_insider/2006/01/three_months_of.html[/url]”>http://hopkins.typepad.com/hopkins_insider/2006/01/three_months_of.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>General rule: a 1620 SAT at Cornell = rejection</p>

8

<p>1620 is a too low for an ivy. I think an 1800 would give a “chance”.</p>

9

<p>My SAT stats were not very up to par with the general Hopkins population.</p>

<p>However, I was accepted and I’m doing fine here.</p>

<p>Scores really aren’t everything. Just portray yourself in a good and honest light. Show the admissions counselors what areas you’re passionate in and let them know about your good work ethic and ambitions. </p>

<p>No guarantees, but with low scores…that’s the best you can do, and that’s how these people get accepted.</p>